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Hilary Swank ‘Regrets’ Attending Chechen Leader’s Birthday Concert

Hollywood celebrity Hilary Swank said she “deeply regrets” visiting a concert held on the birthday of the Kremlin-backed Chechen leader, who is accused of torture, abductions and killings by human rights groups.

Rights Group Slams Hilary Swank For Attending Chechen Leader’s Birthday Concert

An international human rights watchdog lambasted an Oscar-winning actress and other Western celebrities on Wednesday for attending a concert held on the birthday of Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed leader, who has been accused of grave rights abuses.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch said that American actress Hilary Swank, Belgian actor Jean Claude Van Damme and British violinist Vanessa Mae attended the concert in the Chechen capital, Grozny. The Oct. 5 show was held at a police-cordoned stage on Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s 35th birthday.

Hilary Swank Speaks Out Against LGBT Bullying: ‘Never Forget’

Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a transgender man who was raped and murdered by male acquaintances (after they discovered her character was biologically female) in 1999’s “Boys Don’t Cry.” Now, the actress is speaking out following the recent suicides of five young gay men who took their lives because of being bullied, taunted or tormented.

Hilary Swank & Robert De Niro Among Winners At Hollywood Awards

And they’re off.

A new crop of Oscar prospects crammed the red carpet at what is widely considered Tinseltown’s award-season starting gate: the Hollywood Awards.

Hilary Swank Talks ‘Amelia’ & Getting Her Pilot’s License

Hilary Swank may play famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart in “Amelia,” but soon she’ll become a real-life pilot.

“I had about 19 hours of flying under my belt,” she told Access Hollywood at the film’s premiere in New York City on Tuesday, explaining just one thing stood in her way. “You have to fly solo, obviously, to get your pilot’s license and the insurance policy on the movie was never going to allow me do that.”

Hilary Swank Promotes Pet Adoption, Seeks To Dispel Myths

Hilary Swank is putting her animal appreciation to work as an ambassador for a pet adoption campaign.

Hilary Swank Recovering After Medical Procedure

Hilary Swank is recovering after having a minor procedure to have a small growth removed, according to People.

Swank was “experiencing some discomfort and went to see her doctor, who prescribed an immediate course of action that included a brief hospitalization to remove a small, benign growth,” her manager, Jason Weinberg said.

Hilary Swank Prepares To Cut Her Hair For Charity

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 19, 2007) – Hilary Swank is saying so long to her locks. Partnering with the Entertainment Industry Foundation as a spokesperson for Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campaign, which donates real hair wigs to women suffering from cancer, Hilary announced she’ll cut off her coif, later this year.

Hilary Swank Joins U.N. Clean Drinking Water Campaign

“Making safe drinking water available is everyone’s problem, and it’s a problem it will take everyone to solve,” she said.

Fashion Flashback: Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank Faces Some Demons & Keeps The Faith In ‘The Reaping’

She also promises that “The Reaping” is not short on scares - even after reading the script and acting in the film, the finished product had her covering her eyes and jumping in her seat. But perhaps it’s her character’s journey from a skeptic to a believer that most hits a chord with Swank, as she tells Access: “I am definitely a believer. From where I have come from till now… I mean, a girl from a trailer park living her dream? I know I work hard, but I definitely have been blessed with a lot of opportunities.” As far as “miracles” are concerned, she’s not as firm in her stance. “I think it depends on what your definition of a miracle is,” she says. “Some people think it is people walking on water and some people think it is child birth, you know what I mean?”

Hilary Swank: ‘I’m In A Relationship’

NEW YORK (January 9, 2007) — Hilary Swank, who split from actor-husband Chad Lowe a year ago, has a new man in her life.