Oprah Winfrey is TV's richest celebrity

Oprah Winfrey keeps topping Forbes' rankings of the rich and famous.

This is Forbes' third go-round this year at putting Winfrey at the top of some list or other. The talk-show titan took the top spot on Forbes.com's list of "The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment" in January; six months later, she topped the magazine's annual "Celebrity 100 Power List" for the second time.

Winfrey, 53, now leads Forbes.com's list of the 20 richest celebs on television. It's one of many new celebrity lists being issued by the Web site, which appears to have figured out that ranking boldfaced names is a good way to get some attention.

Winfrey, whose media empire includes a magazine and stakes in syndicated daytime talk shows by Dr. Phil McGraw and Rachael Ray, earned an estimated $260 million between June 2006 and June 2007.

Jerry Seinfeld is No. 2 with $60 million. The comedian, who has a vast Porsche collection, continues to get rich from reruns of his sitcom "Seinfeld," which he partly owns.

Simon Cowell of Fox's "American Idol" places third with $45 million. David Letterman, ranks fourth with $40 million, followed by Donald Trump and Jay Leno (both $32 million), McGraw and Judy "Judge Judy" Sheindlin (both $30 million) and George Lopez ($26 million).

Kiefer Sutherland, who portrays agent Jack Bauer on "24," landed at No. 10 by collecting $22 million from the popular Fox drama.

He's followed by Regis Philbin ($21 million); Tyra Banks ($18 million); celebrity chef Ray ($16 million); Katie Couric and Ellen DeGeneres ($15 million); Ryan Seacrest ($14 million); Matt Lauer ($13 million); Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer (both $12 million); and Meredith Vieira ($10 million).

Vanessa Hudgens Bounces Back

After what must have been the most embarrassing single incident of her life, Vanessa Hudgens appears to have fully bounced back just two weeks after her nude photo scandal.

The perma-smiling actress was spotted at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Santa Monica yesterday. And as a fun turning the tables trick, she pointed a camera at the paparazzi that were clamoring to get a shot of her.

Later that afternoon, the High School Musical hottie made a quick stop at a Hollywood studio for a photo shoot. She’s looking vibrant and back to normal, according to witnesses.

Hudgens has been given a boost by Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams, who, herself had to deal with a nude photo scandal that ended up costing her the Miss America crown back in 1984. Williams believes that Vanessa is going to be fine.

She told press, “She’s got talent and she’s professional, and those are the things that’ll help her survive in life. You know, welcome to the lesson of hard knocks. She got her first big one right now. I met her and she’s a very sweet, talented girl and I’ve seen ‘High School Musical 2’ a zillion times because of my kids ... and she’ll be fine.”

Kim Kardashian To Grace December Playboy Cover

It appears that Kim Kardashian’s recent photo shoot for Playboy went so well that Hugh Hefner has personally chosen Kim as the centerfold and cover girl for the upcoming December edition.

Kim had initially gone to the shoot with a plan to give some mild pictures that would tantalize without actually posing naked. However, insiders say that Kim responded so well to the cameras that a few more daring shots were taken and have made it to the final cut before print publication.

Ratcheting up her naughty-girl image, Hollywood insiders are claiming that while Kim is draped in silk sheets and covered with jewelry for the photo shoot, there are a few special pictures that “will show one b**b, and her bare butt.”

Kim has caught Hugh Hefner’s attention, and it’s reported that Hugh and Kim are personally selecting the last pictures for the magazine. With an extended 12 page photo spread, Hugh has definitely bet big on Kim’s mass appeal.

Simpson Sisters Do Short-Shorts, Tequila Party

Flipping back a page to her Daisy Duke look, Jessica Simpson was spotted in her short-shorts yesterday on the Beverly Hills set of Major Movie Star.

The Employee of the Month actress has been under an intense workout routine to pull of all of the physical activity required for what she hopes will be a career-rejuvenating role.

In the film, “Jessica plays a bubble gum movie star named Megan Parker, who suddenly finds herself broke and humiliated in the public eye. She the wanders from the wreckage of a car accident and witlessly enlists in the U.S. Army hoping in vain that it will change her life.”

And while Jessica’s been busy working out and filming, her younger sister Ashlee has lent her focus to the party scene. Just last night, the Pieces Of Me singer was spotted out playing host at the Hornitos Tequila “Fine Line” Launch Party.

Jennifer Lopez goes back to the block

NEW YORK - Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have made an emotional visit to a Bronx elementary school just blocks from where the actress-singer grew up.

"That was so ... Oh my God, what did you do to me? Look at my makeup!" said a teary Lopez after hundreds of schoolchildren greeted the couple with cheers, broad smiles, flowers and artwork Tuesday.

Lopez and Anthony, who were married in 2004, said they were "overwhelmed" by the welcome at P.S. 36 Unionport School in the New York City borough of the Bronx.

They are about to launch a musical tour to support a children's health campaign. It will be her first tour.

"We look at you and see ourselves," said the 39-year-old Lopez. "This is overwhelming. I remember being in school, being on stage and dreaming of great things."

