How are some of Hollywood’s biggest names spending their summer break?
For singer Sheryl Crow the sizzling hot temperatures aren’t stopping her from hitting the road with presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
The Grammy winner recently revealed that she would be performing for the Illinois Senator on the campaign trail. Crow joins stars such as Oprah Winfrey and Ben Affleck, who have been actively backing Obama’s run for the White House against Republican John McCain.
The popular recording artist and new mom says that she is trying to fit campaign dates into her already busy touring schedule. Despite the adjustments and additional stops, Crow says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think his message is strong and clear,” Crow told reporters. “It’s a message we need to start to believe in, and we need to stop with the cynicism and really manifest ourselves as being a part of what’s happening in this country.”
LL Cool J is a friend of Crow, but I doubt he’ll have much time to catch her summer concerts.
That’s because the rapper is trying his hand at a new career—clothing designer for teens and kids.
The mega-star recently announced that he is teaming up with Sears to create a collection of casualwear for juniors, young men, girls and boys. Look for the LL Cool J for Sears label and you’ll be in business.
Sears execs say the new line will be housed in mini-stores within the department store and is being created to serve “an urban consumer” the retailer has neglected to cater to in the past.
LL Cool J does have experience in the fashion world. In addition to his own men’s apparel brand, Todd Smith, the rapper has also been the face of brands like Kangol and Fubu. But this new venture into women and children’s clothing is new for the entertainer.
“I have a wife and three daughters,” the rapper noted. “So I know what women are looking for when they shop for clothes, but I also know if a female comes in, puts it on and it doesn’t fit, she won’t come back. Clothes have to make a woman feel good, relaxed and sexy.”
Sears reps say the new collection will retail on the higher end of its existing junior line — from $22 for a graphic T-shirt to $50 for a pair of jeans.
LL Cool J’s collection is scheduled to debut in 450 of Sears’ 900 stores in September.