CELEBRITY CORNER



Jessica Simpson 'extremely happy' for Nick Lachey

Jessica Simpson has dispelled rumors she is distraught by the news of Nick Lachey's engagement to longtime girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo, insisting she "couldn't be more happy" for her ex-husband.
Former 98 Degrees singer Lachey announced plans to wed Minnillo last week after four years of dating.
Tabloid reports claim Simpson has been rocked by the news, but she has spoken out to silence the gossip and offer her best wishes to her ex.
She tells Los Angeles radio personality Ryan Seacrest, "I don't know where all those rumors came from. My mom actually called me and told me that everybody was saying that I was 'saddened'. And I was just in complete shock. ...
"I am extremely, extremely happy for him. I couldn't be more happy for Nick. Our relationship was over a really long time ago so it would be nice if everybody could move on with us and really just celebrate the love between him and Vanessa -- I do. I wish them nothing but the best."
Simpson and Lachey, who documented their three-year marriage on MTV reality show "Newlyweds," divorced in 2006.
The blond beauty is now dating retired football player Eric Johnson and she can't wait to spend the upcoming holidays with his family in New York.
She says, "My first New York Thanksgiving! (Johnson's) family is going to be with us on the float at the Macy's Day Parade, and my family will be there."

Ricki Lake: 'I'm so grateful to be alive after house blaze'


Actress and former talk show host Ricki Lake has opened up about her narrow escape from a blaze that destroyed her rented Malibu, Calif., beach house this summer, insisting the tragedy has made her more grateful than ever to be alive.
A candle sparked the fire, which destroyed everything the star and her sons owned, but she's still amazed they managed to get out without injury.
Appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Wednesday, Lake recalled the fateful evening, stating, "My 9-year-old went and got his brother and saved him. ... Unfortunately we lost everything that was in the house.
"It's tragic and it's scary but I'm so grateful. My children are healthy, I'm healthy; I didn't get burned in that fire. ... If there's some higher power looking out for me or what, I won't take it for granted. I never did before this happened and I never will."
She added, "We got out with the clothes on our back -- no shoes, nothing. It was terrifying but I also feel like, suddenly things are just things.
"I mourn the loss of that house even though I didn't own it ... but I actually think my kids will learn a valuable lesson about how quickly things can change and you have each other and family is everything."

Jessica Alba almost quit acting


Jessica Alba almost quit acting before she became a mom because she had a tough time facing harsh criticism from Hollywood directors.
Alba was filming the "Fantastic Four sequel 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer" in 2007, but tough comments from director Tim Story took a serious mental toll on her and she contemplated walking away from Hollywood for good.
She tells Elle magazine, "I wanted to stop acting. I hated it. I really hated it.
"I remember when I was dying in 'Silver Surfer'. The director was like, 'It looks too real. It looks too painful. Can you be prettier when you cry? Cry pretty, Jessica. ...'
"And then it all got me thinking: Am I not good enough? Are my instincts and my emotions not good enough?... And so I just said, 'F**k it. I don't care about this business anymore.'"
But after giving birth to daughter Honor in June 2008, she regained the confidence to return to the movie business.
She explains, "I'd been so afraid of criticism ever since I was young. Every time I'd get a critique from someone or some redirection, I'd always take it very personally, but now I have no problem with it. It's just a chance to try things a different way."

Zachary Quinto's 'personal' interview


Zachary Quinto backed out of an interview on Wednesday night after taking offense at a series of "personal" questions, which probed his backstage routine and his favorite ice cream flavor.
The actor, who is currently starring in an off-Broadway production of "Angels in America," agreed to a chat with New York Magazine at the Signature Theatre Company gala in the Big Apple, but he ended the interview abruptly after the talk became too candid.
When he was asked about his "post-show ritual", he replied, "I like to take showers after the show. And then I read. I'm reading Jonathan Franzen's Freedom, like the rest of the world. But all these questions are too personal, sorry."
And when the reporter suggested he talk about his favorite ice cream instead, he responded, "Still too personal. Sorry."
When asked what he would prefer to chat about, Quinto gave a brief response about playwright Tony Kushner and then ended the interview.

Brandy wants more children


Single R&B star Brandy is planning to step up her search for love because she is wants to have more children.
"The Boy Is Mine" singer welcomed daughter Sy'rai, 8, in 2002 with her then-boyfriend, producer Robert Smith, but the couple split a year later. She then became engaged to basketball star Quentin Richardson, but is currently single.
Brandy, 31, is looking for a man she can settle down and have kids with, but fears time is running out.
She tells E! Online, "I'm like, 'Dude, hurry up before I end up not being able to have no more kids! (You're) taking too long!'
"I'm looking for someone with the same values that I have. I'm looking for someone that has a pure heart. That has a love for God or the universe. ... Someone that loves children, easy on the eyes, and has a drive to be something very powerful in their experience."
And Brandy admits she already has her family plans all mapped out, adding, "I want three boys. I just think boys are cool. I have a precious little girl and I think she's awesome. I just want to keep her my special little girl and then have the rest boys."

