Celebrity and Entertainment News

Borat 2 in the Works

2007-02-08T15:25:00.001-08:00

Financial Times reports that Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News Corporation, has revealed that Sacha Baron Cohen will do a "Borat" sequel at the company's 20th Century Fox after he completes Bruno for Universal Pictures.

Cohen will next play fashion victim alter ego Bruno from "Da Ali G Show." Murdoch said Fox was not prepared to outbid other studios for Bruno because Cohen would not show the script.

After the film is done, Cohen will "come back and do Borat 2," Murdoch said during an interview at a conference in New York.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was made for just $18 million and earned $248 million worldwide.

Rush Hour 3 Arriving Theaters on Aug 10 2007

2007-01-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

Comedian Chris Tucker will have $25 million in his bank account from New Line Cinema to star in the upcoming “Rush Hour 3,” whether the film is made or not.

According to Fox.com, the actor has a “pay or play” clause in his contract that means he will still receive the paycheck, which is $5 million more than previously announced, even if the film never goes into production. Tucker’s co-star, Jackie Chan, will receive $15 million under a pay or play deal, and director Brett Ratner will be paid $8 million for his efforts.

According to Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman, all principals in the “Rush Hour 3” project will receive some kind of advance before cameras begin rolling inlate August in New York.

Tucker’s track record at the box office may have had something to do with New Line’s willingness to secure him with a large sum. “Rush Hour 2” is the highest grossing comedy of all time, and the total worldwide take for the first two films was $600 million.

Courteney Cox & Jennifer Aniston kissing in new show?

2007-01-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

Best friends Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston may share an on-screen kiss in new US drama series Dirt. Earlier this month Cox confirmed her former Friends co-star would appear as a magazine editor in an upcoming episode, and it seems the pair will be closer than ever.

Website TVguide.com reports, "Aniston's character is a lesbian. What's more, she won't just mouth off to Cox's tightly wound counterpart, she's going to share a lip lock with her."

Cox plays ruthless tabloid boss Lucy Spiller in the hit show, which debuted on US cable at the beginning of the month. Aniston will play Spiller's rival Tina Harrod on the show's season finale.

Celebrity Workouts - How Stars Get In Shape!

2007-01-22T08:25:00.000-08:00

Do you drool over Usher's abs? Wanna know how Madonna keeps that bod lookin' great? Unfortunately, talent isn't the only thing that makes you go far in the biz - lookin' good is a huge deal. Many stars adopt a hardcore fitness routine to ready themselves for a movie role. Get the scoop on how some of your fave celebs keep in shape!

Usher
This boy is a walking visual for the expression "washboard abs!" Usher is so defined that he looks like he's never even tasted a Big Mac. How does Usher do it? His way, of course. Usher's been workin' on his abs since he was 16, but claims that it's all because of good genes (not jeans... although he does look great in them), hard work and being disciplined - oh yeah, and 1,000 crunches a day. Usher also has a daily routine he calls "forty minutes of funk" which includes stretchin', skippin' and jumping jacks. Then he moves onto push-ups, leg raises and tricep dips. Holy... can you say fitness freak! Usher watches what he eats too by munchin' on foods like chicken, fish, a moderate amount of carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes etc.) and lots of fruits and leafy veggies.

Jessica Simpson
Singer Jessica Simpson started a new exercise routine to get in shape for her role as Daisy Duke in the upcoming Dukes of Hazard movie. Her workout includes two hours a day of squats and lunges and has motivated her to create a new workout video. "I have a white-girl bootie, so I'm doing all my squats to lift it a little bit and get some junk in my trunk," says Jessica. While Jessica may have a bit more junk in her trunk, she's still dealing with a lot of fluff between her ears.

Gwyneth Paltrow
How does Gwyneth Paltrow keep her lean look? Gwyneth practices yoga for 90 minutes a day. She's also adopted a special macrobiotic diet, which is made up of whole grains, soup, veggies, beans and sea vegetables.

Madonna
Madonna has always been in good shape but over the past few years she's become a total fitness guru! Madonna has adopted a strict routine of Ashtanga Yoga, which keeps her in shape from head to toe. She also follows a strict healthy diet and barely touches junk food.

Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie had to do a ton of physical preparation for the role of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Angelina was on a strict, heavy protein diet of meat and fish like sardines (yuck)! Angelina learned kickboxing and practiced it regularly. She also learned bungee ballet, scuba diving and weapons training, months before the flick started filming. This was required in order to play the video game superhero but it also helped buff her up.

- Lots of stars use a personal trainer to keep in shape. Most of us regular peeps don't have trainers but we can do other stuff to stay healthy.

Funny Celebrity Bloopers and Quotes

2007-01-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

Classic Arnold: “The difference between Sly Stallone and me is I am me and he is him.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Honorary Doctorate: “I have an honorary doctorate at, uh.. oh god, where is it, some college [the University of Massachusetts at Amherst].” – Kelsey Grammer, asked on a talk show if he was really a doctor.

Up & Down: “I’ve been up and down so many times that I feel as if I’m in a revolving door.” – Cher

Versatile Thinker: “I can play in the center, on the right, and occasionally on the left side.” – soccer star David Beckham, asked if he was a “volatile” player.

Bang Bang: “I kept saying ‘Bang, bang!’ and they kept having to cut.” – Colin Farrell on American Outlaws (2001).

Resident Physician: “Baywatch Medical School? … Once I saw her picture, I didn’t need to see her resume!” – Donald Trump, asked where his Mar-a-Lago club’s resident physician, Dr. Ginger Lea Southall, had done her chiropractic training.

Tiger Who? Tiger Woods was once introduced to pop doyenne Christina Aguilera. “Oh, Christina, I love your music,” Tiger told her. “I have all your CDs.” Christina’s reply? “Sorry, I don’t know much about you. I don’t follow tennis.”

Golden Insult: “I feel like this is a dream – and I apologize for how I dressed some of you.” – Ray Romano accepting a best actor award at the 2000 Golden Globes.

Helpful Tip? “Try not to talk too much.” – Simon Cowell offering fellow "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul some dating advice
Strange Compliment: “They’re wonderful. Which one’s your Mom?” – Robin Williams after local San Francisco celebrity Strange de Jim showed him a picture of his parents.

Faith and Devotion: “I appreciate intelligence, faithfulness and devotion in a man.” – Playmate Victoria Zdrok explaining why she would never date Donald Trump again

Apprentice Golfer: In July 2004, shortly after the debut of “The Apprentice,” Donald Trump played in a celebrity golf tournament. To the amusement of the gallery, he missed an easy putt on the very first hole. The gallery’s response? “They just stood up,” Carson Daly later recalled, “and screamed, ‘You’re fired!’”

The Handshake: Shortly after the release of Die Another Day (2002), Pierce Brosnan visited a Dublin bar to enjoy a quiet pint while he waited to have his bicycle fixed. After settling in to watch a horse race, Pierce was approached by a fellow patron who asked if he could shake his hand. Pierce graciously agreed. After shaking, the man examined his hand with a glint in his eye. “This,” he explained, “is the closest I’ll ever get to Halle Berry’s arse!”

Laughter Lines: While attending a party one evening, Mick Jagger was introduced to jazz singer George Melly. “I didn’t expect you to have so many wrinkles,” Melly remarked. “They’re not wrinkles,” Mick declared. “They’re laughter lines.” “Really?” Melly replied. “Surely nothing could be that funny!”

Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever."
- Miss Alabama, 1994 Miss USA Pageant

"Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researches also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are."
- Mat Lauer, Today Show, NBC

"I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law."
- David Dinkins, New York City Mayor answering accusations that he failed to pay his taxes.

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life."
- Brooke Shields

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees."
- Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
(more sports quotes)

"China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese."
- Charles De Gaulle, former French President

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country."
- Marion Barry, Washing, D.C. Mayor

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
- Dan Quayle, U.S. Vice President

Dwight Eisenhower put it, "things are more like they are now than they ever were before."

"You can't just let nature run wild," said former Governor of Alaska Wally Hickel.

"The internet is a great way to get on the net."
- Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate

"I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada."
- Britney Spears, Pop Singer

"Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, 'Thank God, I'm still alive.' But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again." California Senator Barbara Boxer.

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people." Dan Quayle

In an address to the NAACP (whose slogan is "A mind is a terrible thing to waste"), however, he put his very consciousness in doubt with the message, "what a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." - Mariah Carey

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." - Brooke Shields.

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body." - Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country." - Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." - Jason Kidd, upon his drafting to the Dallas Mavericks.

"That scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it." - A congressional candidate in Texas.

"Half this game is ninety per cent mental." - Danny Ozark, Philadelphia Phillies manager

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." - Al Gore, former Vice President

"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." - Dan Quayle, former Vice President

"Hey, I'm just doing my job. It's our job to nip at the heals of celebrities until one slips. They can't have it both ways. If they want to be rich and famous, they gotta put up with us stalking them. We take celeb pics and they get publicity hits. It's how this business works. We catch 'em naked and unexpected. So I'm just doing my job!"
- A paparazzi photographer, justifying to police his right to climb over the wall of a celebrity home to take pictures of an undisclosed actress swimming nude in her pool. (He was taken in, paid a small fine and was released immediately).

Celebrities When They Were Young

2007-01-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

Beckham's girl checks out LA's posher houses

2007-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl and wife of soccer superstar David Beckham, has arrived in Los Angeles for a spot of house hunting following her husband's decision to play with the Los Angeles club Galaxy in a five-year deal believed to be worth about $250 million over five years.
Victoria landed at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday aboard a British Airways flight from London.

She was trailed by soccer intrigue from Spain, where the coach of Real Madrid said Beckham would no longer play for the club -- just practise. The development came as news to the star midfielder, according to one of his representatives.

Formerly known as Posh Spice, of the Spice Girls, the 32-year-old singer was headed to California to look at homes and schools for their children, said one of David Beckham's spokesmen. He declined to discuss in which neighbourhoods Victoria was house hunting.

Beckham is expected to join the Californian team in August.

His contract with Real Madrid expires in June.

Judging by some British reaction to Beckham's latest career swerve, you would have thought he had betrayed the nation, defrauded fans and mugged a few old ladies on the way home.

"A true genius ruined by his greed," spat one headline.

"Yanks a billion," read another. "Fitting final backdrop to a career in freefall," sneered another.

By footballing standards, Beckham's decision to leave a powerhouse European team for an obscure outfit in LA is the equivalent of British Prime Minister Tony Blair going to be a sub-postmaster in Little Rock, Arkansas. But in financial terms it's the jackpot -- possibly the most lucrative contract given to a sports star.

There will be other perks, too, of varying desirability.

Tom Cruise is offering to organise a welcoming party that would introduce Beckham to the A-list of Hollywood (and quitepossibly the finer points of Scientology).

Victoria will be able to pop round for coffee with her pal Katie Holmes (Tom's wife) without catching a private jet, and the LA celebrity circuit may even resuscitate her moribund career.

There is already talk of a reality TV show of Dosh and Bucks (as Posh and Becks are now being called) just moving to LA, let alone living there.

For a man who grew up as the working-class son of a kitchen fitter and hairdresser in Leytonstone, east London, it's a remarkable journey.

Britney's New Man

2007-01-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears is officially dating a bloke who is a dead ringer for her ex, Kevin Federline.

His name is Isaac Cohen, he's 25, a male model and an aspiring actor.

The pair were papped holidaying on a private speedboat off the coast of Marina del Rey, California, last weekend and now Cohen's spokeswoman has confirmed the pair are an item.

Brandi Lord, his spokeswoman at modelling firm, L.A. Models, said the pair started dating "recently...within the last month."

She adds, "He's got a great heart and a good family, and he was raised well. He's a gentleman."

But while Britney's new beau's excess facial hair, love of a fag and - that Kev fave - the wife beater vest, means he bears more than a passing resembling to her ex, we are assured that personality wise the pair couldn't be more different.

"(He) is not a player. (He) is not out to get a name for himself," Lord confirmed.

She's not wrong. Word hits us he even paid for the couple's accomadation while they were holidaying. Top that, K-Fed.

Let Darina live!

2007-01-11T06:15:00.000-08:00

BULGARIA
13th of January 2007 - remember that date. There will be a hip hop concert. The money we earn will be for Darina. Lets be humans and be part of that angel`s destiny. She deserves new life. The concert will be in Varna city (BULGARIA) - Maykovski city library (near County hospital). It will start at 6.00pm. One ticket costs 2BGN. Young rappers will show their skills.
Be there! Help Darina!

