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Madonna In Malawi

2009-03-31T07:07:00.000-04:00

Madonna and 3-year-old son David Banda explore the grounds of the Mphandula childcare center, built by her Raising Malawi charity, in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Monday. The singer (who was also accompanied by daughter Lourdes, 12, and son Rocco, 8, not pictured) will face a judge Friday as part of her ongoing quest to adopt 3 year old Mercy James.

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Alyson Hannigan Welcomes A Daughter

2009-03-31T07:04:00.001-04:00

It's a girl – and she shares her birthday with her mom!

How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan and her husband, actor Alexis Denisof, have welcomed a daughter, her rep tells PEOPLE.
The girl is named Satyana Denisof and was born March 24 in Los Angeles, which also happens to be Hannigan's birthday.
"They're very excited, and mom and baby are doing great," says the rep. Hannigan, 35, who craved ginger ale during her pregnancy and revealed she felt absent minded. "I have pregnancy brain, which I never realized was a thing but it is," she said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I sort of feel like a Koala bear where I'm slightly stoned all the time and say the wrong word."

This is the first child for Hannigan and Denisof, 42, who met on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer during the 1999-2000 season and were married at the Two Bunch Palms resort near Palm Springs, Calif., in 2003.
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Dancing With Stars Has Its First Perfect Score!

2009-03-31T06:48:00.004-04:00

Aside from Karina Smirnoff almost falling down the stairs during the intro, most of the disasters were relegated to the dance floor tonight.

And even then, abominations were few and far between Monday as the 11 remaining contestants on Dancing With the Stars performed the show's inaugural Lindy hops and Argentine tangos.

Some had trouble with the sprightly Lindy and the sensual tango, but scores continued to tick upward—although there were some downswings that may surprise you.

The ban on lifts was temporarily lifted, as well, which made for more automatic excitement than usual and helped make the routines more impressive overall.

But the couple who earned the first 30 of the season were perfection even when their feet were planted firmly on the ground...

David Alan Grier: The comedian knows how to bounce. Despite being a little bogged down by a white dinner jacket and full tux regalia (and age, perhaps?), the 53-year-old managed most of the throws and flings of the show's first-ever Lindy hop like a swing-dancin' fool. He even pulled off a rather straight-legged cartwheel. Len Goodman liked that David "captured the flavor of the dance," but both he and Bruno Tonioli noted that the In Living Color star lost the rhythm here and there. "I actually thought it was great," praised Carrie Ann Inaba.Score: 22

Lil Kim: The superbly agile Lil Kim (and, alas, her odd facial expressions) continued to surprise with the sophistication and grace she brings to the floor. Derek Hough made the most of the lifting of the lift ban and the pair's Argentine tango was a series of impressive lines and sensual holds. One overheated Italian let loose: "That was a tale of a fatal beauty, enticing strangers with the promise of forbidden pleasure!" Carrie Ann told the diminutive rapper she looked 4 inches taller than she is. But Len wasn't feeling it.Score: 27. "The fire department is parked outside," Bruno insisted to Len before raising the first 10 of the season in Lil Kim's honor.

Chuck Wicks: At least Julianne Hough didn't seem afraid of being dropped on her head as her country-singer beau threw her around and flipped her over again and again in their 50s-diner-inspired Lindy hop. As far as Chuck himself was concerned… he did a good job, but we didn't see a whole lot of difference between the 29-year-old and David Alan Grier in terms of level of spryness. "You're a young guy," Bruno pointed out. "It's all there, but I have not seen it yet."Score: 22

Lawrence Taylor: The retired linebacker was all man and a half doing the tango with Edyta Sliwinska—who opted to lose the back of her dress rather than the sides, looked absolutely stunning and ultimately stole the show. Taylor was able to lift her really high, though. Len thought he "looked uncomfortable throughout" and spent most of the time stomping around, but Carrie Ann and Bruno agreed that he "exuded power."Score: 19. Len seceded from the 7-wielding pack and offered up a 5.

