Rob Lowe Costars 'Love Him to Death'



As the he-said, she-said battle between Rob Lowe and a former nanny rages on, his friends are standing firm.

"We love him to death," his Brothers and Sisters costar Dave Annable told PEOPLE Monday at the Hornitos Cinco de Mayo party in Los Angeles. "We support him."

In regards to the legal battle, Annable added: "Rob is doing great. That's something he doesn't bring to work."

The 44-year-old actor was accused of sexual harassment last month by former nanny Jessica Gibson. His wife, Sheryl, has also been accused of harassment by a second ex-nanny, Laura Boyce. The Lowes vehemently deny the nannies' claims.

The former West Wing star has said Gibson threatened to sue unless he gave her $1.5 million. "It is an attempt to damage and humiliate not only my wife and me, but our two young sons as well," he wrote on the Huffington Post blog. (He has filed lawsuits against both nannies and a former chef.)

Stella Lobbies to Design Scarlett's Wedding Dress



Looks like newly engaged Scarlett Johansson can cross shopping for a bridal gown off her to-do list.

"I'm definitely doing her wedding dress," fashion's Stella McCartney, 36, told PEOPLE at a Tuesday night cocktail party she hosted at her West Hollywood boutique – where she arrived fashionably late along with the couple Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend.

There's only one hitch before Johansson, 23, gets hitched to fiancé Ryan Reynolds (who proposed recently), according to McCartney: "She doesn't know it yet."

As for what the British designer, who created Madonna's gown for her 2000 wedding to Guy Ritchie, has in mind for the young bride-to-be, "You know, some kind of dodgy, black thing," McCartney, tongue firmly planted in cheek, joked. "Latex! Latex for Scarlett!"

On a more serious note, McCartney said, "I'm so thrilled for her."

Rosie Responds to Barbara's Oprah Interview



Rosie O'Donnell doesn't agree with everything Barbara Walters said about her on The Oprah Winfrey Show Tuesday – but she's not holding any grudges.

"I love her," the former host of The View wrote on her Web site's Q & A page, when asked her thoughts on Walters's interview.

Still, O'Donnell used the forum to respond to several assertions made by her former boss.

For example, Walters told Winfrey that she thought O'Donnell "regretted" writing her 2007 book Celebrity Detox, and that was why she didn't promote the book.

"It was so full of anger at me," Walters said. "I got into bed and pulled the covers over my head and said, 'I think I'll stay here until a week from Tuesday.' " She added, "I think she kind of regretted the book."

Not so, O'Donnell wrote in her trademark freeform prose:

i didnt promote it
because the way i left the view
distorted the story

changed the essence

And when a fan who had watched the Oprah interview asked O'Donnell if she has "rage issues" – Walters said that at one point during O'Donnell's tenure on The View, "the audience tuned in every day to see who [Rosie] was going to hate" – O'Donnell made light of it:

WHAT THE HELL R U TALKING ABOUT
S--T
DAMN IT

But in the end, both women proclaim nothing but respect for one another, with Walters saying she will "always have the greatest affection for [Rosie]."

As for O'Donnell, a fan posted on her website, "BW loves you and you love BW, right?...right!...that is all that matters about that..." She replied simply, "I agree."

Josh Groban Teased for Being One of PEOPLE's Most Beautiful



Josh Groban says friends and family can tease all they want about his inclusion in PEOPLE's 100 Most Beautiful issue – he's still "honored" to be a part of it.

"I always had a really great time flipping through the magazine and making fun of everybody," Groban told The Associated Press Wednesday. "I'm really honored to be one of those people that I'm sure people will be criticizing."

Groban, 27, does admit that he'd never really given the idea of beauty much thought.

"People saying you're beautiful or you're not is not something I generally paid attention to," he said. "But I was very, very honored that they included me in their issue."

The multi-platinum singer – who broke up with actress January Jones in 2006 after a three-year relationship – now remains happily single.

"I've kind of been going from relationship to relationship," he told the AP. "It's been nice to kind of rediscover myself again and be patient for whatever comes next."

He certainly seems to be up for anything – even, say, joining forces with Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck for their infamous video.

"It's definitely my kind of humor, and I thought it would be really fun," the famously clean-cut Groban says of the video, in which he's shown earnestly playing a piano while spouting explicit lyrics. "I hope soon to do something like that in the future."

R. Kelly Trial Could Be Postponed—Again



Perhaps R. Kelly is hoping to wait until he isn't famous anymore.

With jury selection scheduled to begin Friday, the Grammy winner's legal camp filed a sealed motion Wednesday to postpone Kelly's upcoming trial on child-pornography charges, citing the "torrent of publicity" already surrounding the case, which has been marinating in the annals of the Chicago justice system for nearly six years.

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan has given prosecutors until Friday to respond to the defense's request. The trial is expected to last for several weeks, once it actually begins.

On Monday, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld Gaughan's earlier decision to deny the Associated Press and several Chicago news outlets access until after the trial to any sealed files pertaining to the case, which stems from the 41-year-old Kelly's alleged sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl captured on a 15-minute videotape sometime between 1998 and 2000.

In its bid for more time, Kelly's team pointed to the widespread media coverage of Gaughan's decision to let a third woman testify that she had a threesome with the R&B singer and the alleged victim—who's now 23 and is reportedly denying that it's her on the tape.

All hearings regarding the new potential witness were closed off to the press, but, despite a gag order imposed on the proceedings, sources with "knowledge of the matter" inevitably leaked the details to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"We are asking your honor to continue the case in light of the torrent of publicity over the weekend, specifically the front page of the Sun-Times, articles on pages 3 and 15, along with three pictures of Mr. Kelly and quotation of sources about leaked information,” Kelly attorney Marc Martin said in court today. “We ask also that court allow us to respond to the press about these matters."

Kelly, who was charged in 2002, has pleaded not guilty to child-porn charges that could land him behind bars for up to 15 years and, in case you couldn't tell, waived his right to a speedy trial.

Since a grand jury handed down an indictment, more than 60 pretrial motions have been filed by both sides, the judge has needed time off to recover from a broken back, the lead prosecutor gave birth, Kelly had his appendix removed and the singer's in-demand lawyers have been off defending others.

And, remaining free on $750,000 bail, Kelly has kept busy performing and recording.

Sex and the City Cast: Hey, Where'd Our Clothes Go?



