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Britney Piles On The Pounds

Pop princess Britney Spears has turned to food to help her cope with her parent's break-up and her split from Justin Timberlake--and she's beginning to pile on the pounds. The sexy singer, whose parents Bryan and Lynne Spears have begun divorce proceedings, kicked off her Dream Within A Dream North American tour in Las Vegas this week. And fans in the crowd couldn't help but notice the curvy singer was looking more voluptuous than ever. One devotee told gossip site Pagesix.com, Britney has "gained at least 10 pounds." And another fan added, "She's gotten chunky, and even my boyfriend commented on her big butt."

Paltrow's New Love Bans Her From Sex

Gwyneth Paltrow's new boyfriend Aaron Eckhart is refusing to sleep with the sexy star. The Hollywood babe, who met Aaron on the set of the upcoming movie Possession, recently confessed she has difficulty keeping lovers because she wears them out in the bedroom. But she appears to have finally met her match in 34-year-old Eckhart--the hunk is very religious and doesn't believe in sex before marriage. A friend of Eckhart says, "Aaron has very strong convictions and doesn't give them up for anyone...He accepts the church's ruling that forbids pre-marital sex." But friends of Oscar-winner Gwyneth say the actress is so besotted with the Mormon actor, she's agreed to go without sex--and is even considering marrying him. Paltrow's pal says, "She's lost her heart to Aaron. We hear big things are planned for late this summer. People thought it was a joke when started dating, but now see the relationship is for real."

Julia's Man Free To Wed Again

Julia Roberts' wedding plans are back on as boyfriend Danny Moder's divorce has become final. The Pretty Woman star and her cameraman lover were reportedly at odds over his family's dislike of the actress, but their romance is back on track now that Moder is a single man. Moder, 33, was officially divorced from Vera Steimberg, 29, his wife of four years, on May 16. As part of the settlement, Moder's makeup artist ex won custody of the couple's two dogs and their home in Woodland Hills, California.

Sopranos Star Upsets His Wife Over Lovenest

Sopranos star James Gandolfini has enraged his estranged wife, Marcy, by introducing their three-year-old son to his mistress. Marcy now claims her actor-husband is brazenly flaunting his affair with Lora Somoza to give her a nervous breakdown. A source says, "Marcy is absolutely livid that when James is seeing their little boy Michael, he is often exposing him to Lora. She says her nanny informed her that she was instructed to drop off their son at a downtown apartment where James has Lora living. Marcy thinks that James used this place as a love nest while they were married, and that now he's moved Lora in there and is living there on and off."

Dr. Aniston

Friends star Jennifer Aniston was required to perform one of her most challenging roles recently--as a real-life medic. While cooking for Hollywood hunk husband Brad Pitt, she heard a sudden bloodcurdling scream. She ran outside to find a workman scrambling down a ladder with a spike through his hand--the clumsy man had fired it from a high-powered nail gun. And while his male co-workers panicked over their friend's bloody hand, ice-cool Aniston ran to grab towels and a first aid kit. After making sure no bones or tendons had been pierced, the stunning actress yanked the nail clean out of his tortured flesh. When hunky Pitt finally emerged to check out the commotion and wanted to call an ambulance, Jennifer calmly advised the quivering workman to ask his doctor about a tetanus shot.

Vin Comes To Rescue Of Wheelchair-Bound Lady

The Fast And The Furious muscleman Vin Diesel came to the rescue of a disabled lady who was insulted by an irate shopper in an Los Angeles supermarket. While waiting patiently at the busy checkout line of Trader Joe's market, an aggressive man started complaining about the service. A lady in line in a wheelchair asked the guy to please calm down, to which the angry man replied, "Oh, it's fine for you--you've got a place to sit. Why don't I just cut in front of you?!" Outraged, Vin went up to the man and told him if he didn't shut up, he'd need a wheelchair himself. The angry man took one look at the actor's biceps and quickly exited the store.

The Eagles Take Flight In Reno

The Eagles take the stage for the first show on a 32-date summer tour on Friday (May 31) at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada. With a history as long and rich as theirs, you'd think the audience would include a representative sampling of the American population.
Guitarist Joe Walsh and and singer/drummer Don Henley told LAUNCH about the band's audience. "There's one of everything in our audience," Walsh said. "That's all I know."
Henley added, "We've been seeing a cross-section--you know, we've done a few gigs in the past few years, you know, and we see people in their 60s, and people in their teens, you know, which is good--I think that's great."

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Macdowell Ashamed Of Being A Smoker

Andie Macdowell has admitted that taking up smoking late in life has made her feel ashamed and a bad example to her children and her fans. The 40-year-old actress took up smoking after her divorce from former husband Paul Qualley, and although it provided a short term answer to her emotional problems for someone of such rigid self-control her nicotine addiction turned into a nightmare. Her three children, aged 15, 12 and seven thought she had let them down and her several attempts to give up reduced her to crying for weeks. MacDowell reveals, "It's bizarre to start smoking as a woman of 40, but cigarettes were absolutely fabulous. I was terrified that people would find out that I was a closet smoker. I have three children I have responsibilities, I have a certain persona to uphold in society because of who I am. As a spokesman for L'Oreal, I did not want to set a bad example. There were tears and dramas."

Christina Ricci's A Bad Flirt

Hollywood actress Christina Ricci is attempting to overcome a grave problem - she's a terrible flirt. Successfully grabbing the attention of the opposite sex is a skill she's yet to master and she remains a very clumsy learner. Ricci moans, "When I like a guy, sometimes I'll be sarcastic and that can backfire on me. Boys don't understand that I'm just trying to flirt." And her misjudgment has also led to disastrous dates. She recalls, "There was this hot guy who I really wanted to go out with. I threw in a couple of Sat-vocabulary type words during our conversation, and he said, 'You like to use big words, don't you?' Doing that is just kind of a fun game we play in my family. And when I told this guy that my upcoming movie Prozac Nation was based on Elizabeth Wurtzel's book, he said, 'I don't read books.' That was it for me."

Winona's Anger At Charity Pranksters

Hollywood babe Winona Ryder is fuming after discovering pranksters are cashing in on her shop-lifting charges. The sexy actress - who has been accused of trying to steal clothes from a Hollywood store - was furious when she found that clothes she autographed for an charity are being auctioned on internet site eBay. According to British tabloid the Daily Star, the items appear on the sale site with "shoplifted by" printed above the star's signature. Winona - who earlier this month herself poked fun at the accusations in a sketch on TV comedy show Saturday Night Live - is due to appear in court next Monday.

Johnny Depp Gets Voice Coach

Hollywood hunk Johnny Depp has hired a voice coach to help him pick up a Scottish accent for his new movie Neverland. Depp was ridiculed after his attempt at a English 'cockney' accent in last year's Jack the Ripper murder flick From Hell. So he has hired the coach to help him perfect his Scottish twang, in time for his role as Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie alongside Kate Winslet in the movie - due for release next year.

Britney burns rubber

Despite the poor showing of her first big-screen effort Crossroads, Britney Spears has landed a second film role. The Louisiana saucepot is to star as a racing driver on the Nascar circuit - a sort of American version of Formula One - in a Days of Thunder-style tyre-squealer. The as-yet untitled movie will start filming in October. Britney has been keen to get back in front of the camera and is thought to have had designs on the role of the love interest in Spider-Man, a part that eventually went to Kirsten Dunst.

Eminem show for MTV

Eminem has been confirmed to appear at this weekend's MTV Movie Awards 2002 in the USA.
The 'Don of Disgust' will be joined by The White Stripes at the event, which takes place on Saturday, June 1 at the Shrine Auditorium in Las Angeles.
The ceremony is to be hosted by Sarah Michelle Geller of 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' fame and Jack Black from 'High Fidelity'.
Other stars expected to present awards include Ben Affleck, Will Smith, Nicolas Cage, Kate Beckinsale, Anthony Hopkins and Mike Myers.

Jail Fears Helped Sort Eminem Out

Bad-boy rapper Eminem is convinced the prospect of a jail sentence for back-to-back gun charges helped him change his ways.

The hip hop star felt sure he would be sent to prison for firearms crimes he committed in the summer of 2000, which included pistol-whipping a bodyguard he caught kissing his wife Kim.

He says, "My worst fear was, 'How am I going to explain this to my daughter Hailie if I'm found guilty and I've got to go to prison?'"

"It all ended up being a plus in my book. It straightened me out and made me realise that I had to calm down and that it could all end tomorrow. Everything I worked for could crumble any day."

"It was nerve-wracking and I'm glad to not have it hanging over my head." (WENN)

J.Lo's Really An Australian

Jennifer Lopez's pure Puerto Rican pedigree has taken a bashing - because she's really Australian.

According to Australian drag queen Dame Edna Everage, the New York-born "Ain't It Funny" singer could be considered a native of the Antipodean country.

And Everage, played by comedian Barry Humphries, reckons her Aussie 'heritage' is probably where she gets all of her talent from.

She explains, "Scientific tests have determined that Australians are genetically more talented than anyone else in the world.

"Paleontologists at the University Of Tasmania have recently determined that Australia and Puerto Rico were attached to each other in the Jurassic period. That makes Jennifer Lopez an Australian." (WENN)

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L'Oreal Welcome Imbruglia

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has confirmed Australian star Natalie Imbruglia is joining their family of celebrity spokesmodels.

The singer and former actress, 27, is the latest famous beauty to advertise the range of hair and beauty products, and joins Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, Milla Jovovich and Beyonce Knowles.

A L'Oreal spokesman says, "Natalie is a perfect ambassador for our cosmetics.
She is known for her genuine charm and personal strength of character as well as
her physical beauty." (WENN)

Kylie To Tour America?

Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue is planning to celebrate her success in the US charts - by touring North America.

Just two months after her last LP Fever went gold in the States - selling more than 500,000 copies - sources close to the sexy singer say she's planning to extend her European Fever tour, and add on dates in America.

Although the dates and venues are still being worked out, an un-named source says visas have already been arranged for Kylie's Stateside jaunt.

In a 14-year-career the singer has enjoyed huge success in Europe and Australia, and previously admitted she wasn't too concerned about breaking herself across the Atlantic because it'd mean she'd have to spend time away from home.

But after the unprecedented success of Fever, Kylie is now under pressure to show she can live up to the impressive sales of her first Stateside album.

But it is building up to be a busy year for Minogue, after singing her way across Britain, Europe and America, reports in her homeland say she's taking her act down under in August 2002. (WENN)

Britney's Tears Over Parents Break-Up

Pop princess Britney Spears is so distraught over the break-up of her parents' marriage - she threatened to cancel her upcoming American tour.

The sexy singer is performing her 35-city Dream Within A Dream tour around Canada and the United States until July 2002, but according to sources, Britney is finding it hard to put on a brave face for the fans - while her family is breaking up.

At the opening gig at Las Vegas, Nevada's Mandalay Bay Events Center last Friday, 24 May 2002, a backstage source said she was "extremely distraught" during the evening.

One concert employee says, "She was ready to call off the tour. The tour was off, then it was on. It was really tense backstage hours before the show."

"She finally did the shows. But she ended up canceling other appearances in Vegas. She didn't go to any of the parties."

The star's representative Lisa Kasteler refused to comment on the marriage break-up of Jamie and Lynne Spears, but insisted Britney would never cancel a gig.

Kasteler explains, "She's doing what she loves. I doubt she's out partying. It's a very demanding show." (WENN)

Hotel Bans Aguilera After Wild Parties

Pop vixen Christina Aguilera has been banned from a posh Hollywood hotel after a string of wild parties.

The pop star held three bashes, each costing US$140,000 (S$250,636) and attracting up to 50 revellers, in three plush suites at LA's Standard Hotel - at two-week intervals.

The parties - which kicked off after the hotel's nightclub closed at 2am - had guests including Ozzy Osbourne's 16-year-old son Jack and actress Drew Barrymore.

Christina spent a fortune on food, champagne and room services to keep her fun-loving pals happy.

But the singer upset hotel bosses after guests complained, and now - according to British tabloid The Sun - she has been banned from throwing the bashes.

A source told the newspaper, "Her parties were too out of control, and the clean-up cost was enormous."

"Guests in adjoining suites were always ringing the front desk, complaining about the noise."

"There was too much noise, too much mess, too much trouble. Despite all the cash she spent, it just wasn't worth having her stay there any more." (WENN)

Eve Vetoes Skimpy Outfits

Rap beauty Eve has learned to be more selective about her clothes - after a barely-there dress earned her more attention than she could handle.

