Joss Stone had her coming-out party at the tender age of 14, unleashing her massive, soulful voice on British television. It seems only appropriate, then, that she’d kick off her movie career with “Eragon,” a fantasy epic adapted from a book written by Christopher Paolini when he was just 15. Cast as the quirky witch Angela (a character based on Paolini’s younger sister) opposite newcomer Edward Speleers’ Eragon, Stone makes an unusual Yoda to Speleers’ Luke, offering valuable advice during his quest to defend his homeland.

In real life, the 19-year-old is similarly wise beyond her years, as she showed when we caught up with her between recording sessions for Introducing Joss Stone, due in March. She told us about her desire to chill with Tom Cruise, her struggles with dyslexia and the spells she’d cast if she had witchy ways.

MTV: Tell us about the first day you walked on set as a big-time actress.

Stone: It was very scary. [Speleers] was really sweet; he’s such a nice boy. He’s one year younger than me, and I felt like I had to talk his face off to warn him about what was going to happen to him — he’s gonna become humongous in five seconds [after this comes out]. I was actually quite sick, and I was so tired when I did it, but that didn’t matter because my character is quite weird anyway, so that played into it.

(More at MTV.com)

Singer Joss Stone (pic) makes her acting debut in Eragon playing a fortune teller who tells Eragon of his future. The character, Angela, is apparently based on author Christopher Paolini’s sister and it was Paolini who envisaged Stone in the part.

Stone is featured in only one scene that took only a day to film, but she was in great company and enjoyed the experience. Here’s a snippet of the interview that took place in Los Angeles with the 19-year-old soul singer from England.

What type of character is Angela?

She is a fortune teller, kind of witchy, she is very ethereal and she seems to spend a lot of time by herself. She knows all about Eragon before he ever meets her, obviously, because she is psychic. So when he walks into her little shop, she is all knowing and cool. She knows why he’s there and she tells his fortune.

What do you look like as Angela?

I look witchy but not cold and evil, I am not a mean witch. I do not look beautiful though, trust me. You will be surprised when you see me, I look very different from how I normally look.

You will have a good laugh. I wear a big, heavy headdress made of metal and my dress is made of metal too. I walk differently because of the weight of my costume.

Do you believe in fortune tellers yourself?

Yes I do, I don’t think they are all authentic. But I do believe that some people are psychic and can see into the future.

What was it like being involved in a film like this with such great actors – legendary stars?

It was lovely really because they are fantastic. I feel that in general I have had the chance of working with such amazing people. It is true with the singing too, I have been so lucky. I have just been thrown into it from day one. I did one show on TV and then I was suddenly involved with big record companies.

It is still weird to me how lucky I am. It is never anything I set out to do deliberately, it all just seems to happen to me. I have been offered lots of different films, but it was just luck that I got offered Eragon, which is such a good one. This is the one that was meant to be for me, I love it. It is just one great scene, which is perfect. I had a little bit of a laugh; it only took a day to film and, of course, I am in great company.

What made you want to act; you are so successful in your singing career?

I just thought it would be fun, everything I have gone into – even singing – I have just done because it is a bit of laugh, just to enjoy myself. That’s the truth, I never had any desperate desire. Eragon was a great opportunity. I am a very spontaneous kind of girl.

Did you spend some time with Ed Speleers who plays Eragon?

I did and we got on so well, he is a lovely boy, so sweet, I really like him. I told him ‘I’m worried, I don’t want anything to happen to you when you become famous’, because I think he is so talented and will be famous.

I told him, ‘Please look after yourself’. But deep down, I know he is going to be fine because he is so clever and has a good head on his shoulders. He is very focused and I just think he’s brilliant.

By MUMTAJ BEGUM / The Star Online

Joss’ new movie, Eragon, is set to open in the US this Friday. Joss plays the role of “Angela”. For more info visit the movie website, www.eragonmovie.com.

Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Joss Stone and Pharrell Williams head the lineup of performers confirmed for a concert at the new London Wembley Stadium next summer to celebrate the life of the late Princess Diana.

Others named to the July 1 bill include the English National Ballet and composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will oversee a medley of songs from some of his leading theatrical shows. A number of other major acts are yet to be unveiled.

Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, are organizing the “Concert for Diana” and chairing an advisory board. Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International, will sit on the board, which pools together leading executives from the entertainment industries.

The performers today paid tribute to Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997. “The concert next summer seems an entirely fitting way to celebrate her life and her work,” commented Duran Duran frontman Simon LeBon. “We are honored that she always referred to Duran Duran as her favorite band as she was certainly our favorite princess. We are delighted to have been asked to participate in what promises to be a very special event.”

Elton John added, “I applaud Princes William and Harry for choosing to honor their mother with this concert. I am absolutely thrilled to be performing at this great event. Diana was a personal friend and someone I greatly admired for her tireless and enthusiastic work for charity.”

Live Nation will serve as producer of the concert. The live music giant will also act as the official TV producer, providing feeds throughout Europe in real time. Details of transmission to other parts of the world will be announced shortly.

Proceeds from the program will benefit various charities that were supported by Diana, and the Princes’ charities Centrepoint and Sentebale.

Tickets will be made available from 9 a.m. GMT on Wednesday (Dec. 13) via the Web site Concertfordiana.com and from Ticketmaster.

The fund-raiser is the third concert announced for the iconic London stadium, which has been plagued by huge construction delays since it was closed in 2000 and later demolished. British alternative rock trio Muse yesterday (Dec. 11) confirmed the second in a pair of concerts to be held there on June 16-17, 2007. – Billboard