Lindsay Lohan's father proud of her progress


Lindsay Lohan's father Michael has spoken out for the first time since he was reunited with his troubled daughter in rehab, praising her progress and revealing they are taking steps to repair their relationship.
The actress, who has been in and out of jail and rehab this year, is currently serving out a three-month stint at California's Betty Ford clinic after failing two mandatory drug tests.
She was rumored to have reached out to her estranged father when he was spotted visiting the center on Sunday, and they fueled speculation of a reunion when they enjoyed an outing to a movie theater together on Wednesday.
Michael Lohan has now confirmed they are making good progress in fixing their former family feud.
He tells The R List blogger Jenn Hoffman, "I'm looking forward to seeing her again. ... The only problem is when you are in the public eye like we are, the entire relationship is under scrutiny so it's hard. It's harder for her. ... I know for a fact she's focusing on herself. I see it more now than ever."
And Lohan is adamant his daughter will be able to revive her flagging movie career once she kicks her addictions.
He adds, "She's gifted. ... (She just needs to stay) on the track she is now and focusing on being Lindsay. That's it."

Kardashian sisters slammed for alleged short club appearance


Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has angered night club bosses in New York by only staying an hour at a party to launch her new credit card -- and they want their money back.
The wealthy socialite has lent her name to the Kardashian Prepaid MasterCard, which lets parents give their kids a small amount of credit so they can keep their finances in check.
The star and her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney, were paid $25,000 to make a three-hour personal appearance at Manhattan nightspot Pacha on Tuesday to launch the card, but club chiefs were stunned when the siblings left after just 45 minutes.
They subsequently returned to the bash but exited again shortly afterwards -- and Pacha bosses are demanding the Kardashians return their appearance fee.
A spokesperson for the club tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, "We are extremely disappointed. They did not fill out their contractual obligations to be there for three hours. We also paid Khloe's travel fees. We would like a refund."
But a representative for the sisters has blamed the incident on a misunderstanding, adding, "The girls did all the press and meet-and-greets they were obligated to do. There was a miscommunication between the club and MasterCard that was not relayed to us, and so we went back."

Russell Brand slams tiger wedding gift reports


British funny man Russell Brand has laughed off reports he bought his new wife Katy Perry a Bengal tiger as a wedding present -- calling the rumors "stupid."
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star wed the "I Kissed A Girl" hit maker in India last month at an exotic resort situated close to a tiger sanctuary.
Outlandish rumors about the ceremony subsequently flooded the Internet, with many reports suggesting Brand purchased an extra special gift for his new bride -- a female tiger, which lives at the resort where they married.
But the comic has slammed the reports, telling British TV show "Loose Women," "I'm a vegetarian, you don't give people tigers. It's stupid, it's dangerous. The tiger won't like it."

John Mayer dismisses affair rumors


A representative for John Mayer has dismissed allegations the rocker has been romancing TV host Giada De Laurentiis, branding the rumors "ridiculous."
The musician, who has previously dated Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson, was linked to The Food Network presenter this week after an article published in Star magazine suggested they had enjoyed a night out together in New York.
But a spokesperson for Mayer is adamant there is no truth to the story, telling PopEater, "The claims are absolutely ridiculous."
While De Laurentiis, adds, "I've met him and he's a great guy, but I just like his music, that's all."

Paris Hilton's boyfriend cleared over alleged hit-and-run


Paris Hilton's boyfriend Cy Waits will not face any charges for accidentally running over a photographer's foot with his car, according to a report.
The socialite and her partner were driving away from a Los Angeles restaurant in September when Waits allegedly clipped female snapper Carol Williams, before speeding off.
Paramedics were called to treat Williams, while Waits reportedly returned to the scene later without Hilton and was cited for a hit-and-run by police.
Williams subsequently insisted she was "at fault as much as him" and now cops have cleared Waits over the incident, according to TMZ.com.

Is Gordon Ramsay's family feud deepening?