"There's nothing in the world, no Grammy, no Oscar, that can make me feel more warm than today," said Anthony, 38, who recently released the soundtrack to "El Cantante," a biopic of salsa legend Hector Lavoe.

Part of the proceeds from the 19-concert tour, which kicks off Friday in Atlantic City, N.J., will go to schools with programs promoting physical education and a healthy lifestyle.

Kissing Jessica Alba Is Dangerous Business

Most jobs these days have occupational hazards, but this is ridiculous. In her latest film, Good Luck Chuck, Jessica Alba had to have dental work done after chipping her tooth. And the best part is that she sustained the injury during a kissing scene with co-star Dane Cook.

The Dark Angel hottie reports that during one wild makeout session with the comedian, they both got out of control and ended up in the dentist’s office.

She told press, “I chipped my front tooth doing a kiss with Dane and he chipped his bottom tooth. We were doing this comedic Mr & Mrs Smith love scene, and we were slamming into walls and breaking things and tumbling over couches and stuff. At one point, he slammed my head into a picture frame and, while my head was smacking into the wall and breaking the picture, his teeth slammed into my teeth.”

How’s that for passion?! At least the Sin City babe isn’t sweating it too much. “Now I have a bond on my tooth and when I take it off I look like Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. I can definitely take the bond off of my tooth and throw people off a bit. I get to take this thing off and be somebody else for a little while. It’s like a disguise.”

Bahamas to hold inquest in death of Daniel Smith

The long-awaited inquest in the Bahamas into the death of the son of former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith will begin on October 30, and could last two months, a senior judge in the Bahamas said on Monday.

Bahamas Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez said at least 35 witnesses were expected to give evidence, including Smith's longtime lawyer and companion, Howard K. Stern. The inquest would be conducted by Magistrate William Campbell, he added.

Smith's son, Daniel, 20, died at Doctors Hospital, Nassau, on September 10 last year, just three days after his mother gave birth to a daughter, Dannielynn.

A private autopsy found he had a cocktail of drugs in his bloodstream. An official inquest by Bahamian authorities has been repeatedly postponed.

Smith, a former topless dancer once married to late billionaire oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall, died in Florida last February of an accidental prescription drug overdose and is buried alongside her son at Lakeview Cemetery in Nassau.

Her death touched off a battle for custody of her daughter, Dannielynn, who could one day inherit a fortune if her late mother's estate wins the right to inherit some of Marshall's millions. Los Angeles photographer Larry Birkhead eventually won custody.

Naomi brings glitz to Milan fashion week

Supermodel Naomi Campbell turned up on Saturday for a sparkling start to Milan's spring and summer 2008 womenswear shows, wearing an emerald-sequined swimsuit to launch the "Miss Bikini LUXE" collection.

Campbell, in town to promote her Fashion for Relief charity, strode down the catwalk to the tune of "It Began in Africa," by The Chemical Brothers, which kicked off the collection by Alessandra and Francesca Piacentini.

The duo are giving 150 bikinis and cocktail dresses to sell on the charity's Web site to gather funds for the victims of Britain's worst floods in 60 years, which caused billions of pounds in damage and drove thousands from their homes.

Fashion for Relief says it has already given $1 million to help in the United States after Hurricane Katrina.

The LUXE collection, which departs from the designers' traditional swimwear line into dresses and wraps, mixed skimpy bikinis with floaty seventies and animal print wraps. Wide leather studded belts and armbands provided a clashing contrast.

Valeria Marini used underwear as outerwear for her Diamond Seduction collection, with elongated lace bodices worn as cocktail dresses and chiffon evening wraps that could easily slip into negligees.

Marini, who sported a pink kiss tattooed on her arm, ran a series of famous film kisses as a backdrop to the collection and a soundtrack which included snatches from Bizet's "Carmen."

On one model, a necklace of black chandelier drops lay heavily on a see-through dress in grey and yellow animal print that split at the crotch to drift into a train at the back.

In contrast, shocking pink and turquoise satin turned slips into stunning short dresses or elegant shirts for the evening.

Around 80 designers show collections on the catwalks this week, including big names like Giorgio Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.

And there is a host of parties, presentations and concerts planned as Milan aims to prove it is still, as designer Roberto Cavalli said in a newspaper interview on Saturday, the fashion capital of the world.

Milan, with its stable of established designers, faces a challenge from an effervescent London, where shows last week sparkled with new talent and innovation.

"London is very interesting and a testing ground for young designers," Cavalli told Il Sole 24 Ore in the interview.

And he raised another likely theme for the week ahead when he said he could sell a stake in his company. Bankers are likely to be keeping an eye on the catwalks -- and not just to see whether hemlines will fall with the markets.

When Clint Eastwood calls, legends oblige

CARMEL, California (Reuters) - When Clint Eastwood calls, even the biggest celebrities are happy to oblige, giving the actor an especially strong pull in putting together high-profile projects
On Friday, legendary jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, 86, visited Eastwood in the scenic California coastal town of Carmel and invited the actor and Oscar-winning director to join him on a blues jam as the cameras rolled.

