Katie Holmes at the Costume Designers Guild Awards

Katie Holmes and her helmet hair made an appearance at the Costume Designers Guild Awards on Tuesday night. She presented the "Swarovski President’s Award" to her husband's partner, Paula Wagner. Wagner is the CEO of United Artists and Cruise is a producer and actor for the studio. We were wondering if Katie just slouchy when she appeared at the premiere of her flop Mad Money looking like she either was in the beginning stages of pregnancy or had bad posture. She stood up straight for her solo appearance last night and had a perfectly flat stomach.

The Daily Mail said that Katie has "spearheaded a return to old Hollywood glamour," but a commentor retorted that "I don't recall the old dames of Hollywood a) looking like a skeleton on tranquillizers, or b) showing off their girdle underneath the dress."

It is a lovely dress, though. I love the rhinestone detail on the front and the cut is gorgeous. It's easier to focus on Katie's fashion when Tom isn't around. I still don't like her. She stepped into her Stepford wife role a little too well. You have to give her credit for it though, she really knows what she's doing.

That reminds me - one of the Scientology cults most vocal critics has just "committed suicide". Not that it has anything to do with Katie Holmes and her charmed life.

The Osbournes threaten to kick Heather Mills at the BRIT awards

Leave it to Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne to keep things classy. The couple, who are scheduled to host tonight's BRIT awards, have threated to kick Heather Mills off the stage and out of the theater if she dares to show up. And Mills has mentioned that she's thinking of attending. Normally I like to tell the Osbournes to shut the hell up, but in this case it is absolutely alright. Ozzy will be will presenting Sir Paul with the Lifetime Achievement Award. I wouldn't put it past Heather Mills to show up, just to reign on Paul's parade.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have threatened to kick Heather Mills off stage if she shows up at tomorrow's BRIT Awards. The couple, who are hosting the event, say Heather - the estranged wife Sir Paul McCartney - would not be welcome at the London ceremony.

Speaking about the rumors Heather is planning to attend the prestigious bash, Sharon said: "I would boot her off. I think she's a miserable old cow." Ozzy - who will present Paul with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award - added: "I'm looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney - he's my hero. The body of work he's got is just unbelievable. But I really don't want to be there if Heather shows up. Never mind McCartney having a go - I think the audience will string her up."

"Sharon and I have met them both her on a few occasions but if Paul doesn't know her, I'm f***ed if I do. She's f***ing nuts."

[From Expo Say]

Normally I'd say Ozzy Osbourne calling someone else “f**ing nuts” is quite the case of the pot calling the kettle black. But in this case it's absolutely true and one hundred percent appropriate. And while it's not exactly classy for awards show hosts to threaten to kick guests off the stage, in this case the Osbournes are just saying what the rest of us are thinking. Part of me absolutely hopes Heather Mills shows up, because you know the Osbournes would throw down. That Sharon has a mouth on her, but she's good at the follow through. I don't really think Ozzy is coordinated enough to do anything, but he can slur menacingly like no other. Please God let there be some kind of physical altercation. I bet you anything Sharon would go right for the leg. I'm not saying that's okay I'm just saying that if I were a betting woman, that's why I'd put my cash.

Header image of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne leaving BBC Radio One studios after promoting the Brit Awards. Splash notes “Ozzy is said to be performing a duet with Sir Paul McCartney.” Images thanks to Splash. Below is Heather Mills leaving day 8 of her divorce hearing on Monday. Images thanks to PR Photos.

No settlement was reached in the Mills McCartney divorced, judge to decide

We were all too ready to believe the Daily Mail's story that Heather Mills had sauntered away from Friday's court hearing with a cool $108 million settlement. She didn't exactly have a poker face on as left the courtroom in one of her bizarre velvet power suits, opting for sandal-like open-toed shoes for the second day in a row. $108 million is a sweet settlement for just four years of marriage, and you would believe that McCartney would throw it at the harpy just to get this business over with. He's said to be worth about $1.6 billion dollars, so $108 million is just 6.75% if my math is right. It's a shit load of money to pay to a woman who has been smearing your name in the press, but it's still way less then half your net worth. When you're talking numbers that large though it's not like either party is going to suffer.

Like a lot of the stories that originate in the British press that Heather Mills bitches about constantly, that one was false, though. Paul's lawyer announced today outside of court that no settlement has been reached and that it is now up to the judge to decide how much Heather gets for fucking Sir Paul for a short period of time before making his life miserable. It is expected to take several weeks for the judge to work out.

It's not like we're going to know how much she gets to keep throwing parties and jet setting around for the rest of her life, the amount will not be made public unless Mills contests it or decides to tell us. We'll have to make due with whatever number the British press wants to make up, just like in the past.

It is expected that Heather Mils will leave England once she gets her cash. Her father said she is considering France or the US, and the unreliable Daily Mail reported that she wanted to move to the Czech Republic or Poland. A lot of Brits are saying "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out," while residents of the countries named where she may move are crossing their fingers that she picks somewhere else to go.

Has Amy Winehouse fallen off the wagon? Plus sudden buxomness explained

Everyone was wondering how Amy Winehouse so suddenly got curvaceous in rehab. An amazingly good bra? Was she actually at a rehab/cosmetic surgery clinic? Was she using the old 12-year-old trick and stuffing tissue paper down her bra? It turns out the answer has more to do with chicken than anything else. Or rather, chicken cutlets. You know those ridiculous breast enhancers that look like raw chicken cutlets? Well goofy as they look, it appears they can do wonders, as they're responsible for Amy's newly curvaceous physique. Unfortunately, the reason everyone now knows this is that Amy absentmindedly left her chicken cutlets in the ladies washroom. But really, who amongst us hasn't?

Amy Winehouse is trying hard to stay sober, but she's still forgetful. The Grammy-winning songbird showed up at Andrew Buckler's new London boutique the other night with pal Kelly Osbourne and her new sober companion, Blake Wood, and left a few things in the bathroom. "She left a pair of boob enhancers — like chicken cutlet things to push up your boobs — and some hair extensions in the toilet," our spy said. Later, Winehouse and Wood went to his apartment with a group of people who "were all getting drunk — except for them."

[From Page Six]

Unfortunately later the same day Page Six revised their story, reporting that Amy had been spotted out drinking – and they even have a photo of her with a Becks beer. They mentioned again that she'd been camping out at a London hotel with friends until last Friday, when the group went out to a pub in Shoreditch until 2:30 in the morning. However they said, “The 24-year-old clung to a beer, even in the car home” and there is a photo of her holding a Becks. The innocent, naive, wishful part of me is hoping that um she's just holding it for a friend? Once in a while a friend does need you to hold their beer, right? No? This makes me sad. I know that some alcohol rehabilitation programs do teach that you don't have to completely abstain, but I'm pretty sure most of them agree you have to completely abstain at this point in the process. I cannot believe that her “sober companion” would let her go to a bar. I have no idea how the companion system works, but holy cow. Clearly it didn't work well in Amy's case.

Here's Amy returning to her Camden home flanked by security. Images thanks to Splash.

Is Minnie Driver pregnant?

TV, film and recording star Minnie Driver was recently spotted exiting a clinic in Los Angeles, looking at sonogram images and acting very excited. This got the rumor mill buzzing: is she pregnant? Minnie, who is currently on hiatus from the excellent FX show "The Riches," keeps a very low profile and has not confirmed or denied the pregnancy rumor. But if it's true, who's the daddy?

Actress Minnie Driver is reportedly pregnant with her first child.

The 38-year-old was spotted outside a Los Angeles baby clinic looking at sonogram images with a friend last week.

A source said: "She is absolutely thrilled. She has always wanted to be a mother, she'll be fantastic. Her family are so pleased."

The British star also called her boyfriend, known only as Matthew, outside the surgery and talked about "getting blood work done".

She then added to her pal: "Matthew tells me I should be quiet so no-one hears me."

[From Stuff.co.nz]

Since being very publicly dumped by "Good Will Hunting" co-star Matt Damon over ten years ago, Minnie has kept her private life under wraps. She was engaged to "No Country For Old Men" star Josh Brolin for a while, but they broke up amid rumors that Brolin's stepmom, Barbra Streisand, didn't approve of Minnie. Since then, she's been linked to Criss Angel (ew!) and "Gross Pointe Blank" co-star John Cusack. All she's revealed about her current boyfriend is that he is "not famous and he's Australian," according to an interview in Girl magazine.

TMZ currently has a video posted of Minnie walking in Los Angeles wearing a loose fitting poncho, but there aren't many other recent photos of her, so it's impossible for me to tell if she's pregnant. If she is, congratulations to her and her mystery man.

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Minnie is shown out in NY on 2/19/08, thanks to Splash News. Props to A Socialite's Life for reporting on this rumor a couple of weeks ago with an exclusive from insiders.

Avril Lavigne does some baby shopping

Avril Lavigne must truly be one of the most disliked celebrities on the internet. She has famously gone to war against several bloggers and spit on members of the paparazzi. Not the best way to make friends in the media. As a result, Avril has received a lot of bad press and is generally known more for her surly attitude than her singing. Though she has toned it down a bit since she got married to Deryck Whibley a few years ago, she still seems to be pretty widely disliked. News of a possible Lavigne/Whibley child hasn't brought the singer any kinder handling in the press. Though she and her publicist have denied a pregnancy, there's plenty of evidence that Avril is in fact toasting a bun in the oven.

The 23-year-old pop star and husband Deryck Whibley, 27, have been dogged by rumors recently that they’re expecting their first baby. And they didn’t do much to squash the pregnancy talk during a shopping trip yesterday along trendy Robertson Boulevard. Lavigne and Whibley, who have been married since July 2006, were spotted dropping into Petit Trésor and then Lisa Kline Kids, where they spent about $500 on baby gear.

I’m told they picked up a cheetah-print diaper bag at Lisa Kline, along with a Sassy pacifier holder, a charcoal gray baby tee emblazoned with the logo of rock band AC/DC and a white Splendid romper. “They shopped holding hands and picked stuff out together,” an onlooker reports. At Petit Trésor, according to a source, they picked up a Petunia Pickle Bottom men's diaper bag and two organic Robbie Adrian baby blankets.

[From E!]

A Petunia Pickle Bottom men's diaper bag? Men need their own diaper bags? I know baby stuff can look kind of effeminate, but isn't that just part of the package? I would really love to see what a “manly” diaper bag would look like. I'm guessing it has lumberjacks and big chunks of meat on it or something. But I digress. That seems like a bit more stuff than you'd normally buy for a pregnant friend. And nothing says “Avril Lavigne's Baby” like an AC/DC baby tee. Always classy. Actually I think the whole rocker/rebel baby thing is kind of cute, when done in small amounts. Now Online also reports that Avril was spotted shopping at Kitson For Kids too. That's a whole lot of small clothing. Avril is pretty tiny, but I doubt she's fitting into a Splendid romper anytime soon. I would say the traditional “Congrats to the happy couple,” but with someone like Avril Lavigne, she's probably apt to punch me in the eye for it.

Avril Lavigne and her husband Deryck Whibley shopping at baby stores on Robertson Boulevard. Images thanks to WENN.

Where is Nicole Kidman?s tummy?

For five months along, Nicole Kidman sure is doing a good job of hiding her growing stomach. Especially because it seems from these pictures that she's not trying to hide it at all. Nicole is supposedly five months along. I am no pregnancy expert, but I had no idea a person could have such a small stomach at that point. That's what J-Lo looked like 48 hours after conception. I have don't know what's going on here, but something is fishy. Nicole was out and about promoting her film “The Golden Compass” in Japan. Depending on who you believe, the film supposedly promotes atheism.

“These books denigrate Christianity, thrash the Catholic Church and sell the virtues of atheism,” asserted [Bill Donohue, president and CEO] of Catholic League, who earlier this month called on Christians to boycott the movie.”

[From the Christian Post]

Interestingly, Nicole said that both of her children, who are being raised as Scientologists by ex-husband Tom Cruise, have seen the film. One would think this could cause quite the parental skirmish between the former spouses. Though Scientologists aren't Christians, many say that the film promotes atheism on the whole. However it should also be mentioned that Nicole has said she considers herself Catholic, and yet she starred in the film.

In the story, a malevolent governing body called "the Church,” which answers to the "Vatican Council," is known to kidnap children for experimentation. With the help of a golden compass that reveals a coded answer to any question asked by the user, Lyra, by the trilogy’s end, gets to the bottom of the missing children and kills a character called “God.”

[From the Christian Post]

“The Golden Compass” sounds very interested and complicated – surprisingly so for a children's movie. Nicole said both her kids have seen it, and she's glad to make a kid's movie once in a while.

During the press conference, the five-month pregnant star revealed she had deliberately chosen The Golden Compass script because it's child-friendly.

She said: "My Bella and Connor are 13 and 15. So they have seen the film and they loved it my child inside won't see the film for a long time."

"But I think once you have children you want to balance the work you do because they give up so much of you to your work. So occasionally you want to make films that they can take their friends to, they can go to the premiere of, that they celebrate.”

[From the Daily Mail]

I can't help but wonder how much Nicole runs by Tom and visa versa. I would love to know what went on behind closed doors in terms of Connor and Isabella's religious upbringing. Since her divorce, Nicole has gently said that she considers Scientology to be hogwash, and always did. Her father is a very prominent Australian psychologist, and Scientologists are famously opposed to psychiatry. However her kids were obviously already being raised as such, so whether due to Tom's insistence or Nicole's acquiescence, their kids still go to Scientology camp every summer. It's hard not to wonder if “The Golden Compass” got them thinking. Reading about it has gotten me thinking too. Though I'm still mostly thinking about Nicole Kidman's confusing lack of visible stomach.

Nicole Kidman is shown at a press conference for The Golden Compass in Tokyo yesterday.

?Christina Aguilera reveals some crazy cleavage on Ellen? links

Christina Aguilera reveals some crazy cleavage on Ellen [Dlisted]
Kim Kardashian and her ass shop Beverly Hills [Bossip]
"Step Up 2 review [Pajiba]
Natalie Portman at the premiere of The Other Boleyn Girl in London [Celebslam]
Scarlett’s New Tattoo Is Really Lame [Yeeeah!]
Not your average celeb outing: Rihanna Goes Art Shopping [I'm Not Obsessed]
Megan Fox Does February, 2008 Jack Magazine [The Bastardly]
Isla Fisher on the set of ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ in NYC, yesterday [In Case You Didn't Know]
Girls Aloud Bikini Pictures [Drunken Stepfather]
Guess What Tara Reid is Doing [Hollywood Rag]
Seal celebrates his 45th like a kid! Aw, [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
George Clooney (Gets All The Tail But) Gets No Love [Agent Bedhead]
Vanessa Hudgens is in the spirit (sex tape!) [The Blemish]
Britney Spears Upskirt Rampage [Hollywood Tuna]
Pete Doherty Charges More Than Kate For Modeling [Crazy Days and Nights]
American Idol Top 12 Men [Popsugar]
Ana Beatriz Barros Models For Jennifer Lopez [The Grumpiest]
Ron Lester (Billy Bob from Varsity Blues) got gastric bypass surgery and looks amazing! [Evil Beet]
Martha Stewart buys Emeril [Gabsmash]
Wino to do the Brit Awards [CelebWarship]
Big Brother 9 Has Blowjobs, Awkwardness [I Don't Like You In That Way]
Shanna Moakler at "Chevy Rocks The Future" [Glitterati Gossip]
Angelina Maddox Go To The Movies [Celebrity Baby Scoop]
Hayden Christensen is 'Homeless Dad' [A Socialite's Life]
Chace Crawford Surprised Carrie Underwood on Valentine’s Day [Just Jared]
Hilary Duff Bikini Video [Egotastic!]
Brit's kids named 'Littlest Victims' [Lifeline Live]
Remember Mousetrap? And Battleship? Top 10 Hasbro Toys We’d Like To See Made Into Movies [Best Week Ever]

?Brad Pitt Protects His Young? Links

Brad Pitt Protects His Young [Dlisted]
R. Kelly is a Liar [Bossip]
"Definitely, Maybe" review [Pajiba]
Supermodel Melissa Haro at the Sports Illustrated 2008 Swimsuit Issue Press Conference And Launch Party in New York [Celebslam]
You Wouldn’t Like Lindsay When She’s Horny [Yeeeah!]
Miley Cyrus Has Lunch At The Ivy [I'm Not Obsessed]
Bai Ling Is Really Sad Over Her Recent Arrest. God Help Her [The Bastardly]
Patrick Dempsey heads to his Porsche after having breakfast at Cafe Montana in Santa Monica [In Case You Didn't Know]
Jennifer Aniston isn’t Very Social [Hollywood Rag]
Is Lily Allen back to her old ways? [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
Vanessa Paradis: Just Another Reason To Be Jealous Of Johnny Depp [Agent Bedhead]
Pamela Anderson keeps it classy [The Blemish]
Miley Cyrus Pictures Everywhere! [Cityrag]
Rich Actors Don't Want To Strike [Crazy Days and Nights]
Be prepared to vomit: A Very Heidi and Spencer Valentine's Day [Popsugar]
Delta Goodrem is a Sparkling Beauty [The Grumpiest]
Timberlake 'Ring's in V-Day [CelebNewsWire]
Lindsay Lohan: Off the Wagon and Lovin’ It! [Evil Beet]
The new Bachelor [Gabsmash]
Adrienne Shelly’s Killer Pleads Guilty [CelebWarship]
Elmo Makes Fashion Inroads [Glitterati Gossip]
Jessica Alba Out Shopping For Her New Home [Celebrity Baby Scoop]
Ashlee Simpson's club tour hits Hollywood [Popbytes]
The NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet [A Socialite's Life]
Keira Knightley’s Friend-ly Valentine [Just Jared]
Meagan Good is Extremely Good [Egotastic!]
Celine Dion visits schoolkids in Soweto [Lifeline Live]

Scarlett Johansson calls the gossip press ?scary,? ?invasive,? and ?gross?

Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman are in Berlin promoting their upcoming film "The Other Boleyn Girl," a trashy re-interpretation of the court of Henry VIII. Scarlett and Natalie play sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn, who connive and deceive in order to win the heart of the fat king. I read the book for a book club and although it was probably only mildly historically accurate it was a rolicking good read. There were parts where I felt guilty for reading it because it was so trashy, but that doesn't seem to deter me from devouring the gossip rags every week.

Johansson compared the gossip magazines to the sex and debauchery that were going on in Henry VII's court and said that she tries to keep her life separate from the "circus" that goes along with being famous:

She told a packed press conference after the premiere of "The Other Boleyn Girl" at the Berlin Film Festival that being hounded by paparazzi and having her personal life splashed across celebrity magazines was a high price to pay to make films.

"That's very scary to me and invasive and gross. But that kind of intrigue and frenzy, I guess, could be related to the court in some way -- and the rumours and the gossip and this frenetic, frantic energy that goes into the celebrity culture," she said.

"But would I ever leave because I couldn't take it? I would hope that I would never allow that to affect my professional life. I try not to live in the court, so to speak, and try to separate my private life from this circus."

[From News.Yahoo.com]

Natalie Portman talked about the film in more intellectual terms saying that "Human emotion doesn't change and I think that's one of the hard things for us to imagine is how history might have been sexy and gossipy and scandalous."

It's not so hard to imagine history becoming scandalous. That was a trashy romantic gossip novel disguised as historical fiction. I mean, it wasn't even a mid-brow read.

Eric Bana, who also stars in the film, says that everyone got along on set when he was asked about it, and that "I hate to break it to you but actors generally do really love each other."

Scarlet Johansson said that "you can't be selfish as an actor," and that you're not working alone.

It's a bit ironic that these women are playing in a film that sensationalizes history, but are complaining about how we do that now. It probably was incredibly contentious in Henry VII's court considering how many wives he went through and had beheaded, but you also can't deny that there's a lot of intrigue and things going on now in Hollywood to gossip about.

Johansson knows that if she wants to keep her private life to herself she needs to stay out of the hot spots and she seems to do a pretty good job at that. In that way, she's staying away from "the court," where a lot of people get gawked at and talked about.

Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Natalie Portman, and Justin Chadwick are shown in a photo call today for "The Other Boleyn Girl," thanks to WENN. I really like Natalie Portman's hair. It has grown out to be very soft and natural-looking.

Adnan getting comped by Ed Hardy to wear his clothes everywhere

On January 28, Britney was photographed in her boyfriend, paparazzo Adnan Ghalib's car, with an Ed Hardy designed air freshener and an Ed Hardy energy drink sitting in the cup holder. Adnan is usually seen out in Hardy's distinctively designed clothing, featuring big old skulls and roses in swirly patterns reminisicent of tattoos. I'm not a fan of Hardy's clothing, partially because I find it garish, but also since he seems to stick his name all over everything in big scrawling letters as if his style isn't recognizable enough on it's own. Hardy is also a large contributor to the Kabbalah cult, which many people say could explain why Madonna was often seen wearing his scary-looking creations.

In Touch suggests in this week's magazine that Adnan is getting free swag from the Ed Hardy company, and offer a photo of his phone showing a text message from an employee at the company. They quote a supposed insider who says "Adnan is a total freeloader. He doesn't pay for most of the clothes he wears. They're given to him on the provision that he wears them when he's with her [Britney]."

It sounds like a cheap price to pay for free advertising. Lohan was also said to have struck a deal with the Arriva tabacco cessation company to carry their product around and get photographed with it, although she hasn't been seen out with it lately that I can tell. You wonder what other kind of backroom deals celebrities and their hangers-on are making for product placement in paparazzi photos. It seems like Adnan must be getting some kind of cash for wearing those clothes, but maybe I'm too influenced by the fact that I wouldn't be caught out in it unless someone paid me. I'd rather wear a $15 plain t-shirt from Target.

Thanks to WENN for these photos from 1/28/08.

Lindsay Lohan?s dad says she?s taking same drugs as Heath was

Lindsay Lohan talked about Heath Ledger in the New Yorker magazine interview that accompanies her topless tribute to Marilyn Monroe. We covered this story earlier today, but here's a recap: Lohan called Marilyn's suicide tragic and then said "You know, it’s also tragic what just recently happened to someone else." When the journalist said Heath's name she shook her head yes and "hey are both prime examples of what this industry can do to someone But I sure as hell wouldn’t let it happen to me."

Despite the fact that Lohan annoys the hell out of me, I hope she moves to somewhere far away without paparazzi or tanning spray facilities and stops spending money so she can live adequitely (spelling deliberate) outside of the spotlight. I certainly wouldn't want her to meet a tragic end unless it involves personal bankruptcy and not death. Her father says that the latter is a possibility, considering that she is now, or has at some time, taken many of the same prescription drugs as Heath Ledger was went he died. It sounds like their whole family has the same inflated sense of self importance as their orange daughter:

When Heath died, he was taking some of the same medications that Lindsay Lohan has been prescribed, says her dad, Michael Lohan. "Even before Heath's death, I told Lindsay that I'm very concerned about the pills she's taking. Doctors had Lindsay on Oxycontin when she broke her wrist. They also had her on Adderall for ADD, Xanax for depression and anxiety and Ambien for insomnia. Although Lindsay, 21, has told Michael, "Don't worry, Dad, I'm okay," he believes that doctors are overmedicating young stars. "I'm not only fearful for Lindsay, but for all the other kids out there Most of these young people shouldn't be on some of these medications - instead, they should get spiritual guidance, counseling and exercise. These new drugs get into their bones and bloodstreams and they have to detox to get off them or they can have seizures or possibly die."

[From In Touch, print edition, February 25, 2008]

Leave it to Michael Lohan to make Heath Ledger's death about his daughter. At least he has some experience in the field, now that he's working at a faith-based rehab. He also kept the proselytizing to a minimum, you have to give him credit for just saying "spiritual guidance" instead of name-dropping God and/or His Only Son.

I was confused about the "drugs get into their bones" comment, and asked my husband about it. He's a scientist and works in the pharmaceutical industry and he told me that drugs can conceivably get into the bones because there are blood vessels there. It terms of detox you would be more worried about drugs getting trapped in fatty tissue, though, not in your bones, even with someone as skinny as Lohan.

Michael Lohan is shown with Lindsay in Cirque Lodge rehab last year.

Victoria and David Beckham secretly renew their marriage vows

Victoria and David Beckham seem to have one of those rare celebrity marriage that appears to be pretty stable. Though the two have weathered a few storms (accusations have occasionally popped up regarding David's possible cheating on Victoria) all and all they seem to be pretty solid. This could be because they have a lot in common – an intense passion for shopping and acquiring “stuff,” sticking their names on various perfumes, buying houses, and being seen at trendy events. I didn't say it was a deep relationship. But it seems to work pretty well for them. The Mirror and The Daily Mail are reporting that their relationship is stronger than ever, and the pair secretly renewed their wedding vows.

David and Victoria Beckham have secretly retaken their marriage vows - and got matching tattoos to celebrate the romantic occasion. Only a handful of friends and family were invited to watch them remarry in the grounds of Beckingham Palace. One said: "We were in tears. It was beautiful and very non-showbiz." The couple marked the big day by tattooing the ceremony date on their wrists in Roman numerals.

Romantic David Beckham arranged his secret second wedding to Victoria without even telling her - springing the surprise on the big day itself. He flew her to their sumptuous Beckingham Palace estate then went on one knee to pop the question for a second time. Stunned Posh gasped: "Yes!" - and the couple were soon retaking their vows attended by sons Brooklyn and Romeo as page boys and watched by a handful of close friends and family.

He organised the ceremony and secretly invited a handful of close friends and family. He even had a beautiful white dress made in Posh's size. A friend said: "David was meticulously planning the big day for months. It was a huge undertaking to keep it all under wraps. He was desperately excited but had had to keep quiet with everyone but his and Victoria's closest family.

[From The Mirror]

The Mirror reports that they took a second honeymoon together in Paris, and David took Victoria shopping at her two favorite stores, Azzedine Alaia and Colette. He told her to pick out whatever she wanted as a second-wedding gift. While that's really sweet, I think what's more special is all the work and thought David put into it. A guy planning a whole quasi-wedding ceremony on his own? And managing to keep it a secret from his wife? That's a pretty big deal, and it sounds like Beckham put a lot of care and thought into trying to make it as special as possible.

A lot of people think it's tacky to renew vows, since a couple already had a wedding and all. Frankly I think that - considering how many marriages end in divorce or fall into a state of unhappiness – there's much worse things than celebrating your successful union, and loving your spouse so much that you want to do it all over again. It sounds like this was a very thoughtful tribute to their relationship and the life they've created together.

Paris Hilton leaves fart sound phone messages for Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan tried to offer an olive branch to Paris Hilton, leaving her nice phone messages in her 55 year-old heavy smoker's voice. Lohan said she wanted to make peace with Paris after their longstanding feud over swapping Greek shipping heirs back and forth, re-infecting each other with various strains of communicable diseases.

Instead of ignoring Lohan or maybe sending her a text or voice message back saying all that was stagnant water under the bridge, Paris did the mature thing - and had her assistant leave fart sound messages on Lindsay's voice mail:

Lindsay Lohan tried to make peace with Paris, leaving voice mails explaining that she wanted to call a truce.

But Paris refused to call back. Finally, she responded in her usually classy way.

"She had her assistant call Lindsay and leave fart sounds on her voice mail," a close source told The Enquirer.

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 25, 2008]

Paris Hilton is such a nice, caring, responsible person. She even takes in countless animals and gives them a loving home outside the chi chi pet shops where they were confined in misery before she swooped them up for a life of luxury as her living accessories.

After Paris told Ellen DeGeneres on her show on Monday that she had a whopping 17 dogs, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services paid a visit to her home. It is illegal to have more than three dogs in the city of Los Angeles without a breeder's permit. There was no one at Paris' place and it was under construction. The animals weren't there either, though, they have their own nannies and pet whisperers, which seems like a much better existence than having to wait like last year's Balenciaga bag for Paris to pick you to accompany her to an event.

Header image is an older one of Paris and Lindsay. The image below of Paris dressed like her dog is from July of last year.

Big Brother?s Adam under fire for on-air autism slur

The U.S. version of the reality show "Big Brother" is under fire today after one of the show's contestants, Adam Jasinski, referred to people with autism as 'retards' during a nationally aired episode Tuesday night.