The star, whose daring dress sense is the subject of much press attention, admits that when she was a teenager, her attempts at looking seductive left her wishing she'd dressed herself in a potato sack.

She recalls, "This one summer, there was a Greek picnic in Philadelphia - it's for the fraternities at all the local colleges. I was 16, and my girlfriends and I wanted to go out looking like hoochies. I decided to wear this teeny-weeny, baby-blue tube-top dress. It was small."

"I was so mad at myself for wearing that damn dress! My t*tties aren't that big, but my back was exposed, and my ass was right there.

"Every block I went, people were touching my ass, trying to touch my ass or asking to touch my ass! I had to stand and fight. I learned my lesson though." (WENN)

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Pacino Idolizes Williams

Hollywood legend Al Pacino jumped at the chance to star opposite Robin Williams in new movie Insomnia, because he's the funnyman's biggest fan. Pacino - who plays a police detective in the Christopher Nolan-directed crime thriller - says he was ecstatic to work alongside Williams. He says, "He's my idol. I just love being around him. I'd like to see him personally after the picture and we'd try to get together. He's a very bright, caring guy about the world and everything around him. He's well informed, and just fun to be around because he's also so sensitive. He really treats you well, I can't say enough about him. And as far as funny goes, he's up there."

Britney's A "Femme Bot" In Goldmember

Pop princess Britney Spears uses her breasts to fight off spoof spy Austin Powers in new Mike Myers comedy flick Goldmember. The sexy singer makes a cameo appearance as herself in the third installment of the movie series. And studio sources have revealed that in one funny scene, Britney attacks secret agent Austin - with her bulging bosom. Austin - played by Myers - wanders onto the set of one of Britney's music video's and discovers she is really a deadly "Femme Bot" robot. In the script, Britney even jokes about real-life rumors she has had a breast enlargement, quipping, "It's true, my breasts have been enhanced." Her nipples then open up to reveal machine guns, which she fires at Myers' character. A movie source told Britain's Daily Star tabloid, "Britney's breasts are the star of the show. The scene is hilarious. She reveals her rude side - and she isn't afraid to make fun of her own boobs." Britney isn't the only star to make cameo appearances in Goldmember - which hits cinema screens next month. Tom Cruise, Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey, Ozzy Osbourne and Gwyneth Paltrow also purportedly make cameo appearances.

Shakira laughs off sell-out claims

Colombian diva Shakira has laughed off claims she's abandoned her heritage, insisting she'll always be Latina.

The singer came under fire from fans when she dyed her hair blonde - like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera before releasing her first English language album Laundry Service.

Devotees feared their Spanish singer had "gone American", and would forget her roots while in the bright lights of US stardom.

But she insists, "I'm not pretending to be an American girl. I haven't abandoned the Latin community. How could I walk away from a whole continent? It's crazy. I'm Colombian, and nothing will change that."

She continues, "It's only hair. I wanted to be a redhead, but the sun made it streak. Dyeing your hair is something Colombian women do all the time. It's just part of the culture."

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Studio Explodes Denise Richards' Butt

Sexy actress Denise Richards is furious after film bosses digitally enlarged her backside on promotional posters for her new movie. The former Bond girl stars in the upcoming comedy Undercover Brother, but says she was stunned when she first saw the ads for the flick. She says, "I slammed on the brakes when I saw it. I saw it at a bus stop and I thought, 'What the hell did they do to my a***?' Plus I got all these phone calls from my girlfriends saying, 'What did they do to you? You look ridiculous.'" Richards, who is engaged to Charlie Sheen, said she has no idea where the picture came from, because the one she approved was different. She adds, "They twist the art around. I didn't approve that. That's not my a***, to be honest with you. It's a computer."

Britney And Buffy To Battle It Out?

Britney Spears is rerportedly set to spook fellow blonde babe Sarah Michelle Gellar in hit TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The singer is reported to be appearing in six episodes of the teen series' next season as a nightmarish demon pitted against Gellar's do-gooding, undead- battling Buffy. An insider is quoted in British newspaper the Daily Star as saying, "This will be an amazing sight. Britney and Sarah Michelle Gellar are two of the world's most gorgeous girls. Millions will tune in to see the two of them fighting in their trademark figure- hugging outfits." Britney is hoping to consolidate her acting career following her debut feature Crossroads earlier this year.

Christina Ricci's Size Issues

Actress Christina Ricci is certain she's recovered from her eating disorder - yet she's still obsessed with her weight. Ricci appears in the June issue of Vogue magazine, and boasts that she now wears "size 0" clothes. Ricci, 22, insists that her battle with anorexia is behind her, saying, "Once you're in it, you're so involved in whatever the mindshift is that you can't see clearly. The second a therapist finally explained to me what I was doing, I was just like, 'Oh, this is ridiculous!'" But despite no longer suffering from the disorder, Ricci told Vogue that she has special ways of making sure she stays slim. Ricci says she dons only "a sports bra on top" and ankle-length stretch pants for workouts, explaining, "You know why I don't wear anything else? Because I might want to quit after half an hour. So I look in the mirror, and because I can see my stomach, I'm like, 'Got to keep going.'"

Maguire Went Topless For Spider-Man Role

Tobey Maguire secured the lead role in hit superhero movie Spider-Man by going topless for his audition. The star had failed to woo producers in his first audition for the part of Peter Parker, who finds he has super abilities after being bitten by a spider, as they were unconvinced that his slight frame could see him play an action hero on the big screen. However, when called back for a more physical try-out Maguire, unveiled his yoga-toned pecks to try and clinch the deal. He explains, "I decided I was going to own this. I was in pretty good shape - I do yoga - and I took off my top, tied it around my waist and did it topless. The next day the studio gave me the job."

Indiana Jones: A Father?

Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford may return to his famed Indiana Jones character as a father. The Golden Globe-winner, 59, is joining director Steven Spielberg to make the fourth movie about the adventurer in 2004. According to Dutch TV magazine Vara, when they interviewed George Lucas, who is writing and producing Indiana Jones 4, he revealed a new character to the series. When Vara's reporter asked Lucas about Indiana, Lucas replied, "Spielberg is directing, and Indiana will have a son."

J.K. Rowling's Rags To Riches

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling wishes people didn't romanticise the poverty she once lived through. Rowling was a struggling writer and single mother before her novels about the boy wizard earned her worldwide fame and fortune. But she says she gets upset when people chosen to romanticise her image as a poverty-stricken genius, because she found being poor a humiliating experience. Rowling says, "Some articles written about me have come close to romanticising the time I spent on Income Support. The well-worn cliche of the writer starving in the garret is so much more picturesque than the bitter reality of living in poverty with a child."

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Shirley's Stalking Nightmare

Singer Shirley Manson has been left shaken by a terrifying encounter with a angry obsessed fan.

The Garbage star angered the fanatic, who had followed her band's tour bus to Austin, Texas after a concert in Dallas, by turning down his request for an autograph - leading to a confrontation which left Manson unable to sleep.

She explains, "He caught up with us in the hotel lobby with a big stash of things for us to autograph. I tried to gently explain that we wanted to get to bed because we were all tired and two of the boys were rather ill."
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"But he started to get upset and angry so I got into the lift and got into my room as quickly as possible. I was quite agitated because it's unfair of someone to put us in that position in the middle of the night."

"I hate turning people down for autographs. It make me feel really awful, but this is where I stand on this issue. It really upset me. I couldn't get to sleep for hours." (WENN)

Madonna Gets Bashful

She's made her name with outrageous acts, sexy costumes and a kinky sex book - but pop queen Madonna was all blushes when she inadvertently flashed a theatre audience.

The star is playing the lead in Up For Grabs at London's Wyndham Theatre, and had a bashful moment when her wrap-around blouse come undone in front of the 1,000-strong audience.

The pop diva was acting out a blazing row with co-star Tom Irwin when the offending garment came loose, to the gasps of the crowd.

Irwin alerted Madonna's attention to the clothing crisis by cleverly ad-libbing, "And cover yourself up!"

The startled singer swore in her normal voice and silently mouthed "Oh my God", to roars of laughter from the stalls."

Then she swung back into character and griped, "Well, if you gave me more money to buy clothes..."

The delighted audience was pleased to note Madonna's blushes, and cheered her as she gamely continued the play. (WENN)

Noel Gallagher offers to slap Robbie

Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher thinks "fake" fellow musician Robbie Williams would "benefit from a slapping".

The guitarist says he would take great pleasure in administering the beating himself - which he believes his former friend deserves for being "the biggest fake there's ever been" - if it wasn't for his pacifist principles.

Noel explains, "I think Robbie is a very, very, very, very, very misguided, easily led, stupid, foolish, young individual who'd benefit from a slapping. I'd probably kick him down the stairs a couple of times myself, not that I'm a violent person."

He adds, "But if you could get slapped as a medical service, then I think he'd definitely need to be taken to hospital and held down by some people in white coats and just slapped around the face for half an hour. He's a fake, he's a complete fake. Robbie's probably the biggest fake that's ever been - and yet he thinks he's Elvis.I had the displeasure of watching his film, Nobody Someday, when it was on telly recently and I felt like vomiting after about five minutes. Apart from that, he's a nice guy!"

Britney's Baby Shock Led To Love Split

Britney Spears's love split from Justin Timberlake was caused by a pregnancy scare.

The 20-year-old pop princess, who insists she's still a virgin, reportedly ruled out sex with the 'N Sync hunk after thinking he'd impregnated her.

Timberlake soon grew tired of his girlfriend's sex rules and her public insistence that they hadn't slept together, and demanded some time apart.

A friend reveals to American tabloid National Enquirer, "They waited years to be sexually intimate, and almost as soon as they were, they had to face the prospect of having a child together before they were really ready."

"Britney was horrified over what her young female fans would think of her becoming pregnant outside marriage. If she became a mum her career would be kaput - and so would the healthy, moral image she has projected for years.

"They stopped sleeping together while they dealt with the issue, and, with their sex life at a standstill, Justin dumped her."

The couple are now back together after Britney called her ex from the road on a recent tour on the pretext of finding out about the Hollywood home they share and what their friends were up to. (WENN)

Pink calls truce on Britney feud

Pink wants to put her supposed feud with fellow singer Britney Spears behind her - in a show of girl power.

The feisty star admits she got fed up last year after fielding constant questions about her curvy pop rival - but now she wants to draw a veil over the affair because there's was little to talk about in the first place.

She explains, "I got a little frustrated last year, because every time I sat down, Britney's name would come up. And we're constantly being compared. Yes, we both do music: yes, we're both female; and, yes, we're both around the same age. But other than that, there's nothing really to talk about. I write and produce and executive-produce all my s***. I couldn't do the Britney thing. I'm just not the girl-next-door type. I'm the girl who you don't want to move in next door!"

She adds, "But I really don't like all those woman-against-woman-feuds. No matter whet you're doing in this business, it's hard - especially for a woman - to get respect. I'm not here to cut in on anybody. I may be many things, but I try not to be judgmental and always try to give everybody credit for what they do."

Enrique's Camera Shy

Spanish crooner Enrique Iglesias has problems dealing with the negative sides of fame.

The singer is happy to date celebrity babes such as Christina Aguilera and Anna Kournikova, but hates it when the media take an interest in his private life.

Enrique moans, "When you're really trying to keep your life private and you have somebody on top of you, somebody just watching or somebody trying to take a picture, that kind of bothers me."

"I work every single day, so whenever I have a day off, I want it for myself." (WENN)

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Kidman Really Dating Affleck

Aussie star Nicole Kidman's alleged romance with Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire is a sham - she's really dating Ben Affleck. Ben, 29, fell for Nicole, 34, during dates last Christmas, and despite hectic working schedules the pair have been keeping in touch by phone and email. The pair shared an intimate dinner in Beverly Hills two weeks ago. A confidante of Ben's quoted in London newspaper Sunday People says, "He's head-over-heels in love with Nicole. He's always been popular with the ladies, but at the moment Nicole is his only interest. They've been filming all over the world but any chance of a meeting and they're there. It's all a bit cloak and dagger as they didn't want the press to find out. The Tobey thing was a smoke screen."

