1.31.2008

Angelina On the Cover of OK!

Angelina Jolie is, indeed, pregnant according to OK! Magazine.


Angelina Jolie's loose, flowing Hermes gown piqued curiosity and media speculation at the SAG Awards. And now OK! has confirmed through a source close to Angelina Jolie that she is expecting. "Angie has wanted a second biological baby for some time now ... And the minute she's pregnant, she was glows. She's the type that doesn't want to scream it to everyone but has the quiet, expectant mother glow. Her smile says she's the luckiest woman in the world."


Reports have circulated that Angelina intends on selling the story of her pregnancy to a tabloid magazine, and giving the money to charity.

Rihanna's Got Milk

Rihanna is the new face of the "Got Milk" ads



The sexy songstress is asking everyone to "shut up and drink."

Quote of the Day



"We both want children ... And we both can't wait, and we practice a lot! But nothing yet. I'll let you know." - Eva Longoria Parker talks about her maternal instinct and her bedroom behavior on Good Morning America.
*Image: Splash

Britney Hospitalized Again

Britney Spears was placed under psychiatric hold earlier this month ...


Britney Spears was hospitalized again early this morning and is currently under psychiatric hold. A source told People magazine that she was escorted by police. Spears was brought to UCLA Medical Center for a 72-hour lock-down and evaluation. Pal Sam Lufti told People "She went willingly. It was like something in her heart was telling her she should go. She knew something was wrong."
A source says that Britney was hospitalized because she was "driving around her neighboorhood like a mad-woman ... Britney has been prescribed medication which she retuses to take." Reports that Spears attempted suicide have been rebuffed by Lutfi and friend Alli Sims.

*Splash News

1.30.2008

2008 SAG Awards

With major award shows being cancelled left and right celebs are pulling out all the stops when it comes to any red carpet moment.




Angelina Jolie in Hermes and Brad Pitt in Tom Ford



Ellen Page in Zac Posen


Eva Longoria in Naeem Khan



Glenn Close and her unbelievable upper body in Giorgio Armani

and...



Kate Hudson in Balmain

[Source]

Heath's "Secret Struggles" Revealed in US Weekly


The new US Weekly's cover story features quotes from a "close" source/pal/confidant close to Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams. According to the article, Williams was heartbroken throughout their three year relationship by her boyfriend's abuse of alcohol and drugs, including heroine, cocaine, and unidentified pills.

The article also claims that Williams took Ledger to Promises Treatment Center in California in early 2006, but that he refused to enter, and swore he would change and clean up his act.

Two separate sources also told US Weekly that after their split, Williams insisted that Ledger be drug-tested before his visitations with their 2-year-old daughter Matilda.

Jake Mourns


Jake Gyllenhaal is having a very difficult time dealing with the death of his colleague and best-friend Heath Ledger. Gyllenhaal and Ledger became close pals on the set of their film Brokeback Mountain. Gyllenhaal is also godfather to Ledger's 2-year-old daughter with Michelle Williams, Matilda.


Gyllenhaal has taken time off from the set of his movie Brothers. A source on set says, "He [Gyllenhaal] was there, but he wasn't with us. It was obviously a major trauma ... These guys were very close."

1.29.2008

Kate Hudson Says Matthew McConaughey Will Be an Incredible Father


Kate Hudson says that her Fool's Gold co-star Matthew McConaughey will be a great father. "I think because people see Matthew always out doing something whether out dancing in a bar or being on the beach or taking a hike with some crazy bandana on, I think that, like anything they take their image and what they want somebody else to be and then they just run with that," Hudson tells reporters. "Matthew happens to be one of the most loving people I know and his family is important to him."

*WireImage

One Last Look at Sundance

As Sundance wrapped up yesterday, and the celebs began to vacate Park City, here are a few pictures to remember the film festival of '08.


Paris Hilton jams on the drums at the Velvet Relvolver convert, where she played host for the evening at the 944 magazine party at TAO Park City. Hilton also thanked everyone for coming while her hit single, "Stars are Blind" was played by DJ Vice.