Headlining the Sex and the City movie has its perks: adoring fans, characters that fit like a glove, slipping into the latest fashions and then keeping the clothes. Right? Right?

Not so fast! Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall were shocked—shocked—when they actually couldn't collect their fashionable duds.

"It's in the contract that we get to keep our outfits, which is a fantastic thing, except that, for me, all of my outfits were samples," Davis told E! News this week, at the movie's press day. "I kept my running pants, which I love and wear them a lot, but I was like, Where are my clothes?"

She also kept some shoes and a yellow Biba dress, and the wardrobe department, feeling guilty, snagged her a Chanel bag.

Samantha got the shaft, too, but keep reading to see who did get to keep their duds.

"They sent three huge boxes of things, but most of my stuff was not there," Cattrall explained. "The [big] hat wasn't there, and there were three pairs of shoes. So there's a bulletin out for what happened to Samantha's togs."

As for Sarah Jessica Parker, she kept everything that wasn't borrowed, just like back in Sex's heyday. "I had done that over the course of the series," she revealed. And it turned out to be très beneficial to have Carrie Bradshaw's "vintage" clothes during one of the movie's key montages.

"I got to keep almost everything," said Cynthia Nixon. "The other women wore a lot of samples. Miranda's not quite that cutting-edge, so they actually purchased a lot of the clothes."

Oh, and the new girl? Jennifer Hudson? She loved her outfits, but she says, "I'm still waiting on them."

DMX Busted for Pushing the MPH



A friendly neighborhood traffic cam may have caught DMX putting his pedal to the ######l.

The Cradle 2 the Grave star was arrested for reckless driving Tuesday at his Phoenix home after three cameras on the Loop 101 freeway in Scottsdale caught him speeding in January, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Per authorities, DMX's bright yellow 1966 Chevy Nova—which has a large "DMX" decal on the windshield—was clocked going between 100 and 114 miles per hour around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.

The rapper-actor, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was booked on suspicion of criminal speeding, public endangerment, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license. He was released later the same day after posting bond.

"Mr. Simmons wasn't signaled out because of his notoriety; we have made several arrests in the last few months of those people who flagrantly violate the speed limit and therefore endanger the lives of everyone else on the road," Roger Vanderpool, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said in a statement.

An attorney for DMX told reporters he had no comment on the charges.

Cher Needs a Little Work



Cher opened her new Las Vegas show last night at Caesars Palace, but the extravaganza still has a few bugs to work out.

Like about two weeks worth, according to the diva herself.

“She said they were going to attempt some pretty cool things tonight, but they had only had two dress rehearsals,” an audience member reports. “So she had no idea if they’d be able to pull it off. She was apologizing in advance for any glitches and said in two weeks it would be much better.”

Winehouse Passes the Bars



Amy Winehouse is as free as a songbird again.

London's Metropolitan Police confirms that the Grammy winner posted bail and was released from custody after being arrested and questioned for several hours Wednesday in connection with a video leaked earlier this year to Britain's Sun tabloid in which Winehouse talks about—and seemingly uses—drugs.

"Amy Winehouse voluntarily attended a London police station today by appointment. She was arrested in order to be interviewed and is cooperating fully with inquiries," publicist Chris Goodman said in a statement earlier today when news of the "Rehab" singer's second arrest in as many weeks got out. "The interview relates to a video handed to police earlier this year."

British authorities have explained that it's routine procedure to put someone under arrest when they appear for questioning in connection with an alleged crime.

Especially when that person is Amy Winehouse.

Nerd Alert: Mildly Epic New Star Wars Poster Drops



We're still not sure the all-animated Clones Wars counts as a real Star Wars movie, but this just-out one-sheet goes a long way toward making the case.

It gets close to that epic space opera vibe that defined all the classic illustrated posters. But then, where's the love interest? And the trademark ominous face of the villain?

At least Yoda's there. Yoda's cool. And the whole look of the movie, out Aug. 15, is pretty slick. The trailer debuts tomorrow on Cartoon Network, CNN and three other networks, so hopefully that means, like, more Yoda.

What do you think? Is the Force strong with this one?

Denise Richards: "No-Win Situation"



"I'm in a no-win situation. If I have my kids on the show, I'm exploiting them. If I don't, people will think I'm not a hands-on mom. That's why it's very important to me that the girls are a part of it—but only when it makes sense."

—Denise Richards, in the June issue of Redbook, on being criticized for having her daughters be part of her new E! reality series, Denise Richards: It's Complicated

Oprah Scores Mariah Scoop, Surprises Herself



Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's nuptials might have been a little more planned out than previously believed—at least according to Oprah.

How could the talk-show host tell? Seems like a "Mrs. Cannon" tattoo might have tipped Winfrey off. Mariah reportedly got inked before her April 30 sunset ceremony in the Bahamas.

Only, Oprah says didn't learn about the tat until after Mimi's recent appearance on her show, so she didn't grill Mariah appropriately when she visited a week before the wedding.

"Little did I know I should have paid more attention to the situation," says Winfrey on today's show about being introduced to Mariah's then boyfriend, now husband, Cannon, in the greenroom.
Don't worry, Oprah. Happens to the best of us.

Nicole Richie: Joel "Likes to Get Girly"



Nicole Richie is joined by her father, Lionel, her boyfriend, Joel Madden, and the couple's baby, Harlow, in the June issue of Harper's Bazaar for some fun family photos accompanied by a few very insightful comments.

"He likes to get girly sometimes," says Nic about her rocker beau. "But he'd kill me if he knew I said that."

Well, you did say it, so can you be more specific?

No? OK, what else ya got then?

"I'm really excited to get out there and show people that I'm capable of doing something other than The Simple Life."

If only it were that simple.

Ashlee Simpson: Ninja Dancer



"My girlfriend kisses my hand three times, and my band and I have this thing called 'the ninja,' where we clap our hands and give each other our energy and do a weird little ninja dance, and then we say a really bad word afterwards."

—Ashlee Simpson, on London's Paul O'Grady Show, about what she does prior to performing onstage

Ellen Page Tackles Jane Eyre



Ellen Page is jumping from Juno to Jane Eyre.

The Oscar-nominated actress is about to take an iconic role—starring as the title character in BBC Films' new big-screen version of Charlotte Brontë's classic 1847 novel.

