After announcing his retirement from acting in October, Joaquin Phoenix made his first public foray into the music world Friday, saying he was ready to put his real self out there and not hide behind movie characters.

“This is me saying this is who I am. This is my story,” the actor-turned-aspiring rapper said before taking the stage at Las Vegas club LAVO.

For the skeptics, Phoenix says he’s serious about his new line of work. Music, he said, is his real love.

“After all the years of reading scripts and reading lines, this is my chance to do something straight from the heart and put it out there,” he said. And why hip-hop? “When I was young I liked punk rock music but then I discovered rap. I love the storytelling aspect of hip-hop.”

With brother-in-law Casey Affleck (who’s married to Phoenix’s sister Summer) capturing the action for a documentary about his journey into the music world, Phoenix took to the stage and performed three songs from his upcoming yet-to-be-titled album.

Not Worried About Critics
Fluttering around the club’s catwalk, Phoenix, 34, rapped to the sounds of a drum beat and encouraged the crowd to dance. Though dancing was at a minimum, the crowd watched intently as a scraggly Phoenix – who donned a scraggly beard, long, unkempt hair and a ripped gray hat – hopped up and down and pumped his fist in the air during certain lyrics.

“You hold a very special place in my heart,” the Oscar-nominated actor told the crowd near the end of the performance.

While the crowd cheered for the songs, Phoenix said he was prepared for mixed feedback before taking the stage. “Are there people out there who think I’m a joke? I’m sure there will be,” he said. “Are there people who think it’s going to suck? Probably, but I can’t worry about that.”

Following the performance, a happy-looking Phoenix spent the rest of the night hugging friends and taking pictures with fans before leaving the club around 1:30 a.m.

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In this week’s Page Six Magazine – Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen has earned a reputation as a sophisticated It girl-about-town, rubbing elbows with power players and finding her way into the gossip columns (Did she make out with her co-star? Was she hospitalized for “exhaustion”?). But there’s just one thing: She’s only 15. Page Six Magazine catches up with NYC’s biggest little lady.

On gossip column rumors that she was tipsy and making out with her 23-year-old co-star Chace Crawford at the Gossip Girl holiday bash:

“It’s like, yeah, I’m really going to go to a party with my cast and crew and all the executives at the network and dance on tables. That’s a great idea. [Tabloids] all want to make me out as this party girl, and I’m not. I’m underage! All I do is sit at home and play guitar. That’s seriously what I do.”

On being thrust into the spotlight and tabloids at just 15 years old:

“I have always been aware of the celebritiness, or whatever you want to call it, of this industry. But living it is a whole different thing than talking about it. It’s still strange when I hang out with my friends at a Christmas party and people make up lies about me.”

On her devotion to making music:
“I’m a control freak, and am retarded about having everything the way I want it in terms of production. My music is like my child. I sit in my room and write for four days straight and won’t let anyone hear it until I know I can put it out perfectly. Then I’ll let people judge it. I’m not going to feel comfortable [with people] criticizing it unless I satisfy myself first.”

On her passion for fashion:

“I love Alexander Wang! Oh, and I love Balmain and this new indie designer named Gary Graham. I discovered him; he’s so edgy and different. I like the high-end people—YSL, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana. I try not to leave the house without thinking of how I am going to present myself. It’s the way I am. But I’m not a little kid playing dress up. It’s all very real.”

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Peek-a-boo Vanessa Hudgens.
How are you today?
Why you hides your beautiful face?

Vanessa Hudgens out and about in Hollywood

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The “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” blonde Kate Hudson and her “Get Smart” brunette co-star Anne Hathaway looked to be having a marvelous time as they hammed it up for the German paparazzi at the Regent Hotel.

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway @ “Bride Wars” photocall in Berlin

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Jessica Alba heads out in a sheer purple top to get some baby clothes shopping done at Bel Bambini in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 27-year-old native Californian will be a presenter at the official Neighborhood Ball according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Jessica Alba shopping on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood

The Heroes starlet, Hayden Panettiere was spotted at Dream Bigger Studios to record a message for President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday evening.

Hayden Panettiere joined the likes of Ashlee Simpson and Sean “Diddy” Combs in a video montage being produced by Ashton Kutcher, as Hollywood readies to congratulate Obama as part of his inauguration festivities.

Hayden Panettiere Leaving Dream Bigger Studios

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Nicky Hilton doing some shopping in a short short in Hollywood yesterday showing her much more legs skin.

Nicky Hilton Leggy in Heels - Hollywood Candids

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Kim Kardashian was spotted going to the 3rd Street Dance Studio in West Hollywood today (January 12). Rumor has it the bootylicious reality star is set to release a dance workout DVD to follow up her appearance on Dancing with the Stars.

Kim Kardashian In Tight Black Spandex Going To Dance Classes