Jacko Goes Werewolf

Superstar Michael Jackson will get really scary when he stars in and produces a freaky new werewolf film. On Sunday, Jackson announced to the Cannes Film Festival that he will produce the $28 million movie Wolfed, as well as playing a lead role. Jackson's interest in the genre developed after seeing John Landis' classic 1981 movie An American Werewolf In London. He subsequently hired Landis to direct his Thriller video, and is said to have landed the film's Oscar- winning make-up artist Rick Baker to create effects for Wolfed. But Jackson's on-screen turn may not go smoothly - a veteran Cannes film watcher says, "Judging by the state of him, he'll need a high-powered special effects team just to make him look normal, never mind a werewolf."

Bullock Struggles To Find A Girl For Grant

Actress Sandra Bullock is failing in her bid to find pal Hugh Grant a new girlfriend - because she doesn't know anyone small enough. The movie star matchmaker was convinced she could find her 41-year-old Two Weeks Notice co-star a new love, but so far has been unable come up with the perfect partner. Hugh reveals, "She has tried to fix me up. There was one girl she thought was perfect for me because I've always expressed an interest in small girls. I've always liked midgets frankly. She found me the smallest girl she knew, who was an actress whose name I can't reveal. She was adorable but not quite small enough. Below four foot is my favourite." Hugh admits Bullock herself might be the perfect match for him - "I couldn't like her more. She gives me a very hard time, but she's adorable."

J.Lo's Queer Moment

Superstar Jennifer Lopez's gay pals got a huge kick out of her playing a lesbian assassin in her new movie. J.Lo says her friends immediately wanted to know all they could about her character in Gigli. Lopez says, "They were like, 'What kind? Are you a lipstick lesbian? Are you hard-core?' And I was like, 'I'm just going to play her like an average person.' I guess in a way I'm having my queer moment."

Cusack To Star In Hitler Movie

Hollywood star John Cusack is planning his most controversial movie role to date, in a film about Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The High Fidelity star has signed up to star as an art dealer called Max Rothman in Max - a flick about the early years of the mustachioed dictator. Cusack's character Rothman forms an attachment to Hitler and watches him slide into anti-Semitism. The film features scenes showing Rothman describe an early Hitler speech as an 'art project', is laced with anti-Semitic language and looks set to anger America's Jewish community. But Cusack remains enthusiastic about the project, claiming the script for Max is the best he has seen since 1999's Being John Malkovich, and Lions Gate - who will make the film - are keen to point out that the film is not an apologist movie, and that many of the filmmakers working on it are themselves Jewish.

Down-to-Earth Wood Reminded Of Fame

Actor Elijah Wood had an embarrassing encounter with an obsessed fan - right in the middle of telling a friend about his down-to-earth lifestyle. The Lord Of The Rings star was busy telling his pal how he was relieved the excesses of fame had not found him when an example of his celebrity interrupted. He laughs, "I was having a conversation with someone in Los Angeles about how glad I was not to be so famous that it changed my life, when, all of a sudden, a girl jumped on me and started trying to kiss me on the lips."

Kirsten Dunst Hangs Onto Her Blanky

She has fame, money, looks and critical acclaim - but Kirsten Dunst would still be lost without her baby blanket. The sexy former child star has won even more fans for her role as fiery Mary Jane Watson in blockbuster movie Spider-Man, but despite her whopping paycheck for the film Kirsten still can't do without her mangy old brown comforter, which she's had since birth. The 20-year-old was snapped packing her car after visiting mum Inez in Los Angeles at the weekend - and she was clearly clutching her blanket. Kirsten is so attached to her old toy, she even takes it on set while making movies. A Spider-Man insider reveals, "She made sure that the blanket was never far from her if she was going to be staying away from home. I suppose you could say it's her crutch. There's nothing special about the blanket itself, it's just hers, almost like a lucky charm. It's quite sweet really."

Milano Very Much In Love

Charmed star Alyssa Milano is so enamoured with her new beau she's ecstatic when simply shopping with him. The 29-year-old actress, who once said her love life was "cursed", was spotted browsing through Los Angeles stores with hunky Josh Shambaugh - and eyewitnesses report the pair looked incredibly happy. The onlooker says, "Alyssa was absolutely glowing as she strolled trough the store. They shopped for men's clothing and came out carrying packages. They were all smiles and looked very much in love."

Flockhart Dates Ford For His 'Talent And Brains'

Ally McBeal actress Calista Flockhart is dating Indiana Jones hunk Harrison Ford for his "talent and brains". The super-thin star has been enjoying a romance with the movie icon for the past few months - and is happy with her love life, and the opportunities presented to her by the cancellation of her American TV legal comedy-drama. She says, "Dating is hard for everybody, I look for talent, brains, a good-hearted person. That guy sounds perfect. I am sorry to see Ally McBeal end, but I'm excited about the future."

Gítarleikari hljómsveitarinnar Bush hættir

Whitney Huston to make comeback

Whitney Houston is calling on R&B's greatest writers and producers to help her stage her comeback after widespread reports of drug use and health problems.

The reclusive superstar's comeback album will be produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, and she has recruited Terry Lewis and Jimmy 'Jam' Harris as songwriting partners.

Lewis and Harris, who are most famous for co-writing Janet Jackson's mega hits, are excited about working with Whitney - but determined to do things their way.

Harris says, "Instead of just delivering songs that are ready to be recorded, we'd like to have her write, or at least be there when we write the song, so we can get a real sense of Whitney and the vibe she wants the song to have."

Eminem threatens to beat up pirates and Rage Against The Machine leaked to net

Peroxide rapper Eminem has threatened to beat up fans who illegally posted his new album onto the internet.

The 'Stan' hitmaker was forced to bring the release date of his new album The Eminem Show forward a week, after pirates leaked tracks onto the worldwide web at the weekend.

The much-awaited album will now hit shops next week rather than June 3, and Eminem is less than impressed.

In fact the rapper is so riled, he has promised to "beat the sh*t" out of the sneaky culprits.

Eminem - real name Marshall Mathers III - told music site nme.com, "I think that sh*t is f**king bullsh*t. Whoever put my sh*t on the Internet, I want to meet that motherf***er and beat the sh*t out of him, because I picture this scrawny little d**khead going, 'I got Eminem's new CD! I got Eminem's new CD! I'm going to put it on the Internet.' I think that anybody who tries to make excuses for that sh*t is a f**king bitch."

Just days after news of leaked Eminem tracks on the internet, another cyber controversy is brewing - pre-release bootlegs of Rage Against The Machine's collaborations with Chris Cornell have appeared on unofficial websites. Thirteen tracks surfaced on an Italian website on Thursday and within minutes the files were linked by several other sites. The alleged Rage/Cornell demos are the latest example of material from a highly anticipated album to surface in cyberspace. Fans were also able to download tracks from Korn's 'Untouchables' nearly two months prior to its release last year.

Madonna Integrates Pilates On Stage

Singer Madonna is such a huge fan of pilates, she insisted on having the exercise routine written into the script of her new London play.

The pop diva kicked off a eight week run in Up For Grabs at London's Wyndham's Theatre last week. And although critics have remained largely unimpressed by her performance, she has wowed crowds with an lengthy energetic display of pilates - a scene, reports suggest, she insisted was added to the script.

One theatre-goer says, "Her acting was a little stiff and shaky, but she certainly is limber in those workout scenes."

If the reports are true, it wouldn't be the first time Madonna has had her exercise of choice written into a script.

In 2000 movie The Next Best Thing, Madonna's character was written as a swimming instructor.

The singer insisted it be changed to a yoga instructor, and the widely panned film went on to show Madonna in various yoga poses. (WENN)

Williams Spanks Supermodels To Break American Market

Robbie Williams has recorded his raunchiest ever song - and hopes to break America with a cheeky accompanying video of him spanking supermodels.

The British hunk has as-yet failed to make the same impact in the States as he has in Europe and south-east Asia, but he hopes to change all that with his new track "Who's Your Daddy", with fellow Brit Naomi Campbell being lined up for the "no-holds-barred" promo.

According to British newspaper the Daily Star, Robbie told a friend, "This will get America to notice me - the video will get people talking."

The friend adds, "This could be Robbie's sexiest song ever. And that's exactly what he needs to become a star in America. He can't wait see how the world reacts when they see the video." (WENN)

Ashanti's Voice Lives Large On J.Lo Hit

New York native Jennifer Lopez has a lot to thank fellow singer Ashanti for - because it's her voice that fans hear on J.Lo's hit remix of "I'm Real".

The summer smash, which featured gravel-voiced rapper Ja Rule, proved be a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, but singer Ashanti insists her voice was kept on a big portion of the track.

She says, "At first I was like, 'Dag, those are my vocals that people are listening to.' It was weird because people were saying it doesn't sound like her all the way. I knew that it was going to get out sooner or later."

"It's not a hatred thing. All I'm saying is that I did my part. J.Lo did her part, kept some of my vocals in and had a hit record."

A storm began brewing about the song last year, when Lopez was accused of miming on the track, which she denied.

The bottom-heavy superstar's spokesperson said of the claims, "This is absolute rubbish. Jennifer sings every single song on her new album." (WENN)

Backstreet Boy Wants To Box Eminem

Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson wants to beat up bad-boy rapper Eminem for his attacks on his fellow stars.

The controversial hip-hop star slams, amongst others, ' N Sync singer Chris Kirkpatrick and Limp Bizkit, on his new single "Without Me" - expressing his desire to kick them "where the sun don't shine" - but it's Richardson who wants to get violent.

He says, "I would love to box Eminem. I would kick his a**." (WENN)

Britney Beaten Up By Austin Powers

Britney Spears is beaten black and blue by Mike Myers' spoof spy Austin Powers in the latest Pepsi TV commercial.

Powers, who also features in Britney's new video "Baby", tries to prove that Spears is in fact a male imposter in the hilarious new ad.

The pair grapple on the floor as Powers tries to rip what he thinks is a wig off Britney's head. Britney eventually kicks the confused spy character in the head, rendering him unconscious. (WENN)

Britney: 'I Didn't Hit The Bottle'

Pop princess Britney Spears has hit out at reports that she turned to drink after being dumped by Justin Timberlake.

The superstar couple are now back together after initially splitting in March 2002. British tabloids on Sunday, 10 May 2002 claimed that Britney sought solace after the split by hitting the bottle.

The News Of The World quoted Britney as saying, "We both went out and drank to block out our sadness, but we still loved each other. We both did the single thing and didn't like it."

Although at 21, Justin is legally allowed to drink alcohol in the United States, Britney is only 20 and under the legal age.

A spokeswoman for the singer has slammed the reports as untrue, and denied that Britney ever made the comments to the News of the World. (WENN)

Pink praises Ecstacy

Pop diva Pink has been extolling the virtues of Ecstasy, recommending that US president George W Bush try the illegal drug.

However, the 22-year-old singer, who also suggests that Ecstasy should be handed out in school lunchrooms, said the last time she took any drugs was during Thanksgiving in 1995.

"I just snapped out of it," she told Blender.com. "I realise you can do a lot more on drugs than you can do sober.

"You can be the biggest wallflower and then all of a sudden you can dance like a pro!"

Kylie V's Sophie

Kylie Minogue and Sophie Ellis Bextor are set for a chart showdown to crown Britain's top pop babe.

The pair will release singles on the same day, 10 June, almost two years after Sophie beat Posh Spice in a straight head-to-head for number one.

Sophie will release 'Get Over It', while Kylie hopes to follow the success of 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' and 'In Your Eyes' with 'Love At First Sight'.

But Sophie hopes the showdown isn't turned into a big deal in the way in which her battle with Posh was, when her track Groovejet with DJ Spiller knocked off the former Spice Girls' 'Out Of Your Mind' to the top spot.

She says, "I think it's silly for me to get worked up when I've learned you can have a hit without people really knowing what chart position it reached. The press loved the thing with Posh Spice, but it won't be the same sort of thing with Kylie."

Lance Bass Has Heart Surgery

'N Sync star Lance Bass is so serious about his planned trip into space, he's undergone heart surgery heart to improve his chances.

The heartthrob, 23, is vying for a seat aboard a Russian shuttle scheduled to take off this autumn 2002 and he's had a secret heart procedure to correct a problem that may have thwarted his efforts.

A source tells American magazine US Weekly, "He's had this heart murmur since he was a child but also a desire to go into space, so he had the operation to correct it."

David Krieff, president of Los Angeles, California's Destiny Production - which is hoping to secure Bass's seat through corporate sponsors - says the singer is "finishing up his medical tests" while his health "is looking good".