On the show, a contestant named Adam, who said he works for an autism foundation, said he would spend his winnings on a hair salon for people with developmental disabilities "so retards can get it together and get their hair done." The Web site for the show describes him as a 29-year-old public relations manager from Del Ray Beach, Fla.

His remark shocked his partner, Sheila, who replied, "Don't call them that."

Adam responded by saying, "Disabled kids. I can call them whatever I want. I work with them all day, OK?"

[From NY Daily News]


In response, John Gilmore, the director of Autism United has issued a letter to CBS executives demanding an apology for the remark and has asked that the show be canceled, or at the very least, the contestant who made the slur be removed from the show.

In episode 2, Jasinski describes his plans to open a hair styling business catering to people with autism who he refers to as "retards."

We believe that Jasinski's [sic] should be terminated immediately, and that the show should be canceled. Further, we expect an apology to people with autism, developmental disabilities and their families from Jasinski, Big Brother and CBS and National Amusements. While Jasinski's comment displayed gross ignorance, the producers of the show chose to use his comments to further the show's storyline. This displays a conscience choice on their part to demean and hurt a large group of people to further their own commercial goals.

[From TMZ]

I think it's safe to say that this contestant will not have a job waiting for him after this show is over. Working with disabled people doesn't give anyone the right to call them names. I think if Don Imus got fired for his racial slur, this clown should get the boot from "Big Brother" over his equally insensitive slur. I don't know what the show's producers were thinking broadcasting that comment- except that maybe all this controversy will make people watch the show. I can tell you this- I don't watch it, and if this Adam guy is a reflection of the contestants on this show, I will never watch it.

Note by Celebitchy: When I first read this article, I did some research and initially suspected that Adam was personally responsible for the controversy over his on-air slur. It seems he's started a group called "The United Autism Foundation" to make people vote for him on Big Brother and think he's this great guy. Mindless Mommy mentioned that the domain was just registered and that the fact that it focuses primarily on this Adam douche without much other content make it obvious that he's behind it.

The group that is criticizing Adam, "Autism United," does seem legitimate though. It has a similar name to Adam's front charity, but it's distinct with its own purpose and doesn't seem to have any affiliation with him.

How ironic that this guy who created a fake autism charity to further his own purposes managed to sabotage himself by putting down the very group he claimed would benefit if he won "Big Brother." He can certainly "call them whatever [he] wants" but we, in turn, can call him an asshole and a bigot.

Bai Ling says she shoplifted because of a bad breakup

Bai Ling is one of the few people I hate more than Paris Hilton. In fact if you tossed Paris, Britney, and Lindsay into a sack, threw that sack in an industrial sized blender, and then baked whatever came out of that blender in the oven, you would have Bai Ling. I have no idea what this woman claims to do for a living – I know there's some vague thought that she's an actress, but for the life of me I can't remember seeing her in anything. What she seems to do for a living is show up to every event on either coast dressed in the most asinine, ridiculous, slutty outfit known to man, and then warble some incoherent gibberish. Bai got arrested the other day for shoplifting two magazines and two packs of AAA batteries from one of those crappy travel stores at LAX before her Southwest flight. Her explanation? Bad breakup. Honey, if the rest of us thought that was a legitimate excuse to commit crimes, 50% of the world would be grabbing fistfuls of Skittles from grocery stores twice a year.

She was dealing with the "huge problem of breaking up [before] Valentine's Day" when she was arrested for shoplifting, Ling said, adding, simply, "Wrong boyfriend."

Damon Elliott, a close pal of Ling's, says she was definitely not herself yesterday. "She was kind of in a mentally unstable state of mind yesterday," he tells E! News. "She had some relationship issues going on. She wasn't in the right frame of mind."

Ling added several prosaic postings to her personal blog later in the afternoon—none mentioned her arrest but all could theoretically be attributed to someone who's nursing a broken heart. An entry posted at 4:43 p.m.: "Delayed the flight, [wandering] again in the airport like a ghost, why can't I just be the sun smile?" it read. "Life is a sad song sometime but still sings the beauty for their loved ones"

"She was very spacey and that was pretty much what happened," Elliott said. "She was distracted and had a lot of things going on."

[From E! News]

I don't know Bai, why can't you just be the sun smile? Has anyone ever tested this woman to see what kind of medication/illegal drugs/mental illness issues she's got? I'm guessing it's a complicated mixture of all three. Look, breaking up with someone sucks, but when you're an adult, it doesn't make a big difference that it's close to Valentine's Day. That's not the thing that pushes you over the edge from handling your breakup like a rational person to stealing $16 of crap from an airport convenience store.

Things really aren't going well for Bai Ling. There's the breakup, the arrest, the shame but what I'm most worried about is someone who's supposedly famous taking a Southwest flight? That costs all of $72 each way. And on top of that, she's still so broke that she had to shoplift batteries? Maybe it's time she stop dressing like a clock or a frog at public events and spend a little more time working.

Bai Ling's greatest hits. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to all play Heath Ledger?s last character

When I first read this story I thought it must have been something cooked up by a journalist with an overactive imagination, and it very well might be, but movie site Ain't It Cool News is reporting that the director of the film Heath Ledger left unfinished when he died, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, has three big names in mind to take over for his character. Since the film is a fantasy in which Ledger's character could easily change into someone else, all three replacement actors may pay tribute to Heath with performances:

Have I mentioned how much I love this idea? Because I do. I think it’s beautiful that the script loaned itself to this sort of idea, that we’re going to see Heath Ledger’s work in Terry Gilliam’s new film, and that we’re also going to see three very interesting actors step up to offer interpretations of him as a way of paying one final tribute to this actor whose career was cut so sadly short.

We’ve heard rumors about who might be stepping in, but now we’ve got the names verified. Count on it.

JOHNNY DEPP.

JUDE LAW.

COLIN FARRELL.

Nice choices, Gilliam. Can’t wait to see what happens inside the IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS, and I’d love to get a look at the script they’re going to use as they start this next stretch of shooting on the film.

[From Ain't It Cool News]

Ain't It Cool News has a good reputation for getting insider information on films and this could be true. About three weeks ago unreliable British source The Sun wrote that Imaginarium director Terry Gilliam wanted Johnny Depp to take over Heath's part. There's a scene in which Heath's character falls through a magic mirror, and Cinematical quotes a studio source as saying "He could change into another character after that and that is where Johnny would come in."

Back when that story came out, the movie was in shutdown mode following the death of Ledger, and workers on the film thought it wouldn't come back. The star of the film, Christopher Plummer, has said that Heath's final scenes would be created using CGI imagery, and he did suggest that other actors would be used. He is quoted as saying that "Because the film deals with magic, there is a way of turning Heath into other people, and then use stills and computer generated imagery."

Maybe Heath's character will get turned into three other top actors. It's exciting to think that Depp, Law and Farrell might play in this film. I bet Daniel Day Lewis would be happy to be involved too, as he dedicated his SAG Award to Heath and seemed to be very affected by his death.

The evocative header image was created by /film.

Cancer victim humiliated on Tyra Banks? show

We just got an e-mail from a guest on The Tyra Banks show who said that she was treated very rudely by Tyra's staff and had an awful experience. She said:

Just found your Webside and read about how cheap Tyra Banks is..and I have to agreeMy 11 year old daugher and myself have been on her Show last week,and we got lied to and humiliated.Tyra is a fake and very mean,she is so cheap we did not get to meet her befor or after the Show and my Child who idolises her did not even get an Autograph!!!!! How rude.

[Sent via e-mail. We will not publish the sender's first name until we get confirmation that it's ok.]

This guest of Tyra's isn't the only one who was left feeling used and humiliated after an appearance on Tyra's show. Despite all the female empowerment Tyra preaches, there are other guests who also felt hurt and betrayed after an appearance on her daytime talk show, one of whom was a cancer victim who was forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement when she complained to staff.

39 year-old single mother of two, Jodi Hughes, has stage 4 cervical cancer and Lupus. She was on Tyra's show for a scheduled makeover set up by her children. Her kids were not allowed in the studio when she was getting the makeover, and were left to sit on the curb for hours without ever being fed or checked up on. Her ten year-old boy is even legally blind. Hugh's makeover was just a new dress, makeup and very painful hair weave that left her with severe complications. She was told exactly what to say about how Tyra made her feel like a woman again, but all she felt was tired and used. Then she got dropped off at the airport with her kids eight full hours before her plane left.

Jodi, who lives in Bettendorf, Iowa, says things went bad the minute they stepped off the plane in Los Angeles to tape the show.

Jordan, 17, and Nick, 10 - who is legally blind - were left sitting on a curb outside the studio lot for hours with no food, no phone and no money while Jodi underwent her "transformation" - which included nothing more than the services of a professional makeup artist, a new dress and a cheap, painful hair weave, she says.

Tyra's producers scripted her lines for the show, Jodi says. "The producers told me to say: "Thank you, Tyra, for making me feel like a woman again.' That was the most humiliating part."

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 18, 2008]

Hughes had to get the extensions surgically removed in the emergency room when her scalp became infected. She said she spent months growing out her hair after chemo and that the extensions ruined it. She may not have had it the worst though, there was another makeover recipient on the show with her, a woman with handicapped arms. Her prize for going on the show was a purse! Hughes is quoted as saying "All they kept telling her was: 'You should be grateful - that's a $500 purse!'"

Hughes was a guest on Tyra's show in 2006, but she wasn't able to tell her story until now. When she complained about it, she was served with a gag order from Tyra's lawyers that kept her from talking about her terrible experience for a full year.

This makes me so mad I cannot tell you. It only takes some common courtesy to make sure people are fed and comfortable before they go on your stupid television show. Just talk to the kids, make sure they get subs or some soda and sandwiches, and let them sit inside. Ask the guests if they want extensions in their hair before you do it. And for God's sake don't give a purse to a woman without arms! That's asinine.

Tyra Banks is shown at fashion week on 2/4/08, thanks to PRPhotos.

Britney?s father will remain in control; Britney tried to run away several times

Yesterday JayBird reported on the anticipated hearing in which Jamie Spears, Britney's father, was to ask that his control over her estate be continued. The Commissioner ruled in his favor and Jamie will remain as Britney's conservator until another hearing March 10, which means he still has control over who she sees and how she spends her money. Britney's brother Bryan and an attorney are named as co-trustees and will take over for her father if he is unable to manage her estate.

While some question Jamie's motives, he's been working as a chef to pay the bills and seems to have cleaned up his act considerably since his earlier problems with alcoholism. Britney needs someone who will make sure she stays safe who isn't going to use, drug, and/or emotionally abuse her. Her father seems like he has her best interests at heart and is keeping her safe at home with a staff and occasional trips to the dance studio. She was taken advantage of by Sam Lutfi, who disabled her cars and phones, and bragged to her own mother about how he would routinely mash up medication and slip it into her food without her knowledge. Lutfi is now shut out of her life by restraining order, although no one has been able to serve the papers directly to him.

There have been a lot of stories in the tabloid papers about how Britney freaked out while she was in the psychiatric ward at UCLA's medical center, and I didn't cover them because I felt like I didn't need to know those details. One thing that both Star and The National Enquirer reported this week is that Britney was also diagnosed with schizophrenia along with bipolar disorder. That is incredibly serious and brought a kind of reality and depth for me to this situation that all the "Britney's freaking out!" stories failed to do.

I just got the new National Enquirer, and they claim that Britney tried to run away from the bodyguard that her father hired several times. Since she's tailed by so many paparazzi who would be able to see this, it sounds likely:

An enraged Britney Spears got into a violent brawl with her new bodyguard as she made a desperate attempt to escape from her home - and her father's control.

With her dad Jamie and the bodyguard in hot pursuit, Britney made it only two houses down the street in her exclusive Beverly Hills neighborhood before the bodyguard caught up with her.

"She was screaming at both men at the top of her lungs," said a source. "Britney was in a rage, cursing them as she was dragged and carried back to the house"

After a recent dance rehearsal, she begged her bodyguard not to take her straight home. When he refused, she began screaming and tried to jump out of the car at a red light, but he hit the gas and began moving before she could flee, said the source.

She again tried to make a run for it as the car stopped in front of the gate to her community.

"Britney was irate," said the source. "As the gate was opening, she jumped into the front seat and opened the door."

But Britney changed her mind when a photographer pulled alongside the car, and the bodyguard took her straight to the house.

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 25, 2008]

The Enquirer also reports that Lynn doesn't approve of the tough love that Jamie is showing their daughter, and that she would rather take her back to Louisiana. Along with Sam Lutfi, Britney's "cousin" Alli Sims has also been shut out of her life. Alli has been hanging out with Lutfi, and that's enough to show that she's a bad influence on her.

Britney has bipolar disorder and according to reports was diagnosed with schizophrenia too. She can't care for herself and her father is trying to make sure she's ok and is able to stay at home and go on occasional outings. If she knows what's good for her and wants to see her children again she'll buck up and figure out how to make it work. We're not holding our breath, but at least she's safe.

Here's Britney outside Millenium dance studio yesterday. You can see her mom Lynn in the background and TMZ reported that she left yesterday to go back to Louisiana. She's got that helmet hair cut that everyone is sporting lately, and it's not that bad on her.

Jerry Hall flashes vag to ex Mick Jagger at crowded party

51 year-old former supermodel Jerry Hall isn't above resorting to cheap tactics used by younger tarts to get attention. She ran into her ex common law husband, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, at a party earlier this month and pulled up her dress to show him that she wasn't wearing underwear. For his part Mick, 64, was said to be initially shocked, but then laughed off the incident. He has a younger, but still age-appropriate, girlfriend and he knew that Hall was just messing around. Hall and Jagger have four grown children together and probably have a friendly relationship.

Even though Jerry agreed to annul her marriage to the rock star nine years ago, the former supermodel, 51, still is hot for 64-year-old Mick, pals say.

And when the couple -who have four children together - both showed up at a party at London's Nobu restaurant in early February, 6-foot-tall Jerry flashed her famously long legs to reveal she'd "gone commando!"

"Jerry was wearing a black below-the-knee dress and black stockings," said an insider. When she flashed Mick, at first he was shocked, but then he laughed it off."

Texas-born Jerry is aware the wrinkly rock has been romantically involved with 43-year-old designer L'Wren Scott - who stands a towering 6-foot-4 - for the past six years, says the insider.

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 25, 2008]

I remember seeing Jerry Hall in a 2005 reality show on VH1, "Kept," in which younger guys competed for a chance to be her boy toy. The winner said that he never saw Jerry again after the show and claimed that he didn't even kiss her and that "She was a little too old for me."

Hall is currently the spokesperson for erectile dysfunction drug Levitra, and manufacturer Bayer released a press release saying that she will "encourage men and women globally to 'Strike Up A Conversation' and openly discuss erectile dysfunction with each other and their healthcare professionals."

Hall is known for the quote "My mother said it was simple to keep a man, you must be a maid in the living room, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom. I said I'd hire the other two and take care of the bedroom bit." She still seems to be working that angle in both her personal and professional life, to mixed results.

Jerry Hall is shown on 2/5/08 outside a private dinner, thanks to PRPhotos.

?Blind Item: A-List Lesbians? Links

- Blind Item: Two A-List actresses, one of whom we have no idea is gay, both got with the same woman, and one is dating her now [Crazy Days and Nights]
- Madonna and Davie at the airport [DListed]
- PETA targets Aretha Franklin (droopy boobs pic NSFW) [Bossip]
- Jumper seems like a kid's movie, a good kid's movie [Pajiba]
- Eva Longoria in a bikini. If she's pregnant it's still early on [Celebslam]
- Eva Longoria deep throats a Popsicle [Bastardly]
- Kirsten Dunst got dumped by Jake Gyllenhaal over her boozing [yeeeah]
- A Long Island hospital is still holding a room for Jennifer Lopez's upcoming birth [I'm Not Obsessed]
- George Clooney spends $40,000 on a hotel suite for girlfriend Sarah Larson [ICYDK]
- Drunken Stepfather gets profiled in Maxim. (site NSFW)[Drunken Stepfather]
- Kathleen Turner hasn't had sex for two years. [Hollywood Rag]
- Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia still together [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
- Christopher Walken honored with man of the year from Harvard's Hasting Pudding group [Agent Bedhead]
- Cat stuck in the subway for 25 days is rescued! [CityRag]
- Rachel Bilson outside of TRL looking skinny [Websters is My Bitch]
- Jake Gyllenhaal goes clean cut [PopSugar]
- Danielle Lloyd Upskirt Pictures [The Grumpiest]
- Eva Green has no problems with on-screen nudity [CelebNewsWire]
- The Other Boleyn Girl looks crappy [Evil Beet]
- Cate Blanchett looking very pregnant [CelebWarship]
- Criss Angel Grows A Magically Ugly Beard [Glitterati]
- Naomi Watts & Son Alexander Schreiber Arrive In Sydney [Celebrity Baby Scoop]
- Ugly Betty doll [popbytes]
- Hayden Christensen Goes James Dean on "Details" [Socialite's Life]
- Lindsay Lohan looking dirty and tired [Just Jared]
- 104 year old singer Johannes Heesters [Best Week Ever]

Sam Lutfi being investigated by police in Britney case

It's truly amazing that Sam Lutfi still has not been served with his restraining order mandating that he stay away from Britney Spears. It was approved two weeks ago, but Sam has managed to stay below the radar, and technically the restraining order isn't in effect until he's served. I would imagine that Britney's parents have hired some pretty good people to get to him, so he must literally not be leaving his house. Britney must be the only thing in his life, if she's worth all this hassle. And things just keep getting worse for the Svengali: the LAPD's Major Crimes Division is investigating Lutfi for his admission that he continually drugged Britney.

TMZ is reporting that Lutfi is being investigated by the Major Crimes Division of the LAPD. Brit's conservators have complained that Sam drugged her as a way of keeping her under his control. Lutfi, of course, could not be reached for comment, however his spokesperson Michael Sands says that he is aware of the investigation.

Britney's mom, Lynn Spears, gave a signed declaration to the court earlier this month, revealing that the night she arrived at Britney's house for an intervention, Sam openly detailed to her his method of keeping Britney drugged up. "Sam told Jackie and me that he grinds up Britney's pills, which were on the counter and included Risperdol and Seroquel. He told us that he puts them in her food and that was the reason she had been quiet for the last three days. He told us that the doctor who is treating her is trying to get her into a sleep induced coma so that they could then give her drugs to 'heal her brain.'"

Of the investigation, a court insider confirms to OK!-"Yes. He was practicing medicine without a license when he was grinding up a cocktail of prescription pills and putting it in her food. There's no doubt about that being a felony among other charges."

[From OK]

Risperdal and Seroquel are antipsychotic drugs that are used in high doses to treat schitophrenia, in lower doses to treat bipolar disorder, and in very small doses to treat insomnia. Seroquel is also used to treat suicidal patients directly after a suicide attempt or if a patient is thought to be seriously contemplating suicide. They both have highly sedating properties on their own – combined they would create quite the zombie. They also have a long list of bizarre (and not uncommon) side effects that could explain some of Britney's unusual behaviors. She definitely should never have been driving while on both of them. It sounds like Sam wasn't so much “treating” Britney as he was sedating her.

Sam is also supposedly helping Britney “fight back” against her parents – or at least that's how E! is putting it. He filed a petition to get Britney's case moved to federal court, and also stated that she's being kept from freely associating with her friends, handling her money, driving her car, etc. All those things are true – they're pretty much the whole point of the conservatorship.

"Sam is at war with Jamie. This is his first strike," a Spears insider said Friday, explaining that Lutfi feels Britney's rights were violated because court-appointed attorneys did not investigate the claims her family was making about her condition. Lutfi's new publicist, Michael Sands, who insists that the case has been transferred, filed the petition this week on behalf of New York attorney Jon Eardley, who is listed in the paperwork as Britney's counsel.

"Ms. Spears has been denied the right to associate freely with friends. She has been denied the right to make or receive telephone calls. She has been denied the right to operate a motor vehicle…She has been denied the right to receive and send mail," the petition states. "Additionally she has been denied the right to her finances. She is not allowed to access her money or credit cards. Britney has expressed that she doesn't want to be under the lock and control of her family," Sands said Friday. "She wants nothing to do with her father."

[From E! News]

Michael Sands also insists that Britney's case has already been transferred to federal court, even though all court sources say that's not the case. Sam clearly doesn't like that Britney's parents are taking charge of her life. It has nothing to do with Britney not being able to freely do what she wishes, it has to do with someone besides Sam being in control of her. Britney's freedom is the last thing on his mind. Hopefully someone will catch him soon and serve him with the restraining order and maybe a nice little arrest warrant too.

Kirstie Alley fired for being fat

Kirstie Alley has once again lost her battle of the bulge. The former Jenny Craig spokeswoman has lost her contract with them after weighing in at an estimated 200 – 220 pounds. Kirstie claimed that she was 145 pounds at her slimmest on Jenny Craig. Unfortunately it seems she wasn't able to maintain that weight loss. According to the National Enquirer, Alley is desperate to lose weight, and has turned to an alternative medicine clinic to help her achieve her goals.

Now the 57-year-old "Cheers" star has turned to an alternative medical procedure to curb her cravings and lose weight - a regimen featuring acupuncture and herbal medicines. She is going to the Chinese Healing Institute, which uses alternative medicine to treat a variety of health problems, including eating disorders.

"Kirstie has been going to the Institute a couple of times a week. She's undergoing acupuncture to curb her cravings for unhealthy food, and receiving potent herbal medicines to suppress her appetite," said her pal.

[From the National Enquirer, Feb. 25th 2008 print edition]

Though Kirstie claimed on Oprah that she was 219 pounds at her heaviest, friends say she's been lying about that all along. The Enquirer claims that at her heaviest, Alley was closer to 300 pounds. At her lightest, she was at 175. That's still a HUGE amount of weight to lose, and it's not surprising that an actress – or anyone for that matter – wouldn't want to admit to being close to 300 pounds. I never really bought that she was 145 though. According to the Enquirer, Kirstie is both personally and professional embarrassed by the loss of her Jenny Craig contract. They say that Valerie Bertinelli was brought in during Kirstie's third year to act as competition for the actress, and that Alley could have been signed to a fourth year if she hadn't gained so much weight. Queen Latifah is now the new face of Jenny Craig.

My big question is this: if Scientology rids the world of all evils, addictions, and a bunch of other crap, shouldn't the Scientologists have a solution for all this? Alley claims they cured her drug habit over the course of one class at Narconon. Where's Foodonon? Surely if they believe they're the only ones who can really help, they've got a solution to this, right? Something tells me even if they came up with one, we wouldn't be hearing about it. There's several chubby Scientologists – John Travolta would be another one – how embarrassing would it be for them when whatever alien-based program they came up with inevitably didn't work? I'm just curious to know if Kirstie Alley, who's donated millions of dollars to the church, asks herself, “They fixed everything else that's wrong with my life, why can't they fix this?” Kirstie is supposedly worried about her health and how it's affecting her two kids. For that sake, I hope she finds a successful program she can live with.

Lindsay Lohan nude pretending to be Marilyn Monroe NSFW

Lindsay Lohan didn't hesitate to pose topless for a photo shoot with photographer Bert Stern, who also shot the iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe in a hotel room just six weeks before she died in an apparent pill overdose. Called "The Last Sitting," Marilyn's photos show then then 36-year-old bombshell drunk on champagne and lounging around, with just some sheer scarves as cover. Lohan used the same see-through material as Marilyn in her photo shoot, saying that the decision to pose nearly-nude wasn't hard. "I didn’t have to put much thought into it. I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It’s really an honor."

Lohan owns one of Marilyn Monroe's apartments, and said she has "a lot of Marilyn Stuff," such as a big painting of Monroe that sounds like it depicts her suicide scene, which was a gift. Lohan says of her painting that "It’s eerie because it’s this picture of her, and it’s kind of cartoony, and there’s a big bottle of pills next to her, and they’ve fallen over."

The 21-year-old actress better known for her DUIs and for courting the paparazzi also alluded to Heath Ledger's death in the same breath as Marilyn's suicide, calling both "tragic""

Lohan called Monroe’s suicide “tragic,” and then added, elliptically, “You know, it’s also tragic what just recently happened to someone else.” I asked whether she was referring to Heath Ledger. She nodded: “They are both prime examples of what this industry can do to someone.” Why some and not others, I asked, since it has often seemed that the thrice-rehabbed Lohan might meet a similar fate. Lohan replied with a flicker of annoyance: “I don’t know. I’m not them. But I sure as hell wouldn’t let it happen to me.” Still, one wonders whether Lohan’s participation in this project, given all the spooky parallels, isn’t the photographic equivalent of moving into a haunted house. (Which, in fact, she may have already done.)

[From NY Magazine]

Here are the photos of a woman who is all too willing to talk about "what this industry can do," without actually doing the work of showing up for her job. At least she'll still take it off for photo shoots. Lohan tried to rationalize the shoot, saying that Monroe was giving back to the public with the last photo shoot that Lindsay is mimicking "She’s saying, ‘Look, you’ve taken a lot from me, so why don’t I give it to you myself.’ She’s taking control back." I wonder if Lohan thought she was "taking control back" when she flashed her shaved kitty on several occasions. Now she has the benefit of a famed photographer to help use exhibitionism to give back to the public while remaining in control.

Thanks to NYMag.com for these photos of Lindsay.

Lindsay Lohan





Marilyn Monroe

Paris Hilton?s burlesque birthday

I thought Paris Hilton already celebrated her 27th birthday by dressing like a My Little Pony in remembrance of her childhood and less penile-looking pre-plastic surgery nose, but she decided to have yet another blow out, with blow being the operative word. She donned her Halloween costume of choice and dressed like a slutty policewoman to perform with the Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Paris also graced the gaping crowd with a performance in a giant champagne class while wearing a white sparkly bodice and feather boa. That far-away look in her half-lidded eyes as she groped herself is more evocative of Anna Nicole than Marilyn Monroe. She's got to be pissed that Lohan stole her thunder with a topless photo shoot that just came out today. Just get more naked next time, Paris. People will pay more attention to you once you take more clothes off.

Here's the video, thanks to TMZ. She looks like she's posing for a photo shoot, not stripping for a crowd. Dita Von Teese would have some advice to give her under the guise of being helpful, but with a tone of disdain at how much she's sully the art:

Paris was seen making out with newly-divorced Travis Barker at a club over the weekend. The first time she was spotted with the tattooed reality star and drummer, his estranged wife Shanna Moakler got mighty pissed and got into a screaming match with Paris. Now that they're really divorced she doesn't have much to scream about. We'll leave that to Dita once she sees Paris' lackluster performance.

Heather Mills & Paul McCartney agree on $108 million settlement

It appears the nasty divorce settlement proceedings between Heather Mills and Paul McCartney are finally over. After two years of petty squabbling, the two have finally reached a settlement, according to several reputable news outlets. Heather will get $40 million in a lump sum up front, and an additional $5 million a year until the couple's daughter Beatrice turns 18 in 14 years.

Power-dressed in a black-velvet three-piece pantsuit with a crimson blouse, the former model and social activist couldn't hide her joy as she walked from London's High Court yesterday, smiling broadly at everyone.

As part of the deal, Mills agreed to never speak publicly or write in detail about the breakdown of the marriage, according to the Daily Mail. The accord came after Mills and McCartney had gone nose to nose in court for five days last week.

Mills will have main custody of Beatrice, but McCartney, whose fortune is estimated at $1.2 billion, will have equal visitation rights. Beatrice's 65-year-old dad also agreed to set up a $2 million trust fund that she can access when she turns 18, according to the Daily Mail. Mills plans to live with Beatrice in Britain and either Poland or the Czech Republic, where she hopes to buy a home.

A source told the Daily Mail a verbal agreement was reached just before lunch. "They have a settlement," a source said. "They have agreed on all points. Nothing much has changed this week. There was a deal at the beginning, but it was a complex one. There have been a few tweaks to the agreements, but those have been mostly changes Heather wanted made." A hearing, perhaps the final one, is scheduled for Monday.

[From the Daily News]

Now Heather can fade away into obscurity, just like she's been threatening. Most of us hoped it was a promise instead of a threat. Unfortunately Poland and the Czech Republic are not Antarctica/Outer Space like the rest of the world was hoping, but it's better than nothing. Poor Beatrice having to grow up with such a loon for a mother. Heather wore a bizarre velvet pinstriped suit to court on Friday. It had big lapels and a horrible red shirt underneath. It was very 1993 of her. I'm fairly certain Sir Paul agreed to the settlement just so he wouldn't have to look at that ensemble anymore. And that “face” of Heather's doesn't help. I don't think face is even the right word. Something more like, “run over cheese pizza” is a more accurate description for the combination of features stuck onto the front of Heather Mills' head. On the off chance Ms Mills doesn't fade away into obscurity as threatened, I'm sure she'll be bitching and moaning with that hideously malformed mouth of hers in the next week or two.