Paris was also seen at the Turning Leaf Lounge where a private dinner was held for her, where she invited friends to join her to discuss her new movie, The Hottie and the Nottie. Describing it as a "cute love story," the movie was not at the festival.


Also in attendance was actress and singer Taryn Manning and DJ and record producer Steve Aoki. All the guests enjoyed Turning Leaf wine during the party.


Showing up once again at Sundance, Paris and Nicky Hilton joined together and enjoyed the MySpace Nights at TAO party. With two nights of invite-only concerts, Maroon 5 and 50 Cent both performed, as well as DJ Samantha Ronson who provided music.


Cute couple Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian enjoyed the events at Sundance as they attended the MySpace Nights at TAO party. Newly pregnant Jessica Alba and fiance Cash Warren were another couple also in attendance as they cuddled and enjoyed the performance by 50 Cent.

*Photo Credit: Steve Browernick/Red Eye Productions

- Erin Dustin

Jennifer Lopez in Labor?


Posts are popping up around the web that Ms. Jennifer Lopez is, indeed, in labor! J. Lo was spotted at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island. Stay tuned.

Gwen Stefani Is Pregnant!


Gorgeous Gwen Stefani has announced that she and her husband Gavin Rossdale are expecting their second child! The 38-year-old singer-turned designer and Rossdale are parents to 1-year-old Kingston Rossdale.

*Photo: Splash

1.25.2008

Britney's deposition going slow

Britney Spears's deposition is "slow going," and could drag on for multiple sessions, concedes Kevin Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan. Asked if the deposition could last five or more sessions, Kaplan replied, "It wouldn't surprise me." The attorney added, "There are many areas that I have not yet explored." Spears, 26, has been cross examined for a total of one hour over two sessions. (She has been late to both.) As of the second session Monday, Kaplan said he'd only completed "two percent" of his questioning, which Spears must answer while under oath. Spears's first session lasted a mere 14 minutes, and occurred just hours before her infamous Jan. 3 meltdown. The lawyer, who could not reveal specifics, is likely grilling the pop star about past drug and alcohol use, her failure to follow court orders, and anything else that pertains to her parenting. (The questioning lays the groundwork for the Spears-Federline custody trial scheduled for April.) On Thursday, Kaplan also began deposing Spears confidante Sam Lutfi, who had evaded the sit-down for months.

Jessica fights for her man

Jessica Simpson is fighting mad over a recent OK! magazine article claiming she was dumped by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. TMZ.com first reported that Simpson's lawyers had fired off a strongly-worded letter demanding a retraction for an article which claims Romo broke up with the singer because she was high-maintenance. The letter referred to the article as a "smear campaign." Her lawyers insist: "Mr Romo and Ms Simpson have not broken off their romantic relationship." A rep for Simpson confirms that the singer's lawyer sent a letter to OK! but had no additional comment. A source close to Simpson says, "Jess and Tony did not break up. OK!'s story was full of lies."
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Charlize to be honored by Harvard

Oscars are one thing, but Charlize Theron and Christopher Walken will soon have something equally golden for their mantles: Hasty Pudding pots. The annual Harvard trophies, awarded to those who've made a "lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment," are dispensed by the university's Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe. The ceremony traditionally involves a parade and male students dressed as women. The recipients last year were Ben Stiller and Scarlett Johansson, preceded in 2006 by Halle Berrry and Richard Gere. This year, Monster Oscar winner Theron, 32, gets her Pudding pot (as the prize is called) Feb. 7; Walken, 64, whose Oscar was for The Deer Hunter and who last year was married to John Travolta (in Hairspray), gets his Feb. 15. Not to be outdone, Harvard Lampoon's "Hastiest Pudding of the Lampoon Award" is being given out on Feb. 6, to Paris Hilton, reports the Associated Press.