Gordon Ramsay's family feud drama is continuing to escalate -- he fired his brother-in-law and nephew from his company on the same day as his wife's father, according to a U.K. report.
The fallout first hit headlines last month when Chris Hutcheson, father of the "Hell's Kitchen" star's wife, Tana, stepped down as CEO of Ramsay's business empire and branded the TV chef "manic" in a British newspaper interview.
Ramsay reacted with fury, insisting the public comments "compounded" the problem -- but the chef backtracked earlier this week and addressed the issue in an open letter to Tana's mother, Greta Hutcheson, explaining Chris' exit and begging her to reach out to his wife.
But the rift with Tana's relatives is worse that first thought -- Ramsay also fired her brother, Adam, and nephew, Christopher, from their posts at Gordon Ramsay Holdings at the time of Chris' departure, according to Britain's Daily Mail.
Adam's wife, Adelaide, says, "The whole family is upset with Gordon. It is just not fair on us. My husband used to work for Gordon's company as Chris Hutcheson's number two.
"But now he has been suspended, my poor 19-year-old boy who also worked for him was sacked. It makes me so angry to think Gordon sacked them all on the same day. Why does he want to cut the whole family off? I have four kids to look after and a husband who is suspended. I don't know whether Gordon is financially in trouble or not but it is very distressing for our family."
The chef has suffered severely in the recent economic downturn and in 2009 was forced to pump $8 million of his own money into his businesses in a last-ditch bid to keep them afloat amid mounting debts.

John Travolta fears he will miss son's birth


John Travolta is worried his pregnant wife Kelly Preston will go into early labor while he's in Australia -- but he's prepared to cut his trip short and fly straight back to the U.S. if she does.
The celebrity pilot flew his personal Boeing 707 to Sydney on Monday to help bosses at Qantas airline celebrate their 90th anniversary.
Travolta admits he's constantly thinking about his actress partner, who is due to give birth on November 26, and insists he's ready to end his 10-day tour to be in the delivery room to welcome his son, Benjamin.
He tells Extra, "When I left, she was having what they call Braxton Hicks, the fake labor, and we were both a little worried. But then the doctor said to drink more water, more liquids and that stops that.
"I think she just had a little talk with Ben and said, 'Look, let's wait till Dad comes home and deliver then.' But I'm ready to go at any minute, if she started having labor now we would leave and take 22 hours to get home, but I'll get there."
The couple has a daughter named Ella Bleu, 10. The Travoltas lost their 16-year-old son Jett after he suffered a fatal seizure at their holiday home in the Bahamas in January 2009.

Mel Gibson and his ex face off in court again


Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend came face to face in court again on Wednesday in the latest round of their ongoing custody battle over baby daughter Lucia.
The movie star/director arrived at the Los Angeles courthouse first with Oksana Grigorieva just minutes behind him.
Reports suggest the 40-year-old was there to argue that Gibson should not be allowed overnight visits with their child because of his temper, as displayed on leaked, taped audio recordings of the former pair's fights.
As she entered court, she told reporters, "I'm fighting for my daughter and for her safety and that's all I'm doing."
Insiders claim the showdown in court was tense but civil. News show "Access Hollywood" reports Grigorieva's legal team was arguing all afternoon against a proposed gag order.
Sources tell TMZ.com the judge ruled against the order but did not rule on whether to alter any of the custody/visitation arrangements.

Olivia Wilde not so wild about Italian castle home


"House" star Olivia Wilde was shocked to find medieval blood on a torture table in the dungeon of her royal husband's Italian castle.
The actress is married to European prince Tao Ruspoli and admits there are some dark secrets in her husband's history.
Wilde tells Playboy she initially loved the idea of living in a 14th century castle -- until she started snooping around.
She explains, "There are dungeons in the basement where they used to torture people. There's a table down there that, when they sanded it, still had bloodstains from hundreds of years ago.
"Medieval times weren't fun times to be alive."

Gwyneth Paltrow wins over critics with CMA performance


Gwyneth Paltrow has won over critics with her singing debut at Wednesday night's Country Music Association Awards.
The Oscar winner hit the stage with Vince Gill to belt out the theme tune to her new movie "Country Strong," in which she plays singer Tim McGraw's alcoholic wife.
It marked Paltrow's first major live singing performance and earned her a standing ovation at the Bridgestone Arena in the country music of Mecca Nashville.
And the performance has critics singing her praises.
Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker claims that while Paltrow appeared anxious at first, she delivered a stellar performance.
He writes, "Strumming an acoustic guitar, looking a little nervous but singing the movie's title song in an expressive, surging tone, she didn't really need the assistance of the wonderful Vince Gill, there to give a polite country-industry imprimatur to Paltrow's efforts."
Meanwhile, New York Times music reviewer Jon Caramanica adds: "The surprise was that she didn't need (Gill)'s steadying hand nearly as much as some of the night's other performers."
New York Post writer Jarett Wieselman agreed, adding even though he was bracing for a "car crash" he soon changed his mind, calling her performance "solid -- if not sensational."
But it's not just critics celebrating Paltrow's musical talents -- country star Miranda Lambert told USA Today she thought the Oscar winner delivered a great show.
She adds to MTV News, "She sounded really country, I think. She seems very genuine."