Ty Murray: We'll be darned! Who knew this rodeo cowboy was just one Lindy hop away from being enshrined in the Adorable Hall of Fame? Still keeping that young-colt vibe about him, Ty bounded out of the gate and bounced (and kicked, lifted and jaunted) his way into our hearts. Chelsie Hightower is some sort of instructor savant. The judges were, to say the least, pleasantly surprised. "You're coming up by leaps and bounds," said Bruno. "Hot dog and darn my britches!" added Len.Score: 25

Steve Wozniak: The geeks aren't inheriting the Earth just yet. As Edyta did before her, Karina stole the show from her obliging but struggling partner, who at least ably held her aloft, even if he didn't look that great doing it. Well, at least Steve-Dub pulled the tango and not the Lindy. "That just felt really long," Carrie Ann lamented. "There is an improvement from last week," Len said, though he quickly added, "however, improvement is relative."Score: 12. Sure enough, he improved from last week's 10.

Melissa Rycroft: It's nice to see Tony Dovolani really enjoying himself. And why shouldn't he—Melissa's got mad skills. We were sure she was about to fall smack on her head during one particularly death-defying lift in their Lindy hop, but she didn't, and the routine was an overall success. High fives all around from Carrie Ann, while Bruno said Melissa had the potential to make it to the finals.Score: 29. Utilizing 10s from Carrie Ann and Bruno, the highest score of the competition at the time.

Holly Madison: Tangoing through the pain of an injured rib, she easily danced her best routine to date, even if she still went into lockdown mode any time sultry Latin hip action was required. And she fell off the stool at the beginning. But here's to Dmitry Chaplin's choreography, for putting the gloss on what could have been a really drab 60 seconds. "Drop the Barbie and bring out the vixen," Bruno implored Holly, while Len, despite his acknowledgement that it wasn't great, saw "a light at the end of the tunnel."Score: 16. Doesn't bode well for tomorrow's double elimination.

Steve-O: It seemed that every time Lacey Schwimmer stayed on the ground long enough to do some Lindy hop, Steve-O was doing something else. At first it seemed as if this would be the energetic dance for him, but the Jackass player was a step behind his partner nearly every step of the way. "You put a barrier between you and the orchestra, like they're in the other room," Bruno complained.Score: 15

Gilles Marini: Yeah, we were shocked to see Gilles excel at a sultry, passionate dance like the Argentine tango. Cheryl Burke crafted one heck of a routine that played to both of their strengths—technical precision and unadulterated sexiness. "I could not tell who was the professional and who was the celebrity," Carrie Ann said after catching her breath. (You can imagine what Bruno said.)Score: 30. There you have it.

Shawn Johnson: Did someone say flips and tricks? The Olympic gymnast outdid herself (although Mark Ballas' red short-shorts and sport socks did their best to steal her thunder) with all the jumping around, but she went from blossoming woman to junior-high cheerleader—albeit an incredibly accomplished one—in the sports bra and shorts combo. "A bit heavy on the footwork," Carrie Ann said solemnly, though all three judges agreed that Shawn had no equal when it came to fancy flip work.Score: 25

Two stars will leave the show tomorrow night. Do you think it's all in the scores or will Wozniak pull another rabbit out of his hat? Based on these performances, Holly is a 2 to 1 favorite to get booted, followed by Steve-O at 3 to 1 and the Woz at 5 to 1. Quite the longshot to go is Gilles, at 500 to 1.

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"New Moon" Gets A New Cast Member

2009-03-31T06:45:00.000-04:00

Robert Pattisnson had better watch out for Jamie Campbell Bower.

The Brit, who also played a young lover (and singer) in Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp, has been cast as Volturi leader Caius in the Twilight sequel.

"Shooting has already begun, and I'm going over in June," Campbell Bower reports, admitting that being a part of the popular series is "very exciting…It's a great thing to be a part of, and it did very well last year."

He joins Dakota Fanning as the members of the Italy-based group of vampires, the Volturi.

"I do know who else will be in it—but I can't tell you, unfortunately. But go online and have a look at the rumors," he says, adding, "They're all false. You're putting me in a terrible situation."