Amy Winehouse in rehab

Amy Winehouse has gone to rehab. The singer, 24, entered a drug rehabilitation facility, her record company said Thursday. “Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors," Universal Music Group said in a statement. "She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction." Earlier this week, a video surfaced of the singer apparently using a crack pipe. "Yes, I am worried about her, but this picture doesn't show anything we didn't already know before," her father Mitch told reporters of the footage. Police are still deciding whether any charges should be brought against Winehouse over the video.
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1.24.2008

More weird Britney behavior

Britney Spears is no stranger to odd antics, but her behavior on January 7 was particularly bizarre. The “scantily clad” pop star showed up at a Beverly Hills elementary school, saying she was there to pick up someone else’s kids. (She lost custody of her own sons January 4 after being rushed to the hospital. She blew off a custody hearing yesterday.) The singer parked her car outside the school just before 3 p.m. and spent 10 minutes smoking cigarettes and talking to herself while she waited for classes to let out. “She was just rambling and confused,” says the witness, who approached Spears to ask if she was OK. “She said, ‘I’m here to pick up my kids.’ But then she changed her story and said, ‘They aren’t my kids; I have a new attorney, and I came to pick them up for her.’” Adds the witness, “All I could think was, Who in their right mind would let her pick up their kids?” As children began to leave for the day, the star, 26, caused a commotion — “It became the talk of the school. Some of the kids were freaked out,” says a school source. She was directed to a more secure entrance around back. But before getting into her car and driving off (without any children), she chatted up the female witness: “She said, ‘You’re so nice. You should give me your number. I don’t have very many friends.’"

1.23.2008

Statement from Heath's family

Heath Ledger's father Kim has spoken out following the shocking death of the 28-year-old actor Tuesday in New York. According to a statement from the family:

Heath's family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time.
We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.

Celebrity Nation won't be writing anything further about Ledger's death out of respect for his life and his family's privacy.

1.22.2008

Britney update

Britney Spears and adviser Sam Lutfi arrived at the offices of Kevin Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, at approximately 10:45 a.m. When they left around 1 p.m., Spears looked very upset and walked quickly to her car before speeding off. As part of the deposition in her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Federline, Spears had to respond to concerns about her ability to serve as a mother to her two sons. When Spears arrived, she parked her Mercedes directly out front of Kaplan's office. She was wearing a short-sleeved off-the-shoulder light purple top, dark jeans, and tan boots. She was heard speaking in a British accent. TMZ has learned Britney Spears' lawyers will go to court tomorrow and ask Commissioner Scott Gordon to allow Spears "monitored visitation in a therapeutic setting." Spears's family and professionals in her life have been planning a "creative way" to get Britney mental help.

1.21.2008

Britney's weekend

With pup London in hand, Britney Spears headed to the Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood on Sunday night to work on a new routine, owner Robert Baker said. "She is working on the choreography for her song 'Hot as Ice,'" Baker said, "She rehearsed an amazing routine with a chair." The intense dance session wrapped up a characteristically bizarre weekend, during which Spears invited two photographers back to her home for some late-night champagne. "She was very sweet," said one of the photographers, adding that Spears pal Sam Lutfi claimed to have "filed a restraining order" against Adnan Ghalib. Ghalib, the paparazzo who has been by Spears's near-constant companion in recent weeks, shot back, "I am only now becoming aware of what is being said. I hope to be back home in Los Angeles soon and to be in contact with Miss Spears." (The L.A. police and sheriff's departments both said no emergency protective order had been issued.) Spears, 26 – who also dropped by PetCo Sunday afternoon, picking up a birdcage and some dog food – spent nearly three hours working on her moves at Millennium. She emerged at 9:30 p.m. in a white top and Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, chatting with paparazzi and requesting the presence of Filipe, one of the photographers who had been at her home earlier. "Britney was in an upbeat mood," Baker said, adding that despite the impressive workout, the singer still seemed slightly scatterbrained. "I let her use my personal copy of Blackout. She forgot her own CD."

Kiefer's a free man

Kiefer Sutherland has been released from jail after serving 48 days on a drunken driving charge, according to a police official. The 41-year-old actor reportedly walked out of jail at 12:05 a.m. Monday, hours earlier than had been expected. Officer John said, "(Kiefer) looked like he was glad to be out," and that the actor was wearing a shirt and jeans when he left the facility. Sutherland - the star of Fox television's drama, "24" - has spent his sentence cleaning sheets, pillowcases and blankets on laundry duty, Balian told The Associated Press on Friday. He was granted a request to serve his time in suburban Glendale's city jail rather than in the overcrowded downtown Los Angeles County jail. The trade-off was that he could not shave any time off his sentence for good behaviour or early release because of overcrowding. The actor must also serve five years probation and complete an 18-month alcohol education program and attend weekly therapy sessions for six months.