>>More Info About Darina and her condition http://www.save-darina.org/

Jessica Alba on the sunny beach

2007-01-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

Who Will Play James Brown

2007-01-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

With the sad passing of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, came news that Spike Lee is developing a biopic on the legendary musician with Paramount Pictures. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the script is in the early stages, but hope is that production could begin in early 2008. For some of Hollywood's biggest names, playing Brown would be as difficult a role as Ray Charles was for Jamie Foxx ... and you can immediately cross him off the list because this is too similar a part. Lee would also most likely go the "Ray" route of using the original artist's recordings instead of having the actors sing themselves and, thankfully, that opens the floodgates of possibilities. That in mind, here are some candidates Lee may consider:

Denzel Washington: He's a natural candidate because of the three previous movies they worked on together, but after playing Malcolm X he'd probably pass (just as Will Smith probably would after playing Muhammad Ali).

Eddie Murphy: If the comedian hadn't just played a Brown-inspired role in "Dreamgirls," he'd probably be at the top of the list.

Terrence Howard: A talented, but mercurial (i.e., difficult) actor who is hard to envision in the role.

Anthony Mackie: He's supposed to play Jesse Owens later this year, but he's worked with Lee before ("She Hate Me"), and the Julliard graduate could definitely pull off this role.

Mos Def: A true musician and hip-hop pioneer in his own right, he could bring an added dimension to the role.

Chiwetel Ejiofor: He's a Brit, but he's played numerous American roles, showed some musical chops in "Kinky Boots" (as a drag queen, no less) and everyone who has worked with him says he's the "Next Big Thing."

Taye Diggs: As one of the original "Rent" Broadway cast members he can certainly sing and dance, and he resembles a younger Brown just a bit as well.

Mekhi Phifer: He made his debut in Lee's "Clockers" and has major acting chops. But can he move on stage?

Derek Luke: Another great young actor, but he still looks significantly younger than he is (what a curse, huh?). Could he pull off Brown's later years?

Who would you choose?

Just you wait, I'm coming back, Britney promises

2007-01-06T06:17:00.001-08:00

Britney Spears spent the last two years on marriage and motherhood, but the newly single pop star wants fans to know she's on the brink of a big career comeback.

"I look forward to coming back this year bigger and better than ever, and to also reaching out to my fans on a more personal level," she says in a message posted yesterday on her Web site.

"I've been working so hard on this new album and I can't wait for you all to hear it and to go on tour again!" says Spears, 25, who put her musical career on hold two years ago to marry Kevin Federline and have sons Sean Preston, 1, and Jayden James, 3 months.

Spears acknowledges some of her fans have been disappointed by reports that the once squeaky-clean Mousketeer has been hitting the club scene - sometimes sans underpants - with party girls Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Her manager has denied reports that Spears passed out during a New Year's Eve celebration at a Las Vegas club.

Brit admits in her letter to fans that she's been "far from perfect," but she insists the media "has had a lot of fun exaggerating my every move."

"But trust me, I get it," she says, adding that "I am now more mature and feel like I am finally 'free.'"

Meanwhile, Spears and her Fed-ex have reached a temporary agreement on custody of their young sons.

The estranged couple will share custody through January, according to court papers filed yesterday. First, the singer will take the tots with her to Miami for a week, and then Federline will be able to visit the boys at Spears' home from noon to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The agreement says Spears will use her "best efforts to ensure that no third party visiting the home" interferes with Federline's time with the children.

Britney, K-Fed Agree to Temporary Joint Custody

2007-01-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have agreed to share custody of their two young children this month. But first the pop star will take them with her to Miami for a week.

According to papers filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, Spears is permitted to have one-year-old Sean Preston Federline and four-month-old Jayden James Federline with her in Florida through next Thursday.

After that, Federline will be allowed to visit the children at Spears' home from noon to four p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The stipulated agreement that the estranged couple signed yesterday says Spears will use her "best efforts to ensure that no third party visiting the home" interferes with Federline's time with the children.

They have not worked out any custody arrangements beyond Jan. 31st.

Celine Dion is leaving Las Vegas

2007-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

Celine Dion's musical extravaganza at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is to close in December, after almost five years.

The Grammy award-winning singer originally signed a $100 million (£76.3 million) contract to perform A New Day in 2003 and its run was later extended.

A theatre was built and designed especially for the show, and producers claimed nearly 2.5 million people have attended since its opening.

New costumes and songs are being prepared for the final few months.

Posting on her website, the Canadian-born star said: "When I began this adventure four years ago, I had no idea how magical this experience truly would be.

"As we prepare ourselves to say goodbye, I know this will be the best year yet."

Later this month, A New Day will be filmed for a TV special and DVD.

The final tickets for performances from August until December will go on sale on 1 March.

Caesars has yet to announce who will replace Dion.

Does Britney Want Kevin Back?

2007-01-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Has Britney Spears checked herself into a spa clinic to rethink her split with Kevin Federline?

The singer has been resting at the exclusive Sanctuary retreat in Arizona since New Year's Eve when she famously collapsed - according to her spokesman, from "tiredness" - in the swanky Deuce club.

However fresh reports from the US suggest there could be more to Britney's bit of 'me-time' in Arizona than just catching up on her sleep.

Friends of the popstrel say she was distraught over the Christmas break because she realised how much she missed her ex-hubby, especially when he called on Christmas day to speak to the kiddies.

One told Life & Style magazine, "She told Kevin the holidays were hard and talking to him made things harder because she missed him.

"She was depressed over the holidays. At first, it was liberating for her to be free and single. But now she's in this big new house in Beverly Hills, and it's really lonely.

"She invites girlfriends over, and her mom and sister spend a lot of time there, but, at the end of the day, it's just Britney and her babies.

"When she first separated from Kev, she partied like crazy to numb the pain. Now the hurt is catching up with her."

Let's hope Britney enjoys the rest and relaxation and clears her head over her split saga - and in the meantime hope she hasn't heard the latest rumours about K-Fed and her pal Lindsay Lohan.

Stories from the US suggest the former Mr Britney has been texting Linds for a date (if that's not a case of trying to get your ex's attention we don't know what is!)

However, Linds has given him the big SNUB according to pals.

One told US mag, Us Weekly, "Lindsay was totally grossed out. She thought it was hilarious.

"She couldn't believe he was so pathetic. She doesn't want him using her to make Britney jealous."

Is it us or is it quite tricky keeping up with the love lives of the rich and famous? Keep it here for the inevitable next installment...

Clubs Fire Paris Hilton

2007-01-04T12:39:00.001-08:00

Two Florida clubs have “fired” Paris Hilton.

The clubs which go by the name Club Paris will no longer be associated with Hilton. According to the clubs’ owner Paris didn’t fulfill her obligations and has created a circus for herself.

However both clubs will keep the Paris name.

Hilton’s spokesman, Elliot Mintz, told The Associated Press that neither he nor the 25-year-old Hilton had been contacted by the clubs owners.

“I’m certainly disappointed to learn of Fred’s unfortunate comments.” Mintz said. “We shall address his statements at the appropriate time.”

Indiana Jones 4 project moves forward

2007-01-04T01:59:00.000-08:00

Honest Abe can wait according to various industry trades this morning. "Indiana Jones" talk is gaining real momentum with word that the Lincoln biopic that had actor Liam Neeson attached being pushed, in lieu of developing the Jones juggernaut for a tentative June 2007 production start.

Steven Spielberg has been reported by Variety and other trades as postponing directing the Lincoln project. Spielberg says that "George, Harrison and I are all very excited. We feel that the script was well worth the wait. We hope it delivers everything you'd expect from our history with Indiana Jones."

George Lucas has mentioned they are writing Sean Connery's role of Jones' father in hopes the Scottish acting legend will agree to join the cast.

Screenwriter David Koepp, who worked with Spielberg on "War of the Worlds" and "Jurassic Park," also wrote the screenplay that made the grade with both Lucas and Spielberg. An earlier screenplay by Frank Darabont had been rejected.

The usual suspects will be producing. Executive producers Lucas and Kathy Kennedy joining producer Frank Marshall with Lucasfilm Ltd., and Paramount Pictures will distribute worldwide.

Pre-production offices will open in Spring, with production said to commence in June with a May, 2008 release planned.

Are Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz officially "done"?

2007-01-04T01:56:00.000-08:00

All's apparently not well in couple Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz's camp, as both has separate vacations this holiday season.

During Christmas, Timberlake spent time at home in Tennessee while Diaz, his girlfriend since 2003, went skiing in Vail, Colorado - staying at the Vail Mountain Resort & Spa, with her family.

Sources say the glamorous duo, who have gone on many vacations together in the past, went their separate ways after Justin decided that his days with Cam were numbered. And on Dec. 23, as he partied with friends in Memphis, a source says Justin told fellow revelers: "Me and Cameron? We're done."

Earlier reports suggest that over the years, while they overcame a nine-year-age difference, the couple struggled from time to time with the issue of long-term commitment.

Over the holidays Justin allegedly hung out with ex-girlfriend Veronica Finn.

"I saw him give her a warm kiss on the cheek and squeeze her hand repeatedly," The Bosh quoted an eyewitness, as telling Star Magazine.

"He left with his arm around her shoulders," the eyewitness added.

Later that night, sources sclaim, the pair went to Senses nightclub, where they met up with friends.

"The group stayed in a private room at the club and had a great times." And it was there, Justin that he went public about his split with Cameron.

"Around 2 a.m. he was with a dozen friends in the VIP room when he was asked where Cameron was," a source said. "Justin said, 'We're done. It's over!' Hedidn't seem at all unhappy."

However, before separating ways for Christmas, Justin partied at NYC hotspot Barca 18 with Cameron. At the time, the New York Daily News reported, "The couple was affectionate and stayed until 4 a.m."

Julia Roberts is Pregnant

2006-12-29T12:44:00.000-08:00

Hazel and Finn will soon have to share their famous mom’s attention: Julia Roberts is expecting her third child with husband Danny Moder.

Roberts is due this summer, her rep, Marcy Engelman confirms .

News of the pregnancy first appeared in the New York Post’s Page Six column. Roberts, 39, and Moder, 37, were married in July 2002 and welcomed Hazel and Finn (short for Phinnaeus) in November 2004.

In May, Roberts told David Letterman of the twins: “They seem to really love each other. ? He’s sort of very boyish and masculine. He has red hair and big green eyes. And she’s very girlish and has very blonde hair and blue eyes. He likes blueberries. She likes her daddy.”

After the twins were born, Roberts did voice work in two kid-friendly films, the animated Ant Bully and Charlotte’s Web, out now. This spring, she made her Broadway debut in the drama Three Days of Rain.

In the fall, she was back to filming in earnest, arriving in Morocco in October to shoot the drama Charlie Wilson’s War – with her 23-month-old twins and Moder in tow. She celebrated her 39th birthday at a local restaurant on Oct. 28 and was often seen sightseeing with her clan.

For Roberts, motherhood is her top priority. “The kids bring her such a sense of fulfillment and joy,” Roberts’s longtime friend and Three Days of Rain producer Marc Platt said in April. “It’s wonderful to see.”

Mike Tyson arrested on DUI, Possession of Cocaine charges

2006-12-29T10:33:00.001-08:00

Mike Tyson was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of cocaine after police stopped him leaving a Scottsdale nightclub early Friday.

Sgt. Larry Hall said the heavyweight boxer was stopped after his car almost struck a sheriff's vehicle while leaving the club at about 1:45 a.m.

"He showed signs of impairment, and voluntarily submitted to field sobriety tests," said Hall, a member of the Buckeye Police Department who was working in the area as part of a holiday DUI task force.

Hall said Tyson was placed under arrest after "showing more signs of impairment" during the field sobriety tests.

Police subsequently searched Tyson and found cocaine on him and in his car.

No one else was with Tyson at the time, Hall said.

Tyson was booked at a Maricopa County sheriff's jail, and he was expected to have an initial appearance before a judge later Friday to determine bail, Hall said.

Sylvester Stallone's rough Rocky

2006-12-28T13:18:00.001-08:00

Sylvester Stallone has said filming the sixth Rocky movie was more painful than making the first five films combined.