The rising star admittedly questions whether he'll have the same effect on the ladies as a certain costar. "I doubt I'll get the same sort of adulation as Robert—but it's always nice when people recognize you for your work."
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Halle Berry Will Be On "Ellen" Tuesday

2009-03-30T08:59:00.002-04:00

Halle Berry gets down to rapper Hurricane Chris's song "She's Fine" (which gives a shout-out to the actress) with dance-loving Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of her talk show in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The episode airs Tuesday, March 31.

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Gwyneth Spends A Day With Her Kids

2009-03-30T08:58:00.002-04:00

Gwyneth Paltrow and son Moses, who turns 3 on April 8, set their sights on shopping Sunday at the Brentwood Country Mart in Brentwood, Calif. Joined by almost-5-year-old daughter Apple (not pictured), the trio reportedly browsed for toys.

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Tori Spelling Has No Communication With Her Mother Candy

2009-03-30T08:55:00.003-04:00

Candy Spelling is starting a new chapter in her life, which includes writing a frank memoir called Stories From Candyland – and selling the $150 million, 56,000-square-foot mansion where she's lived since 1991.

Spelling, whose book is due out March 31, plans to move from her five-acre French Chateau-style mansion into a $47 million condo with 17,000 square feet; the same footage as her current attic.

But she tells PEOPLE that she'd never have put Spelling Manor on the market if she thought she'd reconcile with her estranged daughter Tori, her husband Dean, and their two children, Liam and Stella.

"I don't see Tori and Dean anymore," the 63-year-old grandmother tells PEOPLE. "I used to see Liam, but no longer. And I've never met Stella."

Spelling, who was married to producer Aaron Spelling for 37 years before his death in 2007, says she's not sure why Tori is angry with her. "I've tried to talk to her, but that doesn't work. She may not even know why she's angry."

When called by PEOPLE, a rep for Tori Spelling had no comment.

Despite the family's fracturing, Spelling says: "If I had any hope that I would have a relationship with my grandchildren I would never sell this house. I've fantasized for years about a wonderful playhouse on the grounds for children."

Although she spent four years planning the home before she moved in, she's selling it now because, "It's just me in this big house," explains Spelling. Still, she hasn't lost hope entirely.

She made sure there is a playroom in her new condo in case the grandkids ever do visit. "Someday my grandchildren will know who I am because of the trust funds I've set up, but I would like to be part of their lives now," says Spelling. "I would have loved to have built that playhouse for them."
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Gisele Bundchen Talks About Tom Brady's Child In Vanity Fair

2009-03-30T08:49:00.003-04:00

Marriage and step-motherhood have come naturally to Gisele Bundchen – who recently wed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, six months after his former girlfriend, model-actress Bridget Moynahan, gave birth to Brady's child, John Edward Thomas Moynahan.

"It was definitely a surprise for both of us," the supermodel, 28, tells Leslie Bennetts for Vanity Fair's May issue.

Yet the baby's arrival in their lives, Bündchen insists, has not detracted from her bliss.

In fact, little John Edward has contributed to it. "In the beginning you're living this romantic fantasy; you're thinking, This can't be true, it's so good!" she says "And then, Whoops – wake-up call!"

The rude awakening came 2½ months after she had met Brady through a friend in late 2006, when she was instantly attracted to him thanks to his charismatic smile, she says.

With Moynahan's news, however, "[I]t was a very challenging situation," says Bündchen. "Obviously, in the beginning, it's not the ideal thing." And, obviously, doubts arose. "You question at times – 'Should I stay here? Maybe you should work this out,' " says Bündchen. "But when people break up, it's for a reason."

In the end, working with Brady to deal with the baby, "was a blessing, because otherwise I don't think I would have known what he was made of, and he wouldn't have known what I was made of," she says, noting his integrity and "the way he was a good person through all the times. I was like, You have the heart in a good place! It made me feel more in love with him; it made me realize who he was."

"Our relationship has become so much stronger, and I think I wouldn't be as certain as I am today if it weren't for that."

What makes Brady perfect for her, says Bündchen, is: "He's very close to his family. He's Catholic. His parents have been married 40 years. He's got a pure heart. That's all that matters – he's got the purest heart. I feel grateful because I have a lot of love in my life. I found the person I'm sharing my life with. I have a good man."
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Kids' Choice Awards Recap From Saturday Night

2009-03-30T08:40:00.007-04:00

While the 22nd Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards had few of the same ingredients of an Oscars or Grammys telecast, Miley Cyrus made sure the tradition stayed alive.

