July 19, 2006

Footwear giant Skechers has recruited platinum recording artist Ashlee Simpson to be its new face, replacing previous celebrity endorsers Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears in promoting the company's line of footwear.

Speaking on the singer's picking, Skechers president Michael Greenberg said, "Ashlee is a leading force in the music industry. She's young, beautiful, talented, and … is also the perfect union between fashion and music, using her influence to empower young women to be themselves. We were drawn to her energy, style and grace."

The star-studded cast of the hit TV series "Desperate Housewives" will be joined by Mischa Barton and Dougray Scott.

As of Mischa, the British-born star is said to be discussing a new role with "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry. "He's interviewing and auditioning all the time. I'm sure Mischa would be a welcome asset to the show but who knows what will happen?"

Former Bond girl Denise Richards is set to bare all again. This time the sexy actress is going to appear naked in an upcoming issue of Jane magazine.

Denise, indeed, insists to do it for good cause, the Clothes Off Our Back charitable foundation, which hosts online auctions of celebrity attire to benefit various children's charities.

Rose to prominence through her acting career, Salma Hayek is now venturing into another field. The actress is bringing her own comedic take on one to network television.

Hayek is one of six executive producers on "Ugly Betty," debuting Sept. 22 on ABC. Based on "Yo Soy Betty La Fea," a Colombian telenovela, the show will follow Betty Suarez, America Ferrera's role, a plump, decidedly unhip girl from New York City's borough of Queens who works as an assistant to a fashion magazine publisher.

Scarlett Johansson lands romantic movie. The actress will join Natalie Portman and Eric Bana in the forthcoming "The Other Boleyn Girl".

The film, based on Phillippa Gregory's historical novel, tells two ferociously ambitious sisters, Mary and Anne Boleyn, who were rivals for the bed and heart of King Henry VIII.

Legendary actress Sophia Loren laid the rumors on her being naked for Pirelli's calendar to rest by saying that she will merely be sexy and not stripping completely nude.

The actress, who will appear alongside Penelope Cruz and Naomi Watts in the legendary publication, further insists she protected her modesty.

Black Eyed Peas singer Stacy Ferguson is furious over media reports claiming she's pregnant.

She said: "When people are saying you're pregnant every week (in the tabloids), you kind of wonder: 'Do I look fat?' It hurts my feelings. It's one of my dreams to have babies, and I feel like these rumors will make it less special when it actually happens".

Darren Hayes, the former frontman of Australian pop group Savage Garden, revealed on his Website Monday July 17th that he has married his boyfriend of two years Richard Cullen, on June 19 in a civil ceremony in London.

"I can honestly say it was the happiest day of my life," writes Hayes of the ceremony. "I feel lucky to live in an era where my relationship can be considered legally legitimate, and I commend the U.K. government for embracing this very basic civil liberty."

Hollywood thespian Jonathan Rhys Meyers has been chosen by posh fashion line Versace to be the image of its fall men's clothing campaign.

TMZ.com reported that the actor will be joined by a group of female supermodels like Christy Turlington, Carolyn Murphy and Kate Moss among others.

Thinking that you are Janet Jackson fanatics? Big fan? Well show it, give your idol help she needs right now.

The pop singer seeks fans' help to design the cover of her new album, "20 Years Old" and thus conducts a contest with Yahoo Music.

The National Enquirer apologized to Britney Spears in its British edition Tuesday July 18th for publishing two stories indicating that her marriage to Kevin Federline was over.

The articles, published June 5 and June 12 under the headlines, "Britney marriage is over!" and "Britney and Kevin: And now their divorce!", cited unidentified "friends" of the couple.

The on-off couple, Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock, finally comes to the new chapter of their life. The former Playboy model and the Detroit rap-rocker decided to cement their status.

They are getting married! US Weekly reported that Pam and Rock will change vows on July 29 aboard a yacht near the French Riviera city of St. Tropez.

While people in the whole world are waiting for the November 17th release of "Casino Royale", the producers of the flick are busy making plans for the next chapter in the James Bond franchise.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Roger Michell is in talks to direct the follow-up, which has a working title of "Bond 22."