The 60-year-old actor - who stars in 'Rocky Balboa' the latest chapter of the boxing legends life - revealed he suffered more injuries than ever before while making the new film.

Stallone told US People magazine: "This one was injury-prone. The joints wear down and you get inflammations of things that you didn't even know existed. It became about living with conditions because nothing was going away. Every day was an Advil day. In all five Rocky movies put together I didn't have this many injuries."

The 'Rambo' star considers the latest film to be even more gritty than its predecessors as the fight scenes were largely improvised with unanticipated physical consequences.

He said: "In the other Rocky's it was all kaboom-kapow-kaboom. There was a lot of contact in this one because I wanted it to be very realistic. We didn't choreograph the fight scene, so we ended up having the ragged edges, those awkward moments that make it real. I broke my foot. I had a bulging disk in my neck. I shredded a calf muscle. It was so bad it had to be put in a cast."

Michael Jackson to restart career in Las Vegas

2006-12-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

If Las Vegas dealmaker Jack Wishna is to be believed, former King of pop Michael Jackson has made up his mind to begin his career in the city again.

Talking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wishna said that the Thriller star was leaving his self-imposed exile overseas to make a big comeback in the gambling mecca.

"We are working on several projects," the New York Daily News quoted him as telling the newspaper.

Jackson and his three children – nine-year old Prince Michael, eight-year old Paris, and four-year old Prince Michael II – arrived in Las Vegas on Saturday night from Ireland, where they have been living part-time in a castle.

Since his acquittal on child molestation charges in June 2005, Jackson has been sharing his time between Bahrain and Ireland.

His relocation back to the States is nothing less than a surprise for his fans, as just a day ago Jackson’s father, Joe, had vowed that his son would never return to the country again.

Rosie O'Donnell, Hypocrite and Talk Show Host

2006-12-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

Rosie O'Donnell, who has a history of speaking without thinking, isn't backing down from her brainless critique of Donald Trump. She started the feud with The Donald by saying on her show, "He's the moral authority? (He) left the first wife, had an affair, left the second wife, had an affair. Had kids both times, but he's the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America."

Let us fill you in about the actual hypocrite, Rosie O'Donnell:

In late 2003, O'Donnell entered into a legal battle with the publishers of Rosie magazine. They claimed that the failure of the magazine was due to O'Donnell's uncooperative, rude and violent behavior within the magazine's offices. Of note was a former magazine colleague and breast cancer survivor who testified that O'Donnell said to her on the phone that "people who lie die of cancer".

This is also the woman who's tried to convince her audience that Oprah is gay by saying actions by Oprah Winfrey and pal Gayle King were "very typical of gay relationships." Guess O'Donnell figures its her moral duty to tell us who's homosexual and who's not because she's open about her own sexuality. You'd think there'd be more understanding in Rosie's world.

On December 5, 2006, O'Donnell raised controversy when she imitated spoken Chinese by invoking the phrase "ching chong". O'Donnell's remarks were made in reference to the publicity surrounding Danny DeVito's November 29, 2006 appearance on The View. O'Donnell implied that she was amazed that the controversy had become such a prevailing topic, suggesting that the topic was being talked about in China. "You know, you can imagine in China it's like, 'Ching-chong, ching-chong. Danny DeVito. Ching-chong, ching-chong-chong. Drunk. The View. Ching-chong."

Several critics, including Unity, a group of journalists of color, the Organization of Chinese Americans, the Asian American Journalists Association, and John Liu, a city councilman representing northeast Queens, have been publicly critical of O'Donnell's comments, and have also been critical of what they perceived to be a half-hearted apology.

This is also the woman who accused Kelly Ripa of homophobia because Ripa had the gall to object to American Idol fame fader Clay Aiken putting his hand over her mouth on live TV.

She also created controversy by claiming "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam."

U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump is boycotting appearing on ABC's "The View" over his increasingly bitter feud with series' co-host, Rosie O'Donnell. On Wednesday, the "Apprentice" boss offered support for Connor, who was facing a loss of her crown for underage drinking and partying, and O'Donnell publicly responded. Since then, Trump has appeared in a series of TV interviews offering his own negative take on O'Donnell's career, including her decision to take on "View" hosting duties.

"I think she's terrible for the show and I think she sets a terrible example and tone," Trump told US Weekly. "I never anticipate going on 'The View' again," he added.

"You can't make false statements," Trump said about O'Donnell's claim that he was bankrupt. "Rosie will rue the words she said. I'll most likely sue her for making those false statements - and it'll be fun. Rosie's a loser. A real loser. I look forward to taking lots of money from my nice fat little Rosie."

Most of all, a live show isn't a place for a person who frequently goes on brainless rants. In fact, she admitted herself many times that there's a problem in the connection between her brain and her mouth. "But I'm also gonna give you a fair warning that there's a good chance I'll do something like that again, probably in the next week — not on purpose. Only 'cause it's how my brain works," she said of her Chinese rant.

But then again, if she were to tape the show and remove her goofs, who would still watch the show?

Young Angelina Jolie Pictures (When She Was 17)

2006-12-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Schwarzenegger fractures leg in skiing accident

2006-12-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger broke his leg on Saturday while skiing with his family in Sun Valley, Idaho, the governor's office said.

The 59-year-old former movie star broke the femur bone in his right leg and was taken to a local hospital for X-rays and later discharged, Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's deputy chief of staff for communications, said in a statement.

"When the governor returns to Los Angeles from his scheduled Christmas trip, he will have surgery to repair his femur. No one else was involved in the skiing accident," Mendelsohn's statement said.

Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Julie Soderlund said she did not know how the governor hurt his leg. She said he was skiing at the time with family members who were not identified.

Schwarzenegger is in Idaho with his wife, Maria Shriver, and their four children, Soderlund said.

"The governor's doing great, and he's looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday with his family," Soderlund said by telephone on Saturday night.

Soderlund said Schwarzenegger was not in a cast but was resting at his Sun Valley home. She said she did not know when the governor would undergo surgery.

The femur is the longest bone in the human body.

Schwarzenegger, a native of Austria, is an "experienced skier," Soderlund said.

This was the governor's third medical incident in just over a year.

In January, he got 15 stitches to close a cut lip after colliding with a car while riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Los Angeles.

Last December, Schwarzenegger was examined at the University of California-Davis Medical Center for stomach flu and a rapid heartbeat. He was back at work the next day. Schwarzenegger underwent heart surgery in 1997.

Ex-Miss Nevada USA apologizes for photos

2006-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

he former Miss Nevada USA, dethroned over raunchy photos posted online, apologized Saturday as her attorney pleaded for the pageant queen to be given a second chance.

Katie Rees, who appeared in photos revealing a breast, exposing her thong underwear and kissing other young women at a party in Tampa, said her behavior was an "isolated incident."

"I am so sorry this happened," she said at a news conference in Clearwater, reading a prepared statement. "So many of us don't realize how our actions, even one night of poor judgment, can affect the rest of our lives."

Her attorney, Mario Torres of Tampa, asked that Miss Universe Organization co-owner Donald Trump grant Rees the same opportunity he gave Miss USA Tara Conner, who was allowed to keep her tiara after she tearfully admitted drinking as a minor at New York nightclubs. The Miss Universe Organization owns the Miss USA pageant and others.

"He always believes in second chances," Torres said of Trump. "We are asking for that and plead that he answer our call, allow us to meet with him and allow us to defend ourselves."

A Miss Universe spokeswoman has said organization president Paula Shugart made the decision to strip Rees of her title and Trump supported it. An e-mail sent to a secretary for Trump was not immediately answered Saturday.

Shugart has said first runner-up Helen Salas will assume the Miss Nevada title and compete at the next Miss USA pageant on March 23 in Los Angeles.

The person who posted the pictures of Rees should "in some way be held accountable," said Torres, adding that could involve legal action.

The photographer, a friend of Rees, was not identified.

Torres had previously said the photos of his client were taken when she was 17, but said Saturday they were taken three years ago, when she was 19.

"These images were from an isolated incident during my teenage years, long before my consideration to compete in the Miss USA program," Rees said. "While I take full responsibility for the photographs, I just want everyone to know the truth: This incident does not represent who I am."

Rees and Conner are not the only pageant queens whose behavior has been questioned lately. On Wednesday, Mothers Against Drunk Driving announced it was severing ties with Miss Teen USA Katie Blair over news reports that the 18-year-old from Billings, Mont., had been spotted partying with Miss USA in New York clubs.

Diddy busted by Humane Society over fur usage

2006-12-23T10:10:00.000-08:00

If you are a public person or celebrity today, don't get caught wearing fur, PETA and the Humane Society will call you out. The latest star to be lambasted is new daddy Diddy, aka Sean Combs.

The Humane Society of the United States has posted the damning evidence on their website, revealing that Diddy's clothing company is selling some sort of dog fur, retailers were labeling it "faux."

The HSUS tested the fur on a Sean John Hooded Snorkel Jacket sold at Macy's department store that was originally advertisedas "imitation rabbit fur collar" and materials identified as "faux fur."

The jacket has been found to have fur from a canine species known as raccoon dog.

Garment manufacturers are in gross violation of federal law, as the HSUS has discovered that on fur-trimmed jackets from other retailers and designers revealed the same animal materials--raccoon dog fur from China mislabeled as being from a different species, either "raccoon" or "coyote."

PETA and the Humane Society report that China has no animal welfare laws. Animals killed for their fur in China, dogs, raccoon dogs and other canine hybrids often face horrific abuse, and are many times skinned alive.

Allegedly Macy's has pulled the offending Sean John garments from its department stores and online shop, but The HSUS is calling on Diddy and other designers and retailers to stop using and selling fur trim altogether.

Hilary 'Barbie Doll' Duff

2006-12-22T12:34:00.001-08:00

Hilary Duff is being made into a Barbie doll.

The Red Carpet Glam Hilary Duff Doll - wearing a polka-dot dress and red satin sash - will be on sale next month.

Jamie Wood, Mattel's vice president of Barbie marketing, said: "Hilary is a great role model to girls. Not only is she a stylish entertainer, actor and fashion designer, but she also shows girls that there are no limits to what they can do."

Teen idol Hilary - who is best known for starring in TV show 'Lizzie McGuire' - has also designed clothes for the plastic figures.

The 19 year-old singer-and-actress will be following in the footsteps of Beyoncé Knowles and Reese Witherspoon, who have also had Barbie dolls made in their likeness.

Meanwhile, Hilary is reportedly furious that her ex-boyfriend Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden has started dating Nicole Richie, who she has branded a "skank".

A source told Us Weekly magazine: "Hilary doesn't want to talk to Joel. She can't believe he is dating Nicole. She thinks she is a skank."

And when Hilary heard about Nicole's recent arrest for driving under the influence, she allegedly flew into a rage.

The source added: "Hilary kept asking if Nicole had been coming from Joel's house when she was arrested. She kept saying she feels like she never knew Joel at all."

Hilary and Joel, who split up in November, dated for two-and-a-half years.

Sean "Diddy" Combs becomes a daddy to twin girls

2006-12-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

Rapper and hip-hop music producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has become a father to twin girls after his girlfriend Kim Porter gave birth early on Thursday in New York, his publicist said.

The Grammy-award winning rapper and founder of Bad Boy Records flew back from filming in Toronto and "made it just in the nick of time for the delivery," publicist Robert Zimmerman in a statement.

"Diddy received an early Christmas present," said Zimmerman. "Both Kim and the girls are doing great." The couple also have an 8-year-old son, Christian, and Combs has another son from a previous relationship.

Combs, 37, who in October put out his first album in five years, has undergone several names changes since he won a Grammy in 1998 for his debut rap album "No Way Out" released under the name "Puff Daddy."

Since then he has been known as "P.Diddy," which he still uses in Britain after a legal battle prevented him from calling himself "Diddy."

Angelina Jolie may quit acting to focus on family

2006-12-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

Superstar Angelina Jolie hinted to Larry King this week that she may actually give up acting for a while to help raise her family. Jolie, who appears in this week's The Good Shepherd and has an extensive slate of films in various states of production, has three children with partner Brad Pitt, the two adopted children, Maddox, who is five, and Zahara, who is almost two, and her seven-month-old biological child with Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel.

Jolie told King that she and Pitt don't want to be the kind of Hollywood parents who are always on shoots and never get to see their kids. "I'm hoping that as we got older, we'll do less films. And just to know, we don't raise our kids in Hollywood. They don't go to sets every day. They travel the world and we do many, many other things."