After shouldering losses for everything else with her name attached—Selena Gomez took the slimefest's Favorite TV Actress gong and iCarly swiped Favorite TV Show out from underneath Hannah Montana—the starlet scored a win for Favorite Female Singer.

Despite having taken home the orange Blimp in the same category last year, she got surprisingly choked up.

"I really thought I was going to lose, so thank you, guys," she wept.

Those High School Musical kids—Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu, to be precise—were considerably more cheerful. The graduating class of East High took home one of the event's highest honors, Favorite Movie, beating out the likes of Iron Man and The Dark Knight. High School Musical 3: Senior Year's prom queen, Hudgens, also took home Favorite Female Movie Star.

Sadly, the Wildcats, as well as the "Climb" singer, managed to walk away from the Pauley Pavilion on UCLA's campus completely slime-free. Many others were not so lucky...

Host Dwayne Johnson presided over an active slime volcano and, throughout the show, sought the necessary "key" star to make it erupt.

While the Jonas Brothers—who took home the Favorite Music Group Blimp, natch—forced the wet, green finale fiesta and Will Ferrell rode a slimy slip 'n' slide, the best, or at least gooiest, bits were more prank driven.

Favorite Male Singer Jesse McCartney received a good soaking from The Rock courtesy of a trick microphone.

Mr. Oscars host himself, Hugh Jackman and Sandra Bullock opened a winners' case only to receive the night's best dousing.

After a record more than 90 million votes, a winner was decided in the fierce book battle between Harry Potter and Edward Cullen.

The Twilight series took home the Favorite Book award, and Taylor Lautner—not Robert Pattinson, sorry, ladies—picked it up in Stephenie Meyer's absence.

Cameron Diaz was also on hand to award Leo DiCaprio the first-ever Big Green Help award for his environmental contributions. While the Blimp was green, neither scored a splash of goo.

Neither Rihanna nor Chris Brown, who withdrew his two nominations prior to the event, were in attendance.

Before the night came to a close, the JoBros and the Pussycat Dolls performed a pair of their hits and Johnson donned a dress and wig to look like Cyrus.

Here's a complete list of the winners of the Kids' Choice Awards:

MOVIES

Favorite Movie: High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Favorite Animated Movie: Madagascar: Return 2 Africa
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie: Jack Black, Kung Fu Panda
Favorite Male Movie Star: Will Smith, Hancock
Favorite Female Movie Star: Vanessa Hudgens, High School Musical 3: Senior Year

TELEVISION

Favorite TV Show: iCarly
Favorite Reality Show: American Idol
Favorite Cartoon: SpongeBob SquarePants
Favorite TV Actress: Selena Gomez, Wizards of Waverly Place
Favorite TV Actor: Dylan Sprouse, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

MUSIC

Favorite Song: Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"
Favorite Music Group: Jonas Brothers
Favorite Male Singer: Jesse McCartney
Favorite Female Singer: Miley Cyrus

SPORTS

Favorite Male Athlete: Peyton Manning
Favorite Female Athlete: Candace Parker

OTHER

Big Green Help Award: Leonardo DiCaprio
Favorite Video Game: Guitar Hero World Tour
Favorite Book: Twilight series
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Monsters Vs. Aliens Tops Box Office

2009-03-30T08:35:00.000-04:00

The animated, comin'-at-ya comedy debuted with a weekend- and year-best $58.2 million Friday-Sunday gross, per studio estimates.

Elsewhere, The Haunting in Connecticut bowed with a stronger-than-expected $23 million, while wrestling star John Cena's latest bid to become Dwayne Johnson, 12 Rounds ($5.3 million), was even weaker than his first.

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Britney Spears Spends Day At The Mall With Her Mom

2009-03-26T19:19:00.002-04:00

Britney Spears acted like a New Jersey native yesterday, making a pit stop at the Mall at Short Hills on March 25.