Even the reclusive Neil Armstrong has joined the former "Dirty Harry" star for a round of golf, as Eastwood considered whether to make a movie about the first man on the moon.

After filming an interview with Brubeck for an upcoming film, Eastwood, a good amateur pianist, discussed his passion for directing and promoting jazz. The oldest director to win an Academy Award, Eastwood remains full of energy and has a full plate of projects in the works.

"I'm pretty vigorous, I can go as long as a lot of others," Eastwood, 77, told Reuters.

"I'm sort of concentrating on (directing) at this point in my life and I love it because I learn something new every time," he said at his Mission Ranch hotel. "Something new makes your life interesting."

"I do it because you learn something all the time, you're a constant student of life, student of what you do, which for me is make films."

"I would always hope that the last film that I did would be the very best," he said. "The last film I did was 'Letters from Iwo Jima.' I felt I was in the groove on that one, and 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Mystic River."'

TOUR DE FORCE

Next month, Eastwood starts filming "The Changeling" starring Angelina Jolie, about a woman whose child is kidnapped. When the child is returned, she suspects a swap has taken place.

"It's a great tour de force for a woman ... with John Malkovich and a lot of very good actors," Eastwood said.

Eastwood has also considered making a movie based on Armstrong's 2006 biography, "First Man."

"I don't know if I'll do that. That's a hard one -- never conquered the script on that," he said. "To tell the drama of it is going to be difficult."

"I've met with him, played golf with him. He's a very nice guy but he likes his privacy and I can't blame him for that," said Eastwood, who also prefers to be left alone and often shuns interviews.

When two attractive young women approached, Eastwood was initially reluctant to talk, but then posed for a photo. "I may be an elderly fellow, but not that elderly," he joked.

On Saturday, the Berklee College of Music awards Eastwood an honorary doctorate of music at the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Jazz Festival. "They figure I know the difference between A-sharp and B-flat," he joked.

Berklee President Roger Brown said Eastwood deserves recognition for making the 1988 drama "Bird" about saxophonist Charlie Parker and documentaries such as his current Brubeck film. "I'm interested in promoting this great American art form, true American art form, and keep it going," Eastwood said, adding that in the late 1940s he played piano at an Oakland bar for food, beer and tips.

In the early 1960s, Eastwood recorded an album of cowboy songs, years later had a hit country duet with Merle Haggard, and a decade ago presided over a Carnegie Hall jazz tribute concert. "I played in Carnegie Hall, and I didn't practice, practice, practice. I'm lucky," he said.

On Friday, Brubeck launched into blues chords after suggesting that Eastwood might improvise alongside him. But even with just a few people and the cameras watching, the long-time film star was comfortable letting someone else have the spotlight.

Eastwood reached over from an adjacent chair to the high notes and cautiously picked out a few spare notes. After a while he sat back and let the jazz maestro have center stage.

Get Ready For the Gossip Girl

Every fall season there are new shows that compete for our attention. And this week, there’s a special premiere that is close to our hearts. This coming Wednesday marks the series premiere of “Gossip Girl.”

Starring in “Gossip Girl” is Blake Lively, best known for her role in the movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” But this time around, she’s playing a troubled socialite teen.

The show takes place at a prep school in New York City. Blake’s character, Serena van der Woodsen, is returning from a year away at boarding school, and she quickly learns that things have changed while she was gone.

The best part? Well, everything is being narrated by the show’s very own gossip girl, voiced by Kristen Bell. So all the drama between Serena and her BFF Blair Waldorf (who took over as teen queen when Serena left) gets a fun spin put on it.

Be sure to catch the debut of “Gossip Girl” on Wednesday, Sept 19th on the CW Network.

Angelina Jolie Slams Eating Disorder Rumors

It must be so hard to constantly be in the public eye, receiving criticism every time you walk out your front door. For Angelina Jolie, she’s had enough of the constant comments about her weight loss from the press.

She said recently, “Yes of course I have lost weight. Some days are exhausting, only I’m not able to collapse. I believe in pushing myself to the limits.”

The Tomb Raider actress says that it’s her high level of activity, rather than an eating disorder, that has kept her trim. Although there are reports to the contrary.

Last month, a source close to the Jolie-Pitts told press that Ang was suffering from an addiction to diet pills. The source claimed that the Mr. and Mrs. Smith actress had been taking pills that contain stimulants to increase metabolism in an

Eastwood's tip to daughter: take your vitamins

When Alison Eastwood decided to follow in the footsteps of her famous father Clint and direct a movie, she got some odd advice from dad.

"Get a lot of sleep and take your vitamins -- kind of fatherly tips and not so much Academy Award-winning director tips," Alison Eastwood told reporters, laughingly, at a news conference promoting her directorial debut "Rails & Ties."

"As far as tips, he doesn't say a lot," she added.

The film drama debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival Friday night and is expected to hit theaters in North America later this fall.

Eastwood, 35, is the daughter of former model Maggie Johnson, from whom her father was divorced when Eastwood was six years-old.

She spent her childhood on her father's productions, and made her acting debut on his film "Tightrope." She turned away from acting in her teenage years and only returned in 1997, again on her father's film "Absolute Power."