Mr. Big welcomes son

Sex and the City star Chris Noth and his girlfriend, actress Tara Wilson, have welcomed a baby boy, his rep confirms. Orion Christopher Noth was born Friday and weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz. "I am happy to confirm that Chris Noth and Tara Wilson are the proud parents of a happy and healthy baby boy," his rep tells Us. "Chris and Tara are thrilled and all are doing well." The couple (who co-own the café Once Upon a Tea Cup in Windsor, Ontario) announced the news in November.

1.19.2008

Suri watches American Idol

Perhaps Suri Cruise will be an entertainer after all. Not only is the 21-month-old a fan of the Spice Girls, she also digs American Idol. Mom Katie Holmes — who is getting panned by critics for her latest comedy Mad Money — revealed the scoop on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM show this morning. When Seacrest said he could hook the Cruise clan up with some tickets, the soft-spoken Holmes said, “I would be very grateful.” Holmes, who made several TV appearances this week, gushed (some more) about Tom Cruise. “I married the biggest movie star in the world,” she said. Holmes said she wants to have another baby, but “not in the immediate future. Long term, of course.” For now she has her hands full with Suri, who is “is growing and talking more. I am constantly surprised and challenged.” Holmes also talked about her friends, the Beckhams. She called Victoria “very sexy.” When asked about her thoughts on David’s good looks, she laughed and said, “He’s such a … nice man. He’s very good at what he does!”

Gwyneth's ailment

Gwyneth Paltrow was taken to New York's Mount Sinai Hospital Monday for "a little gastrointestinal situation," her pal chef Mario Batali confirmed. "It's now been straightened out," he said at the grand opening of The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas Thursday. "She's [doing] great." In three weeks, he said they're going to Majorca, Spain, and then Valencia, Spain, to shoot a PBS cooking show, set to air in October. The news of Paltrow's hospitalization broke on Monday. "She was slumped over in a wheelchair pushed by [husband] Chris Martin," an eyewitness told Us. "She looked not well." On Tuesday, her rep issued a statement, saying, "She is at home and OK."

Clooney named UN messenger of peace

George Clooney is being honored for his humanitarian work. The actor, who is also an advocate for refugees in Darfur, has been named a United Nations "messenger of peace," it was announced Friday. The actor is being "recognized for focusing public attention on crucial international political and social issues," according to U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas. Clooney, 46, joins Michael Douglas and musician Yo-Yo Ma as previous celebrity U.N. honorees. Clooney and friend Don Cheadle were given the Peace Summit Award by a group of Nobel Laureates Dec. 13 for their work for Darfur. With Cheadle and Brad Pitt, Clooney has raised money for refugees through the "Not On Our Watch" charity and helped draw attention to the crisis in Darfur in western Sudan.
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1.18.2008

Britney to host party; media prepare obit

Britney Spears will host a party, The Scandinavian Style Mansion, at a private residence in Beverly Hills on Feb. 16. Spears last hosted the event – at which Scandinavian brands are showcased – on Dec. 1. At that party, she was presented with a birthday cake and bumped into her one-time BFF Paris Hilton. "Britney has said 'yes,' to hosting it," said Claus Hjelmbak, the Danish businessman who founded the event. "I am beyond excited because the experience she gave everyone in December was amazing. She absolutely made my event." Hjelmbak, who was at Spears's side when she and Sam Lutfi went on an early morning shopping spree Jan. 17 at Kitson in L.A., said of the outing: "I know people will say it's weird she was shopping at 2 a.m., but [Kitson] said you guys can always come when you want. I just called the owner and said can we come over and they said 'sure.'" Hjelmbak also has kind words for Lutfi, saying, "He's the most down-to-earth, easy-going guy. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body." As for Adnan Ghalib, he said, "I don't know him." As for online reports claiming Spears has multiple personalities, Hjelmbak, who first met Britney in 2006, says, "I have only seen one person and that's the Britney I first met and seen every time. She's a very sweet person."