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently spent a lot of time in India with their children, as Jolie was filming A Mighty Heart, the story of Daniel Pearl's widow, a film that Pitt's company is producing. Jolie continued, as quoted by Monsters and Critics, "Hopefully, they don't think this is just what their parents do for a living. They will know many other things about who we are."

In the same interview, Angelina Jolie paid tribute to Marcheline Bertrand, her 56 year-old mother who has been battling ovarian cancer - "She's a remarkable woman. She's very strong. Her spirit is unbroken."

In other Brangelina news, the "family of the year," as dubbed by People Magazine, will celebrate Christmas three times this year, to include their adopted children's native traditions, according to the Irish Examiner. They quote Jolie as saying "Zahara's Christmas is January 8. With Maddox, it is the water festivals in Buddhism. We're getting into all that with them."

Finally, Angelina Jolie recently told the press that she believes that parents who adopt are better than parents who give birth biologically because the adoptive parents have to go through so much paperwork and background scrutiny to make sure they're fit. WENN quotes the actress, "It should be hard to be a parent period. I go through many things to adopt. I'm finger-printed, I'm checked, I go through home studies. I have to prove I'm a decent citizen, a good human being. That didn't happen to me when I gave birth, so it's interesting that there's no background check when you bring a child into your home in that way."

Eminem finalises divorce number two from long-time love

2006-12-20T14:35:00.000-08:00

Rap megastar Eminem has finalized his second divorce from the woman he married twice, a report said on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old, real name Marshall Mathers, on Tuesday reached an out-of-court settlement with Kimberly Mathers, who he remarried in January five years after they divorced for the first time.

The couple agreed to share custody of their 10-year-old daughter, Hailie Jade Scott, while the financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The couple's stormy relationship has been immortalized in several of Eminem's songs and at one point the divorce proceedings had seemed poised for an acrimonious court hearing.

However Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Antonio Viviano praised the couple's conduct after concluding the case, the report said.

"These people were a pleasure," Viviano said. "They conducted themselves with dignity and respect."

Tawny Kitean enters drug rehab program

2006-12-19T15:38:00.001-08:00

Tawny Kitaen, who starred in the 1984 Tom Hanks comedy, "Bachelor Party," has entered a drug rehabilitation program after pleading guilty to possessing 15 grams of cocaine.

The 45-year-old actress will be allowed to change her plea to not guilty after completing the program, under terms of a plea agreement, officials said. The plea change will remove the conviction from her record.

Kitaen was charged with felony possession after sheriff's deputies said they found cocaine in her apartment in May.

She was arrested in 2002 on charges she abused then-husband, former Angels pitcher Chuck Finley. She agreed to anger management and conflict resolution counseling in exchange for the dismissal of two misdemeanor counts of spousal abuse.

Britney Spears gets the hook at local strip club

2006-12-19T07:42:00.000-08:00

Burning the wee hours of the night and making up for lost time, pop star Britney Spears refuses to wear proper clothes anywhere, and now, the new mum was literally asked to get off an LA burlesque stage so the strippers could go to work.

Britney was at Hollywood club 40 Deuce, where, the New York Daily News reports, Spears gave the club patrons a show of her own between the striptease acts.

TMZ showed the photos of Britney donning a see-through black lace doilie for her mom's birthday a few nights back, and reports that the Louisiana girl isn't taming her act.

"Brit, cig in hand, 'gyrated for the crowd,' and bared her bra for all to see (not that we haven't seen it all before). Amusingly, the club owner actually had to ask the Unsinkable Ms. Spears to cede the stage to the pros, but she wouldn't budge." Reports TMZ.com.

The Daily News reported that same evening, Britney quaffed a bizarre combination of Champagne and Coke.

Britney voted Worst Celebrity Dog Owner

2006-12-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears' 'ruff' patch isn't showing signs of ending.

The under-fire pop princess been tagged with the title of World's Worst Celebrity Dog Owner by readers of two top US dog magazines.

Since splitting with hubby Kevin Federline, the star has been blasted for her late night partying and her lack of underwear.

Her conduct has even led commentators to question her parenting skills — again.
Now she's in the doghouse for the poor treatment of her pooches.

Brit was collared by the readers of The New York Dog and The Hollywood Dog in a three-month online poll.

Editor Hilary O'Hagan said: "Britney was the overwhelming choice. She once had three Chihuahuas — Lacy, Lucky and Bit-Bit — and never left home without at least one of them on her arm.

"But as soon as she met K-Fed and had kids they disappeared."

One of the dogs, Lucky, reportedly took an instant dislike to K-Fed.

"It was either Mr. Federline or Lucky," added O'Hagan.

"Unfortunately Britney chose the wrong dog and the rest is history."

In Britney's defense is the on-record attitude that Federline took to the pair's canine companions.

In a September interview, before his split with Spears, K-Fed said: "We gave all the dogs to friends of ours.

"It's just too much with the kids and all these dogs running around all over the place. It just wasn't really working."

Ironically Brit's recent clubbing buddy Paris Hilton will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Hilton was shamed by the publications for her shoddy treatment of dogs in 2005.

Voters put the hotel heiress in the doghouse last year for replacing her Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, for a ferret.

Gongs were also given out to the best celebrity dog owners.

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey was voted this year's most canine friendly celeb, ousting last year's winner Joss Stone.

Lindsay Lohan Gives Props To Strippers

2006-12-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

While studying pole dancing for an upcoming film, Lindsay Lohan has apparently learned the physical perils of being a stripper, the New York Post reports.

The newspaper reports that she's taking lessons from Sheila Kelly, developer of the aerobics striptease workout, for the film "I Know Who Killed Me," in which she takes on the role of topless dancer.

The newspaper says Lohan sent an e-mail to friends last week, titled: "They're all whores, they're all whores . . . except for some obviously!"

In excerpts printed by the newspaper, Lohan said, "So . . . 3 hours of pole dancing and bruised. everywhere . . . I mean we're talkin' like, UPPER AND INNER THIGH ACTION-bruised . . . like a walking black-and-blue mark."

"I mean really though, really, I didn't know it was actually possible to have bruises in such areas of the body. Strippers dude, I tell you, I really respect the (c-word)s now. . . I'm not gonna lie to ya," Lohan writes.

"Her character is a stripper, and she now realizes that the job isn't easy. We should give these women credit," Lohan's rep told the Post.

Lohan has been going to clubs while shooting the movie, but hasn't been drinking, the newspaper reports.

"When the shoot is over, she is going to focus her attention 100 percent on staying sober and building a more fruitful life," a source told the newspaper. She is considering moving back to New York and leaving behind "the toxic L.A. scene with all those toxic people."

Jackson puts off Tokyo appearance

2006-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

US pop star Michael Jackson has postponed an appearance at a Christmas party in Japan, where tickets cost up to 400,000 yen (£1,787).

Jackson was due to attend the party in Tokyo on Tuesday, although he was not planning to perform.

The event has been put back to 8 March, with a fan appreciation event being held the following day.

Last month Jackson carried out his first public engagement in London since being cleared of child molestation.

Special area

The event was marred by disappointment when Jackson sang just a few lines, when the audience had been led to believe he would perform a medley of his songs.

Organisers of the Tokyo event said Jackson wanted to postpone his appearance to add an extra date to his schedule.

Jackson's role at the party is to simply sit down to dinner with guests while listening to his recorded music. Gospel singers and dancers are expected to perform.

For those buying the top-priced tickets there is the chance to meet Jackson and have a photograph taken with him. Those paying 200,000 yen (£895) will get a signed portrait of the star.

Tickets for the fan appreciation day will cost 15,000 yen (£65), which allows people to watch dancers perform to Jackson songs, while the singer himself watches from a separate area.

Paparazzi sues celeb blogger for $7.6M

2006-12-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is being stalked by paparazzi — in court, at least.

X17 Inc., a Los Angeles photo agency known for its images of stars in personal or embarrassing moments, has filed a $7.6 million federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Hilton.

Hilton's Los Angeles-based site, PerezHilton.com, posts tabloid photos of celebs and adds cheeky captions and rudimentary doodles.

The suit claims Hilton used 51 photographs without permission, payment or credit, including images of a pregnant Katie Holmes, Kevin Federline pumping gas and Britney Spears showing her, um, assets.

"We've had trouble with a lot of bloggers," X17 co-owner Brandy Navarre told the Los Angeles Times for a story on its Web site. "But he's the biggest, and the most arrogant and pigheaded about it, frankly.

"He is stealing our images and costing us money every day," she said.

Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, said he believes he has done nothing illegal.

"I am going to vigorously defend myself," he said. "I am willing to step up to the plate and fight for my rights and fight for the rights of all bloggers."

His attorney, Bryan Freedman, said Hilton has a legal right to make satirical or humorous use of newsworthy photographs.

If the copyright lawsuit succeeds, "the effect would be to eliminate the ability to comment on and transform photographs under the fair-use exception to the Copyright Act," Freedman said.

But X17's lawyer, John Tehranian, argued that Hilton "is basically free-riding on the labor and efforts of X17 and its photographers who stay up all night and roam the city."

Seven other photo agencies sent Hilton a joint letter demanding that he stop using their photographs but they have not sued, the Times said.

Jolie: Kissing Damon just part of job

2006-12-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

What's the biggest difference between kissing Matt Damon and kissing Brad Pitt? "One's a friend and one's my love," says Angelina Jolie, who co-stars with Damon in the upcoming drama "The Good Shepherd."

"In reality, both the people we're involved with couldn't have cared less about that (love scene) because they know us," Jolie told Diane Sawyer in an interview that aired Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"It's one of those things where it's like the least threatening person," the 31-year-old actress said. "Good luck to you guys, I hope it's not too awkward."

Said Damon, who co-starred with Pitt in the "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve" movies: "It's weird. ... We all know each other."

Damon married Luciana Bozan while filming "The Good Shepherd." The couple have a 6-month-old daughter, Isabella.

The 36-year-old actor said getting married had more of an impact than he thought it would. "We already had the house in Florida and everything, and so I didn't. ... I didn't think it was going to really change anything necessarily, but it actually did."

Jolie has said that she and Pitt, who will be 43 on Monday, are in no rush to wed. Pitt has wondered why they should marry when gay couples can't.

"I think ... he was commenting just on the state (that) we all wish for," Jolie said. "That's not really a comment on whether or not we would or if we plan to."

"The Good Shepherd," a Universal Pictures release, opens in theaters Dec. 22

Jolie says she and Pitt plan to adopt

2006-12-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

Angelina Jolie says she and boyfriend Brad Pitt want more children, and will likely adopt their next child to try to balance their "mixed-race family."

Jolie and Pitt have three children: 5-year-old Maddox, adopted from Cambodia; 23-month-old daughter, Zahara, adopted from Ethiopia; and 6-month old daughter, Shiloh, who was born to the couple in May.

"I want Mad (Maddox) to know that as our family grew and we all came together, we didn't just start having children, biological children," the 31-year-old actress said Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"Yes, we have Shiloh and it's been a wonderful experience, but we want to find another brother or sister in the world for our family."

She added: "I'm on the pill."

Jolie said it's important to balance how their children perceive their family.

"You know, now the questions are more when you have a mixed-race family, do you balance the races so there's another African person in the house for Z? So there's another Asian person in the house for Mad? Shiloh has Brad and I she can look at," the actress said.

"What's best for the children as they grow? ... We don't just want to have different children from different countries. That's not the point," Jolie said.

The couple and their three children were photographed for the upcoming issue of People magazine.

She said Pitt, who will be 43 on Monday, is a conscientious father and partner.

"He really enjoys them," Jolie said. "He woke up very, very early this morning and let me sleep in because I had this interview. ... Dealing with the two girls and bottles and food, which is not easy to do, on his own, for quite a few hours this morning so I could rest. ... He's just a really great partner, a great, great man."

Jolie co-stars in the upcoming Universal Pictures drama "The Good Shepherd" with
Matt Damon and Robert De Niro.

Nicole Richie facing jail

2006-12-14T06:16:00.000-08:00

Nicole Richie will go to jail if she is convicted of driving under the influence.

'The Simple Life' star - who was charged for the offence on Monday (11.12.06) - has a previous DUI charge and California law states that a repeat offence carries the mandatory sentence of five consecutive days in county jail.