With her mom, Lynne, and two bodyguards in tow, Britney spent a few hours shopping and eating at the upscale mall, which includes stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.

Britney hit the Guess store, an employee tells Life & Style. "Britney was in the store for around 45 minutes and was dancing around while trying on clothes. She bought a few Marciano shirts and dresses and actually left in something I picked out for her."

Other mall employees say Brit also shopped in Charles David and Bebe, and posed for pictures with fans in Bloomingdale's.

All that shopping must have made her hungry, since she stopped at classic diner-style restaurant Johnny Rockets, where she sampled a little of everything but settled for some milk shakes and chili fries. "She was having a blast," a server tells Life & Style. "She was cheering on the waiters while they were singing and dancing."
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Jeffrey Dean Morgan Has A "Surprise" Son

2009-03-26T19:14:00.002-04:00

Former Grey's Anatomy star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 42, recently found out that he has a child with actress/producer Sherrie Rose, Us Weekly reveals in its newest issue.

"Yes, I have a 4-year-old son with Jeffrey," Rose tells Usmagazine.com.

A source adds that the Watchmen star learned of the boy a few weeks ago and has since met him.
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Jon Voight Is "Delighted" He Looks Like Granddaughter Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

2009-03-26T19:10:00.004-04:00

He's a veteran actor, but can Jon Voight really play babysitter to daughter Angelina Jolie's six children?

"I haven't done it yet, but I keep asking," the 24 star told In Touch of watching the celeb kids at the American Identity premiere in Beverly Hills on March 25.

And even though he's 68 years her senior, Jon is delighted when he hears that he looks like granddaughter Shiloh.

"Of course! It makes my heart very warm to hear that," he gushed when asked if he's heard that he looks like the 2-year-old blond tot.

Due to his reconciliation with Angelina, it appears that the proud papa could be on a playdate very soon.
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Madonna To Adopt Again??

2009-03-26T19:02:00.003-04:00

A Malawi welfare department representative says Madonna has already filed adoption papers in the country and that her adoption case could go before the courts as early as Monday.

Madonna's rep, Liz Rosenberg, had no comment on the reports, though the 50-year-old singer is due to arrive with David in Malawi within the next few days.

"We expect her over the weekend or earlier than that…but without a doubt she is coming before the end of this month," reported an official from the nation's Ministry of Gender and Child Development .

David's headline-grabbing birth father, Yohane Banda, also confirmed to the news agency that he was informed his son would be arriving shortly.

"Someone from Raising Malawi visited me last week and told me that my son may be visiting me sometime next week," he said. "I am delighted, I want to see my son."

As for Madonna, who already has three children, rumors have been swirling for some time that she was looking to adopt again, possibly a second daughter.

Earlier this month, the superstar spoke out to Malawi's local Nation newspaper and did nothing to stop the rumors.

"Many people—especially our Malawian friends—say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister," she was quoted as telling the paper. "It's something I have been considering, but would only do if I had the support of the Malawian people and government."

While she and Ritchie were granted custody of David back in 2006, his adoption was only just finalized last year.
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Hot New Show "In The Motherhood" Premieres Tonight

2009-03-26T09:11:00.003-04:00

"In the Motherhood' premieres tonight on ABC at 8PM/ET.

Who's on it: Megan Mullally, Cheryl Hines, Jessica St. Clair, Horatio Sanz

What it's about: Based on the web series of the same name, the show focuses on three "everyday mom" archetypes. Rosemary (Mullally) is the irresponsible multiple divorcee raising a teen son, Jane (Hines) is a recently divorced mother of two, and Emily (St. Clair) is the ideal stay-at-home mom raising two small kids in her picture-perfect house.
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Dancing With The Stars Mark Ballas And Derek Hough Give A Free Concert

2009-03-26T09:05:00.000-04:00

Rock on!

Mark Ballas strums his six-string as Derek Hough grabs some air during a free concert with their Ballas Hough Band on Tuesday at L.A.'s The Grove shopping center.

The Dancing with the Stars pros released their self-titled debut album on March 10.