The Associated Press began preparing Spears’ obituary within the past month. "We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time," AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington says. "I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now," Washington adds. "Of course, we would never wish any type of misfortune on anybody and hope that we would never have to use it until 50 years from now…but if something were to happen, we would have to be prepared." Washington also says the AP has a "pretty extensive obituary operation," and that staffers are "constantly adding people."

Katie's acting panned by critics

Kate Holmes is getting harsh reactions from critics in her first return to the big screen since wedding Tom Cruise and welcoming daughter Suri. “And the cinematic comeback of the year award goes to…somebody other than Katie Holmes,” says a New York Post critic, who calls her new heist comedy Mad Money, co-starring Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton, “the most cringe-making return since Love Boat: The Next Wave. “Holmes, with Alice Cooper hair and crazy Jim Carrey eyes, looks terrible and acts worse, unless this movie is unintentionally a lobotomy documentary,” the reviewer writes. “Whatever could have happened to her in the last couple of years to zap the talent out of her like this?” The New York Times says Holmes is “the movie’s weakest link.” Variety adds that throughout the film “Holmes is awkwardly upsetting the balance” between Latifah and Keaton.“Their heist is only the pretext for jinks that range from medium high (as played out by Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton) to painfully low (as perpetrated by Katie Holmes, who pops her eyes, scrunches her nose and shakes her booty in lieu of acting),” writes the Wall Street Journal. Holmes, who seems to have changed a lot since her early days based on her talk show appearances this week, also recently got flak for some questionable style moves in NYC.

Lily Allen suffers miscarriage

Lily Allen has had a miscarriage, a source close to the British singer told Reuters on Friday. The 22-year-old, nominated for a Grammy award for best alternative music album, was expecting her first child with Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons. The story was first reported in the Sun tabloid, which said the couple had recently returned from holiday. "They are in a state of shock," the paper quoted an unnamed source as saying. "Lily's entire outlook on life changed after she found out she was pregnant," it added, referring to Allen's reputation as a wild child. "She was looking forward to being a mum and starting a family with Ed. "They are surrounded by friends, and family are offering support. It is a really difficult time for them." Allen scored a big hit with her debut album "Alright, Still..." and plans a follow-up record later this year. She first burst on to the scene with chart-topping single "Smile" in the summer of 2006.

Lindsay headed to the morgue

Lindsay Lohan is entering the next phase of her sentence for misdemeanor drunk driving Рand the good news is, she'll be prepared if she's ever up for a role on CSI. After fulfilling several requirements set by her DUI plea agreement Рincluding rehab, community service and 84 minutes spent in jail РLohan will next have to spend some time in a morgue, her lawyer, Blair Berk, told a judge Thursday at a hearing in a Los Angeles court, the Associated Press reports. In an effort to illustrate the potentially fatal consequences of drinking and driving, she's set to spend two, 4-hour days in a morgue. After that, she'll spend two days working in an emergency room. The actress, 21, reached a plea agreement in August based on charges from two separate DUI incidents, one in May in Beverly Hills and one in July in Santa Monica. Lohan did not attend Thursday's hearing, which was held to gauge her progress in meeting the terms of her deal. Morgue duty will certainly be a comedown from Lohan's usual world of red carpets and events. On Wednesday, she stole the show at the Hollywood premiere for Cloverfield, where she shone in a black Herv̩ L̩ger cocktail dress Рand stuck to Red Bull and water.

1.17.2008

Chris Martin in photog scuffle

In a video captured by TMZ.com, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin can be seen attacking a photographer. In the video Martin and wife Gwyneth Paltrow are seen leaving a hospital. After the photographer snaps a couple shots, Martin jumps on the man, pushes him to the ground and tries to make off with his camera, all while yelling, “Have some respect!” At this point the photographer gets up and struggles to get his equipment back. Martin tries to make an escape in his SUV, but the cameraman can be heard threatening to break the vehicle’s door if the equipment is not returned. There’s no official word on why the famous couple were at the hospital.