An announcement is expected on 22 May 2002 about whether or not Bass is one of the crew selected for the momentous trip. (WENN)

Missy plans for Lady Marmalade follow-up

Hip-hop star Missy Elliott is so thrilled with the success of last year's 'Lady Marmalade' track, she's planning to get the girls together again for another single.

The 'Get Ur Freak On' rapper featured briefly alongside Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim on the Patti La Belle cover, recorded for the soundtrack for Moulin Rouge.

The song topped the charts internationally and went on to win a Grammy award. And now Missy is hoping to repeat that success with another chart scorcher. She says, "Some say you can't do it twice. I say, 'Heck yeah, we'll do it again.'"

While it may take a while to organise the schedules of all the big names, Marmalade alumni Mya has already enlisted Missy's help for her follow-up album to Fear Of Flying .

P Diddy's sad ode to J.Lo

Rapper Sean 'P Diddy' Combs has decided to speak out about his split with Jennifer Lopez - in song.

On Puffy's new album We Invented The Remix , the New York native has written a song called 'I Need A Girl (Part One)', which talks about his sadness in being single.

Combs - whose split with J.Lo was made official on Valentine's Day last year - raps, "How we used to drive the city wild, damn I wish you would've had my child."

But the single star also points out that the Latin beauty isn't the only one the track is aimed at - it's also meant for the other ex-girlfriends who have been a special part of his life.

He says, "It's written to my past relationships - not just the Jennifer one, but a couple of them. As you get older, you realise how stupid some things were or how selfish you were."

Enginn

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Halle: Beauty Doesn't Equal Happiness

Halle Berry gets confused when fans tell her she must be happy because she's so beautiful. The gorgeous star says she's had as many ups and downs as everyone else. She told Hotdog magazine, "As if beauty stops anything from happening. What does that have to do with anything? My life has been filled with as many ups and downs as anybody's really. My situations have been different, but everybody's are. No two persons' lives or adversities are the same. But life is about good times and bad times, struggles and, sometimes, scary things and unthinkable things."

Sex & The City Star Arrested

Sex & the City star Cynthia Nixon has been arrested for her part in a near-riot outside New York City Hall. The actress was one of several protesters arrested for disorderly conduct - for blocking a sidewalk. The activists were demonstrating against proposed education budget cuts. Single mom Nixon is due in court on June 19 to face charges. Just before she was taken away by police, Nixon said, "I have to do this. Some of these kids are three or four. They're wide open out there and they're just sitting ducks." The actress even told her five-year-old daughter, who attends city schools, that she might get in trouble for protesting, but the tot said she understood. Nixon adds, "My daughter herself brought up Martin Luther King, and so she says she understands that sometimes you have to go to jail to make thing better."

Scooby-Doo Stars Fall Out Over Poop Prank

Pals Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr. fell out on the set of summer movie Scooby-Doo over a foul-smelling practical joke. Prinze Jr. relieved himself in Lillard's trailer toilet during one of Lillard's days off, didn't flush and then turned the heat up to make sure the stench would be unbearable when Lillard returned 24 hours later. Prinze Jr. admits this is the fourth time he has played a similar prank on his pal - and until now he has never been caught. "I try to have fun on sets and loosen up. I went into his trailer after I had my morning coffee and I did my business in his bathroom. It made me laugh. I left it for him and I turned the heat up in his trailer and then I left. It was there for a day and then he showed up and I was peeking out of my trailer and he opened the door and it looked like somebody had punched him dead in the face. The poor sap had to go in and clean it up and he found out it was me and he was a little upset." Lillard adds, "The worst thing was there was no water in the toilet." Unfortunately for Lillard, he'll never be able to get back at his pal - because Freddie's pranks have made him fully aware of how cruel friends can be. Prinze Jr. adds, "People don't get me. I'm aware. I look around."

Heppni

Crowe wishes band was taken more seriously

Actor Russell Crowe is disappointed people don't take his band Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts more seriously.

However, the Gladiator star concedes it must be difficult for fans of his successful acting career not to think of the band as a manufactured money-spinning distraction.

He says, "It's a healthy cynicism and I don't begrudge it to anybody. But this hasn't been manufactured. We're completely independent; we're not beholden to any record companies. You get this ridiculous thing with some people, 'Aw, mate, aren't you famous enough?' But that's not what it's about. It's just a habit I have, to express myself in songs."

Seinasti þáttur þessarar seríu af Friends

Osborne Gets Confused With Osbourne

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Not that he's angry, but a businessman says he would like to stop being confused with an aging heavy metal star who bites bats.

Web-surfing fans of Ozzy Osbourne's popular TV show have lately been leaving hundreds of messages on Jennings Osborne's personal Web site.

"The messages start off 'Hey dude, love ya,'" Osborne said Wednesday. "I get very few messages that start off with 'Hey dude.'"

Osborne site manager David Bazzel thinks fans search for "Osborne" and click on Jennings' site without thinking, even though the names are spelled differently.

Osborne decided to delete the older messages because he doesn't think they fit in with his site, which includes photos of his family vacationing at Graceland and tailgating at University of Arkansas football games.

"It's no profanity or anything, but you could just tell immediately it's not for me," he said.

Kylie's Happy Again

Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue has overcome her health and love problems and is back on top of the world.

The tiny singer was devastated after splitting from hunky model James Gooding earlier this month and has also battled against a sore throat that put her Fever 2002 tour in jeopardy.

But with the health problems cured and her relationship with James settling into one of friendship, Kylie seemed to have not a care in the world while out in Manchester, England, on Tuesday, 14 May 2002, where she had just performed a string of gigs.

She said, "I feel really great - and I'm not even on a proper shopping mission. The weather is lovely and this is a great city. I could easily live here."

"The tour is going amazingly well. I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm really happy at the moment - everything's good and I am having a fine old time."

Although Kylie insists she and James are now "just good friends", some reports claim the pair have reunited. But staff at the hotel where Kylie's staying have seen no sign of him.

One says, "We've not seen him but we've certainly noticed a change in Kylie. When she first arrived, she looked a bit down. Now we know it was because she was going through a bad spell in her life. All that has changed now. She seems more confident and is always beaming." (WENN)

Britney Teams With Austin Powers On Single

Britney Spears has teamed up with Mike Myers for the first single from the new Austin Powers movie, Goldmember.

"Boys" will be the next single from Britney, and the first release from the film's soundtrack.

Spears and Myers are currently filming the clip in a Hollywood mansion, according to the pop princess' Jive Records spokesperson.

Britney makes a cameo appearance in the movie as herself. She follows in the footsteps of her idol Madonna by teaming up with the Austin Powers franchise.

Madonna recorded "Beautiful Stranger" for the soundtrack of Myers' previous flick, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. (WENN)

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Kidman And Spider-Man Are Just Good Friends

Hollywood babe Nicole Kidman has laughed off reports she's dating Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire. Nicole was spotted leaving Tobey's house in the Hollywood hills after the couple - who met at an Academy Awards party in March - had spent a weekend together earlier this month. America's showbiz press were quick to leap on the story, with some accounts even claiming Kidman took a break from filming her latest movie to fly to Los Angeles to spend time with Maguire. But Nicole - who at 34 is eight years Tobey's senior - has finally spoken out about the relationship, and she insists they are just good pals. A spokeswoman for the sexy star says, "They've known each other for a while. They're friends. "They hung out together some, a couple of weekends ago. End of story. No romance."

Madonna Steamy Clinch Wows Theatre Audience

Pop queen Madonna shocked the first night audience at her London West End theatre debut by indulging in a lesbian kiss on stage. The 1,000 strong crowd saw the Material Girl throw herself into some same-sex romping in her role as art dealer Loren in the comedy Up For Grabs. The 44-year-old singer seemed to find the occasion a little nerve-racking, but won a huge round of applause for her efforts from the preview audience at Wyndham's Theatre. One audience member complained, "She might have played to millions on pop stages around the world, but appearing like this on a London stage clearly had an effect on her. She was obviously still struggling, crossing over other actors' lines in her breathless delivery." But another enthused, "I thought she was a lot better than expected, she was fantastic."

Making Music Helps Crowe Act

Russell Crowe has defended his forays into the music world - claiming they help keep his acting at the highest level. The Oscar-winning actor has been a member of the band Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts for 18 years. And despite the lack of both critical and commercial success achieved by the Grunts, Crowe feels this creative outlet informs and enriches his acting work. Crowe explains, "One informs the other. The places I go with my movie work - in terms of geography, meeting people, life experiences - inform the man, who then looks at those real-life situations as a songwriter. Without this outlet, it may have a negative effect on the acting."

Gillian Anderson To Hit West End

Gillian Anderson is the latest American star to take to London's West End stage. The 33-year-old red-headed actress will star in Michael Weller's new play What The Night Is For. She says, "It's going to be in the West End though no theatre has been finalized." The star, who grew up in the UK, says she's still an Anglophile at heart. She says, "I imagine myself when I am 60 sculpting in a cottage in Sussex." Anderson, who follows the likes of Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Matt Damon onto the West End stage, says there will be no nudity in the show.

Curtis Confesses: I Bedded Marilyn

Screen legend Tony Curtis has finally broken silence about his romance with sex goddess Marilyn Monroe. The 77-year-old star confessed to American magazine Vanity Fair that he's bedded all of his leading ladies, including Monroe. Curtis kept quiet about the affair for the sake of the tragic star's reputation, but he's now admitted all - and has furiously denied the oft-quoted statement that he compared smooching Marilyn to "kissing Hitler". He says, "I never said that. It's all bulls***. Marilyn and I were lovers in 1950. We were on for a few months. We were in our 20s. There was nothing special or unique about it." And of the bombshell's mysterious 1962 death, Curtis says, "She went much too quickly."

Mel C Finds New Love

Former Spice Girl Mel C has found happiness on the romance front, after a string of failed relationships. The new man in her life is Thomas Starr, a handsome construction boss. She's been trying to keep their romance under wraps for some weeks, but these first pictures of the pair together prove they're more than just good friends.

They were spotted during a luxury break at Morocco's lavish new Amanjena resort, holding hands and looking every inch a couple. "They're definitely an item - you only have to look at their body language to see that", said one onlooker.

Mel's believed to have been dating him for several months after they were introduced by a mutual friend. A love of football brought them together and they've got to the point where they're taking holidays together, say friends.

"They rented an exclusive villa in the grounds of the hotel", says our source. "Apart from a visit to nearby Marrakech, they spent the time taking romantic strolls around the hotel grounds and looking at historic monuments."

Things are going so well that in March, Thomas, 34, who's based in north London, accompanied her to the New York wedding of Liza Minnelli and David Gest. Although the Spice Girl was happy to pose with fellow guests including Martine McCutcheon, she went to "great lengths" to avoid being photographed with her man.

"Mel finds it hard to sustain relationships with men", a friend has said. "She worries that they're going out with her because of her fame and fortune, but Thomas is different and things are going extremely well."

Madonna's steamy clinch wows West End theatre audiences

Pop queen Madonna shocked the first night audience at her London West End theatre debut by indulging in a lesbian kiss on stage.

The 1,000 strong crowd saw the Madonna throw herself into some same-sex romping in her role as art dealer Loren in the comedy Up For Grabs.

The 44-year-old singer seemed to find the occasion a little nerve-racking, but won a huge round of applause for her efforts from the preview audience at Wyndham's Theatre.

One audience member complained, "She might have played to millions on pop stages around the world, but appearing like this on a London stage clearly had an effect on her. She was obviously still struggling, crossing over other actors' lines in her breathless delivery."

But another enthused, "I thought she was a lot better than expected, she was fantastic."

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George Lucas: 'I Don't Have To Listen... Star Wars Is Mine'

Star Wars creator George Lucas is so confident about his abilities as a filmmaker, he refuses to listen to movie-goers. The movies in the Star Wars series have attracted a massive worldwide audience, but Lucas insists he never listens to what fans say about his films. The 57-year-old director says, "I'm able to tell the story the way it's meant to be told, and I don't have to listen to what (studio) market research does. They would be listening to the fans - and these people think you should be doing this, and these people think you should have that character in there. These (stories) are not put together by a marketing department. They're purely sort of a creative act that was created to tell a great story."

Kravitz Engaged To Young Model After Whirlwind Romance

Rocker Lenny Kravitz has got engaged to a model 17 years his junior - despite meeting her for the first time only two months ago. The 37-year-old singer, who has dated a string of beautiful women, met lingerie model Adriana Lima, 20, at a photoshoot in March, and the pair instantly hit it off. A date for their wedding, which will be Kravitz's second following his six year marriage to actress Lisa Bonet, has not yet been arranged.