Pics of Heather Mills and Paul McCartney arriving at court yesterday. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Lindsay Lohan pisses off Clint Eastwood

Leave it to Lindsay Lohan to go out of her way to piss off the three people in Hollywood that don't already hate her. Lindsay infamously pissed off just about everyone in the on the cast and crew of her film “Georgia Rule” after she continuously came into work late, drunk, hungover or not at all. Morgan Creek Productions chief James G. Robinson had to send Lohan an embarrassing letter in which he called her"irresponsible and unprofessional" and mentioned her "all-night heavy partying" as the cause of her "so-called 'exhaustion.'” Jane Fonda and director Garry Marshall were livid with Lohan, and rumors flew that she'd been blacklisted by most of the older generation in Hollywood Lohan hasn't put anything out in a while so it's hard to say if that's come to bear. But you'd think she'd take it under advisement and behave in a semi-dignified manner around Hollywood legends, if for nothing else than the sake of her languishing career. But of course logic has no hold on Miss Lohan, and this past week she managed to piss off Clint Eastwood. Never a good decision.

Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood was just trying to enjoy a pleasant dinner at Madeo in Los Angeles on Thursday night, when Lindsay Lohan and a group of four pals — three men and one woman — seemed to spoil his good time.

According to a witness, the Million Dollar Baby star looked "very upset" at the scene and kept glaring over at La Lohan's table — where, it should be said, no one witnessed Lindz partaking in any alcoholic beverages.

Says the witness: "I heard him tell his friend, 'She brought all those paparazzi. Fifteen of them. Did you ever think we'd see the day with all this? I'm going out the back door so I don't have to deal with all that."

[From OK!]

To be fair, I think it's safe to say that Lindsay probably wasn't going to be starring in any Clint Eastwood films anyway. But heaven forbid she not act as if every moment is all about her. One would assume Lohan was being generally loud and/or obnoxious in some way if they pissed off Clint Eastwood. I doubt the paparazzi was his sole beef with her. Lindsay is one of the top people I would vote out of Hollywood if I could. You never hear a single thing about her being kind, gracious, or considerate of anyone. It's all about what she can get away with and how badly she can behave before she has to check into rehab. She doesn't seem to realize that her behavior off the set also influences her career. The more people are disgusted by her in her daily activities, the fewer opportunities she'll have. At this rate we can probably leave her to her own devices and watch her screw herself out of Hollywood within two years.

Here's Lohan and more of her dirty face makeup. I'm pretty sure this head shot is my favorite Lohan image of all time. Here's Lohan and more of her dirty face makeup. I'm pretty sure this head shot is my favorite Lohan image of all time. Header from February 11th, the photos below were taken yesterday. Pics thanks to Splash and WENN.

Amy Winehouse might have a new boyfriend, also named Blake

When Amy Winehouse thanked "My Blake, incarcerated" in her Grammy acceptance speech we thought that she was just tenderly making a reference to the fact that she was separated from her husband during his ongoing stint in jail. It turns out she may have specified that Blake was in jail because there's another guy named Blake in her life and she wanted to let everyone know which one she was referring to.

Amy was seen out with an American artist named Blake Wood last night. The British rags say that Amy's friend Kelly Osbourne introduced her to the "new" Blake, and that the guy doesn't do drugs or even drink alcohol. Amy and the new Blake went to two different parties last night, and they are said to have spent quality time together at the Park Plaza hotel in London where The Daily Mail reports that she's been staying.

This isn't the first guy Amy has been linked to during her husband's time in jail. She went on a Caribbean vacation with an ex boyfriend in early January. Her husband Blake was said to have cut his arm in frustration after he heard that Amy jetted off with her ex.

Blake Fielder Civil handed Amy a pleading note when she visited him in jail after her multiple Grammy win begging her not to leave him. Some stories also have him confessing that he had lied about a previous suicide attempt in jail. In the note Blake says he has disowned his family for speaking publicly against his bride and that he hopes they can make their marriage work. Amy's father Mitch said that media outlets could publish the note, and that his daughter approved that the contents be made public in order to show that she is committed to staying with her husband and staying off drugs.

It seems like things change quickly for Amy, or maybe she's just friends with this other guy named Blake. When I first heard this story I thought it was great that she was moving on from her husband, but then I realized that she's only been in rehab for a little over two weeks and that she's already going out at night, presumably staying at a hotel and dating someone new. It all seems too much too soon for her, although I hope it sticks and she is able to get out of that codependent relationship with her husband.

Amy has "Blake's" tattooed over her left breast in a retro design that's reminiscent of a waitresses name tag over a half-pocket with cherries. At least there isn't a last name on there.

Amy and Blake Wood are shown out last night, thanks to WENN.

Writers Guild members vote to end strike; return to work today (update)

I now have no idea what I'm going to go on long and angry rants about. After a long and tempestuous three months, the Writers Guild of America strike has officially ended. Though they haven't formally accepted the tentative deal made by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, WGA members voted yesterday to end the strike and return to work. I will most likely have to burn the sandwich board that I angrily wear around the house, as I now no longer have a cause. In happier news, we all have television again, which means we can stop reading, going outside, and talking to our kids – you know, those pesky things we did to fill the time we'd normally spend in front of the tube.

WGA members voted overwhelmingly to get back to work: 3,492 voted yes, 283 voted no. The most contentious issues between the WGA and the AMPTP was that of payment for digital media. Under the tentative contract (which WGA members have until February 25th to ratify via mail) writers will get a maximum flat fee of $1200 for streamed programs for the first two years the program is streamed and then 2 percent of the distributor's gross after that. They'll also get larger residuals on downloaded shows and movies.

Speaking of which, what will happen to our beloved shows?

The latest thinking on Jack Bauer's strike-interrupted season on Fox's "24 is that it will just wait until January 2009 to try again. Producers didn't want to present a fraction of the shows it had done without being able to present 24 in a row as usual. NBC's "Heroes," too, probably won't be back until the fall. But another handful of episodes will be shot to round out the shortened season of ABC's "Lost," which recently returned.

And some shows thought to be kept alive by the strike — airing episodes because there was nothing else to replace them with — won't be back at all, from "Bionic Woman" to the CW dud "Life Is Wild" and possibly "Cane" on CBS.

Other shows will wait to produce new episodes for the fall, including NBC's "Chuck," Las Vegas" and "Pushing Daisies," which has received an early pickup for the 2008-09 season on ABC. Three episodes remain for both "Samantha Who?" and "Dirty Sexy Money"; ABC will determine whether to run them this season or save them until the fall. Both also have been picked up for the fall season.

Comedies will be able to return to air the quickest with new episodes, in as soon as four to six weeks. NBC's "The Office," for one, had one script ready before the cast walked out at the start of the strike. The show hopes to have five to 10 episodes starting in April or May.

[From the Hartford Courant]

So it sounds like we'll get a little bit of many of the shows after all. It seems that the less established shows will essentially be starting again next year, while the older shows will briefly wrap up their seasons. There will be far fewer new shows next year, as the networks won't be making as many pilots. It's estimated that Los Angeles county lost over $3.2 billion dollars in the three months the writers have been on strike. The effects will trickle down into next year as well, but as of today, writers are back at work.

Update: Here's a list of all the big shows and when/if they're returning.

Lindsay Lohan made out with Jonathan Rhys Meyers at a club

Lindsay Lohan hasn't wasted any time getting involved with whomever happens to be in her immediate vicinity, gender and social status be damned. During a long weekend in Italy this January she was photographed looking cosy with three different guys, one of whom spent the night at her hotel and another sold the story of their lovemaking to a British tabloid.

Since then, Lohan has been linked with some model guy, Brody Jenner, and a billionaire Australian art dealer. I'm sure there are more, and you can throw some women in there - she had a falling out with her live-in girlfriend who moved out of their shared apartment, but there's only so much research I can do for this post.

Now Lohan was seen making out with another rehab graduate, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Like most of Lindsay's other men, I'm sure this is the last we'll hear of this. Only the unknowns sell their stories to News of The World:

Lindsay Lohan has struck again, and this time her target was recently rehabbed actor Jonathan Rhys Myers. According to witnesses at Villa in West Hollywood on February 2, Lindsay, 21, and Jonathan were getting cozy in a corner of the hotspot just after midnight. The duo was seen partying and were overheard making plans to meet up later at Lindsay's house, although his rep denies they hooked up.

"Lindsay made a beeline for Jonathan, and before long they were making out," an eyewitness reveals. "They didn't seem to be hiding it."

[From In Touch, print edition, February 18, 2008]

I thought Rhys Meyers has a girlfriend he lives with, but I read that they broke up in early December, but were spotted having dinner together afterwards so no one is really sure.

In Touch has another story in that same issue about how Lindsay and Paris might be friends again after a long-running fight over ownership of Stavros Niarchos. Supposedly Lindsay and Paris were laughing and talking that same night at Villa. Their reconciliation seems to have been short-lived, since they were said to have been arguing at a pre-Grammy party as they each vied for the attention of producer Timbaland.

Lohan is still talking crap about how her life has changed since rehab. She told Glamour that "The biggest misconception is probably that I don’t have my head in the right place. That, and probably that I’m not a good person. That makes me sad, because actually I am." And to Harper's Bazaar she said "I’ve learned so much, though, like learning to live my life a different way."

Last night Lohan was seen leaving S Bar in Hollywood.

Lohan is shown with that lovely spray-on tan shopping on 2/11/08. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is shown at the Rome Film Festival on 10/20/07.

Janet Jackson says she ?might be allergic to marriage?

I really admire when a member of the Jackson family shows some restraint. Unlike her brother Michael, who's always itching for kids (no not in that way. okay maybe in that way) Janet Jackson says that even though she's 41, she's in no rush to get married and have babies. Janet's been married twice before. The second time no one even knew about it until she announced she was getting divorced. And though she's been dating producer Jermaine Dupri for six years, she says they have no plans to get married, despite the pressure everyone's putting on them.

"So many people were putting pressure on [Jermaine], then they started pressuring me," the singer told The Insider. "Everybody would ask us about it – even friends. If it's [meant] to happen, it'll happen," she says. "I like where we are, and I'm happy where I am. I've done it twice before. I'm afraid I might be a jinx. I might be allergic to marriage." As for children, she admits: "We both would love to have kids. Someday I know it's going to happen. Exactly when, I don't know."

Even at 41, Jackson is not obsessing about her biological clock.

"I get so much pressure .. even my mother mentioned something to me the other day," she told Britain's The Observer on Sunday. "But now you can have your eggs frozen and there are all sorts of things you can do. I've still got time so I think I'm okay." The singer – whose new [CD] Discipline is out on Feb. 26 – added, "I've got to get a little more kid out of me first before I move on and be childish with my child."

[From People]

It's shockingly healthy to hear a Jackson say that they need to get some of their kid out before they have their own child. You know, instead of trying to relive their childhood in some bizarre Peter Pan complex like Michael's done. Janet has always seemed like the most normal Jackson to me. She's her original beautiful color, she hangs out with other adults, and once in a while she flashes a little nip. That's still better than anything you could ever say about Tito. Oh, and she has yet to name any kids Jermajesty, unlike her brother Jermaine. Considering how trendy babies are right now, I appreciate it when a celebrity says she's got other things on her plate.

Here's Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy party on February 9th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Did Britney & Adnan get married in Mexico?

Star magazine is reporting that Britney Spears secretly wed paparazzi boyfriend Adnan Ghalib last month during their brief trip to Mexico. Star claims the couple had the ceremony at Rosarito Beach, and have a source who has seen the wedding documents. While it sounds impossibly crazy, that doesn't mean jack in the world of Britney Spears. In fact, the more impossibly crazy/totally ridiculous something sounds, the higher the likelihood that Britney Spears actually did it. Walked around a clothing store naked? Sounded crazy, turned out to be true. Held her own kid hostage? Sounded crazy, turned out to be true. Killed a turtle so she could wear its shell as a hat? Sounds crazy, but I bet we find out she's done that too. So while it sounds totally and completely crazy to run off to Mexico and secretly get married, you never know.

Really, the only logical explanation for Britney Spears' wild jaunt to Mexico last month was that she was going to get married, but it took Star magazine to connect the dots.

The glossy says she "secretly wed" lens-lizard Adnan Ghalib during the visit - which is legally meaningless, as he has not yet divorced his previous wife, AzLynn Berry.

Star ed Candace Trunzo tells me: "Our source on this was not in Rosarito Beach at the ceremony, but is very familiar with the fact that [wedding] documents exist."

More interestingly, the mag says Spears gave Ghalib $250,000 to grease AzLynn's exit. She allegedly told her lawyers, who had imposed a grand-a-day spending limit, that she needed the cash for a new Mercedes.

[From Gatecrasher]

Britney does have a bit of a history of getting married impulsively. There was the 55 hour marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander. Oh, and the wedding to K-Fed, when all the guests thought they were coming over for an engagement party. So running off to Mexico in a not-quite-entirely-thought-though plan to get married doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility for Britney Spears. AzLynn Ghalib finally filed for divorce from Adnan on January 18th, so there might be some truth to this story. Since the marriage isn't legally binding, it wouldn't matter a whole heck of a lot either way. But Britney Spears being in a marrying state of mind is never a good thing. Run, men, run and lock your doors!

Header photo thanks to Popbytes.

Aretha Franklin is pissed at Beyonce for calling Tina Turner ?The Queen?

Apparently the saying “once a diva, always a diva” really is true. Okay I don't know that that's actually a saying, but based on some Grammy awards behavior, it should be. Not only did singer Natalie Cole go off on Amy Winehouse for winning five awards, which she called “undeserved,” but now Aretha Franklin has gone off on Beyonce Knowles for calling Tina Turner “The Queen.” Apparently Aretha is “The Queen” and to call anyone else such a royal term is absolute heresy.

When Aretha Franklin is unhappy, she does not mince words. On Tuesday, the longtime Queen of Soul slammed Beyonce Knowles' intro to Tina Turner at Sunday's Grammy Awards, in which Knowles called Turner, not Franklin, "the queen."

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce," Franklin said in a statement issued by her publicist. "However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."

[From the AP]

Um, Aretha, this is the biggest deal in your world, not the world. No one else noticed. Come on, issuing a press release? Doesn't that make you the one who's trying to stir up controversy? I think everyone was way too busy focusing on your outfit, which was about five inches south of where the rest of us would have liked it.

I don't know Beyonce, but instinct tells me she didn't actually write the little into speech. The sentence in question was, "Ladies and gentlemen. Stand on your feet and give it up for the queen." While Aretha has long been known as the Queen of Soul, Beyonce just called Tina Turner the queen. She could have meant the queen of cheesy fries for all any of us know. I don't think it's anything to get into a major statement-issuing tizzy over. I'm pretty sure that these king and queen titles we give to musicians aren't actual designations of royalty or anything. They're just fun honorifics. Besides, if you keep freaking out like that, you're going to get a completely different nickname, and it won't be nearly as flattering.

Here's Aretha Franklin at the Musicares Person of the Year Benefit on February 8th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Heather Mills to run for the hills

I just love the way Heather Mills can't understand why everyone else in the whole entire world hates her so much. She comes across as so self-righteous, arrogant, and insufferable that I'm surprised even she can stand to be around herself. Heather's been representing herself in her divorce proceedings this week – yeah that's right, that's why we call her self-righteous and arrogant. Can you imagine the kind of ego a person would need to have to represent herself in a trial with tens of million dollars at stake – and she has no legal training? And though she doesn't understand why, she is aware that people generally loathe her? You'd think that would be the one time to put your ego aside and say, “Hey, even though I know I'm the most amazing creature to walk to earth, other people haven't seemed to figure it out. People don't respond well to me. Perhaps that means a judge won't either. Maybe I should leave this to a professional.” But Heather Mills is never impeded by logic. And woe for her – she'll probably leave the country when this is all done, at least according to her father.

"I think she'll go abroad and then just slowly fade away into obscurity," said Mark Mills in an interview quoted by the Press Association news agency.

Ms Mills' father said he thought she would move to France or the US with the couple's four-year-old daughter Beatrice after the court case ended.

"She won't stay in this country. She knows everybody hates her and she does not care," he said.

"I think she's very low at the moment and would leap at the chance to get away from it all and take her daughter Bea with her."

[From the BBC]

If she knows everyone hates her and does not care, then why in the world is she constantly going on television in an attempt to improve her public image? Can you imagine how much more calm and peaceful the world would be if Heather Mills really did fade into obscurity? Though from all reports that's highly unlikely, seeing as how her only goal in life was to be famous. And the closest she's gotten is infamous. I've never quite understood the Mills' self-pity. Not only does Heather have quite a bit of it – this is a woman who in a televised interview threatened to kill herself since people didn't like her – her whole family is constantly joining in the pity party too. Not that I'd expect her family to bash her, but when the add to the “Poor Heather, what a rough life” routine, it just makes you want to smack the lot of them. Let's hope the the notion of Heather fading away into obscurity is not just a plea for sympathy but rather a call to action.

Here's Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills arriving at their divorce hearing yesterday. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Britney?s old bottom-feeders have moved on to new targets

Britney's best buddies, who have insisted that they were hanging around with her because they care about her well being, seem to have moved on now that her family has control of her finances. Both Alli Sims and Sam Lutfi, who were nobodies until leeching onto the mentally ill popstar, were seen around Hollywood, hob-nobbing with celebrities as if they were actually famous themselves.

Alli Sims was seen partying with Canadian pop singer/pretend punk rocker Avril Lavigne. The odd pair was photographed hitting the clubs in LA over the weekend. Alli was also seen at Paris Hilton's 27th birthday party.

Avril Lavigne showed up to Hyde last night with an interesting sidekick -- Britney Spears' former assistant/cousin, Alli Sims. Alli's become quite the starf**ker lately; she was spotted at Paris Hilton's birthday party Saturday night as well -- ah, the Simsful life.

[From TMZ]

Don't be surprised if we see Cousin Alli suddenly riding shotgun with Avril, accompanying her on shopping trips so she can get more designer goodies for free. Of course, we might also see her sneaking margaritas into a car, or using Avril to launch her own singing career or reality show.

Meanwhile, amateur psychologist and pharmacist Sam Lutfi, who is barred from seeing or contacting Spears, has hired his own PR mouthpiece and was spotted at Paris Hilton's party as well. There are also new reports that Lutfi has been hounding Britney's business manager, Howard Grossman, demanding money for his services as Britney's manager. The nerve!

In a declaration filed in the Brit conservatorship case, a lawyer for the conservators accused Sam Lutfi of demanding money from poor Brit.

Attorney Jeryll Cohen wrote, "During the telephone conversation, Mr. Grossman [Brit's business manager] told me that he had numerous e-mails from Osama (Sam) Lutfi in which Mr. Lutfi made various demands, including demands for money. Mr. Grossman told me he did not comply with Mr. Lutfi's demands."

Cohen and the other lawyers have asked the court commissioner to let the conservators fire Mr. Grossman, in part because they say he has refused to provide copies of Lutfi's e-mails to them.

[From TMZ]

Apparently, Lutfi and Sims are almost as delusional as their former meal ticket. Do they actually think they are celebrities now? They'd better get in those last few parties while they can- their 15 minutes is just about up.

NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Alli Sims has actually known Avril Lavigne for quite a while, and has been seen out with her multiple times prior to when she was linked to Britney. I don't think she's without her own motivations, she's trying to launch a singing career after all, but I wouldn't put her in the same category as Lutfi by a long shot. Britney seemed to be doing ok when she was hanging out with her, in comparison.

Here's Britney outide of the Millenium Dance studio having a smoke on 2/9. At least she is getting some exercise even if she's dressed like that and all. That story that she had her hair done for four hours at her house must have been an exaggeration or her hairdresser was incompetent. I guess when you don't have much to work with there isn't much you can do. Get better Britney.

Yoko Ono suing musician over the use of name ?Lennon?

A legal battle between John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and a young, unknown female musician whose birth name is Lennon is starting to get noticed by media outlets and even John's oldest son, Julian. According to her MySpace blog, Lennon Murphy, a heavy metal musician who was named after the iconic singer/songwriter, has been contacted by Yoko Ono's attorneys and ordered to stop using the name or face legal ramifications. Ono claims that the rock singer is using her husband's name in an exploitative manner to intentionally confuse people and boost sales of her CD. Lennon says she dropped her surname, Murphy, eight years ago because it is her father's name and means nothing to her- leaving her to go by her birth name, Lennon. Both her band and her debut CD, which until recently was on the Arista record label, were named "Lennon."

Yoko Ono filed what is for the most part a law suit with the Trademark and Trial Board of the US Patent & Trademark office this past week Yoko waited 8 years until 2 days before the statue of limitations ran out to file this complaint. 5 lawyers including 2 trademark experts we have spoken with agree that Yoko has no grounds for these claims and is just trying to push Lennon around and make her spend money she doesn't have. Yoko seeks to gain the rights to the Trademark "LENNON" which Lennon Murphy has owned since 2003.

[From Lennon's MySpace blog]

Lennon claims that her record label ran concerns about the trademark infringement past Ono and her attorneys eight years ago, when the singer first dropped her surname. At that time, she claims, Yoko had no problems with it. However, eight years later, the statute of limitations for Yoko to file an infringement claim is about to run out, and now she is deciding to file suit.

In a bizarre turn of events, John Lennon's oldest son, Julian, has spoken out in support of Lennon on his own MySpace blog. He has had a longstanding feud with his stepmother that only got worse after his father's death in 1980. In a blog entry titled "Sad but True & interesting .. I feel for her & know the situation well," Julian Lennon posts a message from Lennon, the female rock singer, and says that the girl has his "full support." In an earlier version of the blog entry, which Julian has since edited, he prefaced Lennon's statement by saying that he's had his own legal run-ins with Yoko over the years and that if "she could have stopped me from working using my own legal name, she would have." Ouch.

Yoko has certainly worked hard in the years since John's death to protect the Lennon estate. However, I find it hard to believe that people who heard this girl's music would be confused between John Lennon and Lennon Murphy. Further, I find it interesting that Yoko doesn't seem to have a problem selling Beatles' songs to companies such as Target to be used in commercials. It's not like this girl is raking in the dough or anything- she is a struggling musician whose mother really, really liked John Lennon. Yoko had eight years to make up her mind about this. Why file suit now?

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Yoko Ono is shown at the John Lennon Education Bus Dedication at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on 1/7/08, thanks to PRPhotos. Musician Lennon Murphy is shown in promotional photos.

Paris Hilton is dating another woman named Paris (update: photos of other Paris)

If anyone can find two different people to date whose parents also thought it was a good idea to name them after a famous European city, it's Paris Hilton. She had an on-off relationship with Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis, a male, and has now reportedly found temporary love in the arms of another woman also named Paris. Not feeling guilty for calling out your own name in the throws of passion is one of the perks of picking a mate with the same first name, and for someone as vain as Paris that probably matters. Anyone who's willing to risk their health and wants to get with Paris should just tell her their name is also Paris and they're in for a moderately satisfying time, if her sex tape and bland personality are anything to go by.

The 26-year-old Hilton heiress has ignited a torrid romance with 22-year-old Paris Pickard, an aspiring film director, say sources.

The two have been seen making out at several lesbian clubs, an insider told The Enquirer.

"The relationship has been going on a little over two months, and while Paris P. would love the relationship to be exclusive, the feeling isn't mutual," says the isnider.

"The Simple Life" star has also reportedly danced close with Katherine Moennig and Daniela Sea of "The L Word" in LA - and was also reportedly caught in a lip lock with "24 star Elisha Cuthbert in NY

"Paris P feels she has a special bond with Paris Hilton, but the two women had a huge fight about fidelity, and Paris H told Paris P that she'd like to keep dating her, but that she'd have to be OK with her being very flirtatious."

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 18, 2008]

Paris Hilton recently confirmed that she's up for a role in the Showtime lesbian drama "The L Word," and told US Magazine that she's "in for talks" after the strike is over and is "definitely shooting it." When asked by a paparazzo about the kiss with Elisha Cuthbert, Paris said said "Elisha's like my sister, that's not true." When the photographer asked her if she's "batting for the other team," she said "no I'm not." Maybe Paris is just a pitch hitter.

There are a lot of photos of Paris Pickard on the Flickr site for a fellow photographer and filmmaker. She's gorgeous and could easily be a celebrity herself. If this story is true I wonder what she sees in Paris.

Paris Hilton is shown in her "My Little Pony" 27th birthday party outfit in the header, thanks to WENN.

UPDATE: Here are photos of Paris Pickard. There are more photos of her on the photographer's website, EvanLane.com

Nicolas Cage files libel suit against Kathleen Turner

It looks like Kathleen Turner's tell-all memoir, Send Yourself Roses, is ruffling a few feathers in Hollywood, especially those of her former co-star, Nicolas Cage. In the book, Kathleen says that Cage was deliberately difficult during the filming of their hit movie, "Peggy Sue Got Married," and that the actor drank excessively and stole a chihuahua.
Nicolas Cage caught wind of Kathleen's story. I am sure someone told him about it rather than him, you know, actually reading the book. First, he denied the story by telling TMZ, "I have never been arrested for anything in my life, nor have I stolen a dog. I am reaching out to my fans -- many of whom are children -- so they know that I do not condone drunk driving or theft. The reason why you've never seen a mug shot of me is because it does not exist." Wait, his fans are children? They must have really enjoyed his work in "Leaving Las Vegas" and "8mm."

Apparently, a simple denial wasn't enough for the action star. Now, Cage is fighting back- Hollywood style- with a libel lawsuit.

Nicolas Cage is suing Kathleen Turner over comments she made about him in her autobiography Send Yourself Roses.

The actress accused Cage of causing problems on the set of 1986 comedy Peggy Sue Got Married in a bid to prove that he had not won the role because director Francis Ford Coppola was his uncle.

She also said he was arrested for drunk-driving and stealing a chihuahua.

Cage spoke out to dismiss the allegations and has since issued libel proceedings against her at the High Court in London.

A spokesman said: "The libel action follows false allegations that appear in the forthcoming autobiography. As legal proceedings have been commenced, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

[From Digital Spy UK]

This feud suddenly got very ugly- and very interesting. In fact, this may be the most interesting thing that Nicolas Cage has done since "Valley Girl." If this case makes it to trial, it's going to be difficult to prove anything on either side of the argument, since the alleged incident happened in 1986. How does one prove or disprove that another person stole a chihuahua, anyway?

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Nicholas Cage is shown at the premiere of World Trade Center on 8/3/06. Kathleen Turner is shown at the Monster House premiere on 7/17/06, thanks to PRPhotos.

Natalie Cole says Amy Winehouse didn?t deserve her award

Singer Natalie Cole has felt it necessary to tell People magazine that Amy Winehouse didn't deserve any of her five Grammy awards. Cole says that because Amy is battling a drug addiction, her awards send a bad message. She even said Amy was “having her cake and eating it too,” which I found an odd choice of words, as it implies that Amy's getting everything she wants: drugs and Grammys. I doubt that Amy logically wants drugs or to be a drug addict as much as she wants to be a successful, award winning singer. She's an addict, and drugs have a hold on her. That's different. The comments are especially ironic considering that Natalie Cole has admitted to having some pretty serious drug problems herself, and used LSD, heroin, and cocaine. She went into rehab in the eighties and straightened herself out.

"I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and really trying to keep themselves together," said Cole, 58. "We have to stop rewarding bad behavior."

Of Winehouse, 24, who is currently in rehab in England, Cole says: "I'm sorry. I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too. She needs to get herself together."

On the seriousness of Winehouse's troubles, Cole – who over the years has battled her own substance-abuse problems, successfully – observes, "I mean, she could die. This isn't something that's cute and fun just to throw around in the press. The girl really has a problem, and I think for those of us who have been in the business long enough, we know the sacrifice it takes. This is about discipline and hard work, and you don't get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded."