For her first period piece, Page will put on an accent to play the orphaned English protagonist who, after being cruelly abused by her aunt, is sent to live in a charity school. She eventually lands a job as a governess and falls for her boss.

Since her career-making turn as a Juno's preggo teen, Page has starred in the dysfunctional family dramedy Smart People, which debuted at Sundance in January, and has two more films in the can for 2009: Whip It!, a roller-derby comedy directed by Drew Barrymore, and Peacock, a thriller with Cillian Murphy and Bill Pullman.

Jane Eyre gets its Gothic going before cameras this fall for a 2009 debut

Marvel Activates Super Hero Squad



The Super Friends are getting some super company on the small screen.

Fresh off the boffo debut of Iron Man, and with a slate of new superhero flicks in the pipeline, Marvel Entertainment is ready to start cranking out the cartoons, giving the greenlight to Marvel Super Hero Squad, an animated series bringing together the publisher's best-known comic-book stars under one roof à la DC Comics' Super Friends.

Super Hero Squad will see Iron Man team up with the likes of Captain America, the Hulk, Thor and the Fantastic Four to defend Super Hero City from such baddies as Magneto, Doctor Doom, Loki and the Abomination, per the Hollywood Reporter.

The target audience will be 6- to 8-year-olds (and, more likely, fanboys of all ages). Marvel has ordered 26 half-hour epidoses and is in talks with broadcast and cable nets to debut the series in 2009.

Super Hero Squad will join two other new 'toons on the company's after-school roster—Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures—both of which are due to premiere on Nicktoons early next year.

Of course, there's also the obligatory toy line courtesy of Hasbro, and Marvel Comics is set to unveil a book series among other ancillary offshoots. Marvel is also plotting a direct-to-DVD Super Hero Squad feature for 2010.

Grand Theft Auto Makes a Killing



Last week, videogames killed the radio, TV and movie stars.

Grand Theft Auto IV, the car-jacking romp through NYC, er, Liberty City, sold more than 6 million copies its first week out, with sales exceeding $500 million and all analysts' expectations.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., which publishes the game, said it sold about 3.6 million PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 units on April 29 alone, its first day in release.

The massive take represents the biggest opening week of any entertainment product, trumping not only its nearest console competitor, Halo 3, which cleared $300 million in first-week sales, but movies as well, besting previous record holder Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which cleared just $404 million worldwide in its first six days.

Guess virtual crime does pay.

Star Slams Babs for Spilling Secrets



For Star Jones, Barbara Walters' tell-all revelations about Jones' rapid weight loss felt like a knife to the gut.

The erstwhile View cohost has hit back at her former mentor after Walters blabbed in her recently published memoir Audition, that the View crew was, at Jones behest, forced to lie about her having gastric bypass surgery.

"It is a sad day when an icon like Barbara Walters, in the sunset of her life, is reduced to publicly branding herself as an adulterer, humiliating an innocent family with accounts of her illicit affair and speaking negatively against me all for the sake of selling a book," Jones tells Us Weekly. "It speaks to her true character."

Walters repeated the Jones assertions on The Oprah Winfrey Show Tuesday, during which she also acknowledged having a secret fling with then married Senator Edward Brooke in the 1970s.

Walters' rep declined to comment today on Jones' statement.

During her stint on the gabfest, Jones had maintained that she lost more than 160 pounds in 2003 thanks to Pilates and better eating habits.

Per Walters' memoir, Jones rejected a proposal by Walters to have 20/20 dedicate an entire episode to chronicling the bypass and Jones' recovery, saying she didn't want to be the "poster child" for the operation.

Jones revealed on air in 2006 that she was leaving The View much to the surprise of Walters, who later said she was caught off guard by the announcement.

It wasn't until the following year that Jones finally came clean about having the procedure.

It's been a rough few months for Jones. Her TruTV show was canceled in February, and last month she filed for divorce from hubby Al Reynolds, whom she married in a televised, star-studded, corporate-sponsored 2004 wedding in New York City.

Say a Prayer for Rose McGowan's Pooch



Rose McGowan has more important things to think about these days than the possibility of the actors' strike. Like a sick dog.

Fester, one of her two Boston terriers, has a brain tumor. “He’s 11 years old, but five weeks ago he was jumping in the air,” McGowan told me at today’s MaxMara and Women in Film luncheon honoring Ginnifer Goodwin at the Sunset Tower Hotel. “I’ll get to spend more time with him [if the strike occurs]. For now, we all have to say a prayer for Fester.”

McGowan, herself, isn’t in the best of shape either...

She had to limp her way through the fete, because her left leg is in a brace.

“I had a fight with a wall, and the wall won,” she explained. “It sucks. I have to wear it for six weeks.”

But that’s not stopping her from jetting to Europe in the next few weeks. McGowan says she still plans to attend two AIDS fundraisers: the Life Ball in Vienna and amfAR’s big to-do during the Cannes Film Festival.

Also at the luncheon—hosted by Vanity Fair editor Krista Smith and Women in Film president Jane Fleming—were Lauren Graham, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Numb3rs star Navi Rawat and up-and-coming actress Summer Bishil.

Goodwin will be honored with the MaxMara Face of the Future Award at WIF’s Crystal + Lucy Awards on June 17 in L.A.

Candygram! Sweet Success for Madonna



Gotta give it to up for Madonna, lady sure knows how to make an exit.

Hard Candy, the Material One's final Warners album before joining Live Nation, dominated the pop chart, moving 288,000 copies to debut at No. 1 for the week ended Sunday, per SoundScan.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is now just one No. 1 away from tying Barbra Streisand's all-time record of eight chart-toppers, the standard for female artists.

Take that, Mariah.

The new single "4 Minutes" also reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Madonna her 37th Top 10 hit and pushing her past Elvis for the most Top 10s of all time. The Justin Timberlake collaboration is her 53rd single to crack the Hot 100 (and her second duet, following 2003's "Me Against the Music" with Britney Spears, fresh off her split with Timberlake).

Album producers include Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, while Kanye West appears as a, um, Candy rapper.

Hard Candy concludes the singer's quarter-century career with Warner, which dates back to her 1983's self-titled debut. Last fall, Madonna signed a 10-year deal with concert promoter Live Nation, reportedly worth $120 million, that includes albums, tours, merchandise and promotion.

Madonna's megadebut knocked down the newly married Mariah Carey's E=MC2 and Leona Lewis' Spirit to Nos. 2 and 3, selling 95,000 and 84,000 copies, respectively. (Carey's album still has bragging rights for biggest debut of the year, selling 463,000 copies in its opening week last month.)