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Alleged Shawn Johnson Stalker Arrested

2009-03-26T08:52:00.002-04:00

A man alleged to be a crazed fan of Olympian Shawn Johnson was arrested Tuesday near the set of Dancing with the Stars.

Police later found two loaded guns in the man's car.

Robert O'Ryan, 34, allegedly jumped a fence at CBS Studios in L.A. where the show was filming, but was caught by security.

Johnson's mother, Teri, requested and received a temporary restraining order from the L.A. Superior Court on Wednesday.

Approached by security while roaming the studio grounds, O'Ryan admitted he was attempting to meet Johnson, but after Johnson was contacted and said she didn't know O'Ryan, he changed his story and said he was there to meet Steve-O, according to court documents.

No one in Steve-O's group knew O'Ryan, either.

O'Ryan allegedly told LAPD that he had "packed all his belongings and permanently left Florida to drive out here to be with [Johnson]," Teri Johnson wrote in the request for a restraining order.

Among the disturbing items allegedly found in the man's car: A loaded shotgun, a loaded Colt .45 handgun and Johnson memorabilia."This incident has caused us severe emotional distress, we have been on the move ever since and have not been able to rest at all for fear that this disturbed person will attempt to make good on his statements and attempt to harm my daughter and possibly us as well," Teri Johnson added in the papers.

O'Ryan remains in police custody as of Wednesday. He has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from Johnson, 17, not to communicate with her and not to harass her parents or dancing partner Mark Ballas.

Bail has been set at $35,000. Johnson's rep, Susan Madore, tells PEOPLE in a statement released Wednesday: "The matter has been turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. It is currently an ongoing investigation and we are confident that it will be handled appropriately by all involved."

Attempts to reach ABC were unsuccessful.
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Valerie Bertinelli On The Cover Of People In A Bikini

2009-03-26T08:45:00.000-04:00

The night before Valerie Bertinelli prepared to step out in public wearing a bikini – for the first time in nearly 30 years! – she found herself unable to sleep.

As her mind raced with insecurity ("I thought, Am I really going to do this? Can I pull this off?" the actress admits), Bertinelli tried to summon up a pep talk, telling herself, "What am I so afraid of? Come on – it's just a bathing suit!"

And yet as any woman knows, those innocent-looking strips of Lycra can be a terrifying sight – especially for someone just shy of her 49th birthday (April 23), who only two years ago tipped the scales at 172 lbs. – more than 40 lbs. over her goal weight for her 5'4" frame.

But after whittling herself down to 132 lbs. in about 9 months on Jenny Craig (for whom she serves as a company spokeswoman), Bertinelli, who had last worn a bikini when she was 20, was ready for a new challenge.

"I thought, If I'm so afraid of a bikini, there’s something wrong. And so I had to get back into one!," Bertinelli says in the new PEOPLE, available on newsstands Friday.

And so – after about a year of exercising on her own while losing weight, primarily by walking 10,000 steps a day – she hired a personal trainer in December. Before long she was running up to five times a week. During what she calls the bikini "homestretch" – the last three weeks – she trimmed her daily caloric intake from 1,700 to around 1,200, and gave up her regular "splurge" glass of champagne.

"It was crunch time," she says, "like getting ready for your class reunion!" The result? Bertinell says she is now in the best shape of her life. "I never, ever, ever had deltoids!” she says. "Oh my God, when I'm doing exercises and I see them pop out, I'm like, Yes!"
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American Idol Recap---Adam And Allison Shine; Megan Not So Much...

2009-03-26T08:44:00.004-04:00

The performances were hit and miss—but the hits, starting with Matt Giraud's entreaty to get it on, were well worth sitting through a few duds.

Matt Giraud: It was hard not to take Matt seriously when he implored, "Let's Get It On." The 23-year-old with the surprising falsetto chops, already praised in the past for having serious soul, had Paula and Kara swaying in their seats with his sultry homage to Marvin Gaye. Paula liked the "sexy, cool vibe" he was putting out there, while Simon called it "a brilliant choice of song."

Kris Allen: Well, Kris has more soul than we thought. Guitar in hand, he gave "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You" his signature troubadour treatment, turning the Marvin Gaye favorite on its pop-song head. And he didn't hide behind that guitar, either—he hit a hell of a high note at the end. "You did everything right on that performance," Kara said, though Simon advised Kris to seize his inner star—"You've got to be conceited," the Brit encouraged.