Eastwood, who also has been a fashion designer and producer, said the film set feels like home and the crew, like family. So, it seemed natural that, like her father, she would turn from acting to directing.

"The one thing I learned from my dad is that you really want to set a great feeling and a great tone for the set, for the crew and the cast," she said. "If you put that kind of energy out there, you pick it up on the camera."

"Rails & Ties" centers on the relationship between a young boy and a train engineer after the boy's mom takes her own life by parking her car on a railroad track in front of the train.

REAL CHARACTERS, UNIQUE JOURNEY

The orphaned boy, named Danny, seeks out the engineer, Tom (Kevin Bacon), to ask why he killed the child's mother and thus their relationship begins.

Tom's wife Megan (Marcia Gay Harden) is dying of cancer, and the boy and older man help each other heal from emotional trauma they are experiencing.

Eastwood said she felt the characters were real and on a unique journey, and she added that for her first directing effort, she wanted to keep things simple.

"I wanted to make it a small, kind of indie feeling, intimate simple film that is character driven," Eastwood said.

Harden, who won an Oscar for supporting actress in "Pollock" said working with a first-time director did not cause her any concern.

"Sometimes people who are doing first-time scripts are (doing) something without all the boundaries and borders and rules," Harden said.

Eastwood admits she was a little nervous when she first showed "Rails & Ties" to her father, who has won Oscars for directing 2004 boxing drama "Million Dollar Baby" and 1992 western "Unforgiven."

"He kind of jokingly, after he watched it said: 'oh, chip off the old block' and I said, 'no, more like a shard'," Eastwood said, adding that he said he liked it.

"At the end of the day, he's still my dad and I want to make him proud. It was important to me that he liked it and he was helpful on a peripheral level and from afar," she said.

Eastwood added that she wants to learn storytelling strengths from her father and work with great people as he has. But she also wants pave her own way as a director.

Brangelina Hit Toronto; Pitt Talks Venice Win

After adding another award to his list of accomplishments, Brad Pitt took some time to talk to reporters about both his professional and personal life while at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Snatch stud was there with wife, Angelina Jolie, for the North American premiere of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the historical remake that recently earned Pitt the nod for the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival.

“I could try to play it down, but it’s great fun,” Brad mentioned while waving to thousands of fans who came for the Toronto premiere. The Fight Club actor added, “We all have our jobs (to do) and want to be really good at it, and to have this kind of acknowledgment is a real honor.”

The Jesse James story is one that has captured millions of imaginations as the tale has been told and retold in books, movies, skits, and every other form of mass media. In his new movie, Pitt looks specifically at the relationship between James and Ford, which started out as a teacher to pupil relationship, and then turned ugly when Ford turned traitor against the James gang.

Changing the subject, Pitt laughed off a recent “attack” by a female fan in Venice, explaining, “I hadn’t been jumped like that in some time.” Then, when pressed about the role of media in today’s 24 hour celebrity news cycle, Pitt was quick to point out both the positive and negative aspects of his career and the effects they have had on his family.

“I know the deal. I understand the trade-off. There are great perks, we get to travel and see the world. And we manage it. The only time it gets unmanageable is when it’s a full frontal assault on the kids.”

Big Names, Slow Sales At Toronto Film Festival

Film aficionados and industry insiders awoke Sunday morning to a cold dreary overcast day that seemed to reflect the overall mood at the Toronto International Film Festival. “We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality of films here, but there hasn’t been anything we’ve seen with broad commercial appeal just yet,” Lionsgate production head Tom Ortenberg said.

At one point, it appeared that potential buyers were fleeing the preview of the school shooting drama In Bloom, but it turns out they were not running from the dark drama, but rather running to one of the hottest properties, “Nothing Is Private”. This disturbing drama is directed by Alan Ball and looks into the sexual abuse that a 13 year old Arab American girl suffers.

One of the most notable sales during the festival was Helen Hunt’s directorial debut with Then She Found Me, which raked in an impressive $3 million between distribution rights in the US and Canada. This romantic comedy is about a troubled woman, and the buyers seemed to validate the positive buzz it generated.

With an extremely heavy concentration of political commentaries, it was not surprising to find conflicting opinions about the same movie. And the slow sales reflected a lack of interest in such controversial projects. However, sales did pick up as the festival drew to a close, so we can only hope that the late boost pushed it over the edge as both a financial and cultural success.

Britney Spears’ VMA Performance: Mixed Reviews

She was all set to wow America and the World over with her comeback performance of “Gimme More” at the MTV Video Music Awards. But did Britney Spears bring her A-game, or was it more of a “Gimme Less” moment?

The Toxic singer opened the 2007 VMAs live from Las Vegas with a declaration that she had, indeed, arrived. “It’s Britney, B**ch!” resonated throughout the venue as a Euro-pop-ish drum sequence initiated the “Gimme More” groove.

But from there the reviews are mixed as to whether or not Britney seized the moment to re-initiate herself into pop stardom. First of all, where was Criss Angel? We were told for weeks about this amazing stage show that Brit and Criss were preparing during a series of late-night hotel rendezvous.