Paltrow Dates Another Leading Man

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is reportedly dating Aaron Eckhart, the leading man in her new movie, Possession. Gwyneth, who has a history of dating her co-stars including Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck, was spotted in Los Angeles restaurant Moomba before she flew into Britain to perform on the London stage. Paltrow has recently split with her fellow The Royal Tenenbaums actor Luke Wilson.

Connery Closes Film Company

Sean Connery has dealt a huge blow to the Scottish film industry by closing down his Los Angeles-based production company. Connery's Fountainbridge Films was a major supporter of Scottish movie projects and with its closing plans for a film about the life of Mary Queen Of Scots have been put on hold. Hollywood sources claimed Sir Sean's shock decision followed disputes with his business partner Rhona Tollefson. Fountainbridge Films was behind the hit flick Entrapment, which starred Sir Sean and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Connery's agent says, "Sean took the decision to shut down Fountainbridge Films because he just wants to concentrate on acting." Tollefson would only say, "Sean and I are no longer in business together."

Dennis Hopper: Vincent Price Was Right

Veteran bad guy Dennis Hopper was told almost 50 years ago he would make a career out of playing nasty characters. But it was no tarot card reader who predicted the young Hopper - then fresh from a debut as a tough punk in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause - would be a hit. The man who got it so right so many years ago was horror legend Vincent Price, who told Hopper, "You're going to make a great living playing bad guys." Hopper, whose credits include mean roles in Speed, Blue Velvet and Waterworld, is currently starring as yet another baddie - a sinister war criminal alongside Kiefer Sutherland in the TV series 24. He says, "I usually play some sort of nut. I'm very good at it."

Madonna Performs on London Stage

LONDON (AP) - Devoted fans of Madonna waited in the rain outside Wyndham's Theatre Monday evening to cheer on the 43-year-old performer in her first London stage performance.

Tickets for "Up For Grabs" had sold out with 10 days of going on sale, and many people lined up in hopes of getting returned tickets.

Monday's first preview performance was Madonna's first appearance in a play since 1988, when she appeared in David Mamet's "Speed-The-Plow" on Broadway.

Madonna left the theater by the front entrance shortly after Monday's performance and was driven away in a waiting car. There were screams from the crowd as she scrambled to climb in, and the road outside was blocked by photographers and camera crews.

Security was tight and the press was not allowed in the theater, as the show is in preview performances.

At least one audience member said that Madonna appeared nervous early then greatly improved as the play progressed.

"I thought she was a lot better than expected, she was excellent," said Victoria Bateman, 32.

Fullt af slúðri, mestmegnis um Britney

Kylie: James and I are just good pals

Kylie Minouge has dismissed reports that she and ex-lover James Gooding are back together, insisting they are just good friends.

The petite Australian singer was spotted with hunky model James at the weekend, leading to speculation that they had reignited their romance after a week-long split.

The couple, which dated for two-and-a-half years, were pictured leaving the New Hall Hotel near Birmingham, England, together and had earlier shared a candle-lit dinner.

But her publicist Murray Chalmers says, "Nothing has changed since Kylie and James made the announcement. They said then that they wanted to remain friends and that's how things are. They're just good friends."

And a pal of the 33-year-old singer adds, "They are incredibly close but are aware that a relationship is not right for them at the moment, so they are trying to nurture their friendship."

In other Kylie news it appears that Kyles has been eating oysters to boost her energy to get her through her current live shows. Minogue's voice coach, ex-opera singer Ron Anderson, recommended eating oysters - as the seafood has nearly three times as much as most meats, and are the richest source of zinc - during her nine costume changes, and at the conclusion of her show.

A spokesman for Kylie explains, "When you see the show, you'll see the incredible amount of energy which Kylie puts into it. "On the last tour, Ron advised her to get a protein fix during the performance by nibbling small pieces of chicken, but it's quite hard to swallow chicken quickly as it's so dry, so this time Ron said she should eat oysters during the show."

Holly Valance: Call me the new Kylie

New Australian pop sensation Holly Valance is happy to be compared to pop princess Kylie Minouge.

The teenage beauty stars in the same soap opera, Neighbours, which brought Minogue to the attention of audiences in Britain and looks set to repeat her countrywoman's musical success.

Holly says, "It's quite flattering, although the comparisons are quite obvious with Neighbours, Oz and the saucy video stuff. She's just to stunning when you meet her in the flesh. Even repeating a smidgen of Kylie's success is an achievement within itself, so fingers crossed."

Valance's first single, 'Kiss Kiss', reached number one in the British charts, while Minogue, 33, has been a stalwart of the top 40 since the late eighties and recently found success in America with her dance hit 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'.

Eminem: I'm Keeping Hailie Away From My Mum

Rapper Eminem is refusing to let his little daughter Hailie have any contact with his estranged mother Debbie Mathers-Briggs.

The hip-hop superstar has had little contact with his mother since shooting to fame, and Debbie even sued him over the lyrics to one of his early songs.

Now the rapper says he's determined to keep little Hailie, six, away from the influence of his own mum.

He says, "I don't feel like Hailie would ever grow up to resent me for that. I feel like when Hailie is old enough to know better and wants to find out about her grandmother, she can."

"But right now her mind is too young to be around that. I don't trust my mother around my daughter."

"My mother wrote Hailie letters, before she could even read. Real sick letters that she wanted me to read to Hailie or somethin'? I don't know. I throw them in the trash."

Britney's Fury Over Justin's Boasts

Pop beauty Britney Spears is seething after hearing that ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake bragged about snatching her virginity.

Reports claim 'N Sync frontman Timberlake, 21, revealed to a fellow passenger on a flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles that curvaceous Britney is far from chaste.

And the buxom 20-year-old is incandescent with rage at Timberlake's indiscretion. A source says, "She's absolutely livid. Britney can't believe Justin would blab about their private moments together. She's insulted, humiliated and has told friends that Justin is a
lowlife creep.

"At first, Britney refused to believe Justin would tell tales out of school. But now she thinks the guy she once wanted to marry is a total rat."

The pal tells American tabloid the Globe that Britney ranted to him, "How could he do this to me? I thought Justin was different, but now I see he's a typical man. I don't care if I never set eyes on his again."

Britney Takes Justin Back After Grovelling Apology

Britney Spears is back together with Justin Timberlake after the 'N Sync singer made grovelling phone calls to the sexy singer.

The pair have rekindled their relationship after Timberlake made a series of long-distance calls to the star apologising for revealing to a fellow airplane passenger she was no longer a version, as he "should know".

Their acrimonious split in March 2002 is now being portrayed as a temporary break by family and friends.

A friend of Spears says in British newspaper The Sun, "I think it is safe to say they are an item again a hiccup in their relationship.

"A lot of things have been said about them individually since the split and it has been upsetting."

"They just want to meet up, spend quality time together and get on with what they do best - loving each other."

Lynne Spears, Britney's mum, recently described her daughter's split from the fellow singer as "a rough spot".

The pair will now meet up in Los Angeles this week to start to repair their relationship.

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Kylie wins back hunk James Gooding

Sexy pop princess Kylie Minogue has wooed back hunky model James Gooding over a romantic candlelit dinner.

The cute 'In Your Eyes' star, 33, had an intimate reconciliation with the heartthrob, 26, in her private A$840 -a-night-suite in Solihul's New Hall Hotel, Birmingham, England.

Kylie and James split after he refused her demands to stop his serial womanising - and he is still undecided about their long-term future.

A friend says, "The last 10 days have been a real roller coaster ride of emotions for them. The moment they set eyes on each other again all their feelings ran high and they realised they didn't want to break up permanently They decided to meet on her day off to give them more time to work things out. When they saw each other again the love was still there. But James insisted they should not carry on from where they left off."

The pal adds, "He loves her dearly, but still doesn't know if she is the one for him and he is not ready to settle down. James is happy to be with her, but doesn't want to settle back into their old life of cosy nights in. He wants to take things slowly."
But Kylie is happy for now. The pal reveals, "She just wanted her man back."

Mariah's bumper deal and she promises to have more fun

The financial details of Mariah Carey's new record deal have been disclosed - she's landed a massive A$39million for three albums.

Carey will earn between A$9.8 million and A$14 million per album, with an option on a fourth, as well as an advance worth the same amount.

The curvy singer received A$56 million just for leaving EMI's Virgin label last year following personal and mental problems, and her debut film, Glitter flopping.

Mariah has promised fans her music will be more fun this time around she says "There are a lot of songs I've done in the past that are very introspective and personal. This album has a lot of those types of songs. But it also has celebratory, fun songs."

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Bullock Taking A Year Off

Sandra Bullock is planning a year break from work - to revitalize her private life. The single 37-year-old star wants to make sure she keeps her options open when her film career fades - including the possibility of romance and a family. She says, "I have so many things I want to do so I just try and keep my options open. I'm taking about a year off and I'm not doing anything. I have a life to lead. But if I should get knocked up or something next year, I know it's going to be with a good man, who's going to be a good father and husband." I have a life outside of acting - like film production and architecture - that's just as important to me. I seem to always have three or four things going on at one time, just in case. I know all this is not going to last. So I'll move on to this or that other thing, just so I can be creative and keep on having a good time."

The Rock Pretends To Be Gay

The Rock has revealed he likes to pretend that he's gay. The wrestler-turned-actor admits he sometimes adopts a fake gay persona. Questioned about the claim in his autobiography that he lost his virginity at 14, the Rock joked, "Yeah, he was gentle. He was. That was great. Very gentle, took his time. He was in fifth grade - I was in ninth." A friend of the bizarre entertainer explains, "Although he's 100 percent hetero, he likes to spoof his over-the-top macho man image by pretending he's gay. He's totally secure but even he knows it's a bit much and maybe a little too macho."

Madonna In Race To Buy Fairytale Castle

Acress and singer Madonna is competing with Paul McCartney, Sting and Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed to buy a $6.3 million fairytale castle. Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are planning a special viewing of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on the Isle of Harris in Scotland. But her rivals have also expressed an interest along with the residents of the island. The castle and its 50,000 acres - famous for deer stalking and fishing - are being sold by cider millionaire Jonathan Bulmer, who once described it as "the loveliest place on Earth". Colin Strang Steel, of estate agents Knight Frank, says, "There will be a lot of personalities interested in Amhuinnsuidhe because it is a trophy estate. Estates like this rarely come on to the market."

Tobey Maguire Splashes Out On First Home

Tobey Maguire has chosen to celebrate to the record-breaking success of his new movie Spider-Man by splashing out on a lavish Hollywood Hills home - for $3.7 million. The grand purchase marks the first time 26-year-old Maguire has ever owned a home. The gated one-story property, which has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, boasts a gym, an infinity pool and a spa. Hunky Maguire, who played Peter Parker in the hit flick, earned $4 million from the film. He is also guaranteed a combined $23 million for the two sequels.

Ben Stiller And Jack Black Get Envious

Comedic actors Ben Stiller and Jack Black have signed up for new movie Envy. The pair play lifelong pals whose lives are suddenly turned upside down when Black's character becomes a millionaire after his new invention takes off, making Stiller's character incredibly jealous. Stiller has wrapped work on his latest film Duplex, while Black has finished lending his vocal talents to animated film Sharkslayer. Production on Envy will begin in July.

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Shakira Is Billboard Latin Awards Winner

(Katrillion) -- Shakira and Ricky Martin are among the proud owners of Billboard Latin Music awards, following a star-studded spectacle in Miami Beach, Fla., Thursday.

The "Underneath Your Clothes" singer took home the show's first Viewer's Choice award. For once, Ricky wasn't honored for making hips swagger. The "She Bangs" babe picked up the Spirit of Hope award for his dedication to charitable causes.

Marc Anthony, whose new album, "Mended," will be in stores May 21, won the Artist of the Year award. The singer's "Libre" disc also scored a prize for Male Tropical/Salsa Album of the Year.

In addition to stars of Latin descent, French-Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion showed some love to Spanish-speaking fans. She whipped up "Aun Existe Amor" ("Love Still Exists") and was presented with a special award for "My Heart Will Go On," which was the first English tune to cap the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.