Kiefer to be released next week


Kiefer Sutherland will be released Monday, most likely in the early morning, according to L.A.'s Glendale Police. He began serving a 48-day sentence in L.A.'s Glendale City Jail on December 5 for his second DUI conviction and for violating probation. Entertainment Tonight first reported the story While in jail, he celebrated Christmas, his 41st birthday and was on laundry duty. He had no visitors during his stay, Glendale Police Department Public Information Officer Agent John S. Balian says, but "there is still a lot of fan mail that comes in."

Scarlett to visit troops

Scarlett Johansson is going to entertain the troops in the Persian Gulf, the USO has announced. The Match Point actress and director-to-be, 23, plans to tour the region for five days as part of a USO/Army Morale Welfare Recreation entertainment tour, says the organization. While there, she will visit numerous military installations, greet fans, sign autographs and interact with members of the U.S. armed forces. "This USO tour to the Gulf region truly means a lot. I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived," says Johansson – who gets a large supply of fan letters from the military and wanted to do more than just answer them on paper. "It's one thing to reply to a letter or extend your thanks to service members in a speech, but it's another thing to visit them and spend time with those that do so much for us back home," she adds in a statement released by the USO. The USO, which began boosting U.S. troop morale during World War II, has, in 66 years, produced 58 tours and staged 328 special events for men and women in uniform, including performances, autograph sessions, hospital visits and movie screenings, the group says in a press release announcing Johansson's involvement.

1.16.2008

Eddie and new wife split after 2 weeks

Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds have called it quits just two weeks after their intimate wedding. "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," Murphy and Edmonds said in a statement. "While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends.” The couple exchanged vows in a sunset ceremony on New Year's Day on a private island off Bora Bora in French Polynesia. But, according to a source, the honeymoon got off to a rocky start. "Eddie started yelling at Tracey in front of people," says one of Edmonds's wedding guests. "He did it on a few occasions and it was very embarrassing." Since the couple's nuptials took place in a foreign country, the wedding was purely ceremonial – not legal. Murphy, 46, and Edmonds, 40, originally said they planned to have a legal ceremony in the United States, but that is now off. Murphy and Edmonds started dating in the fall of 2006 and got engaged last July.

Britney's not crazy, says Alli Sims

Britney Spears' cousin and former assistant Alli Sims says the troubled pop star is "not crazy," but she's worried about the singer's new beau, paparazzo Adnan Ghalib. Despite paid offers to dish on Spears, Sims has stayed out of the fray. She has never commented on the singer before and wants it known she was not paid to talk. She breaks her silence to Us Weekly in its latest issue. "I do not think Adnan is a good person," Sims, 26, tells Us. "I think he only has bad intentions. He has given me a weird feeling and creeped me out. I wish he would just go away. When you go through your whole life just listening to what everybody tells you to do, you get to the point where you're not used to having to pick out yourself what is really important," she says of her relationship with Spears and her adviser Sam Lutfi. Sims is adamant that Spears was not on drugs before she was hospitalized on Jan. 3. "I do not think that is the issue at all," she says. "I was with her for eight months pretty much every day and never witnessed anything like that – and I lived there." (Sims was not with Spears during her meltdown, despite reports otherwise.) The aspiring singer says Spears "adores" her two children and is simply upset and sad by her custody situation. "I wish people would give her a break and lay off her," she adds.

Tom and Katie dine with the Seinfelds

Suri may not have joined them, but Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had plenty of company at New York City's Sfoglia Tuesday night. The pair joined Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld at the exclusive upper east side eatery, for a nearly three-hour-long meal. Along with plates of rustic Italian food and red wine, the foursome shared plenty of laughs. In addition to Holmes entertaining the table with her animated storytelling, Cruise and Seinfeld cracked a few jokes. The Seinfelds left the restaurant first, leaving Cruise and Holmes to collect themselves before hitting the onslaught of paparazzi waiting outside. Earlier in the afternoon, Holmes got in touch with her creative side (not to mention undeniable love for fashion) by visiting the fabric store Mood. Holmes and Suri spent a lengthy amount of time picking out material – lots of creams and dark khaki as well as wool fabrics – to get suits made for herself and Tom.

