July 2006 Gossip Archive (Page 25)

We tried, fans. The Gossip was hoping to provide Lindsay Lohan followers with exclusive pictures from her 20th birthday bash, but the $100,000 tab was a bit pricey.

That's the sum Life & Style magazine ponied up for the rights to snap away as Lindsay and friends celebrated this absolutely momentous occasion.

The event was help at the Polaroid Beach House in Malibu. It drew such guests as:

• Courtney Love
• Nicole Richie
• Kate Bosworth
• Owen Wilson
• Jeremy Piven
• Jamie-Lynn Sigler

We have received word that events included Lohan butchering songs by new pal, Madonna, along with Journey, on a karaoke machine. Dustin Hoffman's son, Jake, somehow ended upp in the DJ booth.

Kerry Simon, who has previously tried to feed Lohan at his restaurant in in L.A., catered the affair. Sadly, Lindsay was too excited to eat anything.

This just in, folks: the sky is blue, the Pope is Catholic and Angelina Jolie possesses the world's most kissable lips.

The latter was voted upon in a poll conducted by beverage manufactuer, Cafe Kiss, as England prepared to National Kissing Day on Thursday.

Jolie nabbed the top spot over Scarlett Johansson. Also included in the top five was Keira Knightley, whose Pirates of the Carribean kiss was been documented by The Gossip late last week.

If any of the women involved in the survey would like our staff to comment on the results, we're puckered up and ready to stick our nose tongue into such business.

Let's get these two things straight:

1. Hilary Duff is a virgin
2. And she's not fat

Okay, tabloids?!? The Gossip already covered the former fact, but Duff herself had to step up and explain the latter. The cause for such a statement? Unflattering photos a magazine ran of the young singer/actress, claiming she was "puffing up."

We'll let Hilary explain how these images were misconstrued: The virgin swas shooting a movie at the time and was snapped in what she thought was a stylish outfit.

"I was in Canada filming The Perfect Man and I put on this outfit that I thought was really cute and creative: jeans, a tank top and a scarf tied around my waist," Duff said. "It was windy and the scarf was blowing away from me."

Case closed. At the time, Hilary admits she "wasn't skinny, but I wasn't fat, either," while stating she was "so embarrassed" at the headline: 'Hilary Duff Puffs Up.'

We could not confirm if the star picked up a copy of the Janet Jackson Us Weekly, but she did return to Los Angeles and took up pilates with sister Haylie.

After the same publication ran a story about her now being a stick figure, Duff came to a sensible, admirable conclusion:

"You can never make those people happy, so you just have to make yourself happy!"

Amen, virgin. Amen.

Having just nixed a $4M offer down a deal to pose nude for Playboy, we here at the Gossip were a tad surprised to hear that Ashlee Simpson will be the next face (and body) of lingerie giant Victoria's Secret.

At 21, Ashlee is perfect for the company, or so it believes, as it aims to better promote its "Pink" underwear line, aimed at a younger audience.

According to the New York Daily News, the talentless lip-syncher beat out someone who can actually sing -- American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson was a finalist for the campaign -- to represent the line of younger, "cuter" Victoria's Secret lingerie.

Personally, I would have opted for Clarkson, but good for Ash. Evidently, a little bad plastic surgery and having a hot sister can get you a lot of things in life. So it goes.

In other Ashlee news, sources say she's selling her Encino, Calif., home to move in with boyfriend Braxton Olita, who plays (or pretends to play) the guitar in her concerts.

Maybe he'll get to see her in the "Pink." Eh? Eh?

THE PLACE: Lake Elsinore, California.

THE EVENT: The Lake Elsinore Storm vs. High Desert Mavericks.

THE PROMOTION: Tom Cruise Bobblehead Night.

We couldn't make that up. Lake Elsinore's minor-league baseball team paid tribute to popular and possibly insane actor Tom Cruise during a California League game last week. Besides a giveaway of Cruise bobblehead dolls -- depicting the star in full Oprah couch-jumping mode -- the storm celebrated the "silent birth" of Tom and Katie Holmes' baby, Suri, with a "silent inning," during which no batters will be announced and no music played.

