People in the news

Julie Andrews: Diaz should star in ‘Sound of Music’

London – Julie Andrews says Cameron Diaz would be the perfect choice to play Maria if “The Sound of Music” is ever remade.

Andrews starred in the best-picture Academy Award winner about a nun who leaves the convent behind to wed an Austrian widower (Christopher Plummer) and spread the “Do-Re-Mi” spirit to his seven kids.

At a question-and-answer session celebrating the 40th anniversary of the popular film, Andrews recalled the scene in which Maria runs through the mountains singing “The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music.”

It wasn’t as serene as it looked, the 70-year-old actress said Monday.

“I will never forget it, there was a large helicopter coming towards me through the mountains with a brave cameraman hanging out the side,” she said.

“We shot the scene many times, and at the end of each take, the helicopter would circle round. The downdraft nailed me flat onto the grass, and a couple of times I bit the dust. At first it was funny, but after several times I began to get very angry.”

Andrews will voice Queen Lillian in the upcoming “Shrek 3” movie. Diaz will voice Princess Fiona.

‘American Idol’ judge to stay on at least five more seasons

New York – Simon Cowell will be insulting prospective singers on “American Idol” for several years to come.

Fox announced Tuesday that it had reached a deal that keeps the insult-wielding talent show judge on television’s most popular show for at least five more seasons. His contract had been due to expire at the end of the season that starts in January.

The announcement comes with the settlement of a lawsuit against Cowell by fellow British pop impresario Simon Fuller. The lawsuit was reportedly a stumbling block in Fox being able to reach a deal to keep Cowell on “American Idol.”

In his copyright infringement lawsuit, Fuller had claimed that Cowell had copied the format of “Pop Idol” – the British version that predated the U.S. version of “American Idol” – for “X-Factor.”

The deal announced Tuesday extends Fox’s partnership with “American Idol” producers 19 Entertainment Ltd., Fuller’s company.

Cowell said his job as on-air judge is a personal thrill, and that he’s happy to be working with “my good friend Simon Fuller.”

Ricky Martin joins fight to stop human trafficking

Geneva – Ricky Martin is joining with a U.N.-affiliated migration organization to fight human trafficking in Colombia.

Martin will appear in TV commercials and provide support through his nonprofit foundation, the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration said Tuesday.

“More than half of trafficking victims worldwide are children, forced into pornography, prostitution and labor servitude,” the 33-year-old singer said in a statement. “Human trafficking is an unscrupulous market that generates around $10 billion annually.”

The commercials, to begin airing next year, will focus on the dangers trafficking poses to Colombian children such as sexual exploitation.

They also will publicize a new telephone hot line that provides assistance and information about trafficking in the country, the Geneva-based IOM said.

Martin started the Ricky Martin Foundation about 10 years ago to help children in need.

Peter, Paul and Mary show to go on in Carnegie Hall

Stamford, Conn. – Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary, who has been battling leukemia, will perform in a holiday concert in Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall.

It will be the first performance by the popular folk trio, which also includes Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, since Travers was diagnosed a year ago.

She has been making a steady recovery since a bone marrow transplant was performed in April. Doctors have told her that tests so far show no signs of the disease.

“I think they’re very happy with my progress,” Travers, 69, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Travers had been waiting for a donor match after chemotherapy failed to stop the disease. She had lost about 60 pounds and much of her trademark long blond hair.

British soccer star views his namesake sports academy

London – Call him Coach Beckham.

David Beckham returned to the London neighborhood where he grew up to look at his newly opened Beckham Academy. The England captain, who plays for the Spanish team Real Madrid, gave soccer tips to youngsters, although there were none of his trademark bending free kicks.

“Without doubt, I always said that I would not go into management,” Beckham said Monday. “What interests me is the academy and teaching kids. I have always loved being around children.”

“My ambition is to just see kids coming here and having fun,” he added. “I always said that the academy and the kids coming through is not about elitism. It is about boys and girls age 8 to 15 coming down, having fun and enjoying themselves.”

About 15,000 children are expected to join the academy, many for free and others spending up to $428 for a five-day soccer course. It has two full soccer fields and sits alongside the Millennium Dome on the banks of the River Thames.

“I have fulfilled every dream I had in my career, playing for Manchester United, wearing the No. 7 shirt, captaining my country, playing for Real Madrid,” Beckham said. “Goals at Old Trafford, playing at Wembley, having children, sons and a successful career. And creating this academy has been another dream for me.”