Former Spice Girl Throws Charity Bash

LONDON (AP) - England soccer captain David Beckham and his pop singer wife Victoria, also known as "Posh Spice," threw a celebrity-studded party Sunday to raise money for a children's charity.

Dozens of stars attended the lavish Japanese-themed garden party at the couple's mansion, nicknamed Beckingham Palace.

Guests - asked to dress in "white tie and diamonds" - included many of England's World Cup soccer squad, Sir Elton John, tennis star Greg Rusedski, designer Vivienne Westwood, actress Joan Collins and Virgin empire billionaire Sir Richard Branson. Harrods owner Mohammad al-Fayed arrived at the mansion north of London in a helicopter.

The bash included an auction to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Thousands of orchids helped set the Asian tone, and the Japanese-style menu reportedly included asparagus and shitake mushrooms on green tea noodles, platters of beef satay and chilled monkfish.

David Beckham will lead England's soccer team in the World Cup, which takes place in Japan and South Korea from May 31 to June 30.

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Rusty goes pop

Russell Crowe has given his girlfriend Danielle Spencer's singing career a helping hand by directing her first pop video. The pair were in Brisbane yesterday (Thursday) filming the video for her song - Tickle Me - in a nightclub. Crowe directed and reportedly funded the project. The Gladiator actor has shown his support for her in other ways too - altruistically offering fans of Spencer's a date with himself and posing for a cheesy photoshoot in Hello! (where a straight-faced Danielle reveals that the pair are 'held together by the thread of music'). Crowe is expected to make his feature-length directorial debut later this year with The Long Green Shore, a Second World War drama.

With friends like Geri...

Geri Halliwell is not the first person most rational people would turn to in their hour of need, and one unfortunate who asked her to help him kick his drug problem found himself getting chucked out of his rehab clinic. The former Spice Girl flew to the Unites States to provide a shoulder to cry on during the mystery man's stay at the exclusive £500-a-day Cottonwood de Tuscon centre in Arizona, accompanying him to his daily therapy sessions. According to the reports, though, Geri's friendship provided a serious problem for the doctors, as the lovey-dovey pair spent little time holding hands in therapy, preferring to smooch by the pool and spend hours in the singer's nearby hotel room. Finally, it all got too much for the doctors and the patient was thrown out for 'not focusing on the problem'. The man, who is believed to be from a wealthy family, was sent to the clinic by his mother in a bid to get his life back on track. Presumably Geri will not be invited round for tea and biscuits.

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Tom Cruise Develops 'War of the Worlds'

By Cathy Dunkley and Michael Fleming

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Tom Cruise is developing and will possibly star in a new feature version of H.G. Wells' classic Martian invasion tale "The War of the Worlds."

The film is scheduled for production in 2003 via the actor's Cruise/Wagner Prods. and its Paramount home.

"'The War of the Worlds' is a timeless literary treasure and one of our most exciting properties," said Sherry Lansing, chair of Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group. "Since Paramount has enjoyed such tremendous success partnering with Cruise/Wagner, there is clearly no better team to entrust this to."

Cruise/Wagner worked with Paramount on such high-profile projects as the billion-dollar "Mission: Impossible" franchise and the recent thriller "Vanilla Sky."

Wells' sci-fi novel was first published in 1898. Depicting a global, seemingly unstoppable Martian attack on Earth, the book was adapted and performed to sound like a live news broadcast by Orson Welles, whose Mercury Theater aired the now-legendary radio play the day before Halloween in 1938. Broadcast to millions of Americans, the show was so convincing, it caused a nationwide panic, quelled only after the news media reported the truth.

DreamWorks recently released a feature version of Wells' "The Time Machine" to mixed results.

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Macaulay Culkin's Stripper Binge

Former child star Macaulay Culkin is in the midst of a wild spending spree - on hordes and hordes of strippers. The 21-year-old Home Alone actor shelled out a cool $2,000 on topless dancers and booze at New York's Privilege club on May 2nd. A fellow reveller recalls, "He had over 20 lap dances from different girls." Culkin, who is currently filming Party Monster, in which he plays a club promoter and convicted murderer, entered the strip joint at 11.30pm and didn't emerge into the outside world until 3.30am the following morning. In addition to treating himself to almost two dozen dirty dances at $20 a pop, Culkin and a handful of friends gulped down a few $350 bottles of Perrier-jouet champagne. Culkin's spokeswoman claims he drank only beer and was there "researching New York's wild life for his role". But the club's manager counters, "There was lots of champagne, and there was no way he was researching anything except the figures of the girls - he was having the time of his life."

Clooney Dumps Porn Star Girlfriend

Playboy actor George Clooney has dumped his belle Krista Allen - because he couldn't deal with her porn past. George, whose many flings have been the center of media attention, ditched the brunette beauty because he feels the scrutiny has intensified since people became aware of her past in body baring films like Emmanuelle: First Contact. Clooney, 41, dated Allen for a few weeks during the recent filming of Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, and he even hosted a 30th birthday party for her at trendy Los Angeles eatery Jones Hollywood last month. But a source tells American magazine Us Weekly, "He got rattled by the press reports of their fling. It wasn't really serious. Still, he got freaked out anyway."

Costner Fired For Being Too Demanding

A new book on Hollywood claims Kevin Costner was fired from Angelina Jolie's new movie for being too demanding. Costner has been the subject of much tinseltown speculation, with many claiming he is argumentative and awkward to work with. And now producer Peter Guber has spoken out about the Oscar-winner in new book Shoot Out: Surviving Fame And Misfortune. The book claims Costner was fired from Beyond Borders because he was too demanding. According to Guber, Oliver Stone was hired to direct the movie, but there were "constant run-ins between Costner and Stone". Costner is accused of demanding script changes that Stone resisted. Eventually, Guber claims, everyone attached to the film became so fed-up with the star that Costner was fired. The author explains, "When an actor tries to control a project's destiny, they only control their own. Foreign distributors didn't want him, Stone didn't want him, audiences didn't want him and neither did we." Stone later pulled out of the film himself. Costner's role went to British actor Clive Owen.

Hugh Grant Wistful For Radio Days

Hugh Grant has a hidden past as a radio commercial producer - and he can't understand why he gave it up to make movies. The movie star was the ideas man and the voice behind radio ads for Red Stripe lager and Brylcreem hair products years before his acting career took off. He says, "They gave us the jingle that had to come in at the end and we had to come up with the 30 second funny bit leading up to the jingle. I did a lot of voices and a lot of spoof stuff. You'd go home at the end of the day feeling strangely satisfied in a way I've never felt coming home from a days shooting on a film."

Zeta-Jones Aiming For 2003 Baby

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is hoping to get pregnant next year. She and husband Michael Douglas already have a toddler son Dylan. Catherine, 32, says, "I'd like to try next year, because Dylan is two in August and I'd like as many as I can pop out. Michael and I were talking about this the other night. I'm one of three, so I have it in my head that three is the perfect number. But Michael is one of two, so he wants one more... But yes, I'd like to have three. Or as many as I can!"

Stephen King Is Going Blind

Horror writing superstar Stephen King is going blind, after developing a condition called Macular Degeneration. The Green Mile novelist - who was severely injured in an car accident in June 1999 that left him in critical condition - claims he has a hereditary disease and that he could lose his sight at any moment. But King refuses to let the prospect of blindness get him down. He says, "At least I'm alive - that's the way I feel about it."

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Julia Keeps Her Clothes On

Actress Julia Roberts has laughed off claims she will appear nude in the suggestively-titled movie Full Frontal. The Oscar-winning star called the Steven Soderbergh-directed movie her "nudie" flick last year, sparking rumours she would show off her birthday suit. However her representative says, "She's so fully dressed she's wearing long sleeves through the entire move." According to movie insiders, Roberts joked about the movie during an interview for Ocean's Eleven, claiming, "We're all naked in it."

Connery Refuses Bond Baddie Offer

Veteran star Sean Connery has ruled out returning to a James Bond movie to play a 'baddie'. The Scottish actor, who played the suave spy in six movies, had reportedly been approached by film executives to play an enemy agent in a future installment. But Connery said yesterday, "Absolutely no way - I could never be an enemy of James Bond." The 72-year-old also added that, from the four actors who have played the character since Connery, current Bond Pierce Brosnan impresses him most. "He has worked hard to take Bond back to the real character, be someone who can really be identified."

Macaulay Culkin's Phobia

Hollywood child superstar Macaulay Culkin suffers from a terrifying fear of leaving his house. Culkin, who stole hearts around the world after his roles in the first two Home Alone movies, says he suffers from a similar condition to agoraphobia and has difficulty going outside. The 21-year-old actor explains, "It takes me about two hours to really hype myself up and say, 'Okay, time to go outside, time to go to the grocery store.' "It's like a phobia, and most phobias are illogical, really." Speaking on American talk show "20/20," Culkin also said he dreaded other people watching him eating in restaurants and confessed to host Barbara Walters that it took him "about five hours" to prepare himself for their interview.

Winona Fights The Pain

Movie star Winona Ryder loved working with comic Adam Sandler on new film Mr Deeds, so much she almost ignored the fact she'd broken her arm. Ryder took a nasty fall from a bicycle during one scene in the movie and shattered bones in her arm, but Sandler made her feel so good she laughed through the pain. She says, "I've never broken a bone in a movie until I did Deeds. We were shooting a scene where Adam and I are riding bikes down a long flight of stairs in Central Park. "I was in heels and my heel got caught in the pedal. The funniest thing is we were just standing there, but I was totally showing off like an idiot. Suddenly, I was on the ground and he was like, 'Are you OK?' "I got up and I was like, 'Yeah, I'm fine. No problem!' And in the morning, 'Oh, God, my arm hurts.'"

Kirsten Dunst Looking For Love

Stunning Kirsten Dunst still believes there's a man out there for her - although it's getting harder and harder to find him. The Virgin Suicides beauty, who has been romantically linked with her Spider-man co-star Tobey Maguire, is finding fame can be an impediment to romance. She says, "Sometimes I get sad about it and I'm like, 'Is there a guy out there for me?' "I have this whole fairytale vision in my head because I was brought up on movies and storybooks that tell me I'm going to find my soulmate, get married, and have a perfect life. "I would love for that to happen but it's really hard to meet people."

Are Bloom And Ricci Dating?

Lord Of The Rings star Orlando Bloom has been spotted in the arms of cool Hollywood babe Christina Ricci. According to British teen magazine Just 17, the pair were seen leaving a Hollywood party after the Sleepy Hollow actress fell ill. Ricci reportedly vomited in the street while Bloom--he's elf Legolas in Peter Jackson's fantasy epic--held back her hair and whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Neither party has yet confirmed the story.

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Is Julia Pregnant?

Commitment-shy actress Julia Roberts may finally be settling down - after the beauty was spotted showing a tell-tale bump. The Oscar-winner has been dating married cameraman Danny Moder, whom she met on the set of Ocean's Eleven, since last year after her split from Benjamin Bratt. The slim movie star showed off a well-rounded stomach outside an Los Angeles coffee shop earlier this week, which has sparked pregnancy rumours. An onlooker explains, "She normally looks so skinny, but she had a big bump. "It looked like she was pregnant." If the beauty is pregnant, it would be a dream-come-true for the actress, who said earlier this year: "I would like a whole gaggle of kids. A baby would be such a gift."

Jolie Amused By Billy Bob Stabbing Reports

Angelina Jolie is amused anybody believed she stabbed her husband Billy Bob Thornton - because if she really did it, she'd have killed him. Jolie and her equally eccentric spouse were recently at the center of reports that they'd had a confrontation which led to her taking a knife to the Monster's Ball actor. But Jolie insists nothing could be further from the truth. She says, "There was recently a tabloid story that I had stabbed Billy and had to be sent to a nut-house or something. "We thought that was pretty funny. I mean, if I wanted to kill him, I'd kill him."

Lopez: Pregnancy Rumours Hurt Me

Superstar Jennifer Lopez is sick of tabloid rumors claiming she is pregnant. The curvy babe - who married dancer Cris Judd last September - finally snapped when her mum called her in tears on the set of new movie Enough, after reading an article insisting the actress/singer was expecting her first child. Jen says, "During the movie my mother called and left me a message, sobbing because she thought I was pregnant and hadn't told her. "Of course I would love to have kids one day. I would hate to go through this life without having one. That would be bad." The star was recently reported to be suffering from a thyroid condition that prevents her from conceiving, but Lopez seems far too busy to think about kids right now. She is about to start filming a new romantic comedy, and when that wraps Jen plans to spent the rest of the year on her music.