John comes to Jessica's defense

John Mayer is coming to ex Jessica Simpson's defense after Dallas Cowboys fans have accused her of jinxing beau Tony Romo. When Simpson attended the Cowboys' December face-off against the Philadelphia Eagles, Romo played the worst games of his career. Then, Romo was accused of having of mixed-up priorities for joining Simpson on vacation in Mexico rather than practicing the weekend before playoffs. (The Cowboys lost to the New York Giants.) Bt on his blog, Mayer insists Simpson has nothing to do with the team's bad luck: "This isn't a sports blog, and it isn't a publicity stunt. (but have at me if it feels right.) This is about doing what I think is right as a person, in this case speaking my mind. I have never known anyone to have more pride in their home state and their upbringing in it than Jessica Simpson has in Texas. I don't really follow sports, but I have played some of my biggest and best concerts in your state, and having witnessed how dynamic the spirit there is, I'm betting emotions are running high right about now. All witty barbs, blogs, and fashion policing aside, that girl loves Texas more than you know. It's one of her most defining traits as a person. So please don't try and take that away from her. (You probably wouldn't be able to, but it's less work for all involved.) I just thought it would mean something coming from the guy who has the absolute least to gain from this. And if I'm out of line in having written it, too bad. I can spare a Wednesday's worth of bad press if it means sticking up for a good soul."

Ellen's next project will be directed by Drew

Ellen Page will follow up her star-making turn in "Juno" by starring in Mandate Pictures' "Whip It!" which marks Drew Barrymore's directorial debut. Story follows the exploits of alterna-teen Bliss, who lives in a small Texas town, where she is always being pushed into beauty pageants. But she winds up finding herself after joining a female roller derby team. Derby star Shauna Cross, known on the circuit as Maggie Mayhem, penned the screenplay. Project, which had originally been set up at Warner Bros. via Barrymore's Flower Films banner, reteams Page with Mandate, the company behind box office- and awards-season hit "Juno." "I really admire how Drew constantly challenges herself as an artist," Page said. "She's proven herself as an actress and a producer, and I have no doubt she'll bring great vision and creativity to the director's chair. I can't wait to kick ass on wheels!" Barry Mendel ("Rushmore") is producing. Peter Douglas, Nancy Juvonen, Kirsten "Kiwi" Smith and Nathan Kahane are executive producing. The $10 million film is slated to begin shooting in the summer in Texas. Page is likely to schedule another project before segueing to "Whip It!" Barrymore has been flirting with the project as her first helming effort for some time. But "Whip It!" began to coalesce at Mandate after Page expressed interest in the script. "I've been working toward the goal of directing my entire life," Barrymore said. " 'Whip It!' is a story that really spoke to me."

Johnny donates to hospital

Johnny Depp made an unannounced visit to the Great Ormond Street Hospital yesterday to donate nearly $2 million (£1 million) to the London children's medical center that treated his daughter last year, the Daily Mail reported. The actor's eight-year-old daughter Lily-Rose spent nine days in the hospital last March when she suffered from kidney failure. A grateful Depp invited the doctors and nurses to the London premiere of Sweeney Todd last week and read stories to patients in November dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of The Caribbean, the UK paper reported. Disney also reportedly pledged approximately $20 million (£10 million) to the hospital, which is raising funds for renovations.
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1.15.2008