Scott MacIntyre: Scott sped up the dentist's-waiting-roomc act with the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," which if it didn't further prove his vocal prowess certainly proved his giftedness as a pianist. But Simon didn't even like the piano playing. "Actually, it was a bit cheap, the whole thing," the he complained, while Randy confirmed that "nothing great happened."

Megan Joy: The magic of Megan may have run out "For Once in My Life." While she usually has a way of finagling a song to suit her unconventional pipes, most of tonight's performance just sounded wrong. The Jean DuShon/Stevie Wonder tune was way too big for her voice, which is more suited to intimate, velvet-lined cabaret halls with tiny tables and still-smoking ashtrays. "Dude, that song was a train wreck for me," Randy, the biggest Stevie purist of the bunch, said, while Paula confirmed that Megan "didn't find the pocket." Which we think means that she never found her comfort zone.

Anoop Desai: The fan favorite's take on the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby" was a little low on outward energy, but he apparently was saving all his oomph to hit those sweet falsetto notes and keep the wide-ranging love song under control. Sure enough, Simon complained that Anoop seemed half asleep during the performance, but he agreed that it was a great vocal.

Michael Sarver: At least the oil rig roughneck wasn't too proud to work the audience while turning in an average vocal on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." Michael's strong, meaty voice is well-suited to the Temptations' sound, but his performance wasn't much better than a rousing turn in front of a packed bar on karaoke night. It was "a little old Las Vegas-loungey," according to Paula, while Simon told him, "You have no chance of winning based on that type of vocal."

Lil Rounds: Sure enough, Motown was more of an inspiration for Lil than the Grand Ole Opry. The 23-year-old, embodying Martha and the Vandellas tore into "Heat Wave" and never let go as her booming voice zigged and zagged between chest, throat and a few places in between. But the judges (except Paula) didn't think the song was right for her. Kara thought she was "screaming in parts," and Simon is still waiting for the obviously talented singer to "have a moment."

Adam Lambert: Adam followed in Smoky's footsteps and a lit a fire with "The Tracks of My Tears," performing it alongside a string trio and entirely in a high register that made the 1965 hit new and, most importantly, hot. Is that "the moment" Simon was talking about? "The best performance of the night," Simon, who hated what Adam did to "Ring of Fire" last week, said. "You were able to sum up everything we've were trying to say tonight about originality, choosing a great song, being a relevant recording artist, and it also shows what a brilliant songwriter Smoky is…You, tonight, really have emerged to me as a star—congratulations."

Danny Gokey: Better than Michael Sarver, but still verging on karaoke, despite a technically really nice vocal. Danny's voice, as it successfully ran the gamut from low to high on "Get Ready," was perfectly recordable and listenable, but there wasn't much originality in the performance. Randy dug "the energy and the feeling of it," but Simon thought it was "clumsy and amateurish."

Allison Iraheta: How old is this girl, really? Another musical tale of bittersweet fascination and ruefulness—in this case, the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone—and another down 'n' dirty performance by 16-year-old Allison. Her raspy voice was at its most powerful and she fully rebounded from a surprise appearance in the bottom three last week. "You sing like you've been singing for 400 years!" raved Kara. "That is from God—you can't teach that!"

Guest mentor Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder both perform on Thursday's elimination show, during which Idol will enter single digits after yet another aspiring star gets the boot.
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Natasha Richardson Organs Are Donated

2009-03-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

Natasha Richardson was known for her charitywork, so it's no surprise the actress' organs were donated to those in need after she suffered a fatal epidural hematoma after a skiing accident last week.

Liam Neeson and the rest of Natasha's family made the decision to donate her organs to waiting transplant patients, insiders tell the New York Post.

"Doctors spent six hours harvesting all her organs," said a source. "Some patient is going to wake up in the recovery room and start reciting Shakespeare."