If convicted, Nicole would also have her driving license suspended for one year and be ordered to attend an alcohol education programme for a year-and-a-half, even if the second conviction is not alcohol-related.

Nicole, the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie, was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning for driving the wrong way along a California freeway.

She admitted to police she had taken the strong painkiller Vicodin and had smoked marijuana.

Nicole was first arrested for DUI in 2002. She told police she had eaten French fries and drunk a shot of vodka.

She pleaded no contest to the charge, was sentenced to three years probation and had her driving license suspended for one year.

Six months later, Nicole was arrested for possession of heroin and for driving with a suspended license.

Friends insist the 25-year-old only takes Vicodin to relieve menstrual pain.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: "She knows she made a mistake, but overall she's in a better place. She has come a long way from her heroin days."

The friend also claimed that Nicole actually weighs 95 pounds, not 85 pounds as stated in the police report.

The source added: "She's so proud of her weight gain. She doesn't know where the cops came up with 85 pounds and it's annoying to her."

Lindsay's Seven Days of Sobriety

2006-12-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

After a year in Alcoholics Anonymous, Lindsay Lohan is celebrating a full week of sobriety.

"I haven't had a drink in seven days. Or anything. I'm not even legal to, so why would I?" the 20-year-old actor told People magazine on Monday.

Lohan said she had been "going to AA, for a year by the way," but had only acknowledged her attendance recently because "it's no one's business. That's why it's anonymous!"

Earlier this month, the actor's mother, Dina Lohan, confirmed to E! News' Ryan Seacrest that the Mean Girls star had been attending meetings.

"You know, a lot of people she hangs out with go, and it's a positive thing," the elder Lohan said.

Though she attends meetings, Lohan denied ever feeling like she had a drinking problem, but said she wanted to "find a balance."

"I was going out too much and I knew that, and I have more to live for than that," she said.

The young star has taken public hits for her partying in the past. In July, James G. Robinson, the producer of her film, Georgia Rule, blasted her lack of professionalism in a letter, complaining that her nightlife was affecting production.

However, Lohan has repeatedly denied that she's as much of a party girl as some might think.

"I hate the term 'party girl'—I hate it," she told Harper's Bazaar in June. "I'm in this career for the longevity of it, not just for doing everything too fast and then running out of steam."

The actor said that despite her frequent appearances at various Hollywood hotspots, she refrains from drinking alcohol in public.

"I don't drink when I go to clubs. I drink with my friends at home, but there's no need to. I feel better not drinking. It's more fun. I have Red Bull," she told People.

Lohan said she was tired of being lumped into a category with "these people."

"I was like, I don't want to be written about at these clubs with these people. I work, I act, I have a living. That's what I do every day. I work every single day," she told People.

There's no doubt that Lohan has a busy production schedule ahead of her. The actor is due to appear in her first-ever thriller, I Know Who Killed Me, as well as in the drama, The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond, an adaptation of a long-lost Tennessee Williams screenplay.

She'll also team up with Keira Knightley in the British film, The Best Times of Our Lives, as the wife of poet Dylan Thomas.

Britney Does It with the Help, Again

2006-12-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

It looks like Britney Spears is out with a new man – and it turns out that he used to work for the family.

Britney has been stepping out with Jonathan "J.R." Rotem, a multi-platinum music producer who's worked for Rihanna, Paris Hilton, and, yes, Kevin Federline. As Perezhilton.com notes, the pair were spied kissing in public on Sunday night, then went to a movie before heading back to Rotem's place. K-Fed, of course, was an employee before he became Mr. Spears.

Paris Hilton has taken to MySpace to come out in support of what she calls Brit's "partying ethics." "For people to call out her parenting skills on behalf of her partying ethics is appalling," says Paris (according to MSNBC). "She goes home every night to her babies and partying has not come in the way of her parenting." Except, of course, when she spends the night at Paris' (or J.R.'s) house.

Angelina Jolie: How Brad Pitt and I Fell in Love

2006-12-12T10:51:00.001-08:00

For the first time, Angelina Jolie has described what happened between her and Brad Pitt on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith – and she insists she never had any intention of breaking up his marriage to Jennifer Aniston.

When she first met her costar on the set of the thriller in 2003, "I didn't know much about exactly where Brad was in his personal life," Jolie, 31, says in the January issue of Vogue, according to excerpts published in the New York Post. "But it was clear he was with his best friend, someone he loves and respects.

"And so we were both living, I suppose, very full lives. … I think we were the last two people who were looking for a relationship. I certainly wasn't. I was quite content to be a single mom."

But "Brad was a huge surprise to me. I, like most people, had a very distant impression of him from … the media," she says.

"Because of the film, we ended up being brought together to do all these crazy things, and I think we found this strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened. I think a few months in I realized, 'God, I can't wait to get to work.' … Anything we had to do with each other, we just found a lot of joy in it together and a lot of real teamwork. We just became kind of a pair."

They didn't start thinking about a relationship right away, she says. "It took until, really, the end of the shoot for us, I think, to realize that it might mean something more than we'd earlier allowed ourselves to believe. And both knowing that the reality of that was a big thing, something that was going to take a lot of serious consideration."

The two remained "very, very good friends" from the time the movie wrapped in 2004 until after Pitt and Aniston announced their separation in January 2005, Jolie says.

Jolie says that the time she spent getting to know Pitt before his split was "not as exciting as what a lot of people would like to believe. We spent a lot of time contemplating and thinking and talking about what we both wanted in life and realized that we wanted very, very similar things.

"And then we just continued to take time. We remained very, very good friends – with this realization – for a long time," she says. "And then life developed in a way where we could be together, where it felt like something we would do, we should do."

In fact, it was her son, Madddox, now 5, who helped seal the deal. (Jolie and Pitt are also parents to Zahara, 23 months, and Shiloh, 6 months.) One day, Maddox "just out of the blue called him Dad," says Jolie. "It was amazing. We were playing with cars on the floor of a hotel room, and we both heard it and didn't say anything and just looked at each other. So that was probably the most defining moment, when he decided that we would all be a family."

Jolie also says she'd be willing to meet with Aniston, but "That would be her decision, and I would welcome it."

Pitt has said he and Jolie would not wed until all couples can legally marry, and Jolie agrees that tying the knot is not a priority. "We both have been married before, so it's not marriage that's necessarily kept some people together," she says. "We are legally bound to our children, not to each other, and I think that's the most important thing."

Clooney says he's too old to have game

2006-12-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

Let's get real: George Clooney is a two-time winner of People magazine's "sexiest man alive." He can woo practically any woman he wants — right? "Um, ah, no, because I also wake up and my knees hurt and I think, `I'm 45,'" he tells Newsweek in its Dec. 18 issue.

The actor-director, who was married in the early '90s to actress Talia Balsam, is one of Hollywood's most famous bachelors.

He won People's "sexiest man alive" title in 1997 and again this year, and is now tied with his good friend Brad Pitt.

Media speculation about a wedding at Clooney's villa in Lake Como, Italy, for Pitt and
Angelina Jolie, which was rife last year, resurfaced earlier this year.

There was also speculation that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes would wed at Lake Como. The Hollywood couple were married last month at a 15th-century castle in Bracciano, Italy, outside Rome.

"This year it was Tom and Katie getting married at my house," Clooney tells Newsweek. "He sent me a bottle of wine to thank me. With Brad and Angie, I say they're not getting married and the press goes, `Arrgh!' The more you deny, the guiltier you sound."

Though he won an Oscar for his role in 2005's "Syriana," Clooney says he feels more at home in the director's chair.

"Directing is the key to filmmaking. Everything else is just paint," says Clooney, nominated for an Oscar for directing "Good Night, and Good Luck."

Does he have a bullhorn?

"No, I'm very modern," he says. "I have someone that I yell at and they yell it out loud."

Clooney's latest film, "The Good German," directed by Steven Soderbergh, will be released by Warner Bros. on Dec. 22.

Angelina Jolie Says She Wants More Kids

2006-12-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

She already has three kids, but Angelina Jolie says she wants more.

"I'm very, very lucky. I love the different elements of my life. I love working abroad, and I love being with my kids and I love being with Brad," Jolie, 31, said Friday at a press event for her movie The Good Shepherd. "I'd like to add many more children and many more obstacles and many more things to my life."

Asked if she'd ever again work with Pitt, with whom she costarred in last year's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, she replied with a laugh: "Who's going to watch the children?"

Indeed, she chooses her films with Maddox, 5, Zahara, 23 months, and Shiloh, 6 months, in mind. "I don't think that I've shot for more than seven weeks on a movie in two years," she said. "I need to make sure that I have time with my kids."

And she makes every effort to give her children a normal life, despite her own fame. "I've made a point to not let it change the way that I live my life, other than I carefully plan my holidays or where we go or where we stay or things like that to try to ensure some kind of quality of life that is private and nice for the kids. But we simply don't let it affect us."

She does admit, though, that there are challenges: "I think that the only time that it is hard is when the kids want to go somewhere and want to see something. I've had so many people offer to take my children to Disneyland or places that I can't take them. And they don't understand how upsetting that is.

"People offered to take my kids trick or treating or take my kids to whatever – things that they assume my kids can't do. So we plan to find ways to do all of those things. There are worse problems and so we're okay."

This Halloween, she said, "We were in India and so we had this really odd celebration at the hotel. We just had candy and costumes sent from the states and so we all dressed up. Z had a really big afro and Maddox had dreadlocks. We had some fun with dress-up."

What is it that draws Jolie – who is supporting an orphanage in Zahara's native Ethiopia and fighting for legislation on behalf of AIDS orphans – to children? "They're fun. They're just a joy. It's a joy of life that exists nowhere else."

Nicolas Cage Plans to Cut Back on Acting

2006-12-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

After more than 55 films, Nicolas Cage plans to cut back on acting to pursue other interests, such as helping develop independent cinema in his new home of the Bahamas.

"I'm thinking about taking more time in between movies," the Oscar winner told The Associated Press backstage at the third annual Bahamas International Film Festival.

"I feel I've made a lot of movies already and I want to start exploring other opportunities that I can apply myself to, whether it's writing or other interests that I may develop," he said.

Cage was in Nassau late Friday to receive the Chopard Award for career achievement. Fellow actor Sean Connery, Cage's co-star in the 1996 thriller "The Rock," presented the award at the Atlantis Theater in Paradise Island.

"Nic is a professional and brings to the table all the stuff that makes it a real joy," Connery said.

Cage, who won a best-actor Oscar for 1995's "Leaving Las Vegas," owns a house in Paradise Island and bought an undeveloped private island in the Exuma Cays this year.

He said he hopes the film festival continues to grow. Some 50 narrative, documentary and short films from around the world are being showcased during the four-day festival, which began Thursday.

'Apocalypto' earns $14M, resurrects Mel Gibson

2006-12-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

Mel Gibson's bloody epic "Apocalypto" debuted as the No. 1 weekend movie, proving the filmmaker still can deliver a winner despite his drunken-driving arrest and anti-Semitic rant last summer.

"Apocalypto," a Disney release set in the Mayan civilization and told in an obscure Mayan language, opened with $14.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

It was a modest haul compared to the $83.8 million opening weekend of Gibson's last movie, the 2004 religious blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ," which went on to do $370 million domestically.

But "Apocalypto" overcame the baggage of Gibson's personal troubles as well as its difficult subject matter, which features a no-name cast in a hyper-violent tale that includes beheadings and images of hearts ripped from people's chests.

"The movie obviously succeeds on its own level. I think people probably are a bit on the surprised side around town that it's No. 1," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney. "Two months ago, nobody would have bet on that."

Sony's romance "The Holiday" debuted at No. 2 with $13.5 million. Directed by Nancy Meyers, the movie stars
Cameron Diaz,
Kate Winslet,
Jack Black and
Jude Law in the story of American and British women who swap homes for the holidays and find love in the process.

The Warner Bros. thriller "Blood Diamond," starring
Leonardo DiCaprio,
Jennifer Connelly and
Djimon Hounsou, opened at No. 5 with $8.5 million. Set against Sierra Leone's civil war in the 1990s, the film follows a mercenary pursuing a rare diamond.

Also from Warner Bros., the holiday comedy "Unaccompanied Minors," about a group of kids run amok while stranded at an airport Christmas Eve, premiered at No. 6 with $6.2 million.

