Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Is Julia Roberts the New Kristen Stewart?


Let me guess: Your kids think Jason Statham is the sickest actor on the planet and that no one human being can possibly have more fame particles per square inch than Kristen Stewart.

Yeah, no:

Box office prestidigitators fully expect Eat Pray Love to dominate theaters this weekend, or, at the very least, contend for the top one or two spots. They largely credit the source material—Elizabeth Gilbert's wildly successful and profoundly self-indulgent memoir by the same name.

But they also point to Roberts's enduring, everygirl brand, which is a perfect fit for this movie and, therefore, almost guaranteed to bring in cash.

Yes, it's been decade since Roberts last headlined a picture—Erin Brockovich came out 10 years ago—but it's also been about that long since Roberts has done a movie that really brings out what people like about her. Now that she's back in true form, yes, analysts say, this is Roberts's official comeback.

"Julia Roberts has always been the type of actress that can 'carry' the right type of picture for her—Julia-against-the-world films like Erin Brockovich or The Pelican Brief, or romantic comedies like Notting Hill," Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock says.

"Audiences love to see her in these types of roles, and Eat Pray Love is a combination of those two."

That isn't to say that Roberts hasn't had to scale back in some regards. She isn't commanding the salaries she once did; she earned a reported $20 million for Brockovich, Mona Lisa Smile and The Mexican—twice what she supposedly earned for Eat Pray Love.

And whenever she's strayed from her tried-and-true formula, Julia's box office performance has been a mixed bag. Mona Lisa Smile did decent worldwide box office, but Duplicity was a disappointment, as was Charlie Wilson's War.

So, analysts tell me, Roberts is wise to have picked the material she did, pretty much assuring a successful comeback. But that doesn't mean she ever lost her "it."

"I don't think there is a woman alive right now that can open a film stronger than Angelina Jolie, but if you put America's Sweetheart in a sweetheart of a role, she is still on top of Hollywood's A-list every time," Bock says. "Sorry, Kristen, you have a long way to go."

And before you start in on me in the comments, that was Bock talking, not me. (E-Online).

Bethenny Frankel Plies Chelsea With Vodka


When Bravo star Bethenny Frankel visited Chelsea Lately Monday, she didn't come empty-handed.

The wife and new mom brought two ready-made Skinnygirl™ cocktails for vodka connoisseur Chelsea Handler, knowing she'd get an honest opinion from the woman who took one look at her and said, "Obviously you're breastfeeding."

Hit the clip for all of their crazy convo, including chit-chat about losing 35 pounds in one week and Bethenny's "civilian, normal human being" hubby. (E-Online).

New Kardashians Season Promises Whore-Texting, Good-Looking Vaginas and More!


Woot! It's almost time for season five of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and if this sneak peek is any indication, our favorite klan is still bringing the krazy good times!

Kim's got new man Miles Austin; Khloé's teaching her hubby, Lamar, to swim; and Kourtney's still cold and hot with Scott. But what's with Bruce telling Kris, "You're hitting on him as much as he's hitting on you. I don't want my wife fooling around with some young kid." Yikes!

Of course, the real question is: Can you keep up? Sound off in the komments! (E-Online).

Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen Jump Out of Engagement



Rachel Bilson has already shared her last kiss with Hayden Christensen.

The Jumper costars are no longer engaged and have ended their three-year romance, Bilson's rep confirmed to E! News Monday.

Their last public splash as a couple was a trip to Christensen's native Vancouver for the Winter Olympics, where