The Broadway star suffered a severe head injury after while learning to ski in Canada on March 16. Doctors later determined she was brain-dead and she was flown to New York so that family and friends could say goodbye.
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Julianne Hough And Boyfriend Chuck Step Out

2009-03-26T08:38:00.000-04:00

Julianne Hough and DWTS partner (and beau) Chuck Wicks greeted photographers Tuesday in Beverly Hills.

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Octomom Is In More Trouble--Apparently Endangering Children

2009-03-25T11:04:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday's Today show, Gloria Allred -- an attorney for Angels in Waiting, which had provided a free nanny service to Nadya Suleman -- lashed at the octuplet mother, claiming she only cares about her babies "when the cameras are rolling."

Earlier this week, Suleman, 33, fired Angels in Waiting, alleging that they were spying on her and reporting her to child welfare officials.

"Nadya, unfortunately, is taking things out of context," Allred said on the Today show. "The whole issue is an issue of security. Our nurses were rightfully concerned about security. After all, Nadya had told the world where she lives, when those babies are coming home. As a result, hundreds of reporters came. Her home is easily locatable on the Internet as a result of her doing daily blogs."

Allred said two intruders even came onto her property in La Habra, Calif.

"In one case, she had one of our nannies call 911 to report the intruder because she was concerned she had done too many 911 calls," she said, adding that in a separate incident, another nurse was allowed into Suleman's home without showing any identification.

A "baby could be abducted," Allred said, but Suleman didn't seem to care.

"Instead of improving security, she puts in her own jacuzzi," Allred said.

Despite Suleman's objections, nurses from Angels in Waiting rightfully made three complaints to Child Protective Services against Suleman, Allred said.

"Nurses are mandated reporters under the law," she said. "If a nurse sees a child is endangered... they are legally required to report that to authorities."

Asked if Suleman's babies are in danger, Allred said, "In the nurses' view, yes. That is why they filed three reports."

Allred, who plans to hold a press conference later today, said she and the nurses wanted Suleman to succeed.

"How can she succeed if she is subjecting her babies to potential risks of harm, if she doesn't come into the nursery to feed her own babies, to hold them, to bathe them, to change them, to love them, to bond with them.... except when the cameras are rolling?" Allred asked. "That's wrong."
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Brad Pitt And Natalie Portman To Star Together In Romantic Comedy

2009-03-25T10:58:00.004-04:00

The stars of usually serious fare like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Other Boleyn Girl are coupling up for the funnybone-targeting 'Important Artifacts."

Based on an upcoming novel, the story unfolds via a Sotheby's-style estate auction catalog, in which items on the block are linked to the private moments that make up the four-year relationship between a fortysomething photographer and a twentysomething New York Times food columnist.

According To Variety, Portman and Pitt will also serve as producers.

Portman is slated to next headline Jim Sheridan's drama "Brothers" after she wraps the comedy "Love and Other Pursuits."

Pitt, meanwhile, just wrapped Quentin Tarantino's World War II epic, "Inglourious Basterds", and Terence Malick's "The Tree of Life."
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It Looks Like "Little Fockers" Movie Is A Go

2009-03-25T10:52:00.003-04:00

Fans of "Meet the Parents" and "Meet the Fockers" can get excited, as it looks like a third film is on to film this summer.

I'm told the cast of "Little Fockers" -- sequel to "Meet the Fockers" -- has been set for an early July start date.

This means everyone -- Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Teri Polo, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner.

It also means Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, who played Stiller's parents in chapter two are being paged for the next edition.

The title suggests more than one baby for Stiller and Polo's characters.

No word when "Little Fockers" would come out or if Barbra Streisand if definitely in.
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Robert Pattinson Thinks About Taking On New Role

2009-03-25T10:44:00.004-04:00

Twilight star Robert Pattinson reportedly is mulling over getting involoved in a hot-blooded romance with a script rewritten by the screenwriter behind Rachel Getting Married.

Memoirs is about new lovers who may or may not get together as they're both beset by family tragedy.

The film, from an original screenplay, is being handled by Summit Entertainment, the same studio behind 22-year-old Pattinson's first vampire flick and its eagerly awaited coming sequel, New Moon.

Also in talks to helm the movie is Allen Coulter, who directed Hollywoodland.
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