The Pitts Split, Hilton in Tears

MARRIAGE NEWS
January 9, 2004

According to the British Sun, actress CAMERON DIAZ reportedly is engaged to singer JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.

The blonde beauty was spotted proudly showing off a glittering diamond engagement ring to close pals at a posh eatery in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The couple decided to take their relationship (which started in April 2003) to the next level over the festive period.

A close pal says, "Justin and Cameron are really happy. They spent a lot of time together over the holidays and they decided the time was right to get engaged.

" Justin spent a fortune on the ring. Cameron was thrilled with it."

In other marriage news, actors JUDE LAW and SIENNA MILLER got engaged on Christmas Day. And according to her official website, German supermodel HEIDI KLUM accepted singer SEAL's romantic Whistler mountaintop proposal on December 23.

THE PITTS SPLIT
January 9, 2005

People Magazine has confirmed that Hollywood power couple BRAD PITT and JENNIFER ANISTON have announced that they are separating.

" We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," Brad and Jen said in a statement posted on People.com. "For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months."

Just recently Jen was photographed without her wedding ring that sent the tabloids raging that the couple was having marital troubles.

AARON ESCAPES NEAR-DEATH ACCIDENT
January 8, 2004

Teen Pop star AARON CARTER is recovering in his Florida home after avoiding death in a freeway inferno sparked when he ran over a mattress.

The teenager watched in horror as a mattress flew off the roof of a car he was driving behind on the Florida Turnpike and wedged itself under his Cadillac Escalade.

The mattress erupted into flames, setting fire to Carter's vehicle.

The pop singer managed to pull his SUV over to the side of the road and escape before the fire took hold of the entire vehicle early Thursday morning.

A grateful Carter admits he's feeling lucky: "I'm so lucky to be alive right now. I can't believe I survived another near-death experience.

" I feel like I am a cat, and I only have five lives left."

JAMES BROWN SUED FOR ALLEGED RAPE
January 7, 2005

The godfather of soul, JAMES BROWN, was slapped with a lawsuit by a woman who claims he raped her at gunpoint.

The lawsuit, filed by JACQUE HOLLANDER on Wednesday, claims the star raped her in the back of his van while threatening her with a shotgun back in 1988.

At the time of the alleged assault, Hollander was an aspiring songwriter working as a public relations assistant for Brown.

Brown's lawyers publicly announced, "This is what you call a shakedown in its most stupid form. It's too little, too late and baseless."

Hollander, 48, is not pressing criminal charges against Brown, 71, but is seeking $106 million in damages because she was recently diagnosed with the neurological disorder Graves' Disease, which she claims was caused by her "rape and torture" at the hands of the singer.

HILTON LEAVES IN TEARS AFTER 'SEX' VIDEO AIRING
January 7, 2005

Hotel heiress PARIS HILTON left a party in tears over the weekend, after she reportedly walked in on guests watching her sexual escapades on screen.

The British Sun newspaper report that the posh socialite and friends were gate-crashing a bash in California's Malibu area on Saturday night when they stumbled on fellow revelers glued to a large TV screen admiring her graphic sexual encounter with ex-boyfriend RICK SALOMON.

A source says, "It was priceless. She burst into tears, turned on her heels and left."

BRITNEY TO MANAGE HUSBAND'S RAP CAREER
January 7, 2005

Pop princess BRITNEY SPEARS reportedly has vowed to turn her husband, former dancer KEVIN FEDERLINE into a rap star.

Spears recently tested her talents in the previously uncharted fields of fashion design and video directing, but now she's eager to try her skills at music management.

She's convinced that her hubbie's smooth vocal style will be a hit with hip-hop fans. A source says, "Britney wants him to come out as a rapper -- she says he can flow."

The couple -- who married last September -- are currently setting up their own clothing line.

WILLIAM HUNG'S MOVIE DEBUT
January 7, 2005

Just when you thought you had enough, "American Idol" reject WILLIAM HUNG has stretched his 15 minutes of fame by embarking in a movie career.

According to the Associated Press, the 21-year-old civil engineering student makes his silver screen debut in the Cantonese-language film "Where Is Mama's Boy?".

The action comedy features Hung as a street vendor who becomes pals with Foon Ma, a music club owner played by Hong Kong star NANACY SIT.

Hung horrified and delighted audiences alike on the third season of "American Idol" with his out-of-tune homage to RICKY MARTIN's "She Bangs." His subsequent album "Inspiration" has sold more than 100,000 copies.

" Where Is Mama's Boy?" opened in Singapore on Thursday, Jan. 6.

BULLOCK'S GENEROUS DONATION
January 6, 2004

Actress SANDRA BULLOCK has given generously to the post-tsunami relief effort in Asia by donating $1 million to help support emergency groups.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 'Miss Congeniality' star contacted the American Red Cross last week and asked how she could help.

This isn't the first time the bighearted Bullock has given over $1 million to the charity -- she donated a similar amount after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

A Red Cross spokesman says, "Sandra continues to enable our lifesaving work and is a model for personal generosity."

PETRA POSES FOR TSUNAMI CHARITIES
January 6, 2004

Gorgeous Czech supermodel PETRA NEMCOVA has agreed to pose from her Thai hospital bed as she recovers from injuries sustained from last week's Asian tsunami disaster to raise funds for other victims.

The sexy Victoria's Secret model was dragged through a broken window and submerged under a floating sea of trash before clinging to a tree for eight hours when the massive waves hit coastlines.

Nemcova will pose in her plain hospital robes for Us Weekly after bosses there agreed to donate $200,000 to fundraising efforts for the shot.

Meanwhile, Nemcova is still looking for word on her missing boyfriend (British photographer) SIMON ATLEE, who unfortunately was swept away by the tsunami.

The couple had been dating for 2 years.