[From People]

We don't yet know how Amy's story will end up, but we do know that she's been in rehab and seems to be making improvements in her life. Cole's comments might make a little more sense if Amy weren't in rehab and were still parading around the streets of London high as a kite. But to say she doesn't deserve her success just because she has a problem seems pretty hypocritical, or like Natalie Cole is assuming Amy won't be able to beat her addiction. The whole “she needs to get herself together” comment really rubs me the wrong way, because that is exactly what Amy Winehouse is trying to do. It's not an overnight process, and as Natale Cole should know, getting your life back together takes time, and battling an addiction is a lifelong struggle.

Cole also noted, "Her performance was fine I don't take anything away from her talent, but I just feel like she's stepping into a place that she hasn't earned yet." Amy didn't “step into a place she hasn't earned yet.” She was nominated for awards and she won them, because other people felt she had talent. It's not like she's out there telling everyone that she's the best and the greatest – people are saying that about her. Not to get too nit picky, but the Grammys are awards for singing. Obviously there's politics behind them and someone living a certain way could taint their image and not be rewarded for their talent. But technically the award is just for a song or a record, not for a lifestyle. People thought Amy had the best song, so she won. I think it's only fair to wish her the best and hope she gets her life together, and not to say she doesn't deserve good things just because she's still in the middle of that process.

Here's Natalie Cole with Seal at the Grammys. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Britney Spears teaches children at dance class

Few word combinations scare me more than “Britney Spears” and “kids.” Perhaps “hatchets,” “kidnappers,” “machetes,” “wells,” and “swiftly moving rivers” - but that's it. And Britney Spears is just as dangerous to kids as all those other things, and there is absolutely no exaggeration there. Really the only way she could be more dangerous to a kid is if Britney Spears used a hatchet and/or machete to kidnap a kid, tossed the weapons down a well and then jumped with the kid into a swiftly moving river. But the next most dangerous thing would be if Britney were to teach a children's dance class. And while no one in their right mind would give Britney Spears a hatchet or a machete right now, apparently plenty of parents would give her access to their kids, which is just as dangerous.

For some random and completely unexplainable reason, Britney was allowed to teach a dance class to seven kids at the Millennium Dance Complex yesterday. Yeah, remember those horrible pictures? That's what she wore to teach little kids. And according to Millennium's owner Robert Baker, the kids just ate it up. Or were terrified into lying.

Britney looked happy and upbeat, he said. Madonna’s “Material Girl” and “True Blue” were part of her play list. Britney led the class in “her favorite brown cowboy boots, fishnet stockings, a red short skirt, and a bluish greenish top that hangs down past her skirt.”

“She worked out this great little routine for them, they were dancing all over the place, she had them dancing in a circle like a choo-choo train,” he said. “The kids loved it- they are having a ball right now. And Britney- she’s just drinking it up. She’s totally enjoying herself. It’s an amazing class- she and the kids are certainly enjoying the process.”

Parents for the seven kids waited outside while she taught. A little girl, who took the class, gushed, "We had so much fun. Britney was wearing little red shorts and she looked so pretty” as she and her mother headed to their car.

“Britney’s telling me that she likes this so much that she’s thinking about making it a regular thing, possibly every other week. She loves to interact with the kids, and she feels that it’s important to give back to the dance community,” Baker said.

[From Us Weekly]

In related news, a man named Robert Baker lost all his worldly possessions after his dance studio, the Millennium Dance Complex, went out of business. Okay that's not true yet, but give it time. Seriously, why would anyone align themselves with Britney Spears right now? Or worse, align your business with her? I hope to God those parents' noses were plastered against the classroom window. If Britney Spears got within a hundred yards of my hypothetical kids, I would commit all sorts of violent acts against her. Which is why it's a good thing my kids are hypothetical. What kind of parents would let their kid spend time with someone who's been committed to a mental hospital twice in a month? Who took her own kid hostage? Who speaks in a British accent for no reason, and who, when she gets lost, just jumps out of her car and tells photographers to drive her home? A crazy person, that's who. Do we let crazy people around impressionable little kids? No. Especially when they're wearing this outfit.

Linda Hogan stopped paying for victim?s mother?s condo, she wants 20-30 mil

Hulk Hogan sure is coming across as one greedy guy in his divorce proceedings from his wife of 24 years, Linda Bollea (the Hogan family's real last name is Bollea). It's been rumored since last spring that the couple were having marital problems, but nothing came of the rumors until August when their 17-year-old son Nick wrecked his car while drag racing, critically injuring his passenger, 22 year old John Graziano. Linda Bollea filed for divorce a few months later. Since then, she and Hulk have been at each other's throats. The whole family is incredibly offensive – often publicly blaming Graziano for his own injuries since he wasn't wearing a seatbelt – instead of their own son for drag racing and slamming into a tree .

Yet it appears that Hulk is the biggest douche bag of the bunch. He told Linda that he's not giving her alimony or child support, and has supposedly hidden the assets from the sale of their $18 million Florida home. He's completely cut Linda off financially. Since they're all a bunch of jerks, I normally wouldn't care. But Linda Bollea did do one decent thing. She was paying for a condo in Clearwater, Florida, for John Graziano's mother to stay in (Graziano is expected to be bedridden and comatose for the rest of his life) while she takes care of her son. Because Hulk cut Linda off, she can no longer pay for the condo.

Since the accident, Linda Bollea had paid for a condominium for John Graziano's mother Debra in Clearwater [Florida] but, according to a source close to the Graziano family, the stipend came to an end because of financial wrangling between Hulk and Linda.

"Debra is in the middle of her own divorce from her husband, Ed, and has no money to handle the upkeep on the condo and living expenses," the source told the Enquirer.

"Hulk cut off Linda, and that cut off the payments to Debra Graziano. While the lease on the condo goes through September, she could end up being homeless while their lawsuit proceeds. Linda has told Debra that she can no longer help her out."

[From the National Enquirer, print edition, February 18, 2008]

The Grazianos are in the process of suing the Bolleas for an expected $20 - $30 million according to the Enquirer. They noted that John's immediate care right after the crash cost $5 million. Given that amount, it doesn't seem like the amount requested is especially punitive – it will obviously cost a lot to care for John for the rest of his life. The Enquirer closes the story by noting that the Grazianos may find themselves in a state of limbo until the Hogans get their divorce worked out. I can't imagine how long a bitter, litigious divorce could take, but I hope somehow the Grazianos lawyer is able to push forward and get the money the family needs to take care of their son, which is far more important than anything going on with the Hogans.

Header of the Hogan family at the VH1 “Big in '06” Awards in December 2006. Here's Nick Hogan's car after the crash. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Did Josh Hartnett hook up with Rumer Willis?

I find secret celebrity hookups endlessly fascinating. Especially when it's a hookup that seems really random, like when Cher admitted that she and Tom Cruise dated for “about a minute” in the eighties. Josh Hartnett was last linked to Kirsten Dunst, when the two were spotted making out at a club at the Sundance Film Festival. Which of course makes sense, because it's not like they could go somewhere private or afford to get a room or anything. A short time later Kirsten checked herself into rehab, which just goes to show that nothing good can come from making out with Josh Hartnett. As Kirsten appears to be otherwise occupied, Josh has quickly moved on to a new make out buddy – Rumer Willis.

When we heard Josh Hartnett was getting intimate with a certain celebuspawn, we thought it could only be a rumor Rumer Willis that is! After making out publicly with Kirsten Dunst, 25, during the Sundance Film Festival, Josh, 29, decided to make "friends" with Rumer, 19, at NYC hot spot the Beatrice Inn on January 29th. "Josh and Rumer were hanging out all night," says a source at the Beatrice. "They seemed to be getting pretty cozy, and then they left together."

[From the National Enquirer, print edition, February 18, 2008]

Josh Hartnett has “interesting” taste in women. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill Hollywood bombshell type. Though that could also be said to his credit. I try not to make fun of Rumer Willis too much, because everyone does it, and she can only help how she looks so much. She's the spitting image of her father, and that face shape works a little better on a man than a woman. There's nothing she can do about her jaw, it is what it is. And to her credit, it doesn't seem like she lets it get to her.

Josh Hartnett has really gotten the reputation of being a bit of a cad. I remember when he first became famous, there was this big deal made of the fact that he was still with his high school girlfriend. Since then it seems like he's gone through a woman a month. Josh, when girls go into rehab right after hooking up with you (and their friends note that they were in a “really dark place”) you might want to start making out in a place with a little more privacy. Maybe a bathroom stall like the rest of us.

Paris Hilton?s 18-year-old brother Barron gets a DUI

The Hilton family must be so proud. First there's Paris, starring in sex tapes, sleeping with everything that moves, and flashing her lady bits for the world to see. Then there's Nicky, relatively dull compared to Paris, but who still manages to do little but party it up. Though she's had a few failed business ventures to add to her resume, like her Nicky O hotel in South Beach - she gave the pitch presentation using drawings and poster board, just like you did in fifth grade. Now we can add 18-year-old Baron Hilton to the mix – yes Rick and Kathy Hilton actually have four celebuspawns, the younger two being Barron and brother Conrad, 13. Barron has really lived up to the Hilton family lineage, getting his very first DUI last night – that's right, he beat Paris by seven years! What else must his future have in store for him?

TMZ has learned 18-year-old Barron Hilton, Paris' little brother, was arrested for DUI in Malibu at 8:30 AM this morning!

Cops tell TMZ he was driving a black Mercedes on Pacific Coast Highway with a passenger -- not one of his sisters- when he was pulled over at a 76 gas station.

He's currently in the process of being booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff's station -- the same place Mel Gibson was taken.

[From TMZ]

Congratulations Hilton parents. Your progeny are truly something to be proud of. Clearly you have taught them excellent values and morals, which is why they constantly provide you with so much light and joy, never once embarrassing the greater extended Hilton family. Many of the rest of the Hiltons are actually pretty upstanding people, and have donated vast quantities of their wealth to charity. Something tells me that the future doesn't look quite so brightly philanthropic for this particular branch of the family tree.

Here's Barron Hilton leaving Teddy's bar with sister Paris on January 3rd. Images thanks to WENN.

Judge rules Hustler can publish nude pics of WWE?s Chris Benoit?s murdered wife

I am all for free speech. Ridiculously open free speech. But I'm also for good taste, which should be exercised by individuals. An interesting ruling has just come down from U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Thrash in a case against Hustler magazine. Hustler wanted to publish naked photos of World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit's murdered wife Nancy. Benoit killed his wife and 7-year-old son on June 24th before killing himself. The crime got a lot of national attention due to Benoit's semi-celebrity and the nature of the crimes. Many thought his rage might have been brought on by steroids, though eventual tests showed that Benoit's brain had suffered severe trauma from all the years of wrestling. Dr. Julian Bailes, the head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University who examined Benoit's brain noted, "Benoit's brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient." The whole case was truly a tragedy.

Hustler, however, saw it as an opportunity for profit. 25 years ago, Nancy, an aspiring model, posed nude for photographer Mark Samansky. Her then-husband James Daus was present for the entire shoot in 1983. It appears that after the Benoit tragedy, Samansky offered to sell the photos of Nancy to Hustler, and they accepted. Nancy's mother, Maureen Toffoloni, tried to get a temporary restraining order against the publication of the pictures, however the judge ruled against her.

[U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas] Thrash based his decision on First Amendment rights that provide for freedom of expression. He cited the substantial volume of publicity and media attention surrounding the Benoit tragedy in saying Hustler magazine deserved that protection.

The request for the restraining order was the first effort in a lawsuit filed by Toffoloni, administrator of Nancy Benoit's estate, against the magazine and Samansky. The suit, which calls for unspecified damages including legal fees and litigation costs, was filed in Fayette County Superior Court earlier this week but was moved to U.S. District Court because the case involved a constitutional issue.

The suit contends that Nancy Benoit, who was married to James Daus from 1981 to 1986, never gave permission for the photos to be used for a "pornographic" magazine whose content includes "graphic and sexual photographs of nude women." [Daus testified] "Neither Nancy nor I ever gave Mr. Samansky permission to use the photographs or any videotape in any way," he said, adding that he and Nancy had been assured all the images had been destroyed.

[From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

What a terrible thing to do to the memory of an innocent woman whose life ended in such a tragic way. While I'm all for free speech, Hustler should have shown some self-restraint and not published the photos. And they shouldn't have dragged Nancy Benoit's family through court proceedings, which I'm sure are the last thing they need right now. Hustler isn't exactly known for it's exceptional taste, but this is truly below the belt.

Paris Hilton bombs at the box office

The American public often behaves in a way that makes me think there is hope for the future. This time, I'm encouraged by the fact that Paris Hilton's new movie, "The Hottie and the Nottie," was an abysmal failure this weekend- both with the critics and at the box office. I was actually a little scared that people might go see it out of boredom or curiosity. But I was very happy to hear that the movie brought in only $26,000 in limited release, according to ticket sales tabulated late Sunday.

Hilton's new film, meanwhile, The Hottie and the Nottie, was a definite nottie.

The comedy, the all-new tale of a gorgeous blonde and her less-attractive brunette best friend, "grossed" $26,000 at 111 theaters. By comparison, In Bruges, the Colin Farrell hit-man comedy, grossed, in the truer sense of the word, $471,200 at only 28 theaters.

[From E! Online]

Now, this isn't quite as much of a floating turd as Jessica Simpson's movie, "Blonde Ambition," however it did perform even more poorly than Pamela Anderson and Denise Richards' stinker, "Blonde and Blonder." It also drew brutal reviews from every critic who had the misfortune of seeing it.

One would think that after increasingly embarrassing forays into reality television, the Internet and the penitentiary, Paris Hilton might have taken a moment to reflect on her choices. Or perhaps not: with “The Hottie & the Nottie” Ms. Hilton proves yet again that introspection — not to mention shame — is as alien to her as a life without paparazzi. Custom designed for its smirking star (who is also an executive producer), this tasteless train wreck asks only that she preen and prance on cue.

Companies named in Scientology video deny affliation; Global protests

On Friday we posted a video from a late 2006 Scientology rally featuring head David Miscavige proclaiming how his cult was helping quash psychiatry while taking responsibility for the media backlash against the dangers of antidepressants. Later in the video he claimed the Baby Phat head Kimora Lee Simmons was distributing Scientology literature in the inner city, a claim her rep denies. Then he stepped even further out on a limb and said that certain multinational corporations were also responsible for distributing the Scientology packet, "The Way To Happiness." He said to an auditorium full of cheering Scientologists, accompanied by a big-screen video, that specific corporations were helping spread the word throughout the world:

Then there's our corporate tie-ins. The multi-nationals seem to have third world image problems, so this is what they're doing about it. Coca Cola Pakistan with a braille edition for the blind - nationally televised, no less. Philips Electronics, likewise all over Pakistan, and Dell Computers all over Africa. Then there's the power of Way to Happiness right in the marketplace. As in the big retail chains, who have an obvious vested interest to cut shoplifting. And when you're talking frontline retail, you can't get much bigger than 7-Eleven. So here's a few of their 4,000 plus outlets across Taiwan.

[Transcribed from video available on YouTube]

The Director of Corporate Communications at Philips Electronics graciously responded to our request for comment saying that their company definitely has no affiliation with Scientology and he is happy to clear up any misconception that may have been spread by the video.

We have indeed investigated this and can confirm that there is absolutely no relationship between our business and the Church of Scientology.

I hope this helps clarify things for you and we really appreciate the opportunity to confirm that we have no affiliation with this group.

[From Philip's Corporate Communications director, sent via E-mail]

The LATimes' Web Scout blog also received comments from Philips and two of the other corporations named in the video, who likewise deny any ties to the cult:

So I made a couple of calls to the communications departments of companies named in the latest leaked video. Here's what they're saying:

Dell Inc. spokesman: "This came to our attention yesterday. We did research it with our colleagues in our Europe, Middle East and Africa business segment and with our colleagues in South Africa. We found no evidence that this is accurate, and it's not our practice to disseminate religious materials of any kind. We've got no affiliation with the Church of Scientology."

7/11 spokeswoman: "My international department believes that it's unfounded and inaccurate. But we've got to follow up with our licensee and get to the bottom of it."

Philips Electronics spokesman: "We were as stunned as anybody this morning. It's not something we were aware of. As an equal opportunity employer, religion is not something we comment on."

[From LA Times' Web Scout blog]

Web Scout goes on to note that Miscavige doesn't use any verbs in that section where he seems to claim that companies are distributing Scientology literature. He just names them off while only implying that they're responsible for disseminating Scientology information, and never directly states it.

The only company yet to comment is Coca Cola, and Web Scout notes that "Other entities named in the video are investigating the matter before commenting."

Several other internal Scientology videos have been leaked in the past few weeks, one of which featured Tom Cruise babbling on for 9 minutes using a lot of words and abbreviations only known to cult members. He talked about how Scientology could "bring peace" and "unite cultures," and how "When you’re a Scientologist, and you drive by an accident, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you’re the only one who can really help."

Unlike the earlier videos, this video of the late 2006 Scientology event has remained up on YouTube. Maybe the cult has reluctantly realized that you can't control the Internet, and that your lies will catch up with you sooner or later.





Global protests against Scientology took place yesterday in cities around the world including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Washington, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Stockholm, Edinburgh, London, Brighton, Leeds, Manchester and Dublin. The protests were organized by the Internet-based group Anonymous, which has used the Internet and YouTube to help spread the word about the dangers of the cult. Protestors wore masks to conceal their identities, as Scientology is known for harassing and suing detractors. In LA the organizer of the event said "We want to set off a government investigation into how [Scientology] got tax-exempt status." The event was covered by newspapers and media outlets throughout the world, including the LA Times, CTV, News.com.au, and News.scotsman.com.

Thanks to News.com.au for the header image.

Amy Winehouse and Kanye West are top winners at the Grammys

Amy Winehouse and Kanye West were the top winners at last night's Grammy Awards. Despite being granted a travel visa late on Friday, Winehouse still performed via satellite from London, which was arranged when it was thought that she would be denied a visa. She won five awards: Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album for "Back to Black" and Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance for "Rehab." Winehouse thanked her parents, her record label and her husband "my Blake, incarcerated" in her acceptance speech.

Kanye West earned four awards: Best Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger," Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Southside" with Common, Best Rap Song for "Good Life," and Best Rap Album for "Graduation."

Entertainment Weekly has a nice breakdown of the winners in the other categories:

Carrie Underwood (two country-category trophies for "Before He Cheats"); Rihanna and Jay-Z (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for the ubiquitous "Umbrella"); Justin Timberlake (Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "What Goes AroundComes Around" and Best Dance Recording for "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows"); Bruce Springsteen and Foo Fighters, who split most of the trophies in the rock categories; and even Barack Obama, who beat Bill Clinton for Best Spoken Word Album.

[From EW.com]

The upset of the evening came when Herbie Hancock unexpectedly won album of the year for "River: The Jonie Letters."

Here are Kanye and Amy's acceptance speeches, many thanks to RedLasso. We'll have another post shortly with the performance videos.

Kanye West's Acceptance Speech

Amy Winehouse's Acceptance Speech

Thanks to PRPhotos for these pictures from the arrivals last night. Pictured are Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Cyndi Lauper, Beyonce in a Barbie gown, Solange Knowles in an even worse sack-like dress, Fergie looking bumpalicious, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Foo Fighters, Daughtry, Herbie Hancock, Jay-Z, Seal and Natalie Cole, Amy Lee, Kelis, John Legend, Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Wilkerson, and Maroon 5.

Owen Wilson & Kate Hudson back together, spent night together (says Enquirer)

The National Enquirer ran an item a short while ago claiming that Owen Wilson had fallen off the wagon and was calling Kate Hudson and trying to win her back. Now they say that he spent the night at her house and that they're back together but are wisely trying to keep it from the public.

Owen spent the night at Kate's Pacific Palisades home recently before jetting off to Hawaii, The Enquirer has learned exclusively.

"Owen has been secretly meeting Kate since the beginning of the year - at first for 20 minutes here or there, but the visits gradually became longer, revealed an insider.

"Then Owen ended up spending the night at her place.

"Owen and Kate are back together, but they're not ready to take their relationship public."

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, February 18, 2008]

The Enquirer adds that "insiders" are speculating if Kate Hudson is pregnant, and we were all over that on Friday. Hudson hasn't been seen out in a form-fitting dress in some time and it seemed like something was up. Commentors pointed out that she did wear a fitted dress and skirt to an appearance on the Regis & Kelly show, and she wore a lovely tight gown to the BAFTA Awards this weekend, which seems to put a rest to that rumor.

According to The Enquirer, Owen's drinking is under control now despite his relapse, and they say that Kate is helping him work through his issues. The article's supposed source claims that "they are taking things slowly," but that Kate "is the one true love of his life."

We'll have to wait and see if this one is true, and the evidence is sketchy. These two had an on and off relationship and were very low key about it until Kate showed up at an after party for the premiere of Owen's movie with his brothers, "The Wendell Baker Story," last Spring. They broke it off shortly afterwards. Although you want to hope they can make it work, those type of relationships rarely do unless one person makes a major change in their life. It seems like Owen had a transformative experience after the trauma he went through last year and maybe he has changed enough to make it work with Kate - if he even hooked up with her again.

Kate Hudson is shown below at the BAFTA Awards yesterday, not looking pregnant. Owen Wilson is shown in the header at the premiere of "The Wendell Baker Story" in March, 2007, and Kate is shown in the header outside the Late Show on 2/7/08, thanks to PRPhotos.

Paris Hilton celebrates her 27th birthday; thinks it?s her 7th birthday

Oh my God, oh m God, oh my God. Do you remember that day in third grade when that loser girl came to class dressed up in what she thought was her new awesome outfit but was in fact the ugliest, tackiest thing you’d ever seen? And you couldn’t wait for recess so you and your friends could make fun of her behind her back? Okay I wasn’t actually the kid making fun, I was more likely the kid in the awesome hot pink spandex that everyone else was making fun of. But I am waaaaaaaay cooler now, so oh my God, oh my God, oh my God look at what Paris Hilton is wearing!

Paris was out and about celebrating her upcoming 27th birthday party at Area nightclub on Friday night in what can only be described as a concussion-induced fashion choice. I know no one wants to get older, and 27 means you’re a real adult, which is incredibly scary. You can knock off a year or two when you lie about your age, but no way can you knock off 20 years, like Paris seems to be attempting here.

Wearing a tiara, patterned multi-coloured tights and a mint green strapless mini-dress, the starlet, who turns 27 on February 17, was barely recognisable when she arrived at an LA club last night.

And the bizarre get-up didn't stop there. Paris even had hot-pink hair extensions to match her sparkly pink bag and shoes.

After receiving presents and cards the celebutante danced the night away in the garb which in no resembles her usual sleek style of dress.

[From the Daily Mail]

She looks exactly like my Princess Sparkle My Little Pony. In fact that’d be a big step up for Paris, because Princess Sparkle had this really uncomfortable looking plastic bed with hard plastic sheets. It did a good job of keeping Princess Sparkle’s pants on… might do the same thing for Paris Hilton. And that’d be a birthday present for us all. Paris was able to pull her outfit together with some stunning, glitter-encrusted stilettos. You know what’s never a good idea? Drawing attention to your feet when they’re a size 13. Nothing draws the eye downward like glitter shoes. Or looking at Paris Hilton’s face.

Pictures thanks to WENN.

Britney?s dad confiscates the dreaded pink wig

It’s hard to say to what extent Britney Spears’ dad Jaime Spears is helping his daughter. He seems to be treating her like a four-year-old… which I can’t really say is a bad idea. Remember that time you hit your sister a little too hard with that plastic hammer from your play toolkit, and your dad took the whole toolkit away? That seems to be what Jaime Spears is trying to do to Britney. Supposedly he’s trying to get the court to order that she can’t drive, can’t check into hotels, can’t have access to her credit cards - now, horror of horrors - can’t wear the infamous pink wig! I don’t think he’s actually going to court for that last one; it appears Jaime just took it away. X17 has photos of him carrying a pair of jeans, a top, , what looks like a pillow, a legal pad, and… drum roll… the wig! Everything looks kinda grimy, probably because it’s Britney’s. Hopefully it’s all going in the trash.

Britney Spears' father has confiscated her notorious pink wig in an apparent bid to straighten up her act. Jaime Spears was seen carrying the singer's toupee, which is synonymous with the singer's wild image and partying, at the weekend in LA. Celebrity website X17online speculated that the hairpiece could have been confiscated by Mr Spears, who has been supervising his daughter since she left a psychiatric hospital last week. The bobbed wig has come to signal the onset of a depressive episode, with her ousted manager Sam Lutfi revealing last month: "When the pink wig comes on, it's getting bad."

The troubled star, who checked herself out of the UCLA Medical Centre earlier this week, was spotted wearing torn fishnet tights and exposing her underwear while on a cigarette break at the Millennium dance studio in Hollywood. Looking bedraggled, the bra-less 26-year-old skipped out of rehearsals to smoke and adjust her torn fishnets in full view of waiting photographers. She was escorted by a burly new bodyguard, who was reportedly hired by her parents to keep a constant watch on the wayward singer.

[From the Daily Mail]

I have a list of requests for changes I’d like Mr. Spears to enforce under his conservatorship.

1. Make Britney stop biting her nails. I’m sick of seeing nails down to the bone with two specks of nail polish on them. She’s 26 for crying out loud.

2. No more animal prints. They don’t flatter anyone.

3. No more tights with continent-sized holes in them. In fact, no more tights.

4. Pro-Active. It worked for Jessica Simpson and P-Diddy.

5. Bras! Look, we understand that putting in and pulling out multiple implants will make a boob sag. But a properly-fitting bra will at least keep us wondering to what degree they sag, instead of knowing for sure.

6. Pants. 'nuff said.

7. No more Hanes Beefy Tees worn inside out and backwards. While inside out and backwards may be a perfect metaphor for Britney on the whole, it does not look awesome on the aforementioned braless frame.

8. Take away the cigarettes.

9. No more Starbucks. That amount of sugar isn't helping the crazy.

Thanks Mr. Spears. I’d ask you to make her be a good mom and a nice, regular person, but let’s be real, you’re just her conservator, not a miracle worker. So if you could just make her a little less offensive to the eyes, that’s all I can realistically ask for anymore.

Britney Spears smoking outside of the Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood. Jamie Spears arrived to pick Britney up on Saturday. Images thanks to WENN.

Photos and winners from the BAFTA awards

I never thought the day would come where I would say this, but Sienna Miller looked absolutely gorgeous at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards last night. She didn’t even look like Sienna Miler - at first I thought the photos had been mislabeled. But there’s really no mistaking her boyfriend Rhys Ifans. On a few occasions you could definitely see her butt through the rather sheer Dior gown, but this is Sienna Miller after all. Worse things could have happened.

Sienna Miller dazzled at the Baftas last night - dripping in diamonds and wearing a stunning, sheer Dior dress. But the party girl disappointed fans by going home early for a good night's sleep before attending her friend Otis Ferry's court appearance today. She and boyfriend Rhys Ifans sneaked off at about 11.30pm, snubbing both the official afterparty as well as movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's celebration at Bungalow Eight in Covent Garden.

Meanwhile, it was disappointment for Keira Knightley and Julie Christie at the London awards ceremony - both were up for the Best Actress award but lost out to French actress Marion Cotillard. Actor Daniel Day Lewis - who won Best Actor for There Will Be Blood - attended the ceremony along with fellow Best Actor nominee James McAvoy, Orlando Bloom, Daniel Radcliffe and Kevin Spacey.

[From the Daily Mail]

I never thought I’d see the day where I’d say that Sienna Miller looked better than Keira Knightley, but she really did. Keira’s dress wasn’t a total nightmare, but it didn’t really flatter her figure. Here's a quick award roundup. Best Film went to “Atonement,” and Best British Film went to “This is England.” The Coen brothers won Best Director for “No Country for Old Men,” and former stripper-turned writer Diablo Cody won Best Original Screenplay for “Juno.” Daniel Day Lewis was given the Best Leading Actor award for his performance in “There Will Be Blood” and Best Leading Actress went to Marion Cotillard for “Le Vie en Rose.” Javier Bardem won Best Supporting Actor for “No Country for Old Men,” and Tilda Swanson took home the Best Supporting Actress award for “Michael Clayton.” Finally Shia LeBeouf beat Sienna Miller and Ellen Page for the Orange Rising Star award, which was voted for by viewers.