The Warner Bros. animated hit "Happy Feet" and Sony's James Bond adventure "Casino Royale," which had been the top-two movies for three-straight weekends, slipped to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.

"Happy Feet" took in $12.7 million, raising its total to $137.7 million. "Casino Royale" grossed $8.8 million, lifting its total to $128.9 million.

The overall box office fell sharply, with the top-12 movies grossing $86.8 million, down 25 percent from the same weekend last year, when the blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" opened with $65.6 million.

Disney reported that Gibson's "Apocalypto" drew solid crowds across-the-board, with movie-goers equally split between men and women and the core of the audience ranging from 18 to 45.

The publicity over Gibson's problems and his contriteness since last summer may have stoked interested in "Apocalypto," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

"Whenever I tell people I saw the movie, they'd be like, `You saw it? How was it?' There was a huge curiosity factor," Dergarabedian said. "A movie about Mayan civilization was never destined to be a big hit, let alone a No. 1 movie. But through Disney's marketing, which highlights Mel Gibson — I believe they associated him very closely with the movie — I think that strategy paid off."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Apocalypto," $14.2 million.

2. "The Holiday," $13.5 million.

3. "Happy Feet," $12.7 million.

4. "Casino Royale," $8.8 million.

5. "Blood Diamond," $8.5 million.

6. "Unaccompanied Minors," $6.2 million.

7. "Deja Vu," $6.1 million.

8. "The Nativity Story," $5.6 million.

9. "Deck the Halls," $3.9 million.

10. "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause," $3.3 million.

Tom Cruise Tries to Steal Smith's Limelight

2006-12-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

Say what you will about Tom Cruise, but the man is never shy about being the center of attention - even if it's at his friend's expense.

At the Westwood premiere of Pursuit of Happyness (and yes, that is the spelling) Cruise and wife Katie Holmes came out to support his long time friend Will Smith and Smith's son, Jaden, who both star in the film. After everyone was seated, Sony executive Amy Pascal took a minute to have the contributors stand up and get their kudos, but when Smith had his turn, things got a little uncomfortable.

"Amy was introducing everyone, the writers and director and stuff, and then introduced Will's son Jaden," a fellow premiere goer tells Celebrity Week, "but when it was her turn to introduce Will, he stood up, and Tom Cruise got up from his seat and ran over from across the theater to stand with Will as his picture was being taken. He even signaled to Katie to have her come join him for pictures too."

Te witness says that everyone was really confused as to what Cruise was doing. "There was no reason for it. He's not even involved in the film. It was really weird."

Spears Accused Of Drug Use

2006-12-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

While Britney Spears' partying ways are hardly a secret, whether the word 'partying' means 'drug use' to the singer, may be up for debate.

In Touch Weekly, seems to think they can shed some light on the singer's indifference towards flashing the paparazzi her nether-regions, claiming that lately the singer is more into popping pills than being a pop star.

The magazine claims that on November 27, while frequenting the West Hollywood restaurant Dan Tana's, Spears was in the ladies' room where several women watched as she opened her bag to reveal a plethora of pills.

"It looked like a pharmacy in there," an eyewitness claimed, "I have never seen so many pills."

According to the witness, the bounty of pharmaceuticals included the anti-depressant, Paxil, and the anti-anxiety medication, Xanax, which Spears openly popped in front of bystanders. Later the same evening she was photographed walking to her car with a wine glass in hand and getting behind the wheel to drive.

In Touch is also reporting that rumors of illicit drug use are being flared by her spending an unusual amount of time in the bathrooms of clubs and after-hour parties lately.

Spears says she went 'a little too far'

2006-12-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

After igniting a media firestorm by flashing her apparent lack of underwear to the paparazzi, Britney Spears is finally talking. "It's been so long since I've been out on the town with friends," the singer writes in a posting Thursday on her Web site.

"It's also been 2 years since I've even celebrated my birthday. Every move I make at this point has been magnified more than I expected, and I probably did take my new found freedom a little too far. Anyway, thank God for Victoria's Secrets' new underwear line! I look forward to a new year, new music and a new me."

Spears, the mother of two young sons, celebrated her 25th birthday on Dec. 2. She has been unleashing her inner wild child since filing for divorce last month from Kevin Federline, her husband of two years.

Her recent nights out with party girls Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan — and those uncensored, R-rated crotch shots that were splashed across the Web — drew disapproval from her fans and other Spears watchers.

Spears and Federline, 28, have a 1-year-old son, Sean Preston, and an infant son, Jayden James, who was born Sept. 12. Spears is seeking custody of both children, with visitation rights for Federline.

Federline, an aspiring rapper, is seeking spousal support and sole custody of his sons with Spears.

Wesley Snipes Arrested for Tax Evasion

2006-12-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

Wesley Snipes surrendered to authorities Friday on tax fraud charges, two months after he was indicted, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation.

Snipes flew into an Orlando airport on a private jet and voluntarily surrendered, said the official, who confirmed the arrest on the condition of anonymity because it hadn't been announced publicly. Snipes was to appear in federal court in Ocala on Friday morning, the official said.

Snipes was charged in October with fraudulently claiming refunds totaling nearly $12 million in 1996 and 1997 on income taxes already paid. The star of the "Blade" trilogy and other films was also charged with failure to file returns from 1999 through 2004.

According to the indictment, Snipes had his taxes prepared by accountants with a history of filing false returns to reap payments for their clients. The firm American Rights Litigators would receive 20 percent of refunds from clients, according to the indictment.

The 44-year-old actor has said he is a scapegoat and was unfairly targeted by prosecutors, and has suggested he was taken advantage of. A publicist for Snipes didn't return a phone message Friday. If convicted, he faces up to 16 years in prison.

Oprah Banned From TomKat’s Second Wedding Party

2006-12-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

It looks like Oprah may not be among TomKat’s close friends who didn’t make it to their ceremony in Italy as she was reportedly not invited to their second wedding party.

Recently married and freshly returned from their honeymoon, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes plan a second wedding party that will take place in Los Angeles. The postwedding bash will be held this weekend and will give their close friends who weren’t able to attend their Italian fancy wedding a few weeks again, a chance to see them tying the knot again.

I’m guessing Oprah must be really frustrated and she most likely won’t be getting them a present since this is the second time she's being snubbed by the two after she was left aside from their first wedding's guest list. Her spokesman said so, according to TMZ.com.

According to Cruise’s representative, Arnold Robinson, who confirmed the party news, the party is "for friends (who) were not able attend the wedding in Italy."

However, the situation concerning John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s presence is yet unknown also. They’re said to have received an invitation but apparently ditched their friends’ wedding.

The second reception is set to take place in the Beverly Hills home of Cruise’s business partner and friend, Paula Wagner and her husband, Nick Nicita.

The one who saw Tom Cruise jumping up and down, frantically, on the couch in front of her while confessing his love for Katie Holmes, said before their first wedding she doesn’t have any hard feelings over being uninvited, in fact, she even got them a present.

“It's not that I'm not going. It's that they had a limited number of people that they could invite. I was not one of the invitees. That's fine. I don't get invited to everyone's wedding. I don't invite them to everything I do. But I wish them the best”, Oprah told entertainment show “Extra” a while ago.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes tied the knot on November 18th in Bracciano, Italy and together with their baby daughter, Suri, went for a 13-day honeymoon in the Maldives aboard the luxury yacht Arctic P. They returned this weekend.

"It was a family occasion. They played with Suri all the time, filming her on a camcorder," a source revealed. On Thanksgiving, the new family visited Fesdu Island resort where "They sunbathed by the pool, read philosophy books and went snorkeling in the lagoon,” according to another source.

"Later, they took Suri for a swim" the source added.

Since their returned, Katie and Tom visited many of their friends including Victoria Beckham. According to People magazine, Katie met Victoria at the Sunset Marquis Hotel &Villas on December 4th. Victoria was in town for a photo shoot.

"They talked about how great the wedding was," said a Beckham friend.

It looks like they're not the only ones reminiscing about those dazzling nuptials. "There was just a lot of heart and soul," Cruise's “Jerry Maguire” director, Cameron Crowe, told People. "They're the real deal, and I'm so happy for them."

Mary J. Blige Receives Emmy Recognition For Her Breakthrough

2006-12-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

Following her Billboard Awards victory where she took in nine trophies, she better be ready for another row of awards.

R&B singer, Mary J. Blige has been nominated eight times, the most of any artist, including for album of the year and song of the year for “Be With You,” at the upcoming annual Grammy Awards which are scheduled to air live on CBS from the Staples Center on February 11th.

“That's a beautiful thing, that I'm still going," Blige, 35, told The Associated Press. "'The Breakthrough' is about triumph, about not being a victim, but being a victor. It's about loving yourself."

“The Breakthrough” has already done its job, on Monday the 35-year-old singer collected nine trophies at the Billboard Awards and last month earned two at the American Music Awards.

"This is probably the best year of her career," said Chuck Arnold, music critic for People magazine. "She's been around a long time but hasn't really gotten the love in the major categories. This could be her year to break through."

The singer's latest album, "The Breakthrough," sold 727,163 copies its first week, the most of any artist this year, and nearly 3 million copies overall.

Nominees announced Thursday at the Music Box at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood for album of the year are the Dixie Chicks' "Taking the Long Way," Gnarls Barkley for "St. Elsewhere," John Mayer's "Continuum," Red Hot Chili Peppers for "Stadium Arcadium" and Justin Timberlake for "FutureSex/LoveSounds.”

"He's a favorite of both the public and the industry," said Arnold referring to Justin Timberlake, who predicted the 25-year-old will garner an album of the year nod and other big nominations.

Prince, John Mayer, producer Rick Rubin, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, composer John Williams and James Blunt, who will compete for best new artist and record and song of the year with "You're Beautiful," each got five nominations.

Bob Dylan's "Modern Times," the bard's first No. 1 album in 30 years, and one of his best reviewed, failed to get an album of the year nomination, though it did earn a nod for best folk album.

Christina Aguilera received two nods for best pop female vocal and best pop vocal album for "Ain't No Other Man."

California band Red Hot Chili Peppers scored six Grammy nominations. Other Canadians who complete the list include Nelly Furtado, Diana Krall and Michael Bublé.

“These nominations truly reflect a diverse and vibrant community of music makers and creators who represent some of the most remarkable music of the year,” said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow.

“Once again, the GRAMMY Awards process has delivered a well-rounded group of excellent nominees, which promises music lovers a spectacular show filled with dynamic performances and ‘GRAMMY Moments’ that can only be seen on the GRAMMY Awards telecast.”

Britney's wine drive

2006-12-07T09:07:00.001-08:00

Britney Spears has been spotted carrying a glass of wine to her car, before climbing behind the wheel.

The 25-year-old singer was apparently spotted walking to her vehicle with the alcoholic drink after having dinner at Hollywood's Dan Tana's last Tuesday (28.11.06).

According to Us Weekly magazine, Britney left the restaurant holding the glass of wine and handed it to an assistant before speeding off in her car to meet friends at Hyde nightclub.

The 'Toxic' singer has been partying hard with new best friend Paris Hilton since filing for divorce from husband Kevin Federline last month.

On occasions she has even stayed in hotels rather than return home to her children, 15-month-old Sean Preston and three-month-old Jayden James.

Her behaviour has not only raised concerns with her family but has also reportedly attracted the attention of the Los Angeles' Department of Children and Family Services.

Both Kevin and Britney are requesting sole custody of the children and friends are worried that the singer is jeopardising her chances.

A source close to Kevin said: "The Department of Children and Family Services are not watching Britney, but all it takes is one phone call and they will be. It doesn't help that she's leaving clubs with wine glasses."

Paris Hilton Wants Baby

2006-12-06T14:32:00.001-08:00

Paris Hilton is desperate to have a baby after befriending young mom Britney Spears.

The hotel heiress - who has been introducing Britney to the Los Angeles party circuit since she split from husband Kevin Federline - has become broody after helping look after the singer's two sons, 15-month-old Sean Preston and three-month-old Jayden James.

Paris is convinced she would be a good mother because she has so many pets.

Paris told Life and Style Weekly magazine: "It's been my dream to have four babies by 30. I look after animals, so I'd have a lot to give my kids."

The 25-year-old socialite is currently so in tune with her maternal instincts she recently left a nightclub early to go home with Britney and see her children.

Paris told friends: "We're going home to the babies. We miss them."