Senator Jessica Parker

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker already has plans for when her acting career ends - she wants to be a politician. The Sex And The City star is a committed Democrat and says if she hadn't opted for a career on stage and screen, she would love to run for the United States Senate. Sarah says, "If I wasn't an actor, I'd want to be a senator for either California or New York. I see that it's the only effective way to change things. "I work for hard for charitable an political organisations because I think it's really important to try to leave the world a better place than you found it." And the actress is far from happy with the current American government. She adds, "I'm very, very concerned about the Bush presidency. I'm worried about the kind of cuts he might make in programs that mean something to a lot of people, including my family."

Denzel Stays Away From Temptation

Denzel Washington works hard on his film career - but not as hard as he works on his marriage. The Oscar-winning John Q star has maintained a happy relationship with spouse Pauletta throughout their long marriage, and puts their success down to effort on both sides. He says, "Being a star and all of that, temptation is all around. It's all around, and I haven't been perfect, I'll be quite candid about it. "But my wife puts up with me and I think that the time we spend apart only serves to strengthen our marriage. "We're able to travel together, and we're also able to be apart, which can be a good thing for a relationship. "Today I start to pat myself on the back when I look around and see that very few people have put more than 20 years into a marriage. Pauletta is my born soulmate."

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Danes Lands Terminator Role

Claire Danes has joined the cast of Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines after newcomer Sophia Bush was deemed too young to play hero John Conner's love interest in the action movie. Director Jonathan Mostow was forced to dismiss Bush after dailies showed she was too young to play the girlfriend of In The Bedroom star Nick Stahl's character. Mostow says, "Sophia is a talented and charismatic performer but her appearance and manner play younger than what we wanted for the role." Danes started shooting on the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie yesterday.

Russell Fights The Flab

Gladiator star Russell Crowe has hired a real-life gladiator to help him slim down for his next film. The moody actor has asked martial arts expert Lourene Bevaart to compose a strict fitness plan to get him in shape for Far Side Of The World. Lourene was muscley, action-woman Glacier in the Australian version of hit TV game show Gladiators. The sporty blonde has enforced a plan of running, weight-lifting and power walking to help Russell fit the role of Navy captain Jack Aubrey in the war flick. One of Russell's friends says, "He has been told he needs to turn the flab into muscle for he film otherwise he will not look right. "He is not worried, he knows what he has to do. Lourene helped him out when he was training for Gladiator so he immediately contacted her again. "Russell has ballooned before and lost if quickly. He knows he had a deadline. Alcohol and fattening foods are off the menu and Lourene has got him started on a gruelling fitness regime."

Jolie Gets Her Way In Tomb Raider 2

Angelina Jolie has signed up for a sequel to Tomb Raider because she'll be able to try out the latest underwater technology and train with circus troupe Cirque Du Soleil. The actress played Lara Croft in the 2001 action adventure and had reservations about enhancements that made her seem more curvy, so she's stipulating that the sequel will be an underwater adventure that will see her character looking more athletic. She says, "I want to be much, much stronger. I would love to train with Cirque Du Soleil. Lara Croft should be more athletic and cut. "In the beginning of the first movie, we added padding to make me one cup size bigger. Also, I put on about 20 pounds for the role. And then, there were days when I was on my period that I was that much bigger. "I'd also like to go underwater in the next movie. I'm just curious about what gadgets can be used underwater - it's like James Bond.

Christensen: I'm Not Gay

Star Wars actor Hayden Christensen has lost himself a potentially devoted fanbase by laughing off suggestions that he's gay. A leading American gay magazine declared Christensen to be "definitely gay", and Hayden's more amused than annoyed at the speculation. He says, "It's hilarious. I'm not gay. It's amazing how much people will speculate if they haven't actual information to draw from, they just make up whatever they feel is appropriate. "That's cool. As long as the people I know and care about know the truth then everyone else's opinion doesn't really matter." Cast and crew on the set of the upcoming Attack Of The Clones film know where the 20-year-old's tastes lie - he often forced extra takes of his kissing scenes with stunning co-star Natalie Portman by turning to the camera grinning and flashing a thumbs-up. He laughs, "They would be like, 'You have to stop doing that Hayden! Now we have to do the whole scene again.' I'd be like, 'Fine'."

Halle Stands By Nude Scenes

Halle Berry has defended the graphic sex scenes that adorn her film Monster's Ball - because there are so many worse things in Hollywood. Berry won a Best Actress Academy Award® for her role in the racial drama, but some of her love scenes with Billy Bob Thornton were so intense that American censors cut them. She says, "You know, it's such a contradiction. "In America, people are happy to watch a film in which someone blows someone else's head off, but these same people have a problem watching the most natural thing in the world - people making love." And although she feared she'd find filming the contentious scenes difficult, Halle actually grew as a performer from her experiences. She adds, "I was able to get to a place where I wasn't one bit concerned about what I looked like. I completely shed all those inhibitions, and it was really cathartic."

Actor Barrymore Attacked At Home

Drew Barrymore's actor half-brother John Blyth Barrymore has been attacked in his home by burglars. Six teenagers entered his home in Mountain View, California on Wednesday and attacked him with a metal trailer hook. Police say they were hoping to steal the actor's marijuana plants. Barrymore, 47, underwent brain surgery on Friday) and was expected to recover. Hybrid actor Barrymore is the grandson of the silent film star of the same name and the son of director John Barrymore Jr., superstar Drew's dad.

Jewel Misses 'Security Blanket'

NEW YORK (AP) - Jewel says it will be "a little weird" to be without her guitar when she starts her European tour next week.

She will not be able to play her guitar onstage because of a horse riding accident last month that left her with a broken collarbone and rib.

"It's a little weird. ... I guess I'll have to polish up my dance routine," the 27-year-old singer joked in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Monday.

Jewel said while she usually does a couple of songs without it, she's usually strumming her guitar throughout her performances.

"It's like a security blanket," she said.

Because of the accident, Jewel was forced to cancel her first two dates on the tour, which will now start May 13 in Germany instead of the planned Friday start in Italy.

The singer was thrown from a colt she was riding on the Texas ranch of her rodeo champion boyfriend, Ty Murray.

"He was really green, and he started bucking with me," Jewel said of the horse.

Despite the accident, Jewel isn't hesitant about getting on a horse again.

"I've ridden colts my whole life," she said. "When you work around livestock, you're going to get hurt."

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Jennifer Lopez to be Latest 'Carmen'

NEW YORK (AP) - Last year, Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child took a crack at "Carmen." Now, it's Jennifer Lopez's turn.

The singer-actress will star in and produce an updated version of the classic opera, according to Monday's Variety.

It's sure to be an unorthodox telling; the script comes from Craig Pearce, who co-wrote the screenplays for director Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge", "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" and "Strictly Ballroom."

Lopez's spokesman wasn't immediately available for comment.

In 2001, Knowles starred in MTV's hip-hop version of "Carmen," set in modern-day Philadelphia instead of 19th century Spain.

POP POLL A SOUR NOTE FOR MARIAH

Mariah Carey has been voted the pop act people would most like to kick off the planet.
The music Web site, popdirt.com, asked, "If you could remove one pop act's music from the face of the earth, who would it be?"

More than 8,000 music fans from around the world replied, and Mariah secured 31 percent of the votes.

In second place was Jennifer Lopez, with 24 percent, followed by *NSYNC with 12 percent.

Other contenders included Britney Spears, with 8 percent; Mandy Moore, with 7.5 percent; and the Backstreet Boys, with 3.5 percent.

Rounding out the Top 10 were Jessica Simpson, Enrique Iglesias, Madonna and Ricky Martin.

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Liz Agrees To DNA Tests

Stunning actress Liz Hurley [EHURL] has agreed to DNA tests on herself and her month-old son, Damian Charles, to prove that Steve Bing is the father. The move comes a fortnight after Bing's legal team lodged an application with the High Court for the tests to be carried out. Until now, Bing's lawyers were concerned that Liz would refuse to provide samples. Under Californian law the Austin Powers star could be entitled to $56,000 a month in maintenance payments from Bing - who has a $560 million fortune - if he is Damian's father. A spokesman for 36-year-old reveals, "She is happy to co-operate with the court to provide any necessary DNA samples."

Spacey To Sing

Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey [KSPAC] is gearing up to sing in a biopic about legendary singer Bobby Darin. The American Beauty actor is expected to star opposite Drew Barrymore [DBARR], who is set to play Darin's first wife Sandra Dee, in the Warner Brothers produced movie "Mack The Knife". Grammy-winning Darin, known for his hits "Mack The Knife" and "Dream Lover," died at the age of 37 following open heart surgery in 1973. However movie insiders say Spacey in incredibly nervous about singing on screen. An source explains, "All that remains to be seen is whether Kevin wants to sing. He's nervous about the idea. "He's keen on taking lessons but we may have to go with some of Darin's original material."

Portman Proud Of Turning Down Lolita

Not having sex with Jeremy Irons [JIRON] is the best decision Stars Wars [STAR2] actress Natalie Portman [NPORT] ever made. Portman turned down the title role in 1997's Lolita remake opposite Oscar-winner Irons, leaving the way open for Dominique Swain [DSWAI]. She explains, "It was widely reported that my parents were over-protective prudes. They're not - they just didn't want to see their 14-year-old daughter having sex with Jeremy Irons. "I think I would have been pretty upset to be in a sex scene at 14, before I'd even experienced it in real life. That's not something that I should have had to deal with when I was growing up and I'm very lucky that I didn't."

Ellen Barkin's Make-up Mogul Husband Under Fire

Ellen Barkin's [EBARK] husband is under fire from shareholders at Revlon after paying his wife $240,000 for recording voice- overs. Cosmetics company boss Ron Perelman has also been targeted after paying one of his daughters $4,200 for just one month's work in his marketing department. The company, which employs Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry [HBERR], lost more than $140 million last year. Perelman says the fees are justified because Barkin is a world class actress, and has described his daughter Debra Perelman's short stint as a "bargain". The make-up mogul has seen the Revlon share price plummet from almost $55 a share to less than $6. Once worth $5.5 billion , Perelman's holding in the firm is now just $225 million. Sea Of Love star Barkin and Perelman met at an Oscars night party four years ago.

Flick?

Die Another Day

'Spider-Man' Sets $114 Million Record at Box Office

May 5, 2002 1:12 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Spider-Man," a highly anticipated comic-book hero saga, kicked off the lucrative summer movie season in North America with a record three-day gross of $114 million, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.
The film, released by Columbia Pictures, smashed the old three-day record of $90.3 million, set last November by "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

"Spider-Man" also broke the boy wizard's benchmarks for highest single-day receipts, said Jeff Blake, Columbia's president of worldwide marketing and distribution.

The film revolves around a high-school geek, played by Tobey Maguire, who is bitten by a spider and is soon able to scale walls and shoot webs from his wrist. Kirsten Dunst co-stars as his love interest, and Willem Dafoe as the villainous Green Goblin. Sam Raimi directed the film, which was reportedly budgeted between $120 million and $130 million.

The audience was evenly split between males and females, and between viewers aged over and under 25, Blake said.

The "Spider-Man" gross of $43.7 million on Saturday broke the "Harry Potter" single day record of $33.5 million, and the new film reached $100 million in three days, while "Harry Potter" took five days.

Bless, Arnar

Desktoppurinn minn

Afmæli

Justin þó!

Shakira Appearance Marred by Vandal

05/03/2002 2:37 PM EDT

By The Associated Press

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - A bag of cement dust was thrown at Colombian pop star Shakira during a promotional appearance at a shopping center.

The dust did not reach the 25-year-old singer, who was quickly ushered off stage after the incident Thursday night at the Westfield shopping center in the Sydney suburb of Hurstville.

Some of Shakira's 2,500 fans in attendance had trouble breathing because of the dust, including a teen-age girl who was treated for an asthma attack, emergency officials said.

The singer, in Australia for a weeklong tour to promote her new album, "Laundry Service," had been on stage signing autographs for 15 minutes when a bag of cement powder was thrown toward her, record company officials said. The bag split and covered more than 20 people with dust.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man afterward. He was later charged with offensive behavior, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

Shakira spent another hour and a half at the mall signing autographs, and met with several fans who needed medical treatment.