Here are pictures from the evening. Pictured are: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Blunt, Eva Green, James McAvoy, Jane Goldman, Jessica Biel, Kate Hudson, Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Amanda Peet, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Izzard, Hugh Laurie, Javier Bardem, Images thanks to PR Photos.

Lindsay Lohan & Paris Hilton got into catfight at pre-Grammy party

I’m fairly certain that Lindsay Lohan, star of “Mean Girls” has never actually seen “Mean Girls.” If she had, she’s know it’s bad to be a colossal bitch and get into petty fights with other colossal bitches. Never one to accidentally let herself be classy or decent, Lohan got into a catfight with fellow empty headed/empty hearted bitch Paris Hilton at Timbaland’s pre-Grammys party. Why were either of them going to the Grammys you ask? They’re just “actresses”/celebutards right? Well don’t forget that each of these classy gals has put out a CD. Were they well received? Well no. Did they suck ass? Pretty much. But apparently that means they get to go to the Grammys. And if that’s the only qualification, my cat should get to go to the Oscars, because he put out one fine YouTube movie.

If I were at some party where I didn’t belong (like for an awards show to honor good singers) I would do my best to sit there, look pretty, and keep my annoyingly big mouth shut. But Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are incapable of being classy like me, which means they had to fight over Timbaland and generally embarrass the crap out of themselves.

We watched open-mouthed as Lindsay pointed at Paris and snarled: "What the hell is that bitch doing here? I didn't know she was on the list." To which Paris spat back: "F*** off you bitch." We were caught in the crossfire of their extraordinary bust-up at Timbaland's exclusive pre-Grammys bash at Avalon.

A source close to the pair explained to us: "Both of them want to work with Timbaland to revive their faltering music careers. Both saw the party as an ideal way of getting him on side - but they didn't count on the other being there."

Lindsay arrived at the party first. She made a beeline for the hit producer… and waved at him wildly over the barriers. Then Paris strolled in surrounded by a massive entourage and took up a seat directly opposite Li-Lo - and far closer to Timba. Clocking her rival, Lindsay began fluffing up her hair extensions and launched into verbal attack. After her outburst she flounced past Paris, giving the hotel heirhead a death stare. And taking a huge swig of Red Bull, she made her move - clambering over a sofa towards her prey. Not to be outdone, nimble Paris hurdled a barrier and flung herself at him first.

[From the Mirror]

I love the imagery this writer uses. I can actually see Lindsay Lohan jumping over furniture while Paris Hilton makes a beeline over an ottoman. Timbaland apparently just stared at the two girls and walked away without even acknowledging them. Which is probably the best way to handle Paris and Lindsay in any given situation. Here’s an idea for the two of them. While they both suck as acting, they both suck at singing a lot more. So why don’t the two of you pick the thing you’re the least bad at, and work on improving on that one thing? So instead of doing several things terribly, how about you just do the one thing and be mediocre at it?

Here's some of that Lohan sexiness you just can't get enough of - last night at the Grammys. Celebitchy pointed out, "She's brown with flecks of orange." Always an attractive look. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Fergie teaches kids about safe sex

I don’t have kids, but I like to think that when I do, I’ll be responsible about sex education. And I won’t be one of those parents that freaks out about their kid taking sex ed in school. Let’s be honest, from grades 2-4, the only reason you get through the years is the knowledge that in the spring of fifth grade, your teacher divides the class into boys and girls and you get special, illustrated pamphlets. I also hope I won’t be one of those parents who freaks out when the school says they’re going to teach kids how to use a condom by demonstrating on a banana. So while I plan to be totally awesome, I’m not sure I’d be psyched to hear that Fergie is talking to my kids about sex. I just look at her face and see herpes. But good old Stacie Ferguson decided to do a good dead and tell kids they should use condoms.

Singer Fergie took to the stage at a New York high school on Tuesday to teach students about AIDS prevention and safe sex. The Black Eyed Peas star, who was once addicted to crystal methamphetamine, urged the 10th graders at Murry Bergtraum High School to never allow themselves to be pressurized into sex without a condom.

She told the assembled 15-year-olds, "In high school I cheated on my boyfriends - whatever! (But) do you really want that person who's just going to like you if you have unprotected sex?"

Speaking after the event, Fergie added, "It's about building self-esteem. That's what it's going to take for young people to have protected sex. They have to stick to their guns."

[From Starpulse]

I applaud her for sending a message of responsibility… it’s just that the messenger is kinda gross. Is she cool right now? I thought 15 year olds listened to Hannah Montana or something. I don’t know any teenagers. Don’t they think 33-year-olds are out of touch? I’m not saying Fergie is washed up, I just didn’t realize kids would respond to her any better than your average Planned Parenthood rep. I guess I’ve just heard so many unflattering things about Fergie over the years… what with the peeing herself onstage, the crazy over-arched eyebrows and bad makeup… the peeing herself onstage. I’m sorry, but that’s just not the kind of thing that should be glossed over. But it’s good that she got out there, and it sounds like she spoke in a real way, and hopefully the students responded and will use condoms. And not pee themselves.

Here’s Fergie at the 4th Annual Black Eyed Peas Peapod Foundation Benefit Concert in Hollywood yesterday. Images thanks to PR Photos.

?Cher dated Tom Cruise? links

Cher dated Tom Cruise back in the 80s. Ew. [Dlisted]
Rihanna at Instyle magazine’s salute to fashion [Bossip]
Revisiting Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" [Pajiba]
Heidi Klum backstage at the Project Runway Season 4 fashion show [Celebslam]
Tyra Banks Poops Her Pants. Awesome [Yeeeah!]
Kate Hudson Does The Late Show [I'm Not Obsessed]
Petra Nemcova @ Happy Hearts Fund Charity T-Shirt Promotion [The Bastardly]
- Ali Larter in Shape magazine Waleg Celebrities
New couple alert? Simon Rex and Paris Hilton holding hands, leaving the Villa nightclub [In Case You Didn't Know]
Victoria’s Secret Models Promote Valentine’s Day (Site NSFW) [Drunken Stepfather]
Lindsay Lohan is desperate to star in a new adaptation of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ [Hollywood Rag]
Corey Haim is so sad [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
George Clooney Learns That He’s Never Gonna F*ck Matt Damon [Agent Bedhead]
Fergie has an upskirt. Look if you dare [The Blemish]
Derek Hail
Playboy Girls at Mardi Gras [CityRag]
Val Kilmer has found some more acting work which will not involve him actually having to get in front of the cameras [Crazy Days and Nights]
Do You Believe Jessica Alba? [Popsugar]
Izabel Goulart and her Hot Sassy Friends [The Grumpiest]
Kate Hudson Gets Her Nuggets Pumped for Fool's Gold [CelebNewsWire]
Melania Knauss, Open Your Damn Eyes! [Evil Beet]
One of Project Runway's designers, Victorya Hong Right Celebrity
Eva Longoria holds her farts in. Awesome. [Gabsmash]
Random Nicole Richie Appearance [CelebWarship]
Rihanna Vs. Miley Cyrus [Glitterati Gossip]
Marcia Cross Takes her Twins Shopping [Celebrity Baby Scoop]
Dolly Parton is a 'Backwoods Barbie' [Popbytes]
Jon Cryer Pumps It Up in Spandex [A Socialite's Life]
Sienna Miller is a Brooch Babe [Just Jared]
Paris Hilton's Nipples Nearly Pop Out [Egotastic!]
Brad Pitt is really unhappy with Life Style magazine. [Lifeline Live]
Daniel Day Lewis: Greatest Actor Of Our Time, Or Hobo Clown? [Best Week Ever]

Amy Winehouse granted Visa to travel to US too late; Will play Grammys by satellite

Many people were disappointed to hear that Amy Winehouse was barred from entering the US after her crack-smoking caught on tape scandal and wouldn't be able to attend the Grammy Awards this Sunday. US officials were said to have made the decision to deny her a Visa. She's been clean and sober in rehab for a whole two weeks, and while that's excellent for Amy and all it's hardly enough to guarantee that she's not going to import or export anything in that big 'ol beehive.

There was news that she was going to play at the Grammys via satellite from London, and Amy even issued a statement thanking us for our support and saying she was excited for the gig. She is nominated for six Grammy Awards: record, song and performance of the year for "Rehab" and Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for "Back to Black," and Best New Artist.

Here's Amy's Statement when she assumed she would be playing via satellite:

"I'm raring to go and really excited to be performing at my first Grammy Awards," Winehouse said in a statement issued Friday. "I'd like to thank everyone for their support over the last couple of weeks. I'm really sorry I can't be there but I appreciate that I'm being given a second chance via satellite."

To prepare for the performance, the singer will be leaving the rehabilitation clinic where she has been a resident for two weeks. "She is feeling great, looking healthy and looking forward to doing what she does best," the statement said, adding that she will remain under full medical supervision and her treatment will continue as normal.

Winehouse is up for six Grammys: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Rehab," Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Back to Black, as well as Best New Artist.

A statement released Thursday by Winehouse's U.K. publicity firm, the Outside Organisation, explained the circumstances of her inability to travel to the U.S. at this time. "The singer has been invited to appear at the event on Sunday after receiving an amazing six nominations for the prestigious awards. Unfortunately, her application for a visa to enter the United States of America has been rejected at this time by the American Embassy in London."

[From MTV.com]

But now TMZ says that US customs officials have reconsidered and that Amy will be granted a Visa to attend Sunday's event. It's not known yet if she's going to jump at the chance or if she will decide to play via satellite on a London stage still. Since she said she was disappointed she couldn't go, I guess we can assume she'll attend.

We speculated that it might be too much for Amy's fragile sobriety to travel this soon since she's cleaned up, but if she has good people with her who will make sure she stays clean, it might be ok.

It could also be an experience that shows her how good life can be when you're not too messed up to experience it. She's a rare talent and has had a lot of opportunities in life. Maybe being able to play at the Grammys will help her realize just how close she was to throwing it all away.

Thanks to WENN for these pictures of Amy outside a friend's house today. She did return to rehab afterwards, and she's still looking very healthy.

UPDATE: Amy was granted a travel visa too late to attend the Grammys in person and will perform via satellite. Her rep says:

"Unfortunately, due to the logistics involved and timing complications, Amy will not be coming to the U.S. this weekend to perform at the Grammys in Los Angeles, however, she will still be performing via satellite broadcast from London as previously announced this morning."

She added that Amy is "very sad not to be attending the prestigious awards in person"

[From TMZ]

That's probably best for her health now, and at least she'll still get to perform as planned.

Heath Ledger cremated; mourners jump into the ocean in his honor

Heath Ledger’s remains were finally cremated yesterday, after what sounds like a beautiful and fitting tribute to the young actor. There was a memorial which was attended by hundreds, as well as a small private funeral. Heath’s family, ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams, actress Cate Blanchett, and fellow Perth-born model Gemma Ward joined the hundreds of mourners at the large first service, which was held in the theater of Guildford Grammar school. Michelle was reportedly distraught throughout the service. Both Heath’s sister Kate Ledger and Cate Blanchett gave speeches, and Heath’s favorite songs were played.

A mourner told the paper, "Kate (Ledger) spoke of the unique bond she shared with her brother, how he would ring her three or four times a day and how he never forgot his friends even at the height of his fame."

Blanchett also delivered an emotional eulogy.

"He achieved so much in his short life and was capable of so much in the future," she said.

Ledger's favorite songs were played at the memorial, including "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes, "The Times, They are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan, the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" and "Come Together," and Ben Harper's "Happily Ever After," which Harper wrote for Ledger and Williams' two-year-old daughter Matilda.

[From Us Weekly]

During what was described as a subdued wake at the Indiana Tea House on Cottesloe Beach, many mourners, including Michelle Williams, jumped into the ocean as the sun was setting.

At least 50 people attending the wake ran onto the beach and many began to take off their clothes. While some women took the plunge in their black dresses, other men and women stripped down to just their underwear and jumped into the ocean.

Williams, still wearing her cream-colored sundress and black sunglasses, was briefly dragged into the water as everyone cheered. She was then quickly surrounded by a group of mourners, creating a protective circle around the actress.

Those in the water laughed and cheered as Michelle watched from the shore. Ledger's sister Kate also took a dive into the water and was surrounded by pals splashing around her while her father Kim Ledger watched from the restaurant's balcony and shouted, "Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" giving two thumbs up in the air.

As the sun began to set, the swimmers came on shore and stood in a line on both sides of Williams and linked arms. In the last five minutes, as the sun moved toward the horizon, the mourners stood in silence, watching and embracing.

[From People]

What a lovely tribute to Heath. I have always been a big fan of the idea of funerals as a celebration of a person’s life, but the younger and/or more tragically they die, the harder that is to do. It sounds like Heath’s family mixed the unavoidably heart wrenching memorials, funerals, and wakes with a bit of a celebration of Heath’s infectious spirit.

Brad Renfro died of accidental heroin overdose

January really was a tragic month. Both Heath Ledger and Brad Renfro passed away - and yesterday Renfro’s cause of death was finally released. The coroner has ruled his death the result of an accidental heroin/morphine overdose. The coroner noted that the drugs had been injected. This ends much of the speculation that Renfro had committed suicide. A few days before his death, he got a large tattoo across his back that said “F*ck y’all.”

Actor Brad Renfro's death has been attributed to "acute heroin/morphine intoxication," according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.

"The final manner of death has been ruled an accident," the coroner's office said, adding that the drugs were injected.

The 25-year-old actor, who starred in 1994's The Client and, later, Apt Pupil, had recently completed a movie with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton. Renfro was found dead in a Los Angeles apartment on Jan. 15.

[From People]

Like Heath Ledger, Brad Renfro also left behind a young child, a four-year-old son identified as Yamato, who lives with his mother in Japan. It’s a sad comparison to note that any drugs can be dangerous. Obviously when one injects heroin or morphine, there’s a chance of overdose. We forget that it’s possible to overdose from pills our doctors give us too.

Brad made his last movie, “The Informers” this last year. The plot outline on the Internet Movie Database calls it “A drama based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel set in 1983 Los Angeles, where movie executives, rock stars, a vampire, and other morally challenged character mix and commingle.” Brad starred alongside a high profile cast, including Winona Ryder, Billy Bob Thornton, Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, and Brandon Routh. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on October 30th.

Ryan Reynolds makes all other men on the planet seem unromantic

Ryan Reynolds might be known for, actually I have no idea what he is known for. Except dating Alanis Morissette, and now Scarlett Johansson, and being really cute. Really cute. He’s also out promoting a new romantic comedy, and is keen to share his romantic credentials.

Ryan said: "It was a few years ago, but I once flew all the way to London to have lunch with this girl I was dating.

"She lived in the UK and I was in the US obviously. We had just started dating and didn't really get to see as much of each other as we would have like to because of the distance and work. So I just jumped on a plane to be with her."

Despite his splashing out on the grand romantic gesture, Ryan refused to pick up the tab for lunch.

He added to Britain's Heart radio station: "I had to leave the very same day so it was pretty romantic but expensive. I made her buy the sandwich though!"

Sydney Morning Herald

Aw, this is just like in the movies. Which makes me suspect that it might actually just be a clever ploy to get us thinking all lovely and romantic and in the mood to see his latest flick Definitely Maybe. Is this cynical of me? Should we just accept that Ryan Reynolds is an incurable romantic, good, kind and strong, and this is just the kind of thing he’d do? Or should we declare it a shrewd marketing ploy, like how Hollywood is forever creating fictional relationships that ours in reality can’t match?

Ryan indirectly explained how he became such a sensitive guy. He was the youngest of four brothers and empathized with his mother's plight at dealing with a house full of testosterone:

It didn't help that Reynolds grew up as the youngest in a family where his father and two of his three brothers are very tall policemen. Maybe they could help out if he ever gets into trouble?

"I doubt that. If I ever get into trouble I'm f--ed. Those guys will see to it. I think their dream is to arrest me. They're my brothers - it's their job to some degree to make my life hell. I would never give them that satisfaction."

How did he live with all that testosterone and turn out to be such a sensitive guy? "I have no idea. I think it was having empathy for my mother, who was dealing with these five horrific ogres in our house all the time. Having that empathy for her has fostered a sensitivity in me."

Sydney Morning Herald

Under that romantic exterior he’s got some testosterone in his system, and he probably picked up some of his brother’s naughty tricks. And like every good tough guy, he won’t stand a word against his mother.

Ryan must be doing something right. He’s going home at night to Scarlett Johansson.

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Here are stills from Definitely, Maybe thanks to Allmoviephoto. Ryan's costars Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin are also shown. Definitely Maybe is out in US theaters on February 14. Here's the trailer, it looks cute:

Kate Hudson still looking like she?s pregnant (2nd update: maybe not)

After seeing recent pictures of Kate Hudson and watching video interviews for Fool's Gold, I am convinced that she's pregnant. She hasn't worn a form fitting outfit at all this month from what I've seen and her face is looking a little more filled out. I'm not bashing her for gaining a small amount of weight if that's the case, but she really looks pregnant to me. If she's not, she should wear outfits that don't make her look pregnant.

We were guessing that she was pregnant when she showed up at the premiere of Fool's Gold last week wearing an unfortunate loose blue dress with a giant assymetric ruffle. It was a case of a couture gown that didn't translate well off the catwalk. Her dress ballooned at the stomach, and many people attributed the bump that was seen to the wind blowing out her dress. Kate was at Madonna's Gucci Kabbalah fundraiser Wednesday night, but she didn't pose for photos on the red carpet was only pictured leaving, again wearing a very loose pink dress

There are some candids of Kate out with her son, Ryder, earlier on Wednesday and she's wearing a giant striped shirt and it really looks like she has a bump. (There are more photos from this series at PopSugar.)

Outside her appearance on The Late Show last night she wore a trenchcoat and it looks like it's pushed out a bit in the right places. I'm waiting to see the video of her interview, but how much do you want to bet she wore a loose dress again? (Update: She really looks pregnant in the video, watch it below.)

There's going to be a lot of guessing as to who the father might be as Kate has not been linked to anyone lately, except for a rumored fling with Justin Timberlake.

On January 31, Kate's rep responded to our request for comment with an e-mail stating "Kate is not pregnant."

UPDATE: Thanks so much to Redlasso for this clip of Kate Hudson on The Late Show last night. Redlasso is this incredible new video service that lets you find almost any television clip almost as soon as it's aired.

Her interview is cute as anything and she tells a lot of stories about the dangers she faced training for the underwater scenes in Fool's Gold. Kate has such a vibrant and fun personality.

She is wearing a really loose dress with ruffled layers. We rest our case.

UPDATE 2: Thanks to commentor "Britney is crazy" for pointing out that Kate wore a more form-fitting dress on Regis & Kelly on February 5 and didn't look that pregnant. Here's the clip, it's just the beginning where she stands. I guess the verdict is still out on this one.

Thanks to PRPhotos for the first four photos. The rest are from Splash News.

Writers? strike ends in time for Oscars, but don?t expect shows to return soon

It's over! Bring on "The Office," "30 Rock" and "Dirty Sexy Money." Well, not so fast. Yes, the three-month strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a resolution. But reports are surfacing that we won't see the results of the agreement for at least another eight weeks.

A deal has been reached to end the Hollywood writers' strike, according to a U.S. media report.

"It's over," former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner told CNBC. "They made the deal, they shook hands on the deal. "

[From The National Post]

The terms of the agreement have not been released, but the WGA has stated several times throughout the strike that they would only sign an agreement that gives TV and film writers a percentage of the residuals from DVD sales and Internet downloads of programs - a market that has been raking in billions of dollars and that producers, studio heads and actors already receive. However, Eisner did say that many of the media production companies, especially the smaller, independent ones, were expected to make some cutbacks in staff. He also said many of the writers who went on strike are unlikely to return to the same big-money contracts they'd had as individuals with the studios.

So, what's next for the writers- and more importantly, when do the "little people," such as film crews, production assistants and such, get to go back to work? Many industry insiders think the production process will start slowly.

Churning out fresh episodes of hit dramas and comedies after a lengthy production shutdown is more complicated than simply hitting the "power-on" button of a remote control.

Industry executives say it will likely take eight weeks to restore favorite shows like House, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives to prime time once the strike ends.

Not all of the roughly 65 scripted series bumped off prime time by the writers' strike will come back this year.

With dramas and single-camera comedies unlikely to get more than six weeks on the air from the time they return until the end of the broadcast season in late May, network programmers have some tough choices to make.

Hits like CSI, House and Grey's Anatomy, are "no-brainers" to bring back this spring, one network executive said.

Lower-rated shows whose futures already were in doubt will either be placed on hold for possible relaunch in the future or be canceled altogether, in part because networks lack the time to build up marketing campaigns for them, he said.

Scripted series that come back will share the airwaves with many of the reality TV and game shows that have flooded the networks in recent weeks as strike-proof programming.

[From Stuff magazine]

The WGA has not issued an official statement saying they've accepted the agreement, but if Michael Eisner is talking about it, something must have happened. Hopefully everyone will be able to get back to work- and we will be able to watch some decent television before the summer hiatus.

NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: This means the Oscars will be happening after all. They're set to air on February 24. The Vanity Fair Oscar Party has been canceled, though, so celebs will have to get wasted at another venue that night.

Photos are of the WGA march on Hollywood Boulevard on 11/20/07, thanks to PRPhotos.

Charlize Theron gets Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award

Boy Harvard sure is a popular place for actresses these last few days. Yesterday both Paris Hilton and Charlize Theron spent the day at Harvard University. Paris accepted her award as the Harvard Lampoon’s Woman of the Year, while Charlize was given the slightly more prestigious Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award. Neither actress attended college - or even graduated from high school - but both seemed to get a kick out of their respective honors. Since it’s Harvard, I feel like I should spell it honours. We’ll go fancy today.

So what is she going to do with her prize, the coveted Pudding Pot?

"I'm going to make a stew [in it], and then I'm going to eat it," [Theron] told reporters at the event, hosted by Hasty Pudding Theatricals (the nation's oldest collegiate theater group, known for burlesque musicals featuring cross-dressing men). "I'm going to look at it and remember today and how much fun I had."

Fun, indeed. Her Harvard hosts gave her apple cider – in honor of her role in The Cider House Rules – and, she joked, "I think it was laced with something, which made it much better."

Still, the actress seemed torn when asked which was the biggest honor, the Pudding Pot or her Academy Award for Monster. "I know you want me to say that the Oscar sucks and this is better," she said. "There are no men in drag at the Oscars like there are here. I've never been surrounded by so many fake breasts." Then again, considering Hollywood's penchant for plastic surgery, she added, "Actually, I think I was at the Oscars."

[From People]

Interestingly, Hasty Pudding has been giving the Woman of the Year award since 1951, but didn’t start handing out awards to the men until 1967. Wikipedia notes that the awards are usually treated with great seriousness by the honoree, who always attends. Apparently a satellite feed is not encouraged. A parade is always given in the winner’s honor. When John Wayne was asked to be the parade marshall in 1969, he somehow obtained an M-113 armored personnel carrier and rode it into Harvard Square. And he wasn’t even Man of the Year. While Charlize Theron appears to have left all military vehicles at home, she did wedge herself in between two cross dressers for some lovely photo ops.

Here's Charlize at Harvard yesterday.

Matthew McConaughey?s took spiritual African trip, saw places from his dreams

There's a new interview between Fools Gold co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson on Moviefone's website. The two stars of the new romantic comedy adventure ask each other questions written in by fans, and also come up with their own impromptu questions for each other. Matthew talks about his upcoming baby, saying he will be changing diapers and that the child will travel around a lot with him. Matthew asks Kate what her favorite drink is and she says tequila with tonic and three limes. In the middle part Kate talks for a while about how she had a normal upbringing despite her family being famous. She said she learned that you always have to have outside interests because the acting business is up and down and can't be all that's important to you in life, and that her son helps her stay grounded.

She then asks him a very interesting question about his greatest real-life adventure to date and who his favorite person to go on adventures with is. While Matthew doesn't talk about a specific person his answer is heartfelt and it comes off as deep and a bit moving. I'm a pragmatist and would usually not be moved by something like this, but McConaghey tells such a compelling story about how he dreamt about Africa and then took a trip there that transformed him. He says he was looking for a specific person that he never met before, and that he found that person and saw many different places that he had already seen in his dreams. After that, a lot of the anxieties he had in life were gone and nothing was ever the same.

That part takes a while to get to and I wasn't able to forward. It's about 6:45 into the video below, and I've transcribed it below if you can't watch or it's too long.

I'd say my best I think my most favorite adventure was a trip I took to Africa in 1999 and then took it again in 2005, and it was because of a recurring dream I have had and that's what got me there. So after getting there and not knowing exactly where I was going to go I had one dot on the map and one person I was going to look for, who I'd never met. And I said I'll go find this person, and let the trip take me where it takes me. Well a month later, I did find him - the person, and the trip had taken me all kinds of places that actually were in my dreams so it was like I had the dream, then saw the places, so it was very clear to me that ok, I'd been there before It was very clear, and there were some anxieties that I had in my life leading up to that point that were all of a sudden just - gone and I've never been back. That was fulfilling a part of a dream that I'd had.

[Transcribed from video available on Movies.aol.com and shown below]

While you may scoff at McConaughey and say it's due to the great herb he scored in Africa, it sounds like he had a spiritual journey that transformed his life. The way he told this story was so riveting and honest that you really believe him.

There are two bonus videos along with this one. In one Matt and Kate talk about how they both enjoy wine but aren't that knowledgeable about how to ask for what they want so they fudge it with the sommelier. In another Kate asks Matt who he would change places with for 24 hours if he had a chance and he kind of mumbles and doesn't want to say - but then admits that he wants to change places with his unborn baby! It's cute. Kate said she would like to change places with someone who teaches people how to skydive because it scares her and she doesn't know if she could have the courage to do that herself.

This movie isn't getting good reviews, but I love these two and I'd go see it. All these cute interviews are influencing me.

Header image is a still from Fool's Gold, thanks to Allmoviephoto.

Randy Quaid banned for life from actors? union for bizarre behavior

There’s all levels of crazy when it comes to actors. There’s a little kooky, then there’s the people that get a little too into character, the method actors, and finally the Britney Spears level of actually certifiable. Randy Quaid, brother of much more famous actor Dennis Quaid, is closer to the Britney Spears end of things. He’s been acting in the Broadway-bound musical “Lone Star Love” based on Shakespeare’s "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Quaid’s behavior on and off the set was so massively inappropriate that he’s been banned from the Actors' Equity Association (the union which represents American stage actors) for life, and fined $81,000. The charges against Quaid were assembled by the entire 26 actor cast, so it seems there’s little debating that he actually did do these bizarre things. The question remains… why? Here’s a rundown of Quaid’s behavior.

* Quaid hit an actor on the back of the head four times during performances. When the stage manager told him to stop, he smacked the actor again.

* Another actor was warned that if he made direct eye contact with Quaid onstage, he'd be fired.

* Quaid made "sexually inappropriate" comments onstage, repeatedly referring to an actress' musical instruments as her "gynecological instruments."

* The couple tried to rewrite the script, to eliminate characters.

* Randy "felt free" to change blocking, lyrics and lines during performances, and repeatedly failed to show up for note sessions and rehearsals.

[From Gothamist]

The show was forced to close before it ever hit Broadway, thus depriving the entire cast and crew of their jobs. It sounds like Randy Quaid is actually mentally unstable, and I’m not trying to be funny when I say that. He’s accused the play’s actors of being part of a “pinko-commie organization” that’s trying to destroy him. What’s worse is that Quaid’s manager, who is also his wife, is equally crazy, so it seems the two are feeding off each other. As his manager, Evi Quaid went to the hearing at the Actors’ Equity Association. As soon as she got there, the following transpired:

[When] Evi appeared at the offices of the Association last Friday, [she] sat on the desk and began kicking the 76-year-old receptionist in his shins with her "extremely tall high heeled shoes," drawing blood and leaving a scar. According to documents filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Evi screamed it was all "a Nazi plot to get Randy Quaid." The claim is -- Evi repeatedly screamed "F**k you" and "Go f**k yourself."

Another member says Evi screamed at her, "I'm going to get youYou are a Nazi bitch." The member says she felt "Ms. Quaid's objective was to kill her." Yet another member says she answered the phone, Evi began railing and the member said, "I'd like to terminate this call," to which Evi allegedly responded, "I'd like to terminate your existence on this planet."