The Church of Scientology, of which Cruise is an ardent follower, specifies that no music and no talking take place during human birth.

Other activities planned by the San Diego Padres' Class A affiliate included a couch-jumping contest, a Scientology information session and sign-up booth, and a retrospective of Cruise's movie career. And, of course, the Storm's opponent on this special night happened to be the Mavericks.

"It was originally going to be a 'Top Gun' anniversary promotion and it just sort of evolved from there," said Jeff Joseph, a spokesman for the Storm.

Cruise's Top Gun character was named Maverick in the film, for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past two decades. Late calls to Cruise's publicist were not returned. Which is a shame, because those would have been some good prank calls!

Oh no. Jessica Simpson looks so happy in the video for her new single, "A Public Affair." We hope that gorgeous smile remains intact as she reads the latest from The Gossip ...

Responding to rumors that Nick Lachey isn't over his ex-wife, MTV host Vanessa Minnillo displayed confidence and humor. She insists her and the pop hunk are very happy together.

"Nick's a really great guy. He's very sweet and we're really happy," she said.

Awwww. Minnillo also claims the pair is dating each other exclusively, despite rumors that she's still involved with her former flame - and current Yankees' super stud - Derek Jeter. They're determined to make their relationships work, as they navigate between her home in New York City and his in Los Angeles.

"There are certain sacrifices that we make. I'll travel with him on tour. He'll come to visit me," Minnillo continued. "We see each other as often as we can. We're gonna make it work."

The newly divorced Lachey will be joining Minnillo in New York City over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, as he's scheduled set to perform at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular Tuesday.

Others, however, may wish to circle July 19 on their calendar. Minnillo, the host of TRL on MTV, will welcome Jessica to the show, as the beauty debuts her new single. Will a catfight ensue between these pals?

The Gossip can only hope.

Controversy and police raids won't get in the way of an Indepedence Day celebration for the Brangelina clan!

Indeed, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shook off any legal conflicts and took Shiloh to meet the second more famous newborn of the last few weeks: Kingston Rossdale. You know, the offspring of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, the couple that's currently accepting suggestions for a witty moniker (Gavin? Gwen?).

On Sunday, the famous families gathered at Pitt's Santa Barbara compound. The new moms were rocking matching baby slingsm as Brangelina's second youngest, Zahara, was spotted walking. Give her a gratuitous sex scene and she'll be competing with Jolie's movie career before we know it!

Meanwhile, Gavin and Brad, hit the water on a pair of jet skis. Stefani has no comment on the fact that she's a close friend of Pitt's ex, Jennifer Aniston. For on this day, it was all about Shilo, Kingston and America's birthday.

The AOL music section is kind enough to interview a slew of celebrities. First, there was Katharine McPhee. Now, we'r proud to bring you an interview with Ashlee Simpson via Instant Messenger.

MelissaInMusic: hey ashlee -- thanks for taking the time to talk to aolmusic.com today! where are you right now as you AIM with us?

ashleesimpsoniam: thank you ... in new york city in my hotel room

MelissaInMusic: how excited are you about your new CD?

ashleesimpsoniam: I'm so excited!! I can't believe i already made a second record

MelissaInMusic: you're only 21! it's got to be mind-blowing

ashleesimpsoniam: It is! I feel I have accomplished a lot at my age

MelissaInMusic: You made aolmusic.com's "21 Under 21" list, but now you're out of the running for next year!

ashleesimpsoniam: haha! Well at least I made it when I was under 21!!!

MelissaInMusic: so you recently proved that you can indeed sing on SNL! what it was like getting ready to step out onto that stage again?

ashleesimpsoniam: I was really excited, but of course, really nervous. I was mostly excited to come back and face my demons. Everyone was so supportive! It was really great!

MelissaInMusic: did you have any crazy moments behind the scenes with the cast?

ashleesimpsoniam: Not really...I was mostly goofing off with the crowd making light of the situation! Jon Heder was a lot of fun though!!

A newly single Jessica Simpson has fun while shooting the video for "A Public Affair ..."