Maguire: Kissing in Rain No Fun

05/04/2002 4:19 AM EDT

(AP) Tobey Maguire, star of the film "Spider-Man," arrives at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles,...
Full Image

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire says the scene where he's hanging upside-down in the rain while kissing co-star Kirsten Dunst wasn't much fun to shoot.

"There was rain pouring up or down my nose. I couldn't breathe and I was gasping for breath out of the corner of Kirsten's mouth," the 26-year-old Maguire told reporters.

"Poor girl. I was giving her mouth to mouth rather than kissing her. But in the midst of that, I was sneaking some pleasure out of it."

Maguire plays a science geek who becomes a web-slinging hero after a bite from a mutant spider. Willem Dafoe co-stars as his nemesis, the Green Goblin, and Dunst plays the object of Spider-Man's affections.

The film, directed by Sam Raimi, is now in theaters.

Fengið frá IMDb.com

Samuel L. Jackson's Alleged Brothel Visit

Latest: Happily married actor Samuel L. Jackson [SLJAC] is at the center of a storm of controversy after a journalist claimed he was spotted in a Central American brothel. Jackson joined Pulp Fiction co-star John Travolta [JTRAV] in Panama City, Panama, to film new action movie Basic [BASIC]. And if local press are to be believed, the star enjoyed a lot more than work on his trip. Top Panamanian TV reporter Ubaldo Davis reveals, "I got a call from someone saying that Mr. Jackson was at Golden Times brothel, and that he'd been there for three hours. We set up outside. Around midnight, a bunch of bodyguards came out escorting to a car a tall black man with a towel over his head." And Davis thinks he has reason to believe the man was Jackson, explaining, "The bodyguards were members of the presidential guard. I saw them at a disco hours later, and they were escorting Mr Jackson. A girl at Golden Times explained that Mr. Jackson had been playing golf that morning and was just looking for a massage. He posed for pictures with the girls and everything before he left." The star, who is married to actress Latanya Richardson, has refused to comment.

Clinton Mulling Own TV Talk Show

Former United States President Bill Clinton has met executives from NBC to discuss hosting his own talk show. Although the talks are preliminary, one source said Clinton's interest was serious and he was demanding a fee of $50 million a year and had aspirations "of becoming the next Oprah Winfrey". Television industry sources say chances are slim that Clinton would commit to such a plan once he understands the demands of the job. The 55-year-old former president has told some Hollywood executives who have asked about a potential TV career that the rumors are untrue. Television executives doubted that Clinton would sign up for a demanding regimen of daily tapings for 39 weeks that such a show would require. Clinton has been making a handsome living since leaving the White House from speeches that pay $125,000 to $300,000 each. That is on top of his $12 million book deal.

Simpsons To Live Long

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening is reassuring fans of the yellow family that the hit show won't be ending anytime soon. It was reported earlier this week that the animator was considering finishing the comedy because he was running out of funny storylines. Wednesday Groening explained, "I was misquoted and misunderstood. I don't want anyone to think I am predicting the demise of the Simpsons. They will live on with new adventures for years to come. As long as there are things to make fun of we will be around." The cartoonist went on to explain what he meant by the comments that fuelled the speculation. Groening continues, "I am always asked how much longer can this go on. I just said that given the fact the we just finished our 300th episode, I would guess we are closer to the end of our life than the beginning. At the end of our 100th episode (one of our writers) said we were halfway home. Now we think the show will last, our ratings are better than ever."

Oprah Reduces Cher To Tears

Cher [CHERX] feels abused after talk show queen Oprah Winfrey [OPWNF] aired a clip of a very personal moment - and reduced her to tears. Cher was shocked during a taping session when Oprah showed a film clip of her giving the eulogy for her ex- husband Sonny Bono at his 1998 funeral. A friend reveals, "Cher had never seen the footage and had no idea Oprah was going to run it. She was shocked by it. They were acting like it was a movie performance. Cher didn't know they even were filming at the funeral. She had to go back to her dressing room and reapply her false eyelashes. They had to stop the show for 45 minutes." Another pal says, "It was so horrible for them not to tell her. Cher came back on and talked about it, but she was stunned and surprised that they would have done that. She didn't want to see that and have it fresh in her memory." A representative for Oprah counters that Cher needed only five minutes to compose herself, and adds that "the footage of Sonny's funeral was part of a tribute to Cher's legacy and was never intended to upset her". Cher's spokeswoman says, "She was indeed very, very upset. Oprah apologized. She wasn't aware they hadn't told Cher ahead of time."

The Rock á afmæli í dag

Fengið frá IMDb.com

Natalie Portman: "I'm No Draft Dodger"

Stunning actress Natalie Portman [NPORT] denies she has dodged military draft in her country of birth Israel. The Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones [STAR2] beauty, 20, has quashed rumors that she dodged out of serving in the Israeli army. She says, "That's so ridiculous and I'm just stupid... That's pretty much it. Because I was born in Israel, every time I visit I have to get a note from the army that says I'm exempt. I thought that meant that I was drafted but that I got out of it, so I said in passing in some stupid interview, 'Yeah, I dodged the draft.' Then it causes this controversy but it turns out you don't even get drafted unless you live in Israel, and I left when I was three. So clearly they weren't wanting me in their army unless I wanted to volunteer. So I don't know. It created a controversy and I'm dumb and I'm corrected now."

Winona Mocks Arrest

Winona Ryder [WRYDE] is poking fun at her recent shoplifting arrest - sporting a T-shirt that proclaims "Free Winona!". The 30-year-old actress will appear in the next issue of America's W magazine wearing the T-shirt, which had initially gone on sale in Los Angeles soon after her arrest in December for allegedly shoplifting $5,000 worth of clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Ryder, who insists that she did not break the law, is still waiting to attend court on the charges.

Halle Gets Foxy

Halle Berry [HBERR] is to bring Pam Grier's [PGRIE] 1974 blaxploitation heroine Foxy Brown back to the big screen. The Oscar-winning actress will star in and co-produce the project - about a woman bent on avenging the murder of her boyfriend at the hands of gangsters. The remake is likely to go before the cameras next year after Berry has completed work on Bond movie Die Another Day [JB20] and the X-Men sequel [XMEN2].

Paltrow Boosts Co-star Hoffman's Play

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow [GPALT] has taken a break from rehearsals of her new London play to watch Philip Seymour Hoffman's [PSHOF] production in the British capital. Paltrow was in the audience at the Arts Theatre, for Jesus Hopped The A Train, which is directed by Hoffman, her co-star in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Dressed down in black top and trousers and minimal make-up she sat in the audience next to Hoffman. Paltrow herself is preparing to appear in Proof, which opens at the nearby Donmar Warehouse on May 15th. After the performance Paltrow, 29, said, "The play was so fantastic that I'm almost speechless - it was profoundly moving and so well acted. It was on in New York but this is the first time I've seen it and I thought it was absolutely wonderful." A third Ripley star - Matt Damon [MDAMO] - has also just started in a production of This Is Our Youth at London's Garrick Theatre. Paltrow added, "Everyone I worked with on The Talented Mr. Ripley seems to be in London at the moment, its just crazy."

Lord Of The Rings Makers Sued

Makers of hit movie Lord Of The Rings are facing a court battle in New Zealand over damaged horses. A horseman who leased his beasts to the makers of the film trilogy says the creatures were returned "in a damaged condition" and wants compensation. But the makers can't be too worried - the suit is for a maximum of $7,490 and the film to date grossed $819 million.

Fengið frá IMDb.com

Berry's Husband Denies Affair

Halle Berry's [HBERR] musician husband is denying tabloid charges that he cheated on the star just days before she won her historic Oscar. American tabloid The Star claims Eric Benet [EBENE] had a night of passion with old flame Julia Riley while Berry was at home in California preparing for the Academy Awards. The magazine quotes pals saying how heartbroken Berry will be, and how unsatisfied her husband has been with the "physical side" of their marriage. But Benet is fighting back with dignity. His lawyer Bobby Rosenblum pours scorn on the claims, saying, "Eric completely denies this. He has had no extra-marital encounters since he wed Halle."

Cruise And Cruz Stay Strong

Tom Cruise [TCRUI] blasted reports he had split from Penelope Cruz [PCRUZ] when he hosted a birthday party for her. The Spanish beauty and her hunky boyfriend have been the subject of tabloid reports since March after Tom attended the Oscars without her and Penelope spent time in her hometown of Madrid without him. But Tom threw a "1970s Las Vegas flash"-themed bash on Saturday to celebrate Penelope's 28th birthday at his Beverly Hills mansion.

Parker's Pregnancy Stays Out Of Sex

TV executives have decided not to write Sarah Jessica Parker's [SJPAR] real-life pregnancy into Sex And The City. The blonde actress, who plays sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw in the hit Home Box Office (HBO) comedy, is expecting her first child with husband Matthew Broderick [MBROD] in the fall. Since the couple announced the news last month, scriptwriters have been at odds over whether or not to disguise her pregnancy. However with her co-star Cynthia Nixon's character Miranda Hobbes having given birth to baby Brady in the latest season, writers obviously decided one baby was enough.

Simpsons Creator: End Could Be In Sight

Simpsons creator Matt Groening is considering "winding up" the show. The acclaimed animator says much depends on whether the cult cartoon wins an Emmy for best animation this year. Groening adds that the US network Fox wants to "wring every last penny" out of it. He says, "I think we are closer to winding it up. What happens generally if we win the Emmy for Best Animation Show, is that that gives us another couple of years to run it into the ground."

Kidman's Girl Power

Nicole Kidman [NKIDM] knows she can get through anything - because she has her girlfriends behind her. Nicole discovered the real value of friendship after her traumatic divorce from Tom Cruise, when her female support system rushed to her side. She says, "Everyone talks about girl power these days. But without it I'm not sure what I would have done these last few months. There are about six really close girls who I can call and they'll be there for me, whatever the time and wherever the place. I can really share my feelings with this close group of girlfriends. We're all in our thirties and have worked through stuff in our twenties, lived some life and been hurt along the way."

Will To Remake Black Movie Classic

Will Smith [WSMIT] is set to remake movie classic Uptown Saturday Night - because he wants to bring together Hollywood's black movie stars. The Men In Black star admits he's a huge fan of the 1974 black buddy movie, which starred Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. And now he's trying to line up a super group of peers to make it again. Smith says, "I've spoken to Eddie Murphy [EMURP] and Martin (Lawrence) [MLAWR]. I'm trying to put together an all-star squad and do what George (Clooney) [GCLOO] did with Ocean's Eleven."

Grammer Owes $2 Million

Frasier star Kelsey Grammer [KGRAM] has been ordered to pay his former talent agency more than $2 million in back commissions. The 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals in San Francisco, upholding a lower court ruling, ruled Monday that Grammer and his production company Grammnet Inc. owed The Artists Agency Of Los Angeles the money under a 1995 agreement which renegotiated the terms of their contract. Grammer, one of the highest-paid actors on American television, changed his contract with Artists in 1995 to reflect the fact that the agency had failed to win him any major motion picture projects. The new deal extended Grammer's television and commercial obligations with the agency by two years, but set him free to negotiate his own movie deals. In 1996 Grammer left Artists for good and challenged the 1995 contract on the grounds that it violated collective bargaining agreements with the Screen Actors Guild and other industry groups. A SAG arbitration panel subsequently found that the contract terms, while unusual, were valid - a position later upheld by a federal judge, who ordered Grammer to pay unpaid commissions totalling more than $2 million. Grammer's attorney Martin Singer, said the actor was considering filing an appeal. He said, "Kelsey feels like the union let him down. The court's decision unfortunately allows the talent agency to collect commissions under a contract that doesn't follow the agency's own rules."

Björk er ólétt!

Madonna Offers Sneak Peak At Stage Debut

05/01/2002 6:36 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) - Madonna gave a sneak preview of her new acting role as she rehearsed for her West End stage debut.

The pop queen posed for a series of arty black-and-white shots as she prepared to open in a sellout run of the play "Up for Grabs."

In one shot, many Madonna fans might have been left wondering "Who's That Girl?" as she stood in silhouette with light flooding through a doorway behind her.

She appeared to be enjoying herself Tuesday as she rehearsed the biting satire on the art world, which first opened in Sydney, Australia, last year, breaking box office records there.

Director Laurence Boswell said rehearsals were going well. "Everyone is extremely relaxed. It's a wonderful company," he said.

Previews of the show, which also stars Tom Irwin, begin May 13 at Wyndham's Theater and the production will officially open 10 days later.