[From TMZ]

Not exactly normal, rational behavior. Before the hearing, Evi emailed many of the actors in an attempt to threaten them into dropping the charges against Randy. She told them, "You have one last chance to stop this onerous campaign or else you will be drawn into a legal quagmire," she wrote. I’m pretty sure only crazy people use the words “onerous” and “quagmire” in the same sentence. It’s in the Physician’s Desk Reference somewhere. Randy Quaid has often played crazy and semi-crazy parts in films. He was always really good in them… I think now we know why.

Here’s Randy and Evi Quaid at the Museum of the Moving Images Tribute to Will Smith in New York December 2006. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Heidi Fleiss arrested for DUI? wearing bird droppings

I’m pretty sure Heidi Fleiss has never gotten one word of press that was about her doing something that wasn’t one hundred percent skanky. Just looking at her face makes my skin crawl. Those flat, dead, saggy eyes and those dead jelly lips just make her look like one of those giant fish you see on ice in the seafood section of your grocery store. If I could draw, I would draw a picture of one of those fish, and then draw the same thing with Heidi Fleiss’ face on its head, and I swear to God they would look the exact same. Yesterday the only woman in the entire world who can make Paris Hilton look classy was arrested in Pahrump Nevada and given a DUI. She was under the influence of Vicodin, which is a controlled substance. And she didn’t have a prescription for it. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

Fleiss was pulled over at about 9:30 a.m. by sheriff's deputies responding to a report of a possible drunken driver, the Nye County sheriff's office said. Fleiss, 42, and a passenger in the car, John Owen, were found to be under the influence of a controlled substance, the sheriff's office said. Fleiss had prescription medication but could not produce a valid prescription, the sheriff's office said.

Fleiss was arrested on four counts, including possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription and driving under the influence. Owen, 53, was arrested on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. She posted bail of $1,376, while Owen posted bail of $1,264. Both were released.

[From the Associated Press]

Fleiss told Reuters that she has a prescription for the Vicodin but didn’t have it on her. While I’m not inclined to believe Heidi Fleiss as a general rule, it’s not out of the ordinary for someone to put pills in their purse or a pill box - I do all the time. Thus you wouldn’t have the prescription on you. Of course she still drove while under the influence of the Vicodin, and presenting a valid prescription won’t make that go away.

So what’s a sexy gal with everything going for her like Heidi Fleiss doing in a town with such an unsexy name like Pahrump? Wait, that is a sexy name, because it kind of sounds like hump. Anyway, Heidi owns a coin-operated laundry called Dirty Laundry. Talk about high class. She also noted to the Las Vegas Review Journal that the ONLY regret she had about last night is how terrible she looks in her mug shot. Fleiss explained that she hadn't showered… and her clothes were covered with bathroom grout… and bird droppings. I did not make up a word of that, that really was her explanation. She failed to explain why her clothes were covered in bird droppings and tile grout at 9:30 on a Thursday evening. Heidi Fleiss also did not present any explanation for why her face looks the way it does. Or apologize for it. And that’s the greatest tragedy of all.

Here are the mugshots for Heidi Fleiss and passenger John Owen.

Cirque Lodge says Kirsten Dunst isn?t there

Everyone was all atwitter with the news that less-than-beloved Spiderman actress, Kirsten Dunst, 25, was reported to have checked into the same rehab facility in Utah where Lindsay Lohan received treatment, Cirque Lodge. Eva Mendes was even there, and it seemed like she provided some circumstantial evidence that Kirsten may have shown up by taking a break from rehab right around the time Kirsten was reported to have arrived.

The news originated on the Star Magazine website and then was picked up by other outlets, including People, which said that a source confirmed the news, adding that she's been weepy and unhappy lately. She was said to have been encouraged to go to rehab but People's source stated that no one close to her staged an intervention.

Dunst's rep has not commented on this story to any outlet, but did say that "Kirsten is Fine" when an earlier story on the NY Post had her about to have a breakdown at Sundance. E! Online reports that they contacted the Cirque Lodge, who denied that Kirsten is there. While you might think that they're just trying to protect a high-profile client, it sounds like a categorical denial because the Lodge director specifically said that it's not a case of trying to preserve a patient's confidentiality and that she really isn't there. That was stupid, because now you know when they say "we don't comment" that it means that someone is there.

While reports are running rampant that the Spider-Man heroine has checked into the Cirque Lodge treatment center in Park City, Utah, a rep for the facility has denied to E! News that the actress is being treated by the facility.

"Nope, not true," said Gary Fisher, the lodge's director of operations. He added that while the facility prides itself on refusing to comment on the comings and goings of celebrity patients, Dunst is definitively not, and never has been, at the center.

[From E-Online, thanks to Virgina for the tip]

So if Kirsten Dunst isn't at Cirque Lodge is she at another rehab? You can't put much faith in Star's stories, but if it isn't true at all, then People seems culpable too because they claim that the story is supported by a source. But you think if Kirsten was home and fine she would have either gone somewhere public to show the world she's not in rehab, or she would have released a statement through her rep saying that the story was false. It seems like something is up with her, but at least we know that she can't be blamed for Eva Mendes' furlough.

Dunst is shown on 10/5/07 at Paris Fashion week, thanks to PRPhotos. I feel bad for her so I'm using pretty pictures.

Britney?s dad to move in with her

Britney's father isn't taking any chances with his daughter's tenuous mental health. Access Hollywood is reporting that Jamie Spears plans move in with his daughter to ensure that that she is under constant supervision and is protected from the predators and paparazzi that may have hastened her her recent break down.

Access Hollywood's insider also claims that a guardian who will also serve as a sobriety coach will move in with Jamie and Britney to help ease her transition back to a more calm lifestyle. Britney also suffers from the effects of what is thought to be abuse of prescription medication, much of which could have been forced on her without her knowledge by Sam Lutfi. In Touch reports that she had an "intense detox" while in her padded cell in UCLA's psych ward, where she was hospitalized for just under a week.

In our earlier post about Britney we asked what was next for her, because her future outside of the hospital looks bleak as long as she continues on her erratic path. Having her father and a sober companion live with her and try to guide her daily decisions may be a very good compromise between hospitalization and complete hotel-hopping freedom.

Britney's father Jamie works as a chef and said in a court deposition that he was unable to visit his daughter immediately on Sunday when she asked for him due to the fact that he had to cook for a Super Bowl party. At least the guy is working hard and not trying to sponge off his daughter. He was already appointed conservator of her estate and that time, and it speaks well for him that he kept his work commitments. He did visit Britney later at the hospital, and also showed up at the Beverly Hills Hotel last night where she was holed up with Adnan.

It is thought that Britney's father will be in court today to try and enforce some of his authority as conservator of her estate, including not authorizing hotel stays and deciding which visitors she is permitted.

Angelina Jolie visits Iraq (update: video)

Angelina Jolie was in Iraq today as part of her work as a UN goodwill ambassador. Her job is to bring attention to important causes, and today she was speaking about the plight of internally displaced Iraqi refugees. Angelina noted that there are more than 2 million refugees who are slowly starting to trickle back to their homes and communities during the lull in violence.

"There's lots of goodwill and lots of discussion, but there seems to be just a lot of talk at the moment," Jolie said in excerpts of an interview aired on CNN.

"What happens in Iraq and how Iraq settles in the years to come is going to affect the entire Middle East," she added. "And a big part of what it's going to affect, how it settles, is how these people are returned and settled into their homes and their community and brought back together and whether they can live together and what their communities look like."

[From the Huffington Post]

Angelina also noted that of the 2 million internally displaced people, 58 percent of them are children under the age of twelve. She noted to CNN’s Arwa Damon, “it's a very high number of people in a very, very vulnerable situation and a lot of young kids.” Children are obviously one of Jolie’s biggest passions. Angelina also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq General David Patraeus, and several top Iraqi migration officials. She spent time in the Green Zone and ate lunch with American troops.

When asked why she felt it was important to risk her life by coming to Iraq, Jolie responded:

It was an easy choice to make. I've I felt I had to come here because it is very difficult to get answers about the internally displaced people. It's as I said even U.N.H.C.R. who I traditionally work with -- they are not able to be inside at the moment and so I was very frustrated and just getting a bunch of ideas and papers but not knowing what's really going on, so today I'm able to talk to all different people from our government and their government and really get some answers as to what is holding up the processes to really really assist these people properly.

[From CNN]

Keep in mind that was a transcript from an interview, which is why Angelina’s response isn’t quite so perfectly phrased like you read in People or Us Weekly. I’m always impressed with the long-term devotion Angelina has brought to her UN work. She didn’t just do a trip or two to get some press - she’s been traveling to some dangerous locations for several years now. Brad Pitt is rarely mentioned in her UN-related interviews, so I’ve always wondered if he comes along. I would guess that might be too much of a security risk - just protecting one incredibly famous person has got to take a lot of work. Kudos for Angelina for showing consistent commitment to a cause.

Picture Note by JayBird: Brad and Angelina are shown at the Santa Barbara Film Festival over the weekend, thanks to Splash.

UPDATE: Here's the video, thanks to The Huffington Post for the heads up:

Lindsay Lohan asks herself ?What was I thinking??

For your daily dose of deep Lindsay Lohan news, we bring you today’s thoughtful revelation: Lindsay is sorry. Well not exactly sorry, but she knows she was bad, and can’t figure out what she was thinking. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a clear idea of exactly what she was thinking: “This is fun! I’m going to do what makes me feel awesome, even if I steal a car and run over someone’s foot in the process!” Deep thoughts indeed. Lohan has a big cover story in the upcoming issue of Harper’s Bazaar. They’ve released a few short excerpts, and they’re just as deep and insightful as one would expect from a Lohan.

"When I look back on this last year, it's like, what was I thinking?" the 21-year-old actress says in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine, on newsstands Feb. 19.

Lohan was arrested twice last year on DUI charges and pleaded guilty in August to misdemeanor drunken driving and cocaine charges. She served 84 minutes in jail as part of a plea deal, and checked into a rehab center in Utah.

"I've learned so much, though, like learning to live my life a different way and I wasn't taking the time to feel my feelings," she says. "Being away and going to a place where I could learn about that and take the time with a clear mind to get back on the right track was nice."

[From the Associated Press]

Still, Lohan says she “loves life” and loves music and “being around that.” Apparently this has led to a nearly irresistible urge to party nonstop. But the poor girl’s learning to cope.

"I have it in me to go, go, go," Lohan says. "I'm still young. I love life. I love music and being around that. I love people, and I'm a very social person. But I also love being home, quiet and normal."

[From the Associated Press]

Lindsay Lohan, there is nothing about you that is normal. And by normal, I mean “what it should be,” not normal as in average or boring. Everything about you is wrong. The girl is clearly off the wagon, yet she insists on giving interviews promotion herself and telling everyone how amazing she is and what a wonderful job she’s doing, succeeding at life. Look hon, just because you say something doesn’t make it true. When you’re photographed drinking three times in a few months, you’re not sober. If that’s what you’re doing when cameras are around, what the hell are you snorting when the bathroom door is closed? Please, interviews on your growth and depth are an insult to us all. I say we call for a boycott of all products Lindsay Lohan-based until she gets real and at least stops telling us how awesome she is. Which means you cannot purchase or view “I Know Who Killed Me.” Yeah I know, tragic.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here’s Lohan going to lunch at La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills on February 2nd. Her hair is definitely looking a little worse for wear. WENN says that’s her assistant with her, but I think it looks like her younger sister Ali. Images thanks to WENN.

DEA to investigate how Heath Ledger obtained prescriptions

The Drug Enforcement Agency is going to investigate how Heath Ledger obtained the four prescription drugs that ended up killing him. Yesterday the Medical Examiner announced that his death was an accident caused by "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine." People reports that the DEA has confirmed that an investigation is underway, and their spokesman said that "We are working with the NYPD to identify any illegally prescribed drugs that may have been prescribed to [Ledger]."

It seems clear that the Medical Examiner is saying he died from a fatal drug interaction and not from too much of any of those single drugs. The autopsy confirmed that he had pneumonia and he probably felt awful right before he died. He took two different painkillers, two different anti-anxiety medications and two different sleeping pills. That seems excessive, but who knows at which point he took which medication, and it's possible he forgot that he took one and groggy, took another one. Maybe it was hours apart, we don't have enough information to know if he took them all at one time.

Ledger's co-star in the movie he was working on in London just prior to his death, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, talked about how grueling the work was for that film, all of which took place outside in the cold. Christopher Plummer, who plays Dr. Parnassus, said: "We all caught colds because we were shooting outside on horrible, damp nights. But Heath’s went on and I don’t think he dealt with it immediately, even when he was taking antibiotics. I think what he had was the walking pneumonia. We had to shoot every second we were out there. There was hardly any time to keep warm. He was saying all the time, ‘Damn it, I can’t sleep’, and he was taking all these pills to help him.”

It sounds to me like he was very sick and thinking it would help he took a different painkiller or a different sleeping aid, maybe one or two more pills than he normally did, and they all suppressed his central nervous system. The AP has a very good explanation of this, and they quote an expert who says "This was not rock star wretched excess" and that it's possible the drugs built up in his system over days and not hours:

Doctors not connected with the case said it would be unlikely for one doctor to order all the drugs. However, they said it’s not unusual for people to be prescribed both painkillers and sedatives, and overdoses are not uncommon.

“This is not rock star wretched excess,” said Cindy Kuhn, a pharmacology professor at Duke University. “This is a situation that could happen to plenty of people with prescriptions for these kind of drugs.”

Kuhn said some of the drugs are long-lasting and Ledger could have taken them over a period of several days. The medical examiner’s office wouldn’t say what concentrations of each drug were found in Ledger’s blood.

“What you’re looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together,” said the spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove.

‘This was an accident’
Police had said they found six bottles of anti-anxiety medicines, sleeping pills and other medicine in his Manhattan apartment after the Oscar-nominated actor was discovered dead in his bed last month.

“This was not a deliberate attempt to kill himself. This was an accident,” said Lawrence Kobilinsky, head of forensic science at John Jay College in New York. He had no role in the investigation. “He just took too many drugs having similar effects on the central nervous system.”

Experts said the combination of sedatives and the other medicines likely combined to suppress his brain function and his breathing. They said that Ledger probably had been prescribed the medicine by a number of different doctors, because several of them were from the same class of drugs and used to treat similar symptoms.

“It doesn’t make sense” that one doctor would prescribe all those, said Dr. William Lee, an internal medicine specialist at the University of Texas-Southwestern in Dallas. “It’s more likely that he got them from different prescribers.”

Jane Prosser, a medical toxicologist from New York University School of Medicine, said patients can often end up with similar medications prescribed by different doctors, who are unaware of what they’re already taking.

[From MSNBC, thanks to reader headache for the link]

Some of Heath's medications were prescribed overseas, and people are pointing that out as if it's a bad thing, but he was in England working right before he died, and he was very sick and couldn't sleep. Even if he told the doctor what he was already taking, he may have given him a prescription for another medication saying "try this" without advising him not to take those two drugs together. This very scenario has happened to me.

A lot of us have horror stories about prescription drugs causing extreme debilitation for us and people we know. Instead of all the flashy advertisements about how a condition can be treated by some miracle cure, resulting in sun-filled days frolicking with our loved ones, the drug companies need to step back. Their marketing methods and the way they push drugs on doctors need to be highly regulated. Maybe drug ads should be banned from television like cigarette ads are, and it's about time that someone imposed more stringent standards on the pharmaceutical industry overall. I have had a doctor recommend a specific drug to me over another I asked for, and then gone out into the waiting room to see the pharmaceutical rep for that very drug giving the secretary samples. Just because a doctor prescribes a drug doesn't mean it's safe. It's not the patient's fault, either. Many people trust their doctors and will do what they say and many doctors barely glance over the medications the patient is currently taking before giving a new script.

Heath may have known that it wasn't safe to take that many drugs, but it's doubtful that he realized they could kill him.

Paris Hilton goes to Harvard

Though she’s used to spending much more time at the Ivy than at the Ivy League, Paris Hilton actually spent a little time at Harvard University yesterday. Yes THAT Harvard, not some bar or club that has a tricky name. And to further confuse your view of the fundamentals of world order, Paris was given an award. I’m pretty sure it’s the first one she’s ever gotten - you know she wasn’t event the kid that got the lame “Honorable Mention” award at the third grade science fair. Paris was awarded the Harvard Lampoon Humor Magazine's Woman of the Year award. And she actually looked pretty cute… at least for Paris Hilton. She had a wry smile on her face that made me think she almost understood the joke. Almost. Because then she spoke.

Harvard University loves Paris Hilton. "Harvard is hot!" the 26-year old heiress proclaimed Wednesday as she posed for pictures holding a giant, oversized trophy on the steps of the Lampoon Castle in Cambridge Massachusetts.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine standing here, standing on the steps of the Harvard Lampoon," Hilton said. "It's really exciting and I've had such a great time."

The Lampoon award is a spoof of the annual honors given by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatericals. Paris currently stars in the upcoming film The Hottie and the Nottie, which hits theaters on Friday. Hilton, who arrived an hour late for the festivities, told the crowd of about 100 people that her Simple Life Star, Nicole Richie, was also with her, then added: "Just kidding!"

[From OK! Magazine]

It’s too bad Paris made such lame jokes. This would have been the perfect opportunity for her to spend a few hundred bucks and hire someone to ghostwrite something funny for her, and actually pleasantly surprise everyone. She was gracious and seemed to enjoy herself. I’m guessing Paris capped off the closest thing she’s ever had to a college experience by playing some ultimate Frisbee on the quad and sleeping with a guy she later regretted.

Picture Note by JayBird: Images thanks to Splash.

Brandy?s mom explains Kim Kardashian lawsuit

Since the news came out that singer Brandy’s mother, Sonja Norwood, has sued Kim Kardashian and her three siblings for stealing her credit card, I have been truly curious to learn the back-story behind this debacle. Kim apparently was Brandy’s stylist in 2004. I had no idea that Kim Kardashian ever had a job, besides supposedly giving or receiving golden showers (yes I forget the specifics of that rumor and am too afraid too look it up). But Kim did do something professional in her life besides going to parties and showing the world her ass cleavage. But I guess she didn’t do it that well - or at least that ethically - because she stole Sonja Norwood’s credit card, loaned it to her three siblings, and the group managed to run up over $120,000 in debt in 2005 - 2006.

"I did not want to commence litigation against the Kardashian family without conducting an exhaustive investigation into the charges and discussing all options, including criminal prosecution, with my family," Norwood said in a statement Tuesday.

"After Ray J and Brandy urged me not to file criminal charges because of their prior friendship, I decided to afford the Kardashians an opportunity to resolve this matter without a lawsuit," Norwood said. "When the fraudulent charges were brought to their attention, they apologized profusely, and advised us, through their attorneys, that they would pay the debt in full. However, they have since reneged on that promise."

Norwood also said in her statement that her "investigation has revealed that the Kardashians used their two stores [Dash and Smooch] and other stores that I have never visited to take advantage of me. I very much look forward to having the Kardashians account for their misconduct in a court of law."

[From In Touch]

Sonja Norwood’s statement clears up a few issues, but there are a lot of questions remaining. First off, the card was supposedly given to Kim when she worked for the Norwoods in 2004. Yet the charges occurred several years later. Did Sonja Norwood never get the card back, or did Kim steal the number? Secondly, how did the Kardashians sign for these purchases? Were they actually forging Sonja’s signature, or was Kim an authorized signer on the account? No matter what, how did the other three Kardashians use the card? Why did it take Sonja Norwood so long to notice and/or do anything about the fraudulent charges?

What I’m most eager to hear is the Kardashians’ defense. They have obviously denied any wrongdoing, and Kim has said she has documentation for all the purchases. It seems pretty unusual that Brandy’s mother would have Kim Kardashian - who is no longer her employee - use her credit card. It also seems odd that Norwood would randomly choose to sue the Kardashians if they hadn’t done anything wrong. Although considering their father is the late famed O.J. Simpson defense lawyer Robert Kardashian, I’m sure they’ll be able to come up with some sort of entertaining - if not plausible - defense.

Picture Note by JayBird: Header of Kim Kardashian, joined by her ass. Here are the Kardashian sisters (left to right) Kourtney, Kim and Khloe at Kim’s 27th birthday at JET Nightclub in Las Vegas on October 26th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Eva Mendes takes a break from the drudgery of rehab

Right as Kirsten Dunst checks into Cirque Lodge for rehab, Eva Mendes checks out. And really, can you blame her? I wouldn’t want to share my rehab celebrity either. That’s a special time in a celebrity's life. I’m kidding, I’m sure it’s just a weird coincidence. The news leaked last week that Eva had checked into rehab several weeks ago to attend to what’s variously been described as “personal issues” and a “well-hidden substance abuse problem.” I’m going to guess the latter is a little more accurate. So while “personal issues” supposedly brought Eva into rehab, “personal business” is taking her out of it - temporarily, according to her rep. But her rep’s also the one that called a substance abuse problem a personal issue, so she might just liberally attach the word “personal” to anything she wants to form some vague cover.

Her rep tells Usmagazine.com, "Eva is attending to some personal business in Los Angeles and intends to return to complete her treatment shortly." Mendes was struggling with a well-hidden substance abuse problem, including cocaine use, sources close to the actress tell Us Weekly in its latest issue.

"She kept it all behind closed doors and wasn't really a mess in public," an insider told Us. The pressures of Tinsletown… fueled the fire: she fell into a hard partying crowd at the Hollywood club now known as Teddy's, where her longtime boyfriend, producer George Augusto, used to DJ. "She has a lot of low self-esteem and body issues," said a pal.

Another insider said, "For a lot of girls in Hollywood, cocaine makes them feel more confident and stay skinny." But Mendes, who just wrapped 2009 action flick The Spirit (co-starring Scarlett Johansson) and told Us last fall that she wanted "to be known for her work," knew she needed to get well to improve professionally. "She pulled away from that crowd last year to focus on her career," says a source, adding that treatment was a vital step to recovery. "She wants to be healthy."

[From Us Weekly]

I’m always a little surprised when rehab facilities let someone leave for any reason, unless it’s a major family tragedy or something. Of course they cannot force someone to stay either. It’s really hard to know what’s going on with Eva - while her movies do well enough and people generally know her name, she’s not a fixture in the gossip columns. It sounds like Us is saying it’s a combination of some mental health issues and substance abuse problems. Eva is truly a knockout, but that’s not always easy for someone to see in herself. Hopefully she really will go right back to rehab and get better.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here’s Eva unveiling her advertisement for PETA on December 20th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Rosie O?Donnell gives up the sauce

Lately it seems to be trendy to wrack up DUIs and/or visits to rehab, but some celebs just aren’t having it. Rosie O’Donnell announced on her ever-so-useful blog that she’s given up alcohol all on her own, in an attempt to be healthier and lose weight… but she made a comment that makes it sound like she might be an alcoholic, or at least have some issues with it.

Rosie O'Donnell says she was boozing too much and has gone on the wagon. The moon-faced comic made the confession on her blog after telling one fan she'd shed pounds by giving up beer.

That prompted another fan to ask, "So, Rosie, alcoholic or not? Just spit it out! Don't go all Star Jones on us here. What led to you stopping the beer? You'll only help someone else."

To which O'Donnell admitted: " 'Cause I was drinking too much, 'cause I didn't want to any more, 'cause it is hard to lose weight when drinking, 'cause I can never have only one."

[From Page Six]

Rosie also mentioned that laying off the sauce is "not easy," and noted, “but I feel better." I’ve always been a borderline teetotaler so I have no idea if it’s normal to “never have only one.” I could totally say that about chocolate, but then I would readily admit I’m a chocolate addict. I’m not sure if Rosie is implying that she’s an alcoholic or just saying she struggles with saying no. Rosie has admitted several times in the past that she’s not good at exercising self-restraint. If that’s still the case, it might be a better idea to consider Alcoholics Anonymous or something of that nature - though perhaps she already is involved with something.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here’s Rosie with Cyndi Lauper at the “True Colors“ after party at Studio 54 on June 8th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Posh?s unsightly knees shut down New York City

I’m pretty sure I love the Daily Mail’s obsession with knees more than I love kittens, chocolate, and fluffy clouds. It seriously is that great. If you were to believe the Daily Mail’s headline, you’d know that today Victoria Beckham's “knobbly knees are the talk of New York.” I have to tell you, this is the best example of truthful, accurate, and ethical journalism I’ve seen all week. I live in New York, so I can verify with 100 percent accuracy that Posh’s knees are absolutely all anyone is talking about. All I saw at the newsstand this morning were embarrassing knee photos - and everyone was whispering and giggling. My inbox was flooded, and the trains stopped running - because the conductors couldn’t focus on keeping the cars on the tracks when they were so blinded by Posh’s knees.

Victoria Beckham arrived in New York ready for the city's fashion week, but it wasn't her outfit that had onlookers talking - it was her knobbly knees. Posh Spice also flashed her unsightly wrinkly thighs as she headed out for a shopping trip yesterday.

Perhaps the strain of performing with the Spice Girls in four-inch heels is getting to Victoria's slender legs. Her penchant for towering stilettos has already taken a toll on her feet - she was spotted with giant bunions while on stage last week.

Dressed in an elegant camel coat, black mini-skirt and knee-high platform boots, the 33-year-old cut a lonely figure as she shopped in Manhattan without her husband David, who is busy training in LA.

[From the Daily Mail]

They actually closed down JFK as a result of the knees. Seeing Posh's knobbly knees actually made the Statue of Liberty double check her own skirt placement. In fact Victoria’s knees are the direct cause of the Spice Girl’s tour cancellation. Okay I’m done with that, you get the point. I love the implication that Posh’s general leg “unsightliness” has somehow made her lonely and husbandless. This is the second time in less than two weeks that the Daily Mail has written a featured article with a headline attacking a celebrity’s supposedly disgusting knees. What the hell, Daily Mail? Who has good looking knees? They're just one of those body parts you're supposed to do your best to avoid when you look someone up and down. Unfortunately they don’t post the names of the articles’ authors, so there’s no way to know if it’s just one crazy, knee-obsessive Brit or if the paper as a whole has knee issues. Do the British in general hate knees? Or is it more that they hate Posh and Eva Longoria? I could make an argument either way. Let's hope Posh doesn't read the Daily Mail - clearly she already has some body issues.

Picture Note by JayBird: Header of Posh arriving to the Brasserie Restaurant at the Royalton Hotel in New York City today. Clearly she learned her lesson and covered her knees so she didn’t bring traffic to a halt. Images thanks to Splash. Here’s an older Posh knee photo from the last time she was in NYC for fashion week on September 11th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

?Sylvester Stallone is so vein? links

Sylvester Stallone is so vein [Celebslam]
Keep Bai Ling Away From Melissa Joan Hart's Fetus! [Dlisted]
Shaq Headed to Phoenix [Bossip]
Brooke Shield's new show “Lipstick Jungle” review [Pajiba]
J-Lo not looking quite so hot last night [Yeeeah!]
Valentine’s Day Came Early For Jennifer Love Hewitt [I'm Not Obsessed]
Surprise, Surprise! Katherine Heigl Photographed Smoking [The Bastardly]
Nicole Kidman’s bathing suit to be auctioned in Sweden to buy cows [In Case You Didn't Know]
Heidi Montag’s Fake Boobs Try on Clothes of the Day (Site NSFW) [Drunken Stepfather]
Mariah Carey nearly pulled out of new film ‘Tennessee’ because she didn’t want to wear a fake nose. [Hollywood Rag]
Can Gwyneth Paltrow’s bow any bigger? [Seriously? OMG! WTF?]
Pete Doherty and the Parisian Harem [Agent Bedhead]
Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz have a sex scene? Really? [The Blemish]
Celebrity Lips Injections Gone Wild [CityRag]
Pictures from Pauly Shore's birthday party it's a little sad [Crazy Days and Nights]
Adam Brody Steams Up His Subway Run [Popsugar]
Rihanna Sells Umbrellas [The Grumpiest]
Lauren Conrad’s Fashion Line Hits the Racks [Evil Beet]
Salma Hayek at A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF [Gabsmash]
Wilmer Valderrama: Still Alive, Apparently [CelebWarship]
Karolina Kurkova is a Hero [I Don't Like You In That Way]
Christina Ricci Has A Special Helicopter Pilot Outfit [Glitterati Gossip]
Kate Hudson Ryder Walking In The Rain [Celebrity Baby Scoop]
Best and worst bikini bodies of the stars [Popbytes]
Love It Or Hate It: Ashton Kutcher's Outfit [A Socialite's Life]
Eva Longoria @ NY Fashion Week [Just Jared]
Keeley Hazell's Bikini Does the Weather Report [Egotastic!]
Will Arnett out of 'Knight Rider;' Britney meets Maria Shriver [Lifeline Live]
The Judges Finally Weigh In On Paula Abdul’s Super Bowl “Performance” [Best Week Ever]

Baby Dannielynn visits her mother Anna Nicole?s grave, whispers ?Momma?