Six other new releases cracked the Top 10.

Lyfe Jennings' Lyfe Change sold ,000 copies at No. 4. Def Leppard's Songs From the Sparkle Lounge moved 55,000 at No.5, one spot and 1,000 copies ahead of the Roots' Rising Down.

Portishead, fresh off a Coachella reunion, checked in at No. 7, selling 53,000 copies of Third. This is the group's first studio release since its 1997 eponymous sophomore disc, which landed Portishead its previous career-high-debut at No. 21.

Speaking of reunions, Mudcrutch, the early '70s precursor to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, finally recorded and released a debut album nearly four decades after forming. The self-titled effort, featuring Petty and his former bandmates, sold 38,000 to open at No. 8.

Tim McGraw lassoed in the week's seventh and final Top 10 bow with his limited-edition Greatest Hits collection. The two-disc Wal-Mart exclusive, which packages together his 2000 and 2006 retrospectives, sold 29,000 copies at No. 10.

Steve Winwood, who recently reunited with Eric Clapton for a trio of Blind Faith shows at Madison Square Garden, just missed, selling 26,000 copies of Nine Lives to debut at No. 12. The Brit rocker, who also logged in miles with Traffic, Go and the Spencer Davis Group, peaked at No. 126 with his last studio album, 2003's About Time.

The chart's other noteworthy newcomers included Carly Simon's This Kind of Love at 15, Augustana's Can't Love, Can't Hurt at 21, Lil' Mama's VYP: Voice of the Young People at 25, indie electro-rockers Mindless Self Indulgence at 27 with If, Maná's Arde el Cielo at 30 and Estelle's Shine at 38.

Overall, week-to-week sales were up 10 percent, but still down 10 percent compared to the same sales week in 2007.

1. Hard Candy, Madonna
2. E=MC2, Mariah Carey
3. Spirit, Leona Lewis
4. Lyfe Change, Lyfe Jennings
5. Songs From the Sparkle Lounge, Def Leppard
6. Rising Down, the Roots
7. Third, Portishead
8. Mudcrutch, Mudcrutch
9. Now That's What I Call Music! Vol. 27, various
10. Greatest Hits, Tim McGraw

Sneak Pics: Pitt and Clooney in Coen Bros Spy Flick



Shhh. Keep this between us. Some of the first images are out from the Coen brothers follow-up to No Country for Old Men, a much more lighthearted spy caper called Burn After Reading.

Brad Pitt's a dumb-guy personal trainer, see, who finds a CIA big shot's memoirs and tries to blackmail him, while secret agent George Clooney meets Pitt's boss on some dating site, and things get sticky and complicated. Or something like that. Anyway, nice to see those guys still getting work.

Click into the jump to check out Clooney laughing his ass off with Frances McDormand, and let us know: Are you excited for this, or totally not?

Spears Sisters' Shower Reunion A-OK!



All it took for a family reunion was an unexpected family addition.

Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears met up in their hometown of Kentwood, La., over the weekend, the first face-to-face for the sibs since last October. The nonpregnant sister was one of nearly two dozen female friends who convened at Serenity, the estate owned by the pop star but inhabited by her sister and mother, Lynne, to herald the delivery of her niece-to-be.

And, per usual, OK! magazine was on hand to document the to-do, which was organized and hosted by mama Lynne.

"It was wonderful to be able to spend time with her and just be girls again," the 17-year-old expectant mother said of her sisterly reunion. "We painted our nails and did stupid stuff, and we had our private time too. To be able to be in the privacy of our own home and just be sisters again was wonderful."

"She just ran up," she said of the Britster's greeting. "She obviously couldn't pick me up. We gave each other a big hug. It was a really good feeling."



Jamie Lynn said their initial conversation was exactly what you'd expect sisters to say to each other: "I love you. I've missed you. It's so good to see you."

Regardless of whether she's in the best position to be dispensing motherly advice, Britney also had a few words of wisdom to share with her kid sis.

"She said, 'There are going to be some long nights, but it's completely worth it,' " Jamie Lynn recounted.

As for baby daddy Casey Aldridge, Jamie Lynn said he already has Britney's seal of approval.

"She loves Casey. She's met him a bunch of times. They were riding four-wheelers and stuff together. They get along real well."

As for the engaged couple, Jamie Lynn said they had no immediate plans to tie the knot, but that after the baby girl, due in June and as yet unnamed, is born and "things settle down," a wedding will be her "first priority."

Not such a top priority: getting back to work.

"I am so focused on the baby that hasn't even occurred to me. You never know what may happen a year from now. There is the possibility I'll go back, but right now, I just want to be a good mom.

"More than anything, I just want this baby to have a normal life."

Rowling Kin Rolls to Privacy Win



J.K. Rowling didn't need the Dark Arts to make the paparazzi go poof.

Instead, the Harry Potter author took to the courts to win a ban against future publication of photos taken of her son David without his consent.

A British court of appeals has upheld the privacy case, brought last year by Rowling (under her married name of Joanne Murray) and husband Neil Murray over a photo of them pushing their then-18-month-old in a stroller.

"We understand and accept that with the success of Harry Potter there will be a measure of legitimate media and public interest in Jo's professional activities and appearances," the couple said in a statement after the ruling. "However, we have striven to give our children a normal family life outside the media spotlight.

"We are immensely grateful to the court for giving our children protection from covert, unauthorized photography; this ruling will make an immediate and material difference to their lives."

The High Court initially rejected the claim against paparazzi agency Big Pictures, which snapped the candid pic, and the tabloid Sunday Express, which published the photo.

Although the grievance was filed against both the paper and the agency last year, the judgment came against only Big Picture. Sunday Express, which published the photo in November 2004, settled Rowling's claim out of court.

Lindsay Needs Your Help



Lindsay Lohan's reps are casting models on Thursday to help Lohan with her new leggings line

La Lohan must be broke or something cause she wants the models to work for free!!!!

Here's the casting notice an industry insider sent our way:

Casting for Models for Look book Shoot- Looking for diverse, multi-cultural, mixed races, an "off beauty" is good as well as "beautiful".. No Blondes please.