And in place of the disappearing mirrors bit was a stripper pole-laden, pelvic thrust-filled dance routine including a dozen or so dancers taking turns rubbing up on the mother of two. Even Britney herself looked distracted and nervous throughout the musical number.

As usual, the Lucky girl wore a headset mic but was obviously lip-synching. And the celebrity onlookers didn’t appear to be impressed. There were constant audience shots with stars like P. Diddy and 50 Cent looking both uninterested and amused.

As for the positives, Britney looked pretty darn good, especially given the fact that’s she’s had two kids. There’s no doubt she’s been going through the year from hell, so you gotta hand it to her for showing up and giving it a go. Will it be the boost she needs to kick start her career again? Only time will tell.

Michael and Catherine Hit The US Open

Away from his island home to promote King Of California, Michael Douglas took a breather from press work, taking wife Catherine Zeta Jones to a US Open men’s tennis match on Saturday afternoon (September 8).

The typically quiet couple got all dressed up to watch Roger Federer play Nikolay Davydenko in a semifinal at the famed Flushing Meadows’ Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Spotting Michael and Catherine in the States is becoming a rare occasion of late, as the superstar couple spends most of their time living in Bermuda with their two children.

The son of famed actor Kirk Douglas told the Star Ledger in a recent interview, “My priorities have changed. Like my father, like most actors, I was a pretty ambitious guy. I was focused on my career. Starting a new family, that was never in my plans.”

However, plans can change quite quickly when someone as beautiful as Catherine Zeta enters into the equation.

Michael keenly points this out, saying, “But then I met Catherine and that I haven’t done much since isn’t coincidental. It’s tough to find a reason to leave home now and go do a movie.”

Britney Spears De-Stresses Before VMA’s

When there’s this much riding on one night, anyone would be stressed out. But Britney Spears knows how to blow off some steam before her huge MTV Video Music Awards comeback this Sunday.

The “Gimme More” singer was spotted tearing up the dance floor at LA club Opera last night. She danced to Rihanna’s “Umbrella” among other dance tracks while smoking cigarettes and having a few drinks.

According to a witness, “Britney was in a great mood all night, smiling, laughing, upbeat, she drank beer, vodka cranberry and vodka tonic.” Maybe the high spirits are because she’s confident that she’ll be back on top of the charts as of tomorrow night, when she performs “Gimme More” with the help of illusionist Criss Angel.

There’s no doubt she has a lot to prove, so a little stress relief via a night out isn’t that shocking… especially from Britney Spears.

Kardashian Denies Performing Degrading Sex Act

Kim Kardashian is trying to put a stop to the rumors that her infamous sex tape with Ray-J featured footage of her participating in a “crazy sex act.” The tapes public release was halted last year after Kim was able to get a court order barring any future distribution of the candid home video.

When asked to comment on the story, Kim was very clear that she felt that everything captured on film was part of the normal relations between men and women in the bedroom.

"People were saying derogatory things (like) someone was getting urinated on. That hasn’t happened in my entire lifetime. I’m not knocking anyone else, but I’ve never personally participated in that,” Kardashian is quoted as saying, adding, “I think it’s degrading”.

And now that she’s made an attempt at clearing up the dirty rumors, Kim’s hopped a plane from Burbank out to Vegas for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

Avril Lavigne Makes Her Friends Cry

The true test of any super ballad is whether or not it make it’s listeners bawl their eyes out. And Avril Lavigne’s “When You’re Gone” has passed with flying colors.

“When You’re Gone” is a love song that Lavigne wrote with the agenda to relate to all of her listeners on a common level. She told press, “It’s about the person you miss and all the little things you miss about them. So many people can relate to it in different ways, whether it’s someone going off to war… or losing someone or even just breaking up with someone, or simply just missing someone because you’re going away.”

And according to the Canadian punk princess, it made her friends cry. “This song was very unique for me (because) it’s the first song ever where when I played it for the first time to all my friends… every single one of them cried. It was the weirdest thing.”

While the “Complicated” singer has enjoyed touching the hearts of her fans with the song, even she isn’t immune to it’s emotional impact. “I did a concert in Paris for MTV and there was, like, kids in the audience crying. I was, like, choked up onstage.”

Grab a box of tissues and have a listen.

Celebs in front row at Zac Posen's show

Zac Posen, with his handbag line, new fragrance deal and long list of sponsors for his show, certainly has an entrepreneurial spirit. It seems, though, he also admires the spirit of the pioneers.

His spring collection, presented Tuesday night to Demi Moore, Lucy Liu, Serena Williams, Martha Stewart, Sean "Diddy" Combs and hundreds of retailers, editors and stylists as part of New York Fashion Week, honored early American settlers and "their insistence on simplicity and craft."

In his notes, Posen explained that inspiration came from "'Days of Heaven' (a 1978 farmland film), the Shakers, wheat fields of the Great Plains and the romance of the wide open sky."

