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JODIE FOSTER TURNS RAPPER AT PENN UNIVERSITY

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16 MAY 2006

Having already picked up two best actress Oscars and starred in well over 50 films, there's not much left for a woman like Jodie Foster to achieve. The glamorous 42-year-old added photography and rapping, along with an honorary degree, to her bow when she visited the University of Pennsylvania on Monday, however.

The renowned performer, who already holds both a degree and a doctorate from Yale, took to the podium at "Penn" to mark this year's graduation ceremony. After provoking laughs from her audience by taking photographs of them, the mum-of-two delivered a heart-felt speech calling on alumni to build a fairer, more compassionate America.

There was on oddly familiar ring to Jodie's closing comments, though, as she told those present: "You better lose yourself in the moment. You own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, so do not miss your chance. Don't blow this opportunity – it comes once in a lifetime."

Hip-hop fans among the audience were the first to twig she was quoting controversial rapper Eminem from his hit single Lose Yourself. And giving a light-hearted twist to what had been an otherwise impassioned speech obviously had the right effect, as the 6,000-strong crowd immediately rose to its feet and honoured their VIP guest with a standing ovation.