Larry Birkhead brought his 17 month-old daughter, Dannielynn, to the grave site of her mother, the infamous departed Anna Nicole Smith, in the Bahamas yesterday for the first anniversary of her death. He just happened to dress the tot in her finest and bring along a television crew. The touching moment when Dannielynn whispered "momma" and laid a pink toy on the grave of the mother she'll only know from videos and photos was captured for the benefit of the curious masses and will be broadcast on Entertainment Tonight.

February 5, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA)– ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT's JANN CARL was exclusively with Larry Birkhead and daughter Dannielynn this week in Nassau, Bahamas as the 17-month-old made her first trip back to visit her mother and brother's graves, one year after her mother's sudden death.

In an a multi-part interview to begin airing on Wednesday, February 6th, Birkhead says the visit is difficult for him, but he arranged it for his daughter, "It's tough. Even though she doesn't understand, it was important for us to come. One day I can tell her that we went to visit her mom." When they arrived at the unmarked gravesites, Dannielynn placed a pink toy turtle on Anna Nicole's plot and whispered, "mama."

On why the graves of Anna Nicole and Daniel are without tombstones, Birkhead says, "A rough draft came back with a sketch of a picture I didn't care for. I could just hear her hitting me over the head saying, 'Why did you let that picture go down!?'" Birkhead reveals that the design of the headstone will be "so grand and big. It's going to encompass Daniel's stone too."
When asked how he feels about making the journey from Los Angeles to Nassau, Birkhead speaks candidly, "I don't like the fact that they're here, I never did. I know that Daniel didn't want to be here and I know that his mother was only here because of what was going on between us with the paternity question. To me it feels really odd." On if he has considered moving the graves, he says, "I'm going to leave the decision to Dannielynn when she's older. It would probably be very hard, if not impossible to take both of them and I definitely don't want to separate them."

In an effort to keep Anna's memory alive for their daughter, Birkhead tells ET, "I keep a lot of memories around. I quiz her and she knows Mama. I say, 'Where's Mama?' and she'll give Mama a kiss on the picture."

[ET press release via Gossip Rocks]

What I want to know is - how are they going to spread this out into a multi-part interview? She's dead, it's hard, your daughter doesn't understand, end of story. I mean you feel for people's pain but what else is there to say?

Part of me doesn't want to hate on Birkhead. The guy is a former paparazzo who really does care about his daughter and fought hard to win custody of her. He's also obviously not adverse to using his daughter to make a buck and he's probably running low on cash now that his deals are drying up and he has all those legal bills he's contesting. (It seemed like he really got fleeced by that lawyer Debra Opri, and he's probably paying someone a lot of money to fight that case. He also probably has to pay for those grand gravestones he's ordering for Anna Nicole and Daniel.)

Birkhead has told The NY Daily News that he plans to sue over yet another book about Anna Nicole, "Anna Nicole Smith: Portrait of an Icon," which is currently available for download for $15. The book was written by a fashion designer for Anna Nicole and his partner. The designer alleges that he met Birkhead at a camp for HIV positive youth and that he was quite open about his preference for men.

Birkhead also said that author Rita Cosby would be sued for a book about Anna Nicole that came out last year called "Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith's Death" which claimed that Birkhead and creepy Anna hanger-on Howard K Stern were gay lovers. It was Stern who ended up suing Cosby to the tune of $60 million.

The inquest into Anna's son Daniel's death is underway. The coroner testified that 20 year-old Daniel's death a year and a half ago couldn't have been an accident, which suggests murder or suicide. He had too much methadone in his system for it to have not been intentional. Many people suspect Anna's lawyer, Howard K Stern, had a hand in Daniel's untimely demise. Anna's death less than six months later was ruled an accidental overdose.

As for whether it's news that Dannielynn went to her mom's grave before she's even two, I doubt it. Take some sweet pictures and do the interview at home or go to the park and play. Go to Disneyworld and get all your meals, admission and hotel stay comped while trying to score some cash for a cross-promotional deal. The kid won't remember that either, but at least it will be fun for her.

Christina Aguilera?s first post-baby pics

Christina Aguilera made her first public appearance yesterday after the birth of her son Max. Christina stopped by her polling place to vote in the Super Tuesday primaries, then went to a Best to sign copies of her new DVD set “Back to Basics: Live and Down Under.” Xtina said she’s been going a little stir crazy and was glad to get out of the house.

In a radio interview prior to the appearance, she gushed about her "incredible" son and said she is already inspired to write a new album.

"This whole incredible thing that's taken part in my life, between the pregnancy and the birth, I've got so much to be inspired about and so much in my life to write about. I've been brain-storming for the last nine months, actually. This next album will have a whole new me, so there's a lot to look forward to."

The 27-year-old says she and husband Jordan Bratman reveling in parenthood: "It's still the first couple of weeks, every week something new happens. It's constant changing and he's constantly changing and doing these incredibly cute things - and stinky things."

[From the Daily Mail]

Christina also said she wasn’t mad at Paris Hilton for announcing her pregnancy for her. She said that Paris did “kind of jump the gun a little on it,” but that she didn’t do it with malice so everything was good. The Daily Mail, which is normally really critical of people's appearances, complimented Christina's "slimmed down" appearance. I have a strict policy about not making fun of people for their weight, but while Christina looks good, I don't think she looks "slimmed down." Aside from the fact that there's no longer another person living in her stomach, which helps. She looks healthy and normal and generally how I'd expect a mother to look after giving birth less than a month ago. When you see those celebrities out in public a week or two after they've given birth looking slimmer than ever, that sets an unreasonable expectation. Christina looks good, healthy, and like she grabbed the wrong tube of lipstick.

Here’s video of Christina voting and signing CDs at Best Buy. Images thanks to Splash. Header image thanks to the Daily Mail.

US Weekly prints fawning interview with Sam Lutfi just because it?s an exclusive

I'm outraged at the way that US Weekly handling the Sam Lutfi case now that the news is out about how much of a twisted manipulative person he is. They've just posted an article about how Lutfi's side of the story is going to be the main focus of their cover story all about Britney's problems. Lutfi repeatedly uses examples and stories to make himself seem like Britney's savior and like he's the only one who can help her, when in fact he's been emotionally abusing her and cutting her off from her friends and family. He disabled all her cars, threw away her cell phone chargers, and admitted to her mother than he routinely mashes up medication and slips it into her food without her knowledge! This man made Britney a prisoner in her own home, and now US Weekly is all too willing to make him out to be the good guy because he's willing to talk to them. The very serious and seemingly supported allegations against Lutfi are relegated to one sentence in parentheses by US. They barely question him or his motives, and their print article is sure to be as one-sided and idiotically fawning over the man who abused Britney as their Internet version.

Sam Lutfi, who is now on the receiving end of a restraining order imposed by Britney Spears' parents, was the one person by her side as she unraveled over the past six months.

In the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, Spears' de facto manager and confidant opens up about her bipolar disorder, how he medicated her, what happened the night she was hospitalized, and how her parents reacted.

"In the depressive episodes, it's all crying," Lutfi tells Us. "But in the manic episode, there's very little crying or sympathy or compassion. She becomes another person. She becomes somebody that just doesn't care about anybody or anything."

"The British accent is part of the mania," he adds. "She'll stick to the British accent because she becomes comfortable with it But you know, when the pink wig comes on, it's getting bad."

Lutfi says that when Spears was involuntarily committed to treatment at UCLA Medical Center on January 31, her mom, Lynne Spears, arrived and tried to remove her daughter from his guidance. "Well, he is better family than you guys will ever be," Spears responded, according to Lutfi.

Lutfi tells Us that he gave Britney "a handful of pills" before her parents arrived. "I said these pills are working wonders, they are miracle pills," he recalls. Spears, Lutfi says, agreed that the meds were helping her sleep.

(In their restraining order against Lutfi filed yesterday, Spears' parents accuse him of drugging their daughter and being verbally abusive. Jamie, who has been named as his daughter's conservator, "is doing what he has to do to save Britney," a source tells Us.)

Spears is one of nearly six million American adults suffering from bipolar disorder, a mental illness consisting of extreme shifts in mood, thought, energy, and behavior patterns.

Lutfi, 33, tells Us only he, Spears, and her psychiatrist know what brought on her bipolar disorder "roughly five years ago."

[From Us Weekly]

Lutfi tells a story about how Britney wrote him a little note when she was taken away, as if that justifies the way he's tried to keep Britney captive and has been drugging her for months.

I made an anonymous comment on this article, something I rarely bother to do, but there are many more that are much better than mine and people are outraged. One of my favorites is from Michelle, she says:

US Weekly - Stop giving this sick man a voice. Stop letting him speak through your magazine. He is a sick, twisted individual. A liar. Nothing he can say will validate what he's done. He deserves to be jailed or sued or even better yet killed, and you let him continue spreading his malicious lies. He should have tried to help her, he should be grateful she is getting help if he truly cares about her. Instead he is like a 2 year old who's angry their toy got taken away. Of course Britney was asking for him, etc. He made her completely dependent on him. He brainwashed her, drugged her, insulted her, encouraged her insanity. She has no idea what she needs or probably even what she's thinking or saying half the time. And that is his defense? That Britney wants him in her life? And that she hates her parents? Please! She can't even think straight, he's made sure of that. I say hang the f*cker in a public place.

What's more is that one of Britney's friends, Ken Dungey, commented on the article and mentioned the bragging text messages Sam sent him about how he has total control over Britney, which are now available at Bitten and Bound. Dungey said he had over an hour long telephone interview with a source at US:

US WEEKLY TELEPHONE INTERVIEWED ME LAST WEEK FOR OVER AN HOUR, ALEXIS SAID MY INTERVIEW WOULD BE COMING OUT IN NEXT WEEKS MAGAZINE, I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM HER.

You can read Dungey's full story online. He's a friend of the guy who was harassed mercilessly by Lutfi, who ultimately ended up taking out a restraining order on him. He also knows another woman who Lutfi was sending threatening text messages to.

So US had both sides of the story, but they chose to go with Lutfi's despite the overwhelming evidence against him. People are calling for criminal charges against this guy. Instead all we get from US is an article about the supposed insider who knows about Britney's mental illness - a weakness he exploited every way possible to gain control over her and plaster his name all over the media. Shame on you, US. Change your story before it goes to print.

Lutfi is also trying to shop around a high-paid television interview where "he is expected to reveal the star’s darkest secrets." The only people that should be hearing about Britney's secrets are his fellow inmates.

Heath Ledger?s death ruled an accidental overdose on prescription medication

The toxicology results are finally out for Heath Ledger, who passed away two weeks ago in his Manhattan apartment. The situation seemed curious in that Mary Kate Olsen was called four separate times by the masseuse who discovered Heath's body, and that she decided to summon her private security staff instead of calling 911 immediately. The scene was normal when police arrived, and sources say that the police arrived at the same time as the security people and that there was no time to clean up the apartment or remove contraband. No illegal drugs or any alcohol was found on the scene.

The autopsy was ruled inconclusive by the coroner shortly after his death. Now the tests are in, and the medical examiner reports that he died from a fatal accidental combination of the very prescription drugs in his apartment, which were said to have been nearly-full pill bottles. Heath admitted in an interview late last year that he took Ambien to help him sleep after he developed insomnia during the grueling preparation for his role as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie. He seems to have been trying to recover from anxiety and a sleep disorder, and in his haste to get better he died from a fatal drug interaction.

Heath took two kinds of sleeping pills and two kinds of anti anxiety medication and two painkillers one over the counter. It sounds like it was the combination of those particular medications, not the amounts, that killed him:

Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs that included painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," medical examiner's spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said in a statement.

The drugs are the generic names for the OxyContin painkiller, the anti-anxiety drug Valium, Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, and the sleep aids Restoril and Unisom. Hydrocodone is another name for ibuprofen. (note by Celebitchy: the source was incorrect. Hydrocodone is a prescription painkiller.)

[From The Canadian Press]

I had terrible lyme disease, like completely debilitating, when I lived in Connecticut. I am fine now, but I was wheelchair bound for months and was sick for about two years. I would see doctors who had no idea what to do with me so they would all prescribe medication. Once I went to the emergency room for extremely slurred speech after taking a new medication prescribed to me by a doctor who knew what I was already on, and all my prescriptions were filled at the same place where they supposedly have a system to check. The hospital staff couldn't figure out what was wrong and sent me home after a few hours, and my speech improved when I was there. The exact same thing happened the next day at the same time, so I googled the new medication I was on and figured out that it was interacting with something else. When I called the neurologist, he was like "oh yeah, you shouldn't take those two together," even though he should have already known what I was on. My rambling point is that I learned how dangerous it is to combine medication, even under doctor's orders.

Like Matt Lauer, I can say psychiatric drugs have immensely helped people I know. I have also known people who have abused prescription painkillers. Doctors need to take more time with patients to make sure they know what they are taking before they prescribe something new, and the drug industry needs to take responsibility for their massive marketing blitzes and start to educate patients about the judicial use of medication. Dosages should also start low and gradually be increased to therapeutic levels. Maybe Heath's tragic death will help bring about some much-needed reforms in the way that prescription drugs are monitored and used in our society.

Heath Ledger's remains are now in his hometown of Perth, Australia, where his ex girlfriend, Michelle Williams, and two year-old daughter, Matilda, have arrived to attend a private service for the late actor. It is unknown if he will be buried or cremated, and the details of the funeral have not been given to the public.

Amy Winehouse visits husband in jail; looks amazing & healthy

Amy Winehouse is looking as though rehab has been very, very good to her. I’ve only known of her in the last 8 months or so, and had never seen a photo of what she used to look like. Amy Winehouse can be hot! And she’s getting closer and closer to her former self every day. A lot of people gain weight when they quit drugs or cigarettes - remember Pete Doherty’s pumpkin-shaped face the last time he actually quit something? While on most people the weight is an unflattering consequence of rehab, on Amy Winehouse it makes a vast and immediately noticeable difference. Her skin looks like it’s cleared up remarkably, she seems to have put on 5 - 10 pounds, and much of it appears to have landed in her chest. Oh and her beehive is positively ravishing with nary a nat. Unfortunately, part of the reason we got to see Amy is that she dolled up to visit her loser husband in prison.

Amy Winehouse left rehab today to visit her jailed husband Blake Fielder-Civil.

The star looked healthier than ever as she emerged from the facility this morning in a figure-hugging pencil skirt and black shirt on her way to Pentonville Prison.

A source told Mail Online: "Blake has been very supportive in Amy's recovery. Their relationship remains solid and she's really looking forward to seeing him."

The visit follows a difficult day for Winehouse – she was questioned by police yesterday in connection with a video which allegedly showed her smoking crack cocaine.

[From the Daily Mail]

Well why wouldn’t Blake be supportive of Amy’s recovery? It’s not like he gets to do drugs with her anyway, since he’s locked up. What has he got to lose? Of course if he happens to get out of jail, suddenly I doubt he’ll be so supportive. This is the second time Amy has been questioned in regards to her infamous drug video. It’s hard to say if she’ll be prosecuted because of it. Kate Moss was shown snorting cocaine on a tape, and it was eventually ruled that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge her. In Amy’s case, it certainly helps that she went into rehab shortly after the tape was released, and that she seems to be taking the rehab seriously and - by external appearances - is doing pretty well. I’m not one for a ridiculous amount of leniency like Pete Doherty is always getting (how many dozens - no hundreds - of times has he appeared before a judge?) but in Amy’s case she wasn’t on probation and hasn’t had multiple drug convictions, save for the one guilty plea she copped to in Norway. More than anything I hope she takes her rehab seriously and gets her life on track, because she has a ton of talent.

Picture Note by JayBird: Amy Winehouse makes a stop at a some local shops on her way to visit husband Blake at Pentonville Prison today. Images thanks to WENN.

Amy Winehouse visits husband in jail; looks amazing & healthy

Amy Winehouse is looking as though rehab has been very, very good to her. I’ve only known of her in the last 8 months or so, and had never seen a photo of what she used to look like. Amy Winehouse can be hot! And she’s getting closer and closer to her former self every day. A lot of people gain weight when they quit drugs or cigarettes - remember Pete Doherty’s pumpkin-shaped face the last time he actually quit something? While on most people the weight is an unflattering consequence of rehab, on Amy Winehouse it makes a vast and immediately noticeable difference. Her skin looks like it’s cleared up remarkably, she seems to have put on 5 - 10 pounds, and much of it appears to have landed in her chest. Oh and her beehive is positively ravishing with nary a nat. Unfortunately, part of the reason we got to see Amy is that she dolled up to visit her loser husband in prison.

Amy Winehouse left rehab today to visit her jailed husband Blake Fielder-Civil.

The star looked healthier than ever as she emerged from the facility this morning in a figure-hugging pencil skirt and black shirt on her way to Pentonville Prison.

A source told Mail Online: "Blake has been very supportive in Amy's recovery. Their relationship remains solid and she's really looking forward to seeing him."

The visit follows a difficult day for Winehouse – she was questioned by police yesterday in connection with a video which allegedly showed her smoking crack cocaine.

[From the Daily Mail]

Well why wouldn’t Blake be supportive of Amy’s recovery? It’s not like he gets to do drugs with her anyway, since he’s locked up. What has he got to lose? Of course if he happens to get out of jail, suddenly I doubt he’ll be so supportive. This is the second time Amy has been questioned in regards to her infamous drug video. It’s hard to say if she’ll be prosecuted because of it. Kate Moss was shown snorting cocaine on a tape, and it was eventually ruled that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge her. In Amy’s case, it certainly helps that she went into rehab shortly after the tape was released, and that she seems to be taking the rehab seriously and - by external appearances - is doing pretty well. I’m not one for a ridiculous amount of leniency like Pete Doherty is always getting (how many dozens - no hundreds - of times has he appeared before a judge?) but in Amy’s case she wasn’t on probation and hasn’t had multiple drug convictions, save for the one guilty plea she copped to in Norway. More than anything I hope she takes her rehab seriously and gets her life on track, because she has a ton of talent.

Picture Note by JayBird: Amy Winehouse makes a stop at a some local shops on her way to visit husband Blake at Pentonville Prison today. Images thanks to WENN.

Heath Ledger?s family responds to cause of death

Heath Ledger’s family had a very touching response to news that his death has been ruled accidental. To say that their response is eloquent and touching is an extreme understatement. It’s clear the family feels a profound and enduring sense of loss, but is relieved that the toxicology results have proven that Heath’s death was unintentional.

We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today's results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts.

While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.

Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.

We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.

At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography.

[From People]

I think it’s sweet how they acknowledge Michelle Williams, calling her “our dear Michelle.” Heath’s family have released some incredibly touching statements - this one definitely made me tear up. I think it really says something about them that the acknowledge how hard this is on all families who lose a child. It’s like they’re saying that everyone’s pain is equally valid and real.

They’re absolutely right that people need to pay more attention to the dangers of combining medications. Doctors and pharmacists need to be more diligent, but there are also lots of good drug interaction checkers online. Every time you get a new prescription, you should run it through with ALL of your other medicines, including over the counter and natural pills.

Oxycodone is a very serious medication. It’s not something you pop casually, nor do you prescribe it casually. Seven years ago I had surgery for a 90 degree tear in my rotator cuff, and my doctor prescribed two forms of oxycodone. He went over everything in detail with my mother, explaining that they were such serious drugs that taking one even five minutes off schedule (five minutes too close to the other one) could kill me. I was supposed to wean off of them over six weeks, which would have required maintaining a rigid schedule during three weeks of college. Knowing I wasn’t disciplined enough, I weaned completely off both of the oxycodones in three weeks instead. I didn’t know any better, and it wasn’t fun to say the least. The state of our health care system is abysmal, and rushed doctors don’t have the time to thoroughly explain medications like patients need. Heath Ledger’s death is incredibly tragic, and hopefully some sort of knowledge will come from it, and people will pay more attention to the pills they take.

Heidi Montag blinks, shrugs, purses fake lips, says ?gee you care about me?

The Hills reality star and plastic surgery aficionado Heidi Montag's first music video premiered earlier this week and it was universally panned. It really was incredibly awful, and included shots of the plastic blond frolicking in the ocean in a clinging white garment, rolling in the sand, climbing on some rocks and opening her mouth wide to lipsynch while gesturing awkwardly. And that was just the visuals. The song was nearly intolerable and featured her god-awful remastered voice over a tune as cacophonous and unoriginal as Heidi herself.

People Magazine made a special post noting how overwhelmingly negative the comments were about Montag's new video, which was filmed by her equally mocked on-screen fianc, Spencer Pratt, and she handled it in stride. She said that it must take oh so much effort to criticize her, and while she tried to make a dig at all the anonymous people typing away behind computers screens by focusing on the work involved in writing whole sentences, she only managed to make herself sound dumb:

Although some PEOPLE.com readers called “Higher” the “worst video ever,” and said her voice sounds like a “chipmunk,” Montag recorded the following message on the gossip site PerezHilton.com:

“I appreciate people taking time to write any kind of comment. Do you know how much effort it really takes to sit down and write a comment? I’ve never written a comment in my entire life… you really have to have a lot of passion and thought to write any comment, so thank you.”

[From People.com]

Maybe Heidi is impaired by the fact that she doesn't have a lot of experience with computers, but it really doesn't take much effort or thought to write a comment if you're a quick typer. If she came across as clever at all, I would think that she was trying to be sarcastic and say that the comments were effortless and reactive on the part of the people that criticized her, I know a lot of the work I do comes out that way, but no, I think she was trying to be serious. She's trying to say that it takes work to write comments so at least we're paying attention to her. We're wasting our energy by doing that, Heidi is saying, but she's only making it sound like typing and thinking don't come easily for her.

The best part of this story is Spencer Pratt's comment, and again I would think that he's being obnoxious, but considering that he's the one responsible for this atrocious video, we can probably take him at his word.

Heidi’s former fiancé Spencer Pratt, who shot the “Higher” video, had his own theory as to why it got the reaction it did.

“She’s so beautiful and she’s an unbelievable singer,” he says. “The quality of music and the music video has never been seen before.”

Here's that video again, the likes of which "has never been seen before," according to Pratt. Are they pulling our legs? Even if they're not, they should save face and claim they were.

Jennifer Lopez definitely expecting twins

It’s been thought for a while that Jennifer Lopez, 38, might be pregnant with twins, and yesterday her father confirmed that J-Lo is doubly fertile. I thought she was pregnant with twins because she might have used IVF, which increases the likelihood of multiple births. But apparently twins run in the Lopez family.

The rumors are true, confirmed by no less a source than her father: Jennifer Lopez is expecting twins. And it isn't even a Lopez family first.

"Yes, twins," her dad David Lopez said in an interview on the Spanish-language show Escándalo TV, PEOPLE en Español reports. "The thing is in my family, my sister also had twins, so it's a hereditary thing."

For David Lopez, the news means double the excitement.

"I'm very proud. Jennifer has yearned to be a mother for many years," he said.

[From People]

David Lopez says that he’s bought special azabache bracelets for the babies, which are a Puerto Rican tradition. The bracelets, make out of black stone, are supposed to protect the babies from the evil eye. Though considering J-Lo’s legendary diva behavior, I’m not sure the evil eye is the kids’ biggest concern.

Lopez has been spotted buying baby supplies for both a boy and a girl, which greatly increases our chances that we may be subjected to a Marc Anthony look alike. I swear to God, if there is a God, he will give them at least 90% of J-Lo’s genes. At least of the face genes. If one or both of those kids grow up to look like Marc Anthony, we’ll pretty much be able to end the debate about the existence of God. In less frightening news, Star reports that the couple plan on naming the babies Max and Emme. Well it’s no Pilot Inspektor (a la Jason Lee) but I suppose they’ll do.

PICTURE NOTE BY JAYBIRD: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are shown outside their baby shower on 1/20/08.

FYI: Paris Hilton has an acting coach? Paris Hilton needs to fire coach.

Frightening news: Paris Hilton has an acting coach. And she’s not a new acting coach. Apparently Ivana Chubbuck is pretty well regarded too. Which leads to the next logical question… if this is Paris Hilton WITH an acting coach, what would she have been like without one? How does an acting coach correct for blatant vapidness? “Paris, instead of having flat affect and dead eyes, try raising your voice up and down and doing something crazy with that wonky eye you’ve got.” According to Paris, she’s learned a lot of acting tricks that the rest of us have never heard of.

"My acting coach, Ivana Chubbuck She's an incredible acting coach," Hilton told PEOPLE at Monday's premiere of her new romantic comedy, The Hottie and the Nottie, in Hollywood.

"If it's a scene where I have to get upset, I'll think of a past person," the heiress, who turns 27 on Feb. 17, said recently of Chubbuck's advice. "I'll think of something in my life, use it in the scene, and it really works."

[From People]

I’m pretty sure I learned the same damn thing from my mentally deranged seventh grade drama teacher. I’d really like to know how much Paris is paying this woman, because I’m pretty sure I could do the same for a lot less. I’m guessing that it’s not that Ivana Chubbuck is a bad acting coach at all. She probably assessed Paris and in about thirty seconds realized she could only teach her preschool level skills. Paris also said her mother gave her some acting advice, which I found pretty confusing. But it turns out Kathy Hilton used to be an actress. She was on two episodes of “Happy Days” in 1977 and an episode of “The Rockford Files” in 1978. How cute that Paris would think it a good idea to defer to her mother’s expertise. Which was, by the way, “…Taking your time, reading it, and making sure that it's something you can do, and it's fun. Just having fun with it.” Actually, that “taking your time reading” and “making sure it’s something you can do” is actually really good advice, considering how stupid her daughter is. And to prove that, I leave you with this completely un-edited, non-typo quote from Paris.

“Actors are really great if they've lived the life of a lot of things happen to them.”

[From People]

You know what else is really great? Speaking in more than one tense in the same sentence.

Delta Burke in psychiatric hospital for depression & compulsive hoarding

TMZ is reporting that “Designing Women” actress Delta Burke, 51, has checked herself into a psychiatric hospital for treatment of severe depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and hoarding. TMZ has a clip on their website of Burke’s description of why she decided to check herself into a facility and what mental issues she’s dealing with. Delta talks about trying to get her various medications worked out - which can be an arduous process for people who are only on two prescriptions - and she's on five. She also mentions that she was as bad as those people you see on television who have stacks of newspapers piled to the ceiling.

The former Designing Women star, 51, is apparently seeking treatment for symptoms of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and "hoarding" which on an audio clip provided by TMZ she is heard likening to what is seen in the homes of people who have stockpiled row upon row of newspapers.

"I was on so many medications and they just weren't working," Burke is also heard saying on the clip. "I was on five." Among them, she says are "anti-depressants and stuff."

[From People]

I really commend Delta for recognizing she has a problem, needs help, and taking action to get it. I can’t imagine anything that would be more frightening than checking into a psychiatric facility. And I would expect that things must have gotten pretty bad for her to do that. Most people know the basics of depression, but few know about hoarding. Wikipedia defines hoarding as:

Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding) is extreme hoarding behaviour in humans. It involves the collection and/or failure to discard large numbers of objects even when their storage causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities such as moving around the house, cooking, cleaning, showering or sleeping. Hoarding rubbish may be referred to as syllogomania. A slang term for a compulsive hoarder is pack rat or packrat.

[From Wikipedia]

I dated someone who was a terrible hoarder, and it was truly the most frustrating experience of my life. It was so aggravating to have talks about keeping things clean and normal looking, and then find a box filled with nothing but Styrofoam - just because why throw it out? I would find broken toys, pieces of garbage, Denny’s place mats, empty bottles of Orbitz soda from 1996 (“Because someday it might be worth something!) all carefully hidden to avoid detection. It was really frustrating because he didn’t recognize that it was a problem and was abnormal, unhealthy behavior.