Believe it or not, "wheat" on the runway wasn't the craziest thing at the Bryant Park tents over the past eight days of previews for next season. Posen interpreted it both literally — a minidress with a large bow and a gigantic crystal wheat brooch — and figuratively. Those results were much more wearable: a series of daytime khaki-colored outfits, including a trim pantsuit with a jacket that had oversized pockets and a belt around the waist, paired with a white tie-neck shirt.

In Posen's world, pilgrims and pioneers also have occasions for fancier styles, such as a white cocktail dress with an oversized ruffled collar and pleated skirt — the pleats horizontal across the middle and vertical down to the hem — and a gown made of twisted ribbons that had tiers covering its full skirt and an exaggerated pouf on one shoulder.

Posen somehow turned a tornado into a good thing, sending a silver breeze down the runway with a lot of draping, a swirl of fabric on the skirt and a haphazard feather burst on one shoulder. However, a ravine remained a dangerous place, somewhere that a gown, especially a fussy, asymmetrical, one-shoulder one, should go.

The final group of gowns came down the runway together, each representing a different kind of cloud. The Cirrus gown had a puff of blue and white fabric on its shoulder, the Cyclone had the puff around its middle — not a look many women are striving for.

It made for a dramatic photo but there really was only one, the slimmer and strappier Cumulus, that likely has any future in the real world.

No Fashion Show For Lauren Conrad

If you were hoping to see The Hills’ Lauren Conrad gracing the runway for the new Marc Jacobs fall line, don’t hold your breath. The reality star says she won’t be there.

Conrad denied reports that she would be working it on the catwalk for the fashion designer. Last week, she cleared up the inaccurate rumors with a statement to press.

She said, “There has been a lot of talk that I am going to be walking in the Marc Jacobs show next week in NY and as amazing and flattering as that would be, it is unfortunately not true. There may be confusion because as part of my internship with Teen Vogue I worked at his casting this week. I am a huge fan of Marc Jacobs and I can’t wait to see all his new looks when they come out in the Fall.”

Perhaps LC should reconsider working with Jacobs. It sure beats the heck out of being famous for her feud with Heidi Montag.

Christina Aguilera Sells House, Gets Blacklisted

Now that she’s finally admitting to being pregnant, Christina Aguilera has decided to get a new place to call home for her family of almost three. The “Beautiful” singer purchased Ozzy Osbourne’s former home in Beverly Hills, and that means she’s selling her old pad.

The Dirrty singer has put her $7 million Hollywood Hills mansion up for sale. It’s a luxury four-bedroom home that would make anyone with $ 7 million to throw around very happy.

Sharon Osbourne told press, “It’s a house full of love, so I’m really happy for her,” when she found out that it was Aguilera that purchased the former Osbourne estate.

But the news is bad for Christina if she was ever hoping to work with David LaChapelle again. Apparently, her name has appeared on a list of singers that the photographer/video director refuses to work with.

However, the “Genie in a Bottle” singer is in good company. According to a source, “David refused to work with Madonna, Gwen Stefani or Christina Aguilera. He hates them!”

Pamela Anderson Set To Battle KFC Suppliers

Before she wages her big chicken protest for PETA, Pamela Anderson spent Labor Day hanging out with Rick Solomon on Malibu Beach.

The Baywatch Babe, who sported a teeny black bikini as she frolicked about the shoreline, has decided that it’s time for someone to stand up for the birds in line to be the next Kentucky Fried Chicken combo meal.

The latest reports claim that Pammie is “going on television this week to protest alleged cruelty to chickens by firms that supply birds to Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

The 40-year-old Ladysmith native is warning parents that the 30-second ad spots include “graphic footage of cruelty” on suppliers’ factory farms.

“I’m asking people to boycott KFC until the company demands that its suppliers stop the live scalding of chickens and their forced rapid growth, which is crippling,” Anderson told press.

Salma Hayek Baby Shower

With all the celebrity pregnancies going on as of late, maternity shops and baby botiques in Los Angeles must be making a killing! And Salma Hayek is latest mommy-to-be to be honored with a massive baby shower.

The Desperado babe has made it to the nine month mark in her pregnancy, and her friends and family decided to hook her up with all kinds of gifts. The list of goodies includes Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake bags in both black ($325) and pink ($425), as well as two Bloom high chairs ($400 each) and Graco Snug Ride car seats ($130 each).


And while the “Once Upon A Time In Mexico” actress hasn’t publicly revealed the sex of the baby, sources say that it’s a girl. “The cards were all made out to ‘Valentina’ so we’re thinking pink,” said an inside source.

And surrounded by her mother, as well as pals like Penelope Cruz, Salma looked radiant. “She was full of the pregnancy glow and she beamed with happiness,” said one party attendee. Stay tuned to Gossip Girls for the latest on Salma Hayek’s baby news.

Mary-Kate won't smile for the paparazzi

You see a tabloid shot of Mary-Kate Olsen and think, "Why does she look so depressed?" Well, there's a reason for that.

"I don't want my picture taken," the 21-year-old actress tells Entertainment Weekly magazine. "The only time I think it's OK is at a red-carpet event or a photo shoot.

