ELLEN DEGENERES is putting the California Supreme Court ruling in favor of gay marriage into action — she and Portia de Rossi plan to wed, DeGeneres announced during a taping of her talk show.

DeGeneres was taping the episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Thursday, the day the state's high court struck down California laws against gay marriage, and it was to air Friday, a person close to the production said.

The person, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Citing the court's ruling, DeGeneres said she and girlfriend de Rossi ("Ally McBeal," "Nip/Tuck") would be getting married.

De Rossi, 35, who was in the studio, and DeGeneres, 50, were applauded by audience members, the person close to the production said.

Calls and e-mails late Thursday to DeGeneres' publicist were not immediately returned.

Continue Reading "Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi to Wed" »

SARAH JESSICA PARKER says she's not a slave to fashion like her "Sex and the City" character Carrie Bradshaw.

"I am a mother, wife and working woman in the first place, clothes do not play such a big role in my life than they do in Carrie's," the 43-year-old actress told The Associated Press after the Berlin premiere of her upcoming film based on the popular HBO series.

"And there is no favorite designer or accessory as there is Manolo Blahnik for Carrie — there are so many talented and exciting designers, I could not possibly choose one favorite," Parker said Friday, sporting a white petticoat with a black girdle and black stiletto heels.

The Berlin premiere came as part of a whirlwind courtship of Europe where the TV series, which ran from 1998 to 2004, still has an enthusiastic fan base.

Joining Parker on the red carpet Thursday night were co-stars Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.

Continue Reading "Sarah Jessica Parker Says She's No Slave to Fashion" »

HOT SHOT
SUPER-COOL, SEAN
Sean Penn may be president of the Cannes Film Festival jury, but don't expect any buttoned-up presidential behavior from the Hollywood rebel. During a news conference on opening day Wednesday, the actor-director lit up two cigarettes in defiance of French laws against smoking in public buildings. He used profanity. And he made fun of his inability to be "wise and sober."

TRUTH:
JUDGE DOESN'T WANT CHILD THINKING BREASTS ARE COMICAL
Madonna won't know until next week whether the Malawian boy she hopes to adopt will become a member of her family. The hearing was delayed after a human rights group presented arguments on "shortcomings" in the southern African nation's adoption laws.

NOT FAIR.
WAIT, YOU'RE THAT HOT AND EVERYBODY'S NICE TO YOU?
Angelina Jolie, pregnant with twins, has some secrets for staying serene at the Cannes Film Festival: get her partner, Brad Pitt, to baby-sit, and wear comfy shoes on the red carpet. "I'm sitting and talking a lot, and everybody's being very nice to me," Jolie told reporters.

Continue Reading "People: Penn Defies French Lawmakers" »

MADONNA WON'T KNOW UNTIL next week whether a Malawian boy she found in an orphanage in 2006 will become a permanent member of her family, her lawyer said Thursday.

Lawyer Alan Chinula had expected the judge to rule on the adoption Thursday but said the hearing was delayed after a Malawian human rights group presented arguments on "shortcomings" in the southern African nation's adoption laws.

Chinula said the group was not challenging the adoption and he expected it to be approved next week.

Continue Reading "Judge Postpones Ruling on Madonna's Adoption Bid" »

TWO PHOTO AGENCIES HAVE AGREED to pay $113,000 to Hugh Grant, his ex-girlfriend Liz Hurley and her husband for taking photos of them while they were vacationing in the Maldives.

Britain's High Court says The Big Pictures and Eliot Press Sarl agencies apologized Thursday for using a long lens to violate the trio's privacy while they were at an island resort in October. The pictures appeared in several newspapers.

Grant, Hurley and her husband, Arun Nayar, have released a statement saying it was "reprehensible" that photos were taken of Hurley's son playing naked on the beach.

The trio plan to donate the money to a cancer charity.