Click here for a great example of a clutter scale. This was put together by psychologists as an example of different levels of hoarding. When you go through picture by picture, you'll notice a few are out of order, but you can get the idea by looking at the image that shows all the pictures as a whole.

Hoaders often have to make pathways through the crap in their own homes. I was in a home several times that was occupied by an entire family of hoarders. They literally had piles of papers stacked to the ceilings, bags of garbage, dirty blankets, etc. All that bric-a-brac you see people getting rid of at garage sales was stuffed into this house. It basically looked like a Value Village run amok. Everything was old, dingy, and useless.

In an extreme, hoarders can literally save so many things that they are forced to move out of their own homes. They actually choose to do that instead of getting rid of things. Apparently throwing anything away induces a sense of panic. Several studies have shown that hoarding is closely related to obsessive compulsive disorder. A 2004 University of Iowa study found that damage to the brain’s right mesial prefrontal cortex tends to cause compulsive hoarding. The thought is that the part of the brain that helps discern what stuff is and is not important does not function properly in hoarders. Thus they’re not able to logically and rationally determine that saving a napkin from Burger King is less important than saving a monogrammed napkin from your wedding. It really is a miserable and overwhelming way to live. Let’s hope Delta gets good treatment and her issues under control.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here's a few pictures of rooms in hoarder's homes.

Everything stays the same for Britney

So Britney somehow hired a new lawyer to represent her in court to challenge the ruling that her father be made conservator of her estate. The judge ruled against Britney's side, saying that her father, Jamie, can remain in control of her finances and all medical decisions regarding his daughter until February 14th.

Britney's lawyer, Adam Streisand, who is said to be Barbara Streisand's second cousin, requested that Northern Trust bank and Howard Grossman, who is Britney's business manager, be appointed instead as Britney's conservators. He argued that having her father run her estate is unnecessarily frustrating for Britney. His request was denied and the judge said that Britney wasn't even mentally competent enough to have hired Streisand to represent her. She will presumably be represented by a lawyer appointed by the court. That court-appointed lawyer visited her in the hospital on Sunday and told the judge that she's not capable enough to understand the legal case or to have hired her own lawyer. A physician will examine Britney to determine her level of competence and report to the court on February 13.

The lawyers for Britney's father, Jamie, wanted to have Britney's legal team of Trope and Trope, who are said to be aligned with Sam Lutfi, fired. That request was not granted and Britney can retain their services. It's not clear why they did not represent her in this specific case and how she obtained a different lawyer.

The judge addressed the restraining order against Lutfi, saying that the order is that Britney have absolutely no contact with him, including phone calls or e-mail. She is rumored to have been talking to him on the phone. When the conservators of Britney's estate tried to serve the restraining order personally to Lutfi yesterday, he refused to open the door.

There was also yet another custody hearing for Britney and K-Fed on Monday. It was said to have been scheduled before she was hospitalized for this second time. The verdict is that there will be no changes for now and that she cannot see either of her boys. Britney's legal reps in the custody battle wanted to request that they be taken off the case, but have withdrawn that request given their clients extreme recent problems.

Meanwhile Britney's paparazzi boyfriend, Adnan Ghalib, attempted to visit her in the hospital bearing roses. He was seen looking upset while leaving about 20 minutes later, and OK! Magazine reports that it is unknown if he was actually able to see her.

Details from People, AP, TMZ, and OK! Magazine.

Header image from 1/22/08 from Splash News.

Brandy?s mom sues Kim Kardashian over $120,000 credit card theft

Kim Kardashian has never really done anything that’s made me say, “Wow, that girl’s good with money.” She’s done a lot of things that have made me say, “Wow, that girl’s got an ass that should be on her chest,” but that’s about it. And apparently Kim’s ass cleavage is the biggest thing she’s got going for her, because not only is the girl bad with money, but she’s criminally bad. And when you combine bad fiduciary judgment with a ridiculous love of shopping and access to someone else’s credit card, things can get out of hand. Not for a regular person, but apparently for a Kardashian. In 2004, Kim was singer Brandy’s stylist. Brandy’s mother Sonja Norwood, who is also her daughter’s manager, gave Kim her American Express card to make one purchase for Brandy. Although it remains unclear, somehow Kim kept the card and continued to make personal purchases on it - totaling over $120,000. Not only that, but she lent the card to her two sisters and brothers. They even wracked up purchases at the Kardashian family’s own stores!

RB singer Brandy Norwood's mother filed a lawsuit Monday against Kim Kardashian accusing her of running up more than $120,000 in credit card charges without permission.

The suit, which also names Kardashian's siblings Khloe, Kourtney and Robert Jr., alleges they ran up the charges on the mother's card in 2006 and 2007. It seeks the return of the money plus 10 percent interest.

Kim Kardashian denied the allegations, telling PEOPLE she and her siblings had Norwood's permission to make the purchases.

"We have her signature on all items," Kardashian says.

[From People]

I’m sure she does have signatures for all items. Pretty much all credit card companies require you to sign a receipt. But I’m also pretty sure those signatures aren’t really Sonja Norwood’s, or she wouldn’t be suing the Kardashians I’m assuming that Sonja Norwood didn’t keep close tabs on her credit card statements - and if the debt accrued slowly enough, I suppose it’s possible a wealthy enough person might not notice. Considering Kim hasn’t worked as Brandy’s stylist in several years, I can’t imagine any excuse she could give for using the Norwood’s credit card. It’s a little surprising that no one noticed, but I would imagine they probably figured it out a while ago and made other attempts to get their money back before going for a lawsuit.

Kim wasn’t just Brandy’s stylist - she was also Brandy’s brother Ray-J’s girlfriend. You’ll remember that the two had a very infamous sex tape that Ray-J sold (some say Kim was in on the deal too, though she denies it). Maybe Kim thought she was due an extended shopping spree on the Norwood’s dime. The Kardashians are famous due to their deceased father, O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert Kardashian. Considering their legal linerage, I’m surprised they haven’t paid up. I doubt they have a leg to stand on - and if nothing else, it makes an already tacky family look that much worse.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here are the lovely Kardashian sisters (left to right) Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe - at New Years Eve at Mansion. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Is Jamie Lynn ?running away from home??

Something tells me the Spears clan will never get much peace. Whenever things start to seem like they’re getting just a teeny, tiny bit better, something happens and they get five times worse. It’s kind of a one step forward, two steps back situation. Though Jamie Lynn Spears seems like the better off of the two sisters, that’s not really saying much. Who hasn’t got their stuff together when compared to Britney? The three legged dog I saw hopping down the street yesterday has got its life together - and a lot more going for it - than Britney Spears. After all, that dog may have a plastic sheet lining the floor of his crate, but he doesn’t have padded walls. While Britney is getting all the attention, pregnant 16-year-old Jamie Lynn is having a lot of drama of her own.

For the last few months sources have been saying that mother Lynne Spears and Jamie Lynn have not been getting along so well. Lynne took Jamie Lynn back home to Kentwood, Louisiana after she announced her pregnancy - presumably to keep her away from prying eyes. Jamie Lynn’s been laying low and hasn’t been photographed much, but there have been several reports that Lynne has barred Jamie Lynn from seeing her baby’s dad, Casey Aldridge. Some articles are saying that Jamie Lynn wants to marry Casey, while others say she just wants to be with him. Regardless, it seems a little late to keep the two from each other. Not much has been said about what Casey’s role will be in his child’s life, but it seems like it’d be a good idea to keep good relations between young new parents. Supposedly Jamie Lynn has become so frustrated with Lynn that she’s going to move to California to live with her father, Jamie Spears.

“Jamie Lynn is moving to Los Angeles to live with her dad,” an insider told the Enquirer. “She wants to be settled in before the baby is born in March or early April — and she wants to be closer to film projects she’d like to start after giving birth.”

But Jamie Lynn’s plans to become a working mom aren’t the only reason Britney’s little sis decided to go west. Lynne’s decided that the teenager’s baby daddy, Casey Aldridge, is off limits.

“Jamie Lynn loves Casey and wants to marry him, but her mom is dead set against it,” an Enquirer source said. “Jamie Lynn knows that once she’s out from under her mom’s thumb in Kentwood, she and Casey will be together.”

Lynne also worries that once her little girl’s in Los Angeles, she’ll fall under another negative influence — Lynne’s older daughter Britney! “Jamie Lynn knows Britney smoked and drank during her pregnancy — and because Britney’s boys turned out fine, Jamie Lynn thinks her baby will be fine too,” the source confided. To be continued

[From MSNBC]

If I were Jamie Lynn, I wouldn’t just assume that I’d get to do whatever I wanted by moving in with my other parent. Supposedly the reason Jamie Spears was put in charge of Britney’s medical/legal care is that Lynne has trouble saying no to her - and Jamie doesn’t. Unless he fundamentally disagrees with Lynne about Casey, you would think that the move wouldn’t really facilitate easier access to the boyfriend. If Jamie Lynn wants to move for her career, that’s certainly not a bad idea. I’m guessing what she really wants to do is move to California and get settled with the baby, and then probably get emancipated so she can have access and control over her money. The combination of being Britney Spears’ younger sister and all the publicity from her pregnancy has certainly raised Jamie Lynn’s profile. I’m guessing she won’t have a hard time finding work - though probably not on child-friendly networks anymore.

Picture Note by JayBird: Jamie Lynn has been pretty camera shy lately. Here are some older photos, including pictures with boyfriend Casey Aldridge.

Paris Plays Gay for Role on ?L Word?

Paris Hilton has been photographed kissing women in the past, but recently, she has really stepped up her fake lesbian game- she's been seen kissing galpals Elisha Cuthbert and Brittney Gastineau just this month. Sources say her foray into gayness might be part of her agenda to land a role on the hit Showtime series, “The L Word.” It’s a steamy, soap-opera style drama about beautiful lesbians living in Los Angeles, and Paris sees it as a way to legitimize her acting career.

Following her makeout session with Elisha Cuthbert, Paris Hilton will appear in an episode of the Showtime lesbian drama The L Word.

"Once the strike is over, we are going to start talks, but I am definitely shooting it," she told Usmagazine.com at the L.A. premiere of her comedy, The Hottie and the Nottie.

So will she play gay for pay?

"I don’t know yet,” she said.

For now, Hilton is content being an actress, but she told Us she is open to directing.

"Maybe one day, but right now I just like being in front of the camera,” she said.

[From US Weekly]

I’m not sure how to feel about this. I love "The L Word," and I don’t want Paris and her dreadful acting contaminating it. I mean, have you seen “House of Wax?” Hopefully, this will be a one-time deal; a simple case of stunt casting in which Paris plays herself. There is a character on the show who is currently in jail- if the writers have a sense of humor, having Paris involved in that storyline could be good for a few laughs.

On the other hand, at least Paris is publicity-whoring for a reason this time, instead of just wanting attention. That’s progress for her, right?

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Paris is shown with her costar Christina Lakin at the Hottie & the Nottie premiere last night. Unfortunately MSat and I didn't coordinate our stories and there's another Paris story coming up that I wrote.

Is the WGA Strike Ending?

I don't think I am alone in saying that this writers' strike is really beginning to suck for those of us who enjoy intelligent, well-written programs. Don't get me wrong, I understand and appreciate what these writers are picketing for, and I believe they deserve Internet and DVD residuals. However, if I have to hear about the premiere of another stupid reality show, I think I'm going to throw the TV out the window.

While some media outlets are reporting that the nearly three-month-long Writers Guild of America strike is very close to ending, others are saying that it's not even close to being over. The AP has this to say:

An agreement to end the three-month-old Hollywood writers strike could be ready in time to avoid disrupting the Oscars but studios and the union are still haggling over the precise language, two people familiar with the talks said.

The Writers Guild of America bargaining committee and board of directors received updates on the status of informal talks with studio executives, the pair said Monday. They were not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.

One of the people has said a formal deal is possible by the end of this week.

[From The Associated Press]

Let's all cross our fingers and hope that's accurate- although other reports contradict this and say that the strike is still far from over.

Even though most of Hollywood is acting as if the strike is already over, as if the ink just needs to dry on the dotted "i"s and crossed "t"s, the Writers Guild of America's leadership doesn't want its membership to exhale just yet.

During today's upset Giant win, I received this from the WGA's mailing list:

While fully mindful of the continuing media blackout, we write you to address the rumors and reports that undoubtedly you have been hearing.

The facts: we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract. When and if a tentative agreement is reached, the first thing we will do is alert our membership with an e-mail message. Until then, please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms.

Until we have reached an agreement with the AMPTP, it is essential that we continue to show our resolve, solidarity, and strength.

Picketing will resume on Monday. Our leverage at the bargaining table is directly affected by your commitment to our cause. Please continue to show your support on the line. We are all in this together.

[From Wired Magazine]

The LA Times says that the WGA has been presented with a preliminary contract, but are still waiting for the final version. They also say that not all the members are happy with the contract, including the directors who are WGA members.

However, the directors' contract sparked heated debate among members of the writers guild.

Last week, one of the guild's prominent board members, writer-director Phil Alden Robinson ("Field of Dreams") picked apart several aspects of the directors' pact.

"It's my strong conviction that if an unaltered DGA [Directors Guild of America] deal were put before our membership for a vote today, it would fail resoundingly," Robinson wrote in a blog on the United Hollywood website. "If they insist on trying to shove this deal down our throats without improvements, this strike will not end any time soon."

Reaction to Robinson's missive was mixed, with some members supporting his message and others privately blasting him for what they viewed as an inappropriate move for a board member at a crucial juncture in the writers talks.


[From the LA Times]

Right now, the big rush to get a contract approved is to save the Oscars ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 24. I could care less about that- I just want more episodes of "The Office" and "30 Rock." For all of you out there who are missing shows, let's hope this agreement can be resolved soon.

Picture note by Celebitchy. Images are of The Writers Guild of America March on Hollywood Boulevard on 11/20/07, thanks to PRPhotos.

?Let them eat cake,? I mean ?get a makeover,? says Paris Hilton

In a new interview in Parade Magazine, Paris Hilton reveals her life strategies for feeling sexy, and says that the rumors that she's set to play as lesbian on the television show "The L Word" are actually true. All those stories about how Paris is a party girl just aren't accurate, she says, and she manages to handle the stress of it all and remain gracious by relying on the fine manners her non-slutty mother, Kathy, taught her. If you're down about yourself and want to feel better, "just get a makeover" Paris says, as if we all have a team of hairstylists, makeup artists, designers and tanning spray-guys clamoring to make each of us the most plastic and orange we can possibly be.

You’ve sometimes been called a diva, but I have never once seen you be rude to anyone.

"That was definitely the way that we were raised by my mom. She always taught us to be polite. We had the best manners, so I’ve kept them."

Any other "mom advice" you still carry with you?

"'Put your shoulders back and don’t chew gum.'"

"My mom has always been really supportive. She’s one of my best friends. And she’s just always told me to stay the same and stay the sweet girl I’ve always been since I was little and not let any of the Hollywood stuff get to my head, and you’ll leave a good karma"

The media seem preoccupied with the "Hollywood bad girls," and often your name is on that list. Is that unfair?

"Yeah, you know, that’s just a stereotype they’ve come up with. And that’s fine, but I’m not a bad girl [laughs]."

We’ve even seen you under pressure during some stressful times. How do you keep the day-to-day attention from getting to you?

"I handle it really well. I don’t let that bother me or let the media or paparazzi take over my life. I try not to pay attention to things that are negative"

Every woman has an ugly day. Do you?

"I think we’re humans. All girls feel like a "nottie" some days—like someone who isn’t turning heads. That’s just part of life. I just get a facial or a massage. Pampering yourself gets you back into "hottie"-ness"

Not everyone can be a "hottie," but can they still find something in themselves to feel good about?

"Definitely. I think that’s what life is about. You only live once, and you want to make it as best a life you can have. And I feel like, if people are confident and believe in themselves, that they can all be "hotties."

"If you’re single and you want to go dating and have fun and be young and whatever, just go and get a makeover."

[From Parade.com]

When asked if she'd rather be rich or famous, Paris said "rich, because then you can just have everything you want and not have to deal with the press and people following you," but conceded that she has both and that "It doesn’t even make any difference. I could be happy if I had nothing."

Here's Paris at the LA premiere of The Hottie and The Nottie last night. It definitely looks like she was cast in the wrong role when you check out her gorgeous costar Christine Lakin. Here's the trailer, it actually looks mildly funny. The film isin limited release in the US starting February 8.





Thnks to PRPhotos for these pictures from the premiere.

Demi celebrates Ashton?s 29th birthdayday with Bruce Willis

I have been consistently impressed by the relationship between Demi Moore, new husband Ashton Kutcher and ex-husband Bruce Willis. Though you hear a lot of unpleasant things about Moore, you can’t argue that she’s been pretty mature about her divorce and friendship with Bruce. Some people have said they just do it for the kids, like that’s a bad thing. How in the world could it be a negative to keep up a friendly relationship with your kids’ other parent? Bruce and Demi are occasionally spotted out having lunch together, so it seems like they are genuinely cool with each other.

This weekend Demi had a birthday party for Ashton’s 29th, and keeping to form, the whole family was invited - Bruce included.

Ashton Kutcher's 29th birthday party was nothing if not unconventional.

The Punk'd star rang in the occasion with his wife 45-year-old wife Demi Moore - and her ex husband Bruce Willis.

The unlikely trio dined at a LA restaurant on Saturday, along with Demi and Bruce's children Rumer, 19, Scout, 16, and 13-year-old Tallulah Belle.

Far from being uncomfortable, Ashton and Bruce, 52, appeared to revel in each other's company and even indulged in a moment of playful wrestling.

[From the Daily Mail]

Demi recently commented on the transition the entire family went through when she and Ashton got married. She was incredibly generous in her descriptions of what everyone went through. "It wasn't a piece of cake. It wasn't automatic or easy. It took diligence and effort and even enduring awkwardness, and a lot of general giving on my part and Bruce's part. And really, tremendously, on Ashton's part.” Though their family unit is certainly unconventional, can you imagine how much better a lot of divorced kids would feel if their parents had been that cool with each other? Though Bruce and Demi’s daughter Rumer gets a lot of crap for her appearance, you generally don’t hear about their daughters much in the media. And frankly if any celebuspawn of parents that famous were misbehaving, you know the paparazzi would be all over it. It shows that being decent to each other can only do good.

Picture Note by JayBird: Here’s the family (minus Scout LaRue) at the Live Free or Die Hard premiere. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Are the Beckhams planning to adopt?

Several websites are abuzz with the news the David and Victoria Beckham may be planning on adopting a little girl, possibly from Sierra Leone. David recently went there on a charity mission for UNICEF. The Beckhams have reportedly been actively involved in several charitable organizations for several years, however they have chosen not to publicize their involvement until more recently. According to Grazia magazine, David’s trip to Africa affected him deeply, and the couple are now considering adding to their family.

David spent four days in Sierra Leone in his role as a Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations' children's charity UNICEF two weeks ago. During his trip, David witnessed a birth and gave immunization drops to a newborn baby.

Upon his return to his adopted home of LA, the footballer said: "I was close to tears. I had to step back and take a deep breath. I'm a very emotional person and I'm even more emotional now I'm a parent. But what stopped me crying was knowing that what these kids are going through is far worse than my feelings."

[From the Daily Mail]

Though everyone makes fun of Posh for (presumably) being a little vapid, whenever I’ve seen David interviewed he’s come off as very sweet and affable. I don’t find it hard to believe that he really does care about the UNICEF project and was moved by the kids he visited. Whether or not the couple actually want to adopt as a result of that is more difficult to ascertain.

Beckham, according to Grazia, has told friends they are seriously considering adopting following his trip and has sought advice from celebrity pal Tom Cruise, who adopted son Connor and daughter Isabella with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

The publication quoted a friend as saying: "Adoption is something David has been talking about for some time. If there is one subject that can move him to tears, it's the thought of being unloved, uncared for and with no hope or future. It was only when David started planning his trip to Sierra Leone that they began talking about adoption again. It's clear they both think adoption is great. Tom has talked to David about how adoption changed him and how he's been able to change the lives of two amazing children."

[From the Daily Mail]

Victoria has long said that she’d like a daughter to add to the family, and has even mentioned that she’s saving all of her gazillion handbags to hand down one day. I’ve always been a fan of the traditional heirloom jewelry, but I suppose heirloom purses are better than nothing. And God knows Victoria’s got plenty of them. She has also said that having a little girl would complete their family. Though the couple was rumored to be interested in adopting a few years ago, nothing came of it. Perhaps it was something they were interested in and never followed through, and now they’re ready to revisit it again.

Picture Note by JayBird: Pictures from David's trip to Sierra Leone. Header of Beckham with five-year-old Senyo, who finds it difficult to walk because her muscles have been weakened by malnutrition.

Heather Mills Thinks She?s a Lawyer

That Heather Mills- she's just so talented! Not only does she lend her considerable charm, grace and credibility to such organizations as Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (VIVA), but now she is also starting what I'm sure will be a brilliant career as a lawyer. Mills dropped her legal counsel in her divorce war against Paul McCartney, and is not only representing herself in a hearing against her estranged husband next week, but also plans on suing her former firm for giving her 'bad legal advice.' This is the same firm used by Princess Diana in her divorce from Prince Charles.

Heather Mills is set to sue her former divorce lawyers for bad advice - even though she already owes them �2million in fees.

The latest legal action comes as Ms Mills prepares to go face-to-face with her estranged husband Sir Paul McCartney for a dramatic five-day divorce hearing that will decide how much she receives from his estimated �825 million fortune.

Ms. Mills, 40, will represent herself at the High Court hearing, which begins on Monday, having split from her divorce lawyers Mishcon de Reya. Insolvency lawyers at Mishcons are now pursuing Ms. Mills for almost 20 months of unpaid bills and are expected to launch a legal action in the next two weeks.

A source close to Ms. Mills told the Evening Standard: "There is a possibility of Heather Mills counter-suing. Whatever she owes Mishcons - whether it's �1 million or �2 million - one would have expected her to get something for it and one fails to see what they [Mishcons] got her. There has been no divorce settlement and no outcome over all this time so draw your own conclusion as to the service she received from Mishcons."

[From From This is London UK]

I like the way Heather thinks. There's been no divorce settlement, and no agreement by Paul's lawyers over her extravagant and delusional demands, so surely its her lawyer's fault, not hers! Her ex-law firm has fought back against Heather's claim they poorly advised her, saying that she never followed their suggestions in the first place.

Sources said the firm will defend the advice it gave Ms Mills and suggested lawyers were frustrated that she often refused to take the legal advice given.

The slur will raise eyebrows as Ms Mills was being represented by Anthony Julius, the Mishcon litigator who also handled Princess Diana's divorce from Prince Charles and whose wife died from cancer in October.

Mishcons has now put the matter into the hands of its head of insolvency.

A source at Mishcons said today: "We expect a claim to go in against Ms Mills in the next few weeks."

The former spouses are scheduled to face off in court next week, and sources say that neither side has come anywhere close to agreeing on a settlement. Early in the separation, Paul reportedly offered Heather �15 million, which she refused. I'm wiling to be that amount looks pretty good to her now.

Leonardo DiCaprio shopping for fair trade engagement diamond

Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted out at dinner with a fair trade diamond dealer, and since we can assume he's no longer doing research for a role he must be planning on getting engaged to his on-again girlfriend, Bar Refaeli, right?

Now that Leonardo DiCaprio's romance with model Bar Refaeli, 22, is back on, he's shopping for diamonds. Leo, 33, had dinner with a diamond dealer who specializes in fair-trade gems at Madeo restaurant in West Hollywood on January 17, according to a witness. "Ever since starring in Blood Diamond, Leo has become sort of an expert on the industry," his pal explains.

[From In Touch, print edition, February 11, 2008]

DiCaprio is also considered an expert on environmental issues, and has been invited by the Green Party of Scotland to speak before their Parliament. They are anxiously awaiting a response.

DiCaprio was among the stars in the audience at the friendly Democratic debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Hollywood on Thursday. Other stars in attendance were Diane Keaton, Rob Reiner and Stevie Wonder.

I don't see DiCaprio getting engaged at this point, especially considering how low-key he's been in his relationship with Refaeli. We'll have to wait it out and see what happens.

Leonardo DiCaprio is shown in the header image at Cannes on 5/19/07. Bar Refaeli is shown modeling lingerie on 10/18/07, thanks to PRPhotos.

Jordan?s Ex-nanny Says She?s ?No Mom of the Year?

The former nanny to Katie Price (aka Jordan) and Peter Andre's children, Becky Gauld, has a few things to say about the reality show couple. If you watch their dreadful show, you know that in the season finale last year, Becky was fired from her job as caretaker to Katie and Peter's two sons because she took a holiday against Katie's wishes. Since then, Becky has taken the pair to court for wrongful termination and won. Now, she's going to the tabloids and telling them that Jordan isn't the devoted mom she appears to be on TV.

Becky, 25, stormed: "Their life is very different to the one on TV. The reality is she's selfish and self-centred - and NOT the perfect mum.

"If viewers had seen what I saw off-camera they'd be astounded. The only thing they do as a family is photoshoots."

In the revealing interview she tells how Jordan:

ALLOWED overweight thyroid disorder sufferer Harvey to eat TWENTY chicken nuggets at once - even though she'd been told by doctors he could DIE if he didn't diet.

WAS QUIZZED by SOCIAL SERVICES after the blind autistic youngster scalded himself in a bath of hot water.

TAUGHT Harvey to say "f*** off just so she and Andre could raise a laugh from their friends at a barbecue.

ASTONISHINGLY sent Becky a TEXT from her bed summoning her nanny from her cottage in the grounds of the £2.5 million mansion at 4AM because the star couldn't be bothered to get up and cope with Junior crying in a nearby room.

Becky told the paper: "When she was named Celebrity Mum Of The Year by Grattan last year I laughed.


[From The Sun]


Becky goes on to say that the 'devoted parents' routine is just that-a routine. The pair only cuddle and play with the children when the cameras are on, but when there's no one around to impress, they were all too eager to dump the kids on the nanny. Apparently, Peter likes to hang out in his recording studio, while Jordan is more worried about her beauty treatments than changing diapers. The nanny expressed particular concern for Jordan's oldest son, Harvey, who is autistic, blind, and suffers from a thyroid disorder.

Jordan has blamed her son's weight problems on him hating vegetables, saying: "The doctors told me, ‘If he doesn't go on a diet he could die'. I said, ‘I'm telling you now, he will not eat vegetables. He only wants to eat chicken nuggets or anything with potato'."

But Becky - whose interview can be seen in full at notw.co.uk - says: "That is total rubbish, he WOULD eat vegetables - you just had to have patience and you had to hide them.

"I used to give him Bernard Matthews mini kievs and hide green beans inside. She'd seen me doing it but she knew it took PATIENCE to get him to eat them.

"Harvey's weight problems were due to his condition but she also fed him the wrong things. They would sometimes give him up to 20 packets of raisins a day."

On a holiday to Cyprus the nanny watched in horror as the couple fed him a mountain of fast food.

"In a McDonalds Peter bought him 20 chicken nuggets and chips and brought them back to the car," she said. "Then he and Katie went shopping while Harvey bolted them down.

"I didn't want him to eat them but I was not his mum. They went on holiday in America for ten days and he lost nearly a stone when I looked after him. I just gave him healthy food and exercise."

Is it true- or is it sour grapes? While Jordan has not officially responded to the story, sources say she is very upset and plans to refute these claims. Becky certainly has a motive to paint Jordan as a bad mother. It can't be easy to be fired from your job on national television- I would probably want some revenge on my employers if that's how they chose to sack me. It wouldn't be the first time a disgruntled former employee told tall tales about their boss to get even. However, Becky did win a court case against the pair, which adds a certain air of credibility to the story. And she has since found employment with another family. However, she did go running to The Sun, which means she was probably paid to tell her story.

I think Jordan's a tacky, no-talent attention-whore, but I've always given her credit as a caring mother who seems to cope well with raising a child with so many disabilities. If the nanny is telling the truth, I hope there is some kind of investigation into what's going on in that house. But with so many cameras pointed at Jordan and her kids on a daily basis, it's hard to believe that someone other than the nanny wouldn't have noticed all these things.

PICTURE NOTE BY CELEBITCHY: Thanks to DListed for these image from the January, 2006 issue of OK! Magazine.