"So every time I see paparazzi, I cover my face so they don't get a picture, and I'm just `the mean person who doesn't smile.'"

Olsen, whose waiflike figure has made her a target of media scrutiny, avoids public displays of attention.

"I would love to be able to swim in the ocean in Malibu," she says. "But that is asking for a bikini shot. That's inviting something that I don't want to happen. I don't need to be on a `Who's Skinny, Who's Fat, Who's Looking Healthy, Who's Not Eating?' list."

After a hiatus from acting, Olsen — who rose to fame on TV's "Full House" in a shared role with twin sister Ashley — will portray an alluring Christian girl on Showtime's "Weeds." Her 10-episode arc begins Sept. 17.

She also returns to the big screen in "The Wackness," co-starring Ben Kingsley. The film is slated for release next year.

"There's definitely been times in my life when I just turned to people and said, `I'm done, this is too much for me, this is too overwhelming,'" Olsen says.

She's in a healthy frame of mind these days.

"Mentally, physically, I feel pretty on top of my game right now," Olsen says. "Talk to me next week, I don't know. Today, I feel good."

Kate Walsh’s Wedding Day

Wedding bells were ringing yesterday in Ojai, as Grey’s Anatomy’s Kate Walsh tied the knot with movie executive Alex Young.

The 39-year-old actress donned “a custom-made Monique Lhuillier wedding gown as she and Young, 36, exchanged vows at the Ojai Presbyterian Church just north of Los Angeles.”

Nearly 100 guests attended the services, including Kate’s Grey’s Anatomy co-stars Katherine Heigl, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson and Justin Chambers. Also there for the “I Do’s” were actress Kate Beckinsale and actor Vincent D’Onofrio.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, the group enjoyed a reception and sit-down dinner at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s Casa Ela.

The happy newlyweds met just this past February and were engaged a short three months later. Right after announcing her engagement, Kate told PEOPLE, “I know – I’m literally living the dream. But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it’s kind of amazing.”

Jessica Simpson and Vivica A. Fox’s Dinner Date

Jessica Simpson took a break from her busy on-set schedule for Major Movie Star by heading out for dinner with co-star and gal pal, Vivica A. Fox.

The two spent Saturday night (September 1) enjoying the food at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. And while Jessica showed off her toned body in a slim fitting white ensemble, her handbag stole the show.

The 27-year-old Dukes of Hazzard babe carried around a metallic Yves Saint Laurent Mombasa bag, featuring an authentic deer horn handle. Yes, a real deer horn (we’re sure the people at PETA are smiling).

As far as Major Movie Star is concerned, the plot is described as: “When fluffy, bubble gum movie star Megan Parker suddenly finds herself broke and humiliated in the public eye, she wanders from the wreckage of a car accident and witlessly enlists in the U.S. Army hoping in vain that it will change her life.”

And while they still have some time together on-set, look for the Simpson/Fox friendship to continue well after filming ends. The Kill Bill actress recently said of Jessica, “She (is) so much of a team player. She (is) gracious and so down to earth.”

Miley Cyrus Readies For “The Best Of Both Worlds” Tour

Disney star Miley Cyrus is going on tour this fall. The teen sensation is busy preparing for what’s sure to be an interesting show, as she’ll be performing the dual role of herself and Hannah Montana (her Disney alter-ego) for the first time.

The current schedule for the 14-year old rising star calls for 54 stops on the tour, titled “The Best of Both Worlds.” Tickets for the concerts are being released in batches, with the initial push containing the first 17 dates immediately selling out upon release. Meanwhile, tickets for the remaining dates are scheduled to go on sale starting September 15th.

"It’s pretty exciting,” says Debra Rathwell, senior vice president of tour promoter AEG Live. “It’s very fast-selling. She could go around the country for two years and not meet the demand. There is that much pressure from the public for tickets.”

Part of the mass appeal for the concert is the support that Miley gets from her co-star, country singer and father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy Ray is able to tap into the adult audience that watches Montana with their kids.

“Little girls simply must come, but so do one or both parents and little brother,” according to Billboard touring editor Ray Waddell. “So instead of selling one ticket per household, this tour has the potential to sell two, three, four or more.”

With her latest album release soaring to the top of the billboard charts and selling over 1.1 million copies, Miley’s success is already being compared to the cast of High School Musical and the Cheetah Girls, both of which filled better than 90% of seats.

Rihanna Quashes Romance Rumors

Rihanna is denying rumors that she’s romantically involved with Transformers star Shia LeBeouf. Talk of possible coupledom began when the two were photographed by the paparazzi while getting cozy at an L.A. nightclub.

Shia’s next project is the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones series, and according to insiders the romantic rumors were “all the talk of the Indiana Jones 4 set.” A second supposed sighting of the two at a romantic dinner only added fuel to the fire.

But when the Good Girl Gone Bad singer was asked about her relationship with the Disturbia stud, she denied that anything was going on between the two.

In fact, according to Rihanna, the press got it all wrong, because, “Me and Shia, we are just friends, you know, we barely even know each other.”

Dixie Chicks singer buys $5.6 million home in L.A.