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z plan secret wedding

2006-12-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Reports started to surface this week that Beyonce Knowles, superstar singer and star of the upcoming Dreamgirls, and Jay-Z, one of the most successful rappers ever, are planning a secret wedding in the Caribbean next week. The rumors surfaced when Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles were overheard at STK, a restaurant in New York City, talking to record executives about a four-day party in St. Barts aboard a yacht to mark the Kingdom Come rapper's 37th birthday (which was this past Monday), but some have suggested that it's not just a b-day party, but a cover for a wedding.

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z have been an item for four years now and a source told The New York Post, "Beyonce is throwing Jay a four-day birthday party, but it's really a wedding."

The Post goes on to report that friends and family were told to have passport applications filed by last Friday to witness the exchange of superstar vows and that the party will begin on a yacht, but guests will then be taken to Anguilla for the ceremony, which will supposedly take place at Cap Juluca, a five-star resort that the couple supposedly visited earlier this year to scope out for their big day.

It's been a hell of a year for arguably the hottest couple in music. Not only has Beyonce Knowles' B-Day been a huge success on the charts but many Oscar pundits think she could pull off a nomination for her performance in the highly-anticipated adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, co-starring Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson. Beyonce's better half, Jay-Z came out of retirement to release Kingdom Come, a CD that debuted at number one and marked the rapper's best first week sales since 2000.

It's interesting that this news comes this week, just after the first real rumors of a break-up for Beyonce and Jay-Z started to circulate, although those rumors were based mostly on lyrics from a new song on Kingdom Come, "Lost One," in which Jay-Z raps "I don't think it's meant to be, B/ For she loves the work more than she does me/ And, honestly, at 23, I would probably love my work more than I did she/ So we ain't we, it's me and her." It's worth noting that Beyonce is 25 now and maybe Jay-Z was rapping about an old split or rift between the couple that appears to have now been mended.

Justin Ignores Britney Spears

2006-12-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Justin Timberlake bumped into his ex Britney Spears at a Los Angeles nightclub - and ignored her.

The former sweethearts met for the first time since Britney filed for divorce from Kevin Federline at top nightspot Hyde last Thursday (11.30.06) but the "SexyBack" singer kept as far away from her as he could.

A source told gossip website X17online: "Justin stayed on the dance floor the whole night and avoided Britney like the plague."

Britney - who celebrated her 25th birthday on Saturday (12.02.06) - has become a regular at the club since her split from Kevin, the father of her two sons, 15-month-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, three months.

Justin was out without his long-term girlfriend Cameron Diaz, who is currently promoting her Christmas movie "The Holiday."

Britney and Justin met as children when they starred on "The Mickey Mouse Club." The couple began dating when Justin was part of the hugely successful boy band 'N Sync years later.

They were together for several years before splitting in 2002.

Paris Hilton Back With Stavros

2006-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton is back with her sometime boyfriend Stavros Niarchos.

The hotel heiress and the Greek shipping heir - who announced their split in May this year - have recently been seen canoodling on several occasions and spent Friday night (12.01.06) together.

The couple were photographed leaving Los Angeles nightclub Little Door and the waiting paparazzi followed them back to Paris' house.

One snapper said: "They dashed out of the club together and raced back home. When they arrived at the house Paris announced, 'I'm going to bed', and then dragged Stavros inside."

Last week, "The Simple Life" star was seen wearing an open locket with two pictures of her and Stavros inside it.

One photograph showed Paris, 25, and 21-year-old Stavros kissing and another shows them cuddled up cheek-to-cheek.

Britney Spears tops Yahoo's searches

2006-12-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Bereft of any new music to promote, Britney Spears was nevertheless the hottest thing on the Internet this year, judging from Yahoo's annual list of popular search terms.

Of course, a surge in online voyeurs seeking recently posted pictures of Britney sans panties didn't hurt. But a Yahoo spokeswoman said "Britney" had the title of No. 1 search term sewn up even before the risque photos surfaced.

That's because the pop star generally draws about equal numbers of male and female Internet surfers hungry for all things Britney, Yahoo's Cathi Early said.

Following Spears were a couple of newcomers to Yahoo's Top 10 list: World Wrestling Entertainment and Shakira.

Early said WWE owes some of its popularity this year to John Cena, the wrestler starring in this year's film "The Marine," distributed by 20th Century Fox.

As for Shakira, Early said, "Unlike Britney, her popularity came from her music."

Rounding out the search terms Top 10 list were -- as is customary -- lots more celebrities: Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, "American Idol," Beyonce Knowles, Chris Brown, Pamela Anderson and Lindsay Lohan.

Even when narrowed to the top news stories searched, celebrities took the top two positions, with the deaths of Steve Irwin and Anna Nicole Smith's son coming in first and second, respectively.

The Iraq War took third.

Not that Sony needed more evidence of the popularity of its biggest hit franchise, but Yahoo said "Spider-Man 3," not even due out until next year, was this year's most-searched movie title.

Rounding out the Top 5 movies were "X-Men: The Last Stand," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Star Wars" and "Superman Returns."

The Top 5 TV shows were "American Idol," "Lost," "Days of Our Lives," "Family Guy" and "Deal or No Deal."

Celebrity babies were big this year, and none were bigger than, surprise, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. The offspring of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was second.

Yahoo included blogs and bloggers as a category for the first time, and PerezHilton.com was tops. The self-proclaimed "Hollywood's most-hated Web site" is all about celebrity gossip, rumor and innuendo.

Other blogs in the Top 10 include Huffington Post, TMZ.com, Daily Kos, Little Green Footballs and Gawker.

The Drudge Report would have beaten them all, Early said, except that "our editors consider Drudge to be too mainstream to be a blogger."

Yahoo also assembled a list of its most popular online videos, though it's based on Yahoo's esoteric "buzz" mathematical formula rather than simple search numbers. Mostly, user-generated videos dominated, though soccer star Zinedine Zidane, TV host Connie Chung and some Nike commercials broke through the clutter.

Mary Jane Blige Wins Nine Billboard Awards

2006-12-05T03:13:00.000-08:00

Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer Mary Jane Blige won an astounding number of nine prizes at this year's Billboard Music Award. The ceremony took place in Las Vegas on Monday. Winners are determined by the magazine's year-end chart listings, which are based on record sales and airplay.

Party animals Britney Spears and Paris Hilton were expected to host the awards ceremony, but a string of guest presenters were drafted in to take their place. It was for the better, if you ask me.

Mary J. Blige's comeback album, The Breakthrough, delivered nine awards to the 35-year-old singer, including R&B/hip-hop artist of the year, female R&B artist of the year and R&B/hip-hop album of the year. Ms. Blige rocked the full house by belting out a medley of her "Enough Crying" and "Take Me as I Am." The LP debuted at the top of the Billboard charts in December 2005 and has gone on to sell 2.6 million copies.

'American Idol' winner Carrie Underwood, who won five awards, as did Atlanta rapper TI. 17-year-old R&B singer Chris Brown took home New Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year awards. Three other acts also took three awards: R&B singer Rihanna and rock bands Nickelback and the Fray. Crooner Tony Bennett received the Billboard Century Award for lifetime achievement.

Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B, soul, and hip-hop soul singer, songwriter, producer, and actress who has sold almost 40 million records worldwide.

In 2000, Blige began a relationship with record industry executive Martin Kendu Isaacs (known as simply Kendu). Isaacs was, in Blige's words, the one to get Blige to kick alcohol after issuing an ultimatum to Blige that he was leaving her if she came home drunk. Isaacs and Blige married on December 7, 2003 in a small private ceremony at Blige's home. As a result, Blige is now the stepmother of Kendu's three children from a previous marriage. Blige has also talked about having children of her own one day. In 2001 Blige lost a reported 40 pounds. She stated that during the time when she was struggling with substance abuse, she also found comfort in food which explained her weight.

In 1998 she won AMA's 'Favorite Album - Soul/R&B' ("Share My World"), in 2003 'Favorite Hip-Hop/R&B Female Artist' and in 2006 'Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist' and 'Favorite Album - Soul/R&B' ("The Breakthrough"). She was nominated for 15 Grammys but won only three, in 1996 Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need," in 2003 Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "He Think I Don't Know" and in 2004 Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals for "Whenever I Say Your Name."

In November 2006, it was confirmed that Blige would release a greatest-hits collection entitled Reflections - A Retrospective. Set to include many of her hit records, the collection will also include the new singles "We Ride (I See The Future)" and "Reflections (I Remember)" and be released on December 12, 2006. Blige will be performing on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live on December 8, 2006.

Fire inspector wields power in Hollywood

2006-12-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

The most powerful man in Hollywood isn't an A-lister, but attends more movie premieres than Brad Pitt and George Clooney combined. He has no entourage, but hits enough nightspots to make Paris Hilton jealous. He's a red-carpet regular with the power to shut down any event from the Oscars on down.

Robert Gladden isn't a filmmaker or financier. He's a fireman, one of 14 in Los Angeles who inspect and oversee areas of public assembly. Gladden's territory is Tinseltown, and practically every Hollywood party, performance or premiere requires his approval.

"If the public could be endangered, we're on it," says Gladden, 54.

In the process, the slim, silver-haired fireman gets a front-row seat to some of the world's most-watched events. His interest is ostensibly safety, not celebrity, but he's had more brushes with fame than a Hollywood stylist.

"I absolutely have the coolest job," he says. "There's nothing like it because most people don't associate being a fireman with all this celebrity stuff."

Gladden trained in the Air Force, then followed his late father's footsteps into the Los Angeles Fire Department. Gladden joined in 1978, 10 years after his dad died in a blaze. He took on his current assignment in 1996.

His boss, Capt. Philip Ayala, calls him "Mr. Hollywood ... a real people person, which helps in this part of town."

What counts in Hollywood is who you know, says honorary mayor Johnny Grant, and "in show business, everybody knows Robert Gladden."

When talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel closed down Hollywood Boulevard for a free Jay-Z concert last week, Gladden was there, coordinating with police to manage 5,000 fans who filled the street. He was so busy flitting between the studio, the street and the roof of the building that he barely noticed Beyonce backstage.

He acknowledges that firemen on the Hollywood beat adopt "a badge of coolness and maintain that they don't care" about seeing celebs. But Gladden, a lifelong rock 'n' roll fan and movie buff, admits that he does.

"I've only asked for one autograph ever," he says with pride. "It was ("The Simpsons" creator) Matt Groening, for my sister."

Gladden gladly rocked from an unbeatable spot, right next to the stage, for a Rolling Stones concert at Dodger Stadium (his favorite band). He had similar "seats" for shows by Aerosmith, Supertramp and Page & Plant.

His job has taken him to the Academy Awards six times, with unfettered access to the venue, the red carpet and the star-filled green room. He once helped an Oscar-toting Renee Zellweger navigate her way backstage at the Kodak Theater.

These days, Gladden is an integral part of Oscar's show-planning process. He was so involved with the construction of the Kodak Theater that a photo of his face graces the entrance to its parking structure.

But working the Oscars is just part of the job. Gladden signs off on almost every event at the Kodak Theater. When Victoria's Secret decided to hold its fashion show there, he snapped into action, checking the show's planned pyrotechnics and making sure that the lingerie-clad "angel" set to fly through the theater wouldn't soar over any show-goers' heads (flying over people is prohibited by the city's fire code).

Gladden once shook hands with President Clinton and posed for pictures with Halle Berry. He stopped David Bowie and Sean Penn from lighting up in a no-smoking zone. He's been to the Playboy mansion, a private party at Quincy Jones' house and countless star-studded celebrations at Hollywood nightclubs, from Justin Timberlake's fashion show at Social to the Leeza Gibbons Memorial Foundation ball at Avalon.

"I've been offered all kinds of things from ladies trying to get into parties," says Gladden, who married his high-school sweetheart seven years ago. "It happens regularly. I've been flashed several times."

Gladden OKs movie openings at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, controls crowds at concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and supervises star ceremonies along the Walk of Fame. He cruises the clubs on weekends to ensure exits are easily accessible.

If he determines a place is too crowded, he can close it down almost instantly.

"He is the most powerful man in Hollywood," says Baydsar Thomasian, a field deputy for the Los Angeles City Council. "This man, himself, can make or break an event."

Gladden's gig has even gotten him some screen time. He appeared in a documentary (about Kimmel's show) and was invited to be an extra in a movie (he declined).