Press go easy on Katie

ABC suits were red-faced yesterday after Katie Holmes was interviewed on "Good Morning America" without being asked about claims that her baby, Suri, was created with the sperm of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, not hubby Tom Cruise. "GMA" host Diane Sawyer asked Holmes only inoffensive, softball questions about her hair, her clothes, her baby and her new movie, "Mad Money." Incredibly, she never even brought up Andrew Morton's controversial new book, "Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography" - which has set off a worldwide buzz and has the superstar going ballistic and threatening a massive lawsuit. Last night, the network was in full damage-control, trying to say its coverage wasn't a whitewash. "GMA" executive producer Jim Murphy insisted there was no agreement to avoid the touchy subject. He told The Post's Don Kaplan he'd planned for the segment to delve into the personal lives of Cruise and Holmes, but after nearly eight minutes of light banter, didn't know when Sawyer was going to get to it and called for the segment to end. "It was one of those bad calls on my part," Murphy said. "Diane doesn't generally get angry, but was she disappointed in how I handled it, yes." Murphy said Sawyer was going to get into personal issues but, "[she] was looking for the right place to do that. She knew we wanted to be fair and deal with [Holmes' new] movie and she wanted to talk about her life because Diane likes to produce a well-produced segment and bring something special to it when you get somebody that you don't see often on live television - but we had a time issue." But although the allegations in the Morton book have been widely reported around the world, Murphy said "GMA" still would not have mentioned the tome because it has been widely criticized over the quality of its journalism. "A lot of innuendo and gossip in that book is reported as fact," he said. Holmes was also interviewed yesterday on the syndicated show "Live With Regis and Kelly," where there was similarly no mention of the book.

Gwyneth admitted to hospital


Gwyneth Paltrow was admitted to New York's Mount Sinai Hospital yesterday afternoon. "She was slumped over in a wheelchair pushed by [husband] Chris Martin," an eyewitness said. "She looked not well." At 6:30 p.m., a bag — labeled "Gwyneth Martin" — from NYC organic home supply store Organics Avenue, and a white pillow, were delivered. A source says she and Martin were spending the night. The reason for the hospitalization is unknown. Her rep said, "We are not commenting as it's a personal matter."

1.14.2008

Harlow Winter looks like her mom

Days after he and Nicole Richie welcomed daughter Harlow, Joel Madden can't stop gushing over his newborn. "I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," he writes on his DCMA Collective Web site under the heading "It's a Girl!!!!" "She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives." He adds that the baby "looks so much like her mom its crazy!" And how is Harlow? "She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet," Madden says. "She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures." He is asking friends and family not to send gifts or cards, but to "make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor."
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Britney's visitation rights still suspended

Britney Spears still may not visit her children, a court commissioner ruled Monday, following a custody hearing the pop singer missed. Kevin Federline, who attended the session, maintains sole legal and physical custody of their two sons Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1, "indefinitely," a court spokesman says. In a bizarre and chaotic scene outside the courthouse, Spears arrived for the afternoon session of the proceedings – but abruptly left the courthouse after paparazzi surrounded her. "I'm scared. I want to get in the car. I'm going in the car," she said after stepping out of the car as photographers crowded around her. Spears, 26, then got back in the car. Police tried to coax her out, but she slammed her back against the seat and shouted, "No!" Spears's car eventually drove off, and she didn't make it to the afternoon session of the hearing. She had also missed the morning session, staying at home. The court hearing focused on Spears's four-hour Jan. 3 standoff with police, firefighters and paramedics at her Studio City home. Events that evening resulted in Spears being hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and later being stripped of visitation rights. Five witnesses testified at the hearing, including two police officers, the court-appointed custody monitor and Federline's bodyguard – who all were at Spears's house during the standoff. Also testifying was a parenting coach who was not at the scene.

After arriving and then fleeing her custody hearing trial, the singer's bizarre behavior continued as she made a quick stop at the Little Brown Church in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley. According to witnesses, she lit a candle and said a prayer. Bill Thomas, assistant pastor, said, "Britney was only in here for a few minutes. Our church is open 24 hours a day, so I don't know if she has ever been here before. She did not get married in here. We welcome anyone, including Britney, into our church at any time." A note reading, "Dear God, please give Britney her kids back," was sticking out of the prayer box. It is unclear who wrote it.

Keri Russell to voice Wonder Woman flick

Reliable sources confirm that Keri Russell is in advanced talks to voice the title role in Warner Bros' straight-to-DVD animated Wonder Woman feature. The flick, which is slated for release in late '08/early '09, is part of a new line of DVD feature adaptations by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics. The first, Superman: Doomsday, hit stores in September and promptly flew off the shelves. Upcoming releases include Justice League: New Frontier (2/26) and Batman: Gotham Knight.

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