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines has paid $5.6 million for a home in the upscale Los Angeles suburb of Brentwood, the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday.

Maines, 32, already has homes near Austin, Texas, and in New York City, the paper added. The newest addition, in a gated community, boasts five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

The Dixie Chicks, country music's darlings until Maines criticized U.S. President George W. Bush during a concert four years ago, won five Grammy Awards earlier this year in a measure of the trio's respect within the music industry at large.

Maines' husband, actor Adrian Pasdar, appears in the TV series "Heroes," requiring his presence in Los Angeles for lengthy stretches, the Los Angeles Times said.

Cameron Diaz Celebrates Birthday, Makes Jessica Jealous

Just yesterday, Cameron Diaz said hello to 35 years of life as a hottie. That’s right, the Charlie’s Angels babe is one year older, and thanks to her thriving love life, she’s looking more radiant than ever.

The Shrek the Third actress reportedly partied with the cast and crew on the set of her current movie “What Happens In Vegas…” where she received cards, balloons and presents.

And apparently Cam’s little romance with John Mayer has Mayer’s ex Jessica Simpson up in arms. The Newlyweds babe has supposedly expressed her discontent with Cam and John getting cozy.

According to an insider, “She had her mouth open wide when she found out. She just freaked out. She thinks about him all the time. She is so not over him.” Unfortunately for Jess, it looks like John has completely moved on. Looks like Jessica isn’t the only one singing “these boots were made for walkin.”

Fergie’s Adverse Reaction To Fair Rides

State Fairs are creepy. There’s the weird carnies that run the rides, bad food, and rednecks galore. But when Fergie comes to town, there’s yet another added bonus… vomit.

The “Big Girls Don’t Cry” hottie was anything but hot last weekend when she threw up on a ride at the Minnesota State Fair, reports DListed. The attraction in question was the Fair’s “Big Slide” which had to be closed down for a half hour to clean up after the Black Eyed Pea lost her lunch.

According to a witness, “Me and my daughter stood there and watched as [she] went down the slide...then Fergie gets to the bottom and blows chunks! Everywhere!”

And apparently the Duchess didn’t stick around to say she was sorry. “They had to close the slide down for about 20-30 minutes to get it cleaned up. She didn’t even say sorry or anything, she just got up and her and the bodyguards left.”

Are celebs really perfect?

We think celebrities are perfect, but are they really? Every celebrity has something that irks them, be it a personality trait, a physical attribute or an embarrassing moment. Here are some highly known names with their not so known vulnerabilities.

Catherine Zeta-Jones has a ‘mouth like a truck driver’!

Welsh star Catherine Zeta-Jones admits that she has the bad habit of using a lot of swear words when she’s taking and she blames her Welsh roots for this.

"I'm from Wales, I have a mouth like a truck driver," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

As a result, Catherine has to constantly mind what she is saying, especially in the company of her two young children with American actor Michael Douglas.

Emily Blunt stutters when she is stressed

Actress Emily Blunt has admitted being a stutterer, but she insists that she is not the only Hollywood star to suffer from the impediment.

The actress has realised that several top actors have been afflicted by the problem.

"I know many actors who have stutters. Bruce Willis has one. James Earl Jones too," Contactmusic quoted, the actress as saying.

"I still get it now when I'm under stress or if I have to repeat myself. At one time it was so disabling I was frightened it would never leave me." She added.

The 24-year-old actress is acclaimed for her work in the films ‘My Summer of Love’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.

Nicolas Cage has a sizeable bald patch

Hollywood action hero Nicolas Cage might be one actor who appears to have a healthy mop of hair on the top of his head, but he has grown a sizeable bald patch at the back of his head.

The actor’s hairline was revealed when he leaned forward to eat his lunch, while he was enjoying a break on his yacht in Italy’s picturesque isle of Capri.

According to the Daily Mail, the Oscar-winner, conscious of the patch, touched the back of his head and then donned a trilby to workout on his onboard treadmill.

Hilary Duff is a terror behind the wheel

Actress Hilary Duff has admitted that she is really bad behind the wheel. 'The Lizzie MCGuire Movie' star has said that her family and friends are all scared to get into the car when she is driving.

"The other day I heard a scratch as I was pulling my car out. I thought I just ran over some bubble wrap so I kept going. When I got out I saw my mirror was hanging off. Everyone is scared to get in the car with me," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"My garage sometimes jumps out at me," she added.

Angelina Jolie is addicted to diet pills

Angelina Jolie has reportedly become addicted to diet pills that she’s been taking to boost her energy levels.

A family friend of Angelina’s beau Brad Pitt revealed to Life and Style Weekly that Angelina has been taking pills that contain stimulants to increase metabolism, in an attempt to get more energy.

However, this has worried boyfriend Brad, especially as he’s trying to cope with taking care of the couple’s four young kids.

"Brad’s very worried about her long-term health. Brad says the whole thing is putting a new strain on their relationship," Life and Style quoted the pal, as saying.

"He’s tired from looking after four young children, and he feels like he has to baby-sit Angelina, too.