Written by the Associated Press
Photo by Evan Agostini/Associated Press

AHHH!
JOLIE-PITT WORLD TAKEOVER A REALITY
Angelina Jolie is indeed expecting twins, and it was Jack Black who let the news slip with a "Brady Bunch" crack. Long rumored to have two children by Brad Pitt on the way, Jolie confirmed the news during a side-by-side "Today" show interview with Black, her "Kung Fu Panda" co-star. The twins will be the fifth and sixth children for Jolie and Pitt. She didn't volunteer the information until Black dropped the hint, joking that the couple will "have as many as [the] 'Brady Bunch' when you have these."

SUURE
WE'RE ON TO THIS 'MUSIC' EXCUSE, AMY
Amy Winehouse will not face charges over video footage that allegedly shows her taking drugs, her spokesman said Wednesday. Police questioned the Grammy-winning soul diva for nine hours last week over a January video that appears to show her smoking a pipe usually used for crack cocaine during a party at her north London home. Spokesman Chris Goodman said police had finished their investigation and confirmed no charges would be brought against the 24-year-old singer. "Amy is pleased to be able to move on and concentrate on music," he said in a statement.

POOR GUY
SEPTEMBER IS ALREADY 'KICK AL WHILE HE'S DOWN MONTH'
Al Reynolds, the soon-to-be ex-husband of Star Jones Reynolds, posted a 485-word rant on MySpace and Facebook on Tuesday. "If you think you are having a tough day, I propose you walk in my shoes for a few hours," reads the opening line. "In my mind, it feels like 'Dump on Al Month.'"

Continue Reading "People: A Modern-Day Brady Bunch" »

SERIOUSLY, PARIS, what happened to saving the world? You talked about helping Rwanda and turning over a new leaf when you got sprung from the joint. Oh, how quickly one forgets!

Your latest venture sounds as genuine as you are! She's working with Sally Beauty Supply to launch Clipin-Go by Paris Hilton (Parisandsally.com). Made of 100 percent Modacrylic Fiber, the 18-inch hair extensions come in 10 shades and cost $80. So not hot.

JENNIFER LOPEZ HAS CHILDREN on her mind — and not just her infant twins with husband Marc Anthony.

The 39-year-old singer/actress/entrepreneur is also thinking about the 93,000 sick and seriously injured children treated annually by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles — and how she can help.

Lopez announced Wednesday that she'll host and help coordinate the third Noche de Ninos benefit gala. This year's star-studded party, to be held Oct. 11 at the Nokia Center, will feature performances by Lopez, Anthony, Alejandro Sanz and Latin rockers Juanes and Mana.

Continue Reading "Jennifer Lopez to Host LA Hospital Gala" »

IT'S NOT EASY being Al Reynolds these days.

The soon-to-be ex-husband of Star Jones says he's "been called a gigolo, a freeloader, unemployed, a sham and many other things that don't bear repeating" since Jones filed for divorce in March.

Reynolds posted a 485-word rant on MySpace and Facebook on Tuesday, using the social-networking Web sites to air his frustrations with media coverage.

"If you think you are having a tough day, may I propose you walk in my shoes for a few hours," reads the opening line. "In my mind, it feels like 'Dump on Al Month.'"

Continue Reading "Al Reynolds Vents on Star Jones Divorce Coverage" »

VIGILANTE
FEVERED CHASE
Drew Barrymore was involved in a hit-and-run accident, but instead of staying put, she followed the other driver and took down the license plate number. The 33-year-old actress wasn't injured when her car was rear-ended Monday.

PARENTING
SURE SIGNS SHE'LL BE A GOOD PARENT — OR WON'T
Pop goddess Madonna won't be attending the adoption hearing that will grant her custody of David Banda, a 2-year-old Malawian boy. Controversy has dogged the adoption, after accusations that Malawi officials were ignoring laws prohibiting children from being adopted by non-residents. Madonna's lawyer said she won't be attending, citing "other engagements." He went into no further detail.

Continue Reading "People: Riding In Cars With Girls" »