Working in Hollywood is kind of a homecoming for the fireman. His first job was at Paramount Studios as a teenager in 1969. He used his earnings, $54 a week, to support his lifelong hobby: photography.

Gladden's Nikon digital camera, like his Treo, is an omnipresent accessory on the job. He estimates he's taken more than 38,000 photos since starting on the Hollywood beat. Some he uses for work: to examine the structural integrity of a stage set-up, for example, or to help estimate crowd size. But others — like the shot of Wolfgang Puck's staff preparing thousands of desserts behind the Kodak Theater or the one of a giant Oscar statue wrapped in protective plastic — are just for fun.

"I'd pay him anything he wanted for his collection," Grant says.

Besides monitoring special events, Gladden inspects 192 sites of public assembly in Hollywood each year, including the Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium, the El Capitan theater and the Hollywood Wax Museum. He knows the history of each building, rattling off stats about when they were built and what they used to be.

A self-described history buff, Gladden's bookshelf is filled with stories about past presidents and famous filmmakers. He says he would have been a journalist if he hadn't become a fireman. But with 10-hour shifts and ample overtime, Gladden doesn't have much free time to read.

That's all about to change, though. As Hollywood well knows, the spotlight can be fleeting: Gladden is set to retire in 2008.

Britney, Paris dump awards

2006-12-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, who were intended to act as hosts of the Billboard Music Awards, have both dropped out, with the heiress bailing out over the weekend, seemingly because she was unhappy with some of the jokes written for her.

But despite both the hotel heiress and ‘Toxic’ singer leaving the Monday night awards show in the lurch, the show will go on, representatives for the annual gala told TMZ.com. They will make do without a host.

"It is my understanding that some satirical references ridiculed some of her peers," Hilton’s representative, Elliot Mintz, revealed in a statement, referring to his client’s decision.

"Paris did not want to say anything that could appear hurtful or embarrassing about people she knows," the rep said on Saturday.

Spears, who turned 25 on Saturday, withdrew without reason last Tuesday.

"I cannot speculate on why Paris cancelled, but we are still holding out hope that Britney and Paris will show up," said the award show’s executive producer, Michael Levitt, on E! News.

Although Celine Dion also announced her withdrawal from the show, due to suffering from the contagious respiratory infection mycoplamsa bronchitis, other stars still appearing include The Killers, Fergie and Gwen Stefani.

Is there such thing as bad publicity for stars?

2006-12-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

The old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity for a celebrity is getting a workout these days -- and so far appears to be holding true.

Actor Danny DeVito's drunken jokes about President George W. Bush on a morning television show was the most viewed clip on online video site YouTube on Friday with more than 1.6 million clicks -- but the show's host shrugged off his behavior.

DVD sales of the television sitcom Seinfeld were robust, 12th on Amazon.com's best-seller list on Friday, after actor Michael Richard's racist rant in a comedy club and his contrite public apologies alongside various black leaders.

And Disney Co. expected moviegoers to look past Mel Gibson's drunken anti-Semitic comments -- which were also followed by a public apology and a stint in rehab -- when it came to his film "Apocalypto," which is out next week.

"We really live in an era where there is no such thing as bad publicity for a celebrity," said Janice Min, editor of US Weekly, one of the leading U.S. celebrity magazines.

"It is all about being the buzz of the day."

Jay Fishman, adviser to celebrity businesses and managing director of Financial Research Associates, said public gaffes brought attention to the celebrities.

Richards had got more print recently than at any time since "Seinfeld" ended eight years ago and some people actually learned that his name was not Kramer -- the role he played on the show.

"It is only when these events are recurrent or heinous -- such as murder or pedophilia -- that it will really have an impact," said Fishman, citing O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson, who were acquitted of murder and child-molestation charges, respectively.

"If the apology is done correctly, they can stay intact."

Min said the racist and ethnic slurs and public gaffes also fostered bigger discussions that interested people.

"Even the appearance of Britney Spears without underwear has got people talking about whether or not people should wear underwear," said Min.

Spears, who split up with husband Kevin Federline last month, won headlines and an online following with a video of her getting out of a car with her dress hitched up -- and no underwear.

Andrew Mendelson, an associate professor at Temple University in Philadelphia who specializes in celebrities, said apologies and crisis management went a long way to smooth over celebrity gaffes and sparked public debate.

"It is a morality lesson in what is proper behavior. Celebrities are our way of seeing where our boundaries lie," Mendelson said.

"Political comments are fair ground even if they are personalized but increasingly we are living in an age where people will not accept racist, anti-Semitic or homophobic comments. This will turn some of the public against them."

Why Britney's Behaving Badly

2006-12-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Britney Spears has everyone baffled.

The one-time princess of pop has devolved into the poster girl for the crotch-shot club.

Since Nov. 22, cameras have captured Spears' nether regions on four separate occasions. Photographs of the recently separated mother of two's private parts now litter the Internet.

Spears' behavior is the buzz of the Internet, tabloids, office water coolers, even dinner parties. And the question on everyone's lips: What the hell is going on?

Bethany Marshall, a psychoanalyst and relationship specialist, thinks Spears may be acting out against the people who cultivated her pop princess image and her estranged husband, Kevin Federline.

"When you're in a marriage and you're controlled by a lot of people, you repress your personality," Marshall said. "When all of that breaks loose, it's like the hinges come off the door."

Marshall speculated that Spears' exhibitionism could also be her way of getting back at a husband who may not have truly loved her.

"Kevin was naughty. He partied. She may be subconsciously doing to him what he did to her," she said.

Like a peacock preening its feathers to attract a mate, by flashing her privates, Spears may be trying to lure a new man.

"It is inappropriate, but it's sort of her saying, 'I'm back on the market,'" Marshall said.

As for Spears' habit of hitting the town after dark, Marshall said partying was probably helping her cope with her split from K-Fed.

"A lot of newly divorcing people do a lot of naughty things, but the cameras aren't rolling the whole time," she said. "She wants to have a good time just like any other man or woman who's going through a divorce."

The Real Britney Comes Out

From the medical community to the Internet's social networks, people are buzzing about what's going on in Spears' head.

Even the pop star's diehard fans have flooded her MySpace profile page with questions and criticisms about her recent vulgarities.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has a theory about Spears, and fans hoping for the return of the sweet songstress may not like it.

"I thought I knew Britney. And then over the last two years, I was wondering who this girl was. Then I thought that maybe this is the real Britney -- the one that would walk around barefoot, the one that would eat Cheetos, the one that married the loser," he said.

"She's trashy," Hilton said.

"It's sad to say, but the Britney that everyone fell in love with, the one that wore the schoolgirl outfit, she was fake. That was an image that was created by her very smart handlers," he said, referring to the longtime personal publicist Spears recently fired.

As to whether flashing her privates will be an enduring part of Spears' personality, Marshall says only time will tell.

What's certain is that today's Spears is far removed from the teen sensation of yore.

"It's as if everyone glued her together, and now the glue is cracking," Marshall said.

She's Paris Hilton, She Can Do Whatever She Wants

2006-12-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

Following Britney Spears’ retreat without any explanation, Paris Hilton canceled her appearance on the Billboard Music Awards saying she felt offended by the jokes written for her in script.

According to her spokesman, Elliot Mintz, the hotel heiress scrapped her appearance due to the script she received on Friday which she thought it contained “objectionable” lines.

"It is my understanding that some satirical references ridiculed some of her peers," her spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said in a statement. "Paris did not want to say anything that could appear hurtful or embarrassing about people she knows."

Representatives for the awards and of her couldn’t come up with a deal regarding the script’s content so Paris decided to postpone her appearance.

The ceremony will be held tomorrow at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and so far it is unknown who will host the awards, maybe Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, who knows.

Initially, the awards were supposed to be hosted by the latest celebrity “couple” formed by almost-single Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Last week, Us Weekly reported that Britney Spears pulled back from co-hosting the awards with her friend without giving any explanation to anyone.

"She pulled out," a source at Fox informed US. "She didn't give a reason."

"We really don't know the reason. But we're disappointed she backed out."

Paris and Britney have been pretty much nowhere without each other and that’s why the news came as such a shock for the Billboard Music Awards organizers.

Elliot Mintz said: “What I’ve observed is that we have two extraordinarily powerful women who generate a tremendous amount of attention, money, and adulation and they’re tired of other people trying to ride on their coat tails. Paris and Britney have become like sisters.”

Recently, Paris confessed to Us Weekly magazine: “I love her. She is the sweetest girl I know. She’s so down-to-earth. I just want her to smile and be happy.”

Lately, Britney Spears has been severely snubbed for her behavior since she hangs out with Paris and most recently with Lindsay Lohan too. She has been seen partying a lot and exposing herself and her “goods” too much. Even talk show Rosie O’Donnell urged Britney to stay at home with her kids and quit partying so much.

“they have already been dubbed "The Brit Pack": three girls, increasingly famous for making spectacularly bad choices, marshaling their collective brain power to navigate the booths and banquettes at Hyde or Spider Club or wherever it is they're drinking it off on any given nigh,” the New York Post wrote.

"She's a beautiful girl and now that she's single and she's having fun, I think she's just trying to express herself," said New York-based celebrity image consultant, Amanda Sanders, according to the Associated Press. "Unfortunately, it's the wrong message that's coming across. And the shame is, she was really such a role model."

Axel Foley is coming back!

2006-12-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

Eddie Murphy has signed with Paramount to reprise his role as in the action-comedy Beverly Hills Cop franchise.

‘Beverly Hills Cop IV’ will have Lorenzo di Bonaventura return as producer working closely with Murphy to update the property. di Bonaventura has a production deal with Paramount.

‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ released in 1984, grossed more than $234.7 million domestically and another $81 million overseas. The second installment, released in 1987, took in more than $153.6 million in the U.S. and another $146 million overseas.

No. 3 did not fare too well only grossing $44 million domestically – some attribute to the fact that Jerry Bruckheimer was not involved with the pic like he was with #1 and #2.

Bruckheimer will probably not be involved in the new movie.

"Axel Foley is one of the great action-comedy characters, a character that Eddie loves. I'm lucky enough to help bring it back," di Bonaventura said. "This genre is missing from the landscape."

Murphy is next seen in ‘Dreamgirls’ and in post production with ‘Norbit.’

Nicole Kidman Highest Paid Actress

2006-11-30T05:53:00.000-08:00

Nicole Kidman can claim a new crown. The Hours Oscar winner is the new chart-topper on the fifth annual list of highest-paid women actors in the film industry, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Kidman, who commanded a salary of nearly $17 million for her upcoming movie The Invasion (set for August 2007 release), rose from the No. 2 spot she previously held.

The Top 10, as ranked by the Reporter, are:

1. Nicole Kidman, $16 million-$17 million
2. Reese Witherspoon, $15 million
3. Renee Zellweger, $15 million
4. Drew Barrymore, $15 million
5. Cameron Diaz, $15 million
6. Halle Berry, $14 million
7. Charlize Theron, $10 million
8. Angelina Jolie, $10 million
9. Kirsten Dunst, $8 million-$10 million
10. Jennifer Aniston, $8 million

Borat the reason to Kid Rock/Pam Anderson divorce!

2006-11-29T07:17:00.000-08:00

Pamela Anderson dumped hubby Kid Rock after he hit the roof over her role in the Borat movie, say pals.

The busty ex-Baywatch star, 39, has filed for divorce from the rock star just three months after they tied the knot.

And pals say Rock — real name Bob Richie — flew into a rage when he saw Borat’s advances during a screening of the hit film. In the flick spoof reporter Borat, played by comic Sacha Baron Cohen, turns his trip to the US into a quest to marry Pamela.
To see sexy pics of Pammi and, erm, Borat.....

Rock, 35, lost his cool as he saw the movie at the Beverly Hills home of Universal Studios boss Ron Meyer, according to reports.

“It was the first time Bob had seen the film and he didn’t like it,” a pal of Pam’s said.

“He started screaming at Pam, saying she had humiliated herself and telling her, ‘You’re nothing but a slut’.

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“It was very embarrassing. Pam thought he could have a sense of humour about it.

“She was in on the gag from the very beginning and loved doing the Borat movie.

“But Bob made it an awful night. Ever since then it has been icicles between them.

“Bob is just a very unhappy and angry man. Pam is very disenchanted and sad.”

Pam, who suffered a miscarriage earlier this month, has now moved out of the couple’s Malibu home. Their representatives made no comment last night.