CASTING FOR: The Look Book Shoot for 6126 - a new contemporary collection of leggings designed by Lindsay Lohan

USAGE: web, look book, worldwide
RATE: trade
DATE of SHOOT: May 9th 6am call time in Los Feliz (address TBC)
CASTING DATE: May 8, 2008 430pm
ADDRESS OF CASTING: 450 N Roxbury Drive (Little Santa Monica and Roxbury) 6th floor (Membrane Offices) ask for Sarah or Ken.

No phone calls please.
Please do not send models to the casting unless they are available for shoot and call time and they agree to trade terms.

C-H-E-A-P.

[Image via WENN.]

Not Going Away Any Time Soon



Wow. The CW must be feeling confident that the show's ratings are gonna pick up this coming season!

According to reports, Gossip Girl is going to have an extra long season next year to make up for the episodes missed due to the writer's strike.

The CW is set to make a formal announcement about the extra long season (24 episodes!) at its big upfront event next week.

Additionally, Michelle Trachtenberg is expected to become a full-time cast member on GG!

Y'all can also expect to see Hamptons-based episodes of Gossip Girl.

Um…we will also get to see Fire Island through the eyes of Serena's little bro, Eric?

We better!

[Image via WENN.]

New Oasis Leaked Online



According to reports, three new Oasis tracks - I Wanna Live A Dream (In My Record Machine), Nothin' On Me and Stop the Clocks - started appearing on messageboards and fansites throughout the day on Wednesday.

However, it appears steps are being taken to remove the demos with several previously working links now dead.

Happy hunting, y'all!

This Is Not A Joke



You KNOW things are bad when Lindsay Lohan's mom is giving your mom advice!

And that's just was Dina Lohan is doing.

The mother of the year offers some parenting tips to Miley Cyrus's mom.

Dina was being honored this week in New York by "Mingling Moms."

Orange Oprah was being presented an award for being one of the Top 20 Moms in Long Island by the "Mingling Moms of long Island." Must suck to have your mom on that same list as Dina!!!!

And while there, a reporter asked Lohan what advice she would give to Miley's mom.

Lohan responded with, "I don't know Miley's mom, but you know, just say strong and keep your head up. And she's talented [Miley] and stay focused."

Oh and then she adds, "You know, and be her mom."

Ha! If only she would follow her own advice!

That's almost as good as Lynne Spears and her parenting skills book.

These Hollywood moms should all get together and write a book on what NOT to do as a parent.

[Image via WENN.]

Don't Blame Vanity Fair



Ratings for Hannah Montana are down, and Disney must not be happy that their cash cow is suffering.

But, according to reports, Hannah Montana was on the decline even BEFORE the Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair "scandal" rocked our worlds.

The audience for Sunday's new Hannah Montana episode fell 14% from the previous fresh episode, which aired just under two months earlier, say the ratings gurus the Nielsen Company.

Compared to the first original show of the year, which aired in January, viewership for Sunday's show was down 26%.

Don't blame Vanity Fair.

Just blame Miley!

[Image via WENN.]

Ryan Trumps Katie



Screw the Katie Couric "taking over" Larry King's job rumors!

There's an even better one!

Word is that Ryan Seacrest is in 'serious' negotiations to take over Larry King Live when the old fogie retires.

This doesn't surprise media insiders. Larry told The New York Times in April 2007 that Seacrest would be his first choice to take over the show when the time came.

“He’s the classic generalist,” said King. “The only thing I don’t know, and I’ve gotten to know him pretty well, is how versed he is in politics, world affairs. Does he read the paper? Is he interested in Iraq? Because if he is, he’s going to be very good.”

We're so getting Ryan a subscription to the Economist!!

Good luck and hope it works out!

[Image via Mavrix Online.]

No One Is Watching TV



Has the writer's strike hurt TV ratings more than expected?

Many of the former top shows have hit their lowest ratings EVEr just in recent weeks. Such as CSI: Miami, The Simpsons, and Grey's Anatomy.

Even reality shows are feeling the decline in viewers, such as American Idol and Deal or No Deal.

ABC prime-time research chief Larry Hyams says, "I'm not convinced people realized their shows were back. It's not like there was a premiere week."

Yeah, okay. Sure.

Whatever you say, Larry!

Maybe people are just watching TV online????

More Twin Talk



Double the Brange!

It's the case of the dueling magazines, y'all.

For a while now, In Touch Weekly has been reporting that Brad and Ange are having twins. They claim it's a boy and a girl.

Well, now Star magazine is reporting as well that the couple is having twins.

Yay!

The two mags agree on that, but….

A family insider tells Star that Brangelina will be welcoming two GIRLS.

The snitch says, "Brad can't wait — he absolutely adores little girls. And Angelina just loves seeing him and the other kids so excited and happy."

Star is also reporting a dark side to the twin joy story.

Angelina reportedly suffered a terrifying collapse that left her tearful, weak and panic stricken, fearing her fall may have harmed her two unborn babies, according to an insider.

The source recounts, "Angie got out of bed and was halfway across the room when she passed out and fell. Brad heard her hit the floor — hard — and he rushed to her side. She came around pretty quickly, and the medical team that has been traveling with her, a doctor and a nurse, got her back into bed and started checking her vitals."

We hope the medical story is not true.

Though, Santa Angelina does push herself too hard.

Whether it's a boy and a girl or two girls, we just wish Brad and Ange two healthy new additions to their family!

House 2.0



For all you fans of House: we have a scoop that might make your day!

TV Guide is reporting that a spinoff from Fox's acclaimed show is being quietly developed for next season.

A new male character, who'll have a multi-episode storyline, is being introduced and if the actor cast makes the role 'work', then chances are good that said new male will get the 2.0 show!

AND, the new character won't be a doc, says well-placed insiders. He's going to be a private investigator!

What do y'all think?

Look At Us! Look At Us!



Are they or aren't they????

Either way, they want us talking about them!

Can men and women just be friends??? Definitely, if the dude is gay! We kid. We kid.

Nicole Scherzinger and NeYo had a very high-profile lunch together at The Ivy in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Perhaps they're working together??? But it's not on her solo album, though. THAT is being shelved and the Pussycat Dolls disc is coming out first now.

They probably just really wanted to pay $20 or $30 for a salad, because they're just that good, right????

[Image via WENN.]

Liv Tyler and Husband Split



Liv Tyler and her husband, British rocker Royston Langdon, have decided to separate, her rep confirms to PEOPLE.

"Liv Tyler and Royston Langdon have confirmed their separation. They remain good friends and devoted parents to their son Milo and are requesting that their family's privacy be respected at this time."

Tyler, 30, and Langdon, 36, wed in 2003 in a private ceremony at a villa in the Caribbean. Their son Milo was born in December 2004.

Nick's Rockin' Wedding Bling



Cannon turns up in the Big Apple after his surprise nuptials to Mariah Carey showing off his married status.

Paris Hilton Rocks a New Ring – from Benji Madden



Always one to keep the public talking, Paris_Hilton showed up to talk about her new hair extension line with Sally Beauty Supply wearing a notable new accessory: a two-banded diamond ring on that finger.

Asked if the baubles were an engagement ring from boyfriend Benji Madden, Hilton told PEOPLE, "No, it's just a present. He's sweet."

Still, the duo have already discussed marriage. "We want to stay together forever," she said Thursday. "I wouldn't do a Vegas [wedding]. I don't know where or when but I do want it to be romantic."

Betting that Nicole_Richie and Joel Madden will beat them to the altar, Hilton doesn't mind following in her best friend's footsteps another way, as well. "Nicole is our first friend to have a baby ... Seeing Harlow, it really makes me want one. I've always wanted to have a baby.”

Until then, she's content on practicing her mommy skills on Harlow. "I’m definitely 'Aunt Paris.' " As for Benji? "He'll babysit. I can tell he's gonna be an incredible father. He loves babies."

Benji Changed My Life in Every Way
With memories of dancing on tables in clubs still fresh in her mind, Hilton, 26, acknowledges how much she has grown since she started dating the Good Charlotte rocker four months ago.

"When I was younger I loved to go out, but now that I'm in a really great relationship it's so much more fun to stay at home," she says, "We don't really like to go out. We have game night, friends come over and play Monopoly. It's chill." She also loves pampering her man with some homemade food. "I love to cook for him, I cook great lasagna."

"I've grown up a lot. I'm at peace," she added. "He's changed my life in every way. I'm happy."

Laughing about her beau's rocker look, she says her she follows some words of advice from her dad to look past it. "My dad said you shouldn't judge a book by its cover," she said. "He doesn't act at all like someone who has tattoos everywhere! I love him so much that I don't pay attention. I don't even look at the tattoos anymore."

Chace Crawford Reveals His Perfect Date



While Chace Crawford's Gossip Girl character Nate Archibald may hit all the New York hotspots, in real life the actor plays it cool – especially when it comes to first dates.

"The ideal, I think, when you're starting out, is something low-key, like playing the [Nintendo] Wii, ordering in pizza and then grabbing a beer," Crawford, 22, told PEOPLE at Wednesday's launch of the Stoli Hotel in Manhattan.

But come time to step out, the actor says he'd take off "to a concert in Central Park or an NBA basketball game, if she likes sports." (His teams of choice? "The Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys – I'm a Texas kid!")

Crawford famously dated Carrie Underwood – until the pair split up over text message – but now says he's single, being so busy with work and his fitness regimen.

"Part of me being single is focusing on my work right now," says Crawford, who joked, “I've been dating my gym bag for a while now."

When in a relationship, though, the Gossip guy finds himself getting creative in the gift department.

"I like to do artwork and draw," he says. "I did a big beautiful drawing – and it was very meaningful to [my girlfriend], and she loved it ... that's the kind of stuff that I like to do."

Marie Osmond: Billy Ray to Blame for Miley Photos



Like most everyone else, Marie Osmond has an opinion of the Miley Cyrus photos for Vanity Fair. And it's not positive.

What particularly upsets the entertainer (who is herself a mother), is that such an experienced showbiz parent as Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, would leave his 15-year-old alone during a photo shoot.

"My parents never, never left us alone," Osmond, 48, tells AOL Television. "We always had some form of a guardian or something with us, a guardian that would represent what they would have done."

In Miley's case, says Osmond, "her dad stepped out, and that's when it happened. How do you say no to somebody like Annie [Leibovitz, the photographer] when you're a little girl? It's an interesting thing that happened with her."

In actuality, Miley's grandmother and teacher remained with the photo subject, as Billy Ray was called away to a business appointment, a source close to the family told PEOPLE – adding: "Billy Ray was not there for the shot. He would not have approved that shot if he was."

Once the photos became public, Miley Cyrus apologized to fans, while Leibovitz said she was sorry the photos were misinterpreted.

Pressures on Young Stars
Having been on stage as both a youngster and adult, Osmond also weighs in with her opinion of young stars today and any additional pressures they may face.

"I think it's a multitude of things," she says. "I can only speak for myself, but … I was blessed, because [with Olive Osmond] I had the perfect stage mom. She was there for every stage of my life."

Once again expressing her disapproval of what Billy Ray Cyrus did – and didn't do – regarding the Miley situation, Osmond concludes, "I think, if your kids are going to be in that kind of business, then you need to make it your business to be there for them and help them figure out, but not necessarily to control them."

Ashton Kutcher Aims to Be Sexiest Man Alive

Apparently Ashton Kutcher is taking it on the chin when it comes to being among PEOPLE's 100 Most Beautiful People – as he was declared in the issue that went on sale last Friday.

Showing him the page from the magazine when he appeared on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday, the host asked Kutcher what it was like to be "one of the most beautiful somethings in PEOPLE magazine."

"That's a pre-beard photo," was Kutcher's reaction, also noting that "when I start to grow my beard ... I get notches off" being judged beautiful.

Modeling his scruff, and brushing the side of his face with his hand, Kutcher, 30, said, "I can't get hair to grow in this region." DeGeneres suggested that what he had was a "beard combover."

As it is, Kutcher declared that he was more interested in making PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive list, something he claimed both he and Patrick Dempsey are lobbying for.

"Once you're beautiful, you can sort of lean into sexy," Kutcher philosophized.

As for his wife Demi Moore's reaction to all this, Kutcher told DeGeneres, "I'm her Sexiest Man."

Heath Ledger Portrait Wins Australian Art Prize



A portrait of the late Heath Ledger won the people's choice award at Australia's Archibald Prize Exhibition on Thursday.

More than 32,000 people voted in the competition – considered one of Australia's most prominent art prizes. The painting, called "Heath," was created by Ledger's friend, Vincent Fantauzzo, shortly before the actor's death.

According to a spokesperson for the Art Gallery of NSW (where the prize was awarded), the Ledger family and the artist will donate the prize-winning piece – which features three images of Ledger – to the gallery.

Fantauzzo received a $2,500 and $1,000 gift certificate with his award.

The portrait was painted at Ledger's Perth family home in December.

Heidi Klum: Seal Proposed in an Igloo



While Heidi Klum has long made public her lust-at-first-sight reaction upon initially meeting her eventual husband Seal, she's now revealing how his marriage proposal propelled her to the top of the world – literally.

"[Seal] took me by helicopter," the Project Runway host, 34, tells Marie Claire's June issue about their December 2004 vacation to the Canadian Rockies. "He had an igloo built there, and they'd brought up everything: a bed with sheets inside the igloo, rose petals everywhere, candles. Very, very romantic!"

As she goes on to describe, "There was food and champagne, and then the helicopter left. It was a little scary, too, because you're so cut off from the world. No trees, nothing – it was hardcore. But I was ecstatic."

Now, the two have two children – Henry, 2, and Johan, 17 months (Klum's daughter Leni, 4, is from a previous relationship, with Formula-One mogul Flavio Briatore) – and diverse parenting styles.

"I’m a little different in my head than he is," she says. "He takes his sweet old time. When he explains things to [the children,] he explains them."

George Clooney Reveals Roseanne Barr's Pickup Line



Hand it to George Clooney: He's sexy, he's funny, and he's not afraid to share embarrassing stories about how Roseanne Bar hit on him.

The actor, who sat down with Rolling Stone movie critic Peter Travers Wednesday night at the Picture House Theater in Pelham, N.Y., following a screening of his latest movie Leatherheads, revealed secrets about his early days working for Barr on her sitcom Roseanne – as well as his thoughts on Paris Hilton and bombing at the box office (which, he readily acknowledges, Leatherheads did). Choice quotes below:

Roseanne on Clooney
Travers: "I have this quote (from TIME magazine) to read aloud from your former boss Roseanne Barr. 'He can drink too much and still while standing in a bar parking lot at 3 a.m. discuss the world with such passion and good sense that you actually stop imagining him nude.'"

Clooney: "Don't you want Roseanne writing your obit? I worked on her first series, and when I met her she said, 'You're really good looking, why don't you take me out behind the stage and make me stink.' She was unbelievably kind to me at a time when no one was."

Clooney on Bombing at the Box Office
Clooney: "[Leatherheads] bombed and when I say bombed, it bombed. Someone said, 'How does that feel?' and it stings a little bit. It's not like we just showed up: I was working on this for a couple years and put a lot of work into it, and you get knocked back a little bit.

"The trick is how you handle things when things don't go great. It's easy when things are doing well. The people I most admire are the people who handle it when the studio says that's really underperformed and they say, 'Ow, that hurt.' I've been a fan of watching people go through cycles, not just winning cycles."

On Realizing He Could Be an Actor
Travers: "When was the point when you said, 'I can do this?'" George: "It was in acting class. There is a funny thing that happens when you are a young actor. You equate financial success and getting jobs with whether or not you are good at it. And it still happens. That's why there is Paris Hilton. Now I'm in trouble with Paris Hilton. I was in class for a year or so and I was working with actors who were working and I could hold a scene with them."

Taylor Swift on Her 'Stalker' Moment with John Mayer



Even celebrities get tongue-tied around other famous people: Just ask Taylor Swift, who couldn't mask her excitement when she met John Mayer at the Metropolitan Costume Institute Gala earlier this week.

"I was star struck by the fact that he came up and introduced himself to me," Swift gushed Wednesday at the 5th Annual Candie's Foundation 'Event to Prevent' gala in New York. "I was like freaking out!"

Taking advantage of the chance encounter, Swift, 18, immediately started referencing Mayer's popular blog. "I just respect him so much, I was rattling off quotes that he said in his blog, and he was probably like thinking that I'm a stalker," she laughed. "But he was amazing and sweet."

Mayer, 30, returned the compliment by telling the young singer that he's enjoyed watching her career blossom. "I was like, 'what, you know my name?'" said Taylor. "I'm such a fan of his writing and everything so it was really cool to get to meet one of my heroes."

Christina Applegate Reveals Her Style Secrets



Christina Applegate’s chic, relaxed style has won her our vote as one of our favorite Hollywood fashionistas — and now we know all her secrets to staying stylish. For In Style’s latest issue, which hits stands tomorrow, the Samantha Who? star reveals her favorite fashion tips. “I love sophisticated fashion, and I also love to be funky,” she tells the magazine of her ongoing style evolution. But, she reveals, “I don’t follow trends. I like things that are a little bit off and a little bit interesting.” And, in her quest for a distinctive personal style, being able to feel good in even the most casual clothes is one talent she’s perfected. “I have a friend who always calls me a chimney sweep because I tend to dress like one,” she jokes. “I don’t like doing my hair, so I wear the same cap every day–an ugly tweed old-man’s golfer’s cap.” Yet regardless of whether she’s dressed up or down, Christina knows that looking good is all about dressing for your body. “I think that if you’re wearing something that isn’t you, you’re just uncomfortable. I know what is going to look good on my body. I don’t want to be concerned all night about whether or not it fits or if my backside is hanging out.” And her favorite go-to items to cover that backside? “I believe in black pants because anything goes with them. I also think it’s important to have great jeans that fit your body. I can’t do the skinny jean. I just don’t have the body.” Get the full story tomorrow — and learn how she stays so fit!

Carmen Electra on Attracting a Man: Be Prepared



Newly engaged – to guitarist Rob Patterson, who will be her third husband – Carmen Electra is sharing some of her secrets on how a woman can attract a man.

First, be prepared. One way, Electra, 36, tells Cosmopolitan for its June issue, is to keep a "sexiness kit" within easy reach in the car or at work.

Contained therein: "Perfume, lip gloss, and a pair of heels" to show off the legs – to say nothing of an air of confidence. Her personal role model, Electra reveals: Ann-Margret, as she was in the 1962 movie Bye Bye Birdie.

In the same vein, Electra instructs, "Being flirty is a way of letting a guy know you're interested without making a fool of yourself."

Eye contact is key, as is touching – even if it's just removing a piece of lint off his clothing.

As for your own clothing, "Take a chance," she advises – and don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Ginnifer Goodwin on Making Out with Drew's Beau: 'Our Bodies Rebelled'



Kissing Justin Long? Let's say she's just not that into it.

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is a pro at acting out awkward situations – after all, she plays a polygamist's wife on HBO's Big Love. But one recent sex scene for He's Just Not That Into You pushed her over the edge.

"[Costar] Justin Long and I have been friends for going on eight years," she told PEOPLE at Wednesday's Women in Film luncheon, where she was honored as the MaxMara Face of the Future Award. "And when it came time for us to be intimate in the film, I think our bodies both rebelled."

He's great and all. (Just ask Long's real-life girlfriend, Drew Barrymore, whom he met while filming the movie.) But Goodwin said her relationship with the actor is just too "familial."

"I mean, I've had Thanksgiving with his mom," she said. So when it came time to shoot the sexy scene, "We both has stomach growls, burps ... We couldn't get it done!"

Goodwin, who turns 30 in two weeks, already has her big day planned out. "I am going away to a bed and breakfast with all my girlfriends," she said. "As girly as can be – mani/pedis and bike riding and French macaroons."

And as the milestone approaches, the actress – who has been linked to Chris Klein – said she finally feels comfortable in Hollywood.

"I certainly have felt the body issues [and] pressures of this world," she confessed, "There's this ridiculous thing that actresses are supposed to fit in to these sample sizes that models wear ... It's really such an absurd idea. Shame on me every time I get frustrated with not being able to fit into one. I shouldn't be able to."

First Look Inside Controversial George W. Bush Biopic



Oliver Stone is coming out shooting.

In less than two weeks, the controversial J.F.K. and Nixon filmmaker will begin production on his new feature about the current occupant of the White House – a film to be called, simply, W – for a proposed release this fall, possibly even in time for the November presidential election.

With a first look at the two principals playing George W. and Laura Bush, Josh Brolin and The 40-Year-Old Virgin's Elizabeth Banks, in full makeup, and a behind-the-scenes story on how the project came together, the new issue of Entertainment Weekly reports on both the speculation about the movie and the facts – especially as filmmaker Stone sees them.

Promising the film will be a "fair, true portrait of the man," Stone, 61, tells EW about W: "Bush may turn out to be the worst president in history. I think history is going to be very tough on him. But that doesn't mean he isn't a great story."

In his protagonist's favor, says Stone, "The fact that he had to overcome the shadow of his father and the weight of his family name – you have to admire his tenacity."

Despite the swiftly approaching start date, yet to be cast is the role of Dick Cheney (Stone denies Robert Duvall declined the offer, and there's no corroboration about wooing of Paul Giamatti) – or any comment from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Still, says Brolin, 40, about the character he will soon inhabit: "I've been watching video of Bush walking. People hold their emotion in their bodies. They can't fake it. Especially him."

Stars' Stripped-Down Pics Go Up for Auction



Move over, Miley Cyrus. Stars like Jennifer Hudson, Mariska Hargitay and Angie Harmon all stripped down for Allure's annual portfolio of naked stars. And Editor in Chief Linda Wells is dishing the dirt on the birthday-suit shoots.

"Stars do get surprisingly rattled," she told PEOPLE Wednesday night, during the magazine's Most Alluring Bodies silent auction in New York City. And even though they didn't all appear in Allure, nude portraits of Angelina Jolie, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss and Scarlett Johansson were donated by photographers to benefit Skin Cancer Research.

"We've had some of the most gorgeous people with the most gorgeous bodies really have a moment of crisis when they have to drop the robe," said Wells.

So have there been any major surprises during the nude photoshoots? "Some people haven't discovered the bikini wax," she said. "That was a shock. And that is a very expensive bikini wax when you're [forced to fake it] with a lot of retouching."

They also count on photoshop to keep the pictures strictly PG-13. "Because we want to be on the newsstand, we have to be careful about the raciness," Wells explained. "So we've removed nipples. Mariska Hargitay was rather surprised when she suddenly had no nipples."

In this year's portfolio, Allure also used strategically placed foliage to hide the naughty bits.

"Jennifer Hudson was really great," Wells said. "But she had a moment where she was a little taken aback and she had to wrap her mind around it. And Angie Harmon was surprisingly nervous, but then she pulled it together. They know that we want a beautiful picture. But they still have to take that robe off – they're still naked."

Hilary Duff Keeps it Covered
One woman who's not naked in May issue? Covergirl Hilary Duff. But the 20-year-old star did show her support during the auction at Splashlight Studios.

The actress hit the event with her boyfriend Mike Comrie, and the two even bid on one portrait – which Duff said would go great in the hockey star's N.Y. pad.

"It's a great picture of a silhouette of a woman," she told PEOPLE. "She's taking her underwear off." (Alas, Duff was outbid.)

So she doesn't mind her boyfriend checking out photos of naked women?

"Of course I don't care," said Duff, before jokingly adding, "Don't stare at it too long!"

All Coming Together



The Project Runway drama continues…offscreen!

Fashion Week Daily reports that Nina Garcia is close to being named some big wig title at Marie Claire magazine.

Yay, a job! Good for Nina!

So, Nina's Project Runway panel spot may NOT be up for grabs, should she score the Marie Claire job!!

Remember, we mentioned earlier this week that Marie Claire will probably be Project Runway's magazine partner once it moves to Lifetime.

Also, isn't it a funny coinkydink that Heidi Klum graces the cover of the new Marie Claire?

Funny coinkydink or is it all part of a Weinstein grand plan?!?

[Image of Nina Garcia via WENN.]

Pleased to Plea



The Ill Na Na is trying to avoid another stint in jail at all costs.

As we mentioned earlier this week, Foxy Brown was due in court to face charges of hitting a neighbor with her BlackBerry phone last year.

Well, it seems Inga has gotten a very lucky break.

Just earlier today, Brown plead out of her Blackberry assault case. And oddly enough, she might not even have to go back to court for it.

Foxy plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge of menacing. The prosecution actually threw out the felony assault charge.

Apparently Foxy doesn't seem like a threat to them.

She also got off somewhat easily.

Aside from being sentenced to time served, Foxy had to submit a letter of apology.

We hope it was a hand written note and not something her publicist typed up!

Foxy's also plead out of her Florida case, where she was accused of assault in a beauty salon.

She really seems to be getting her shit together. That and a good lawyer always helps.

[Image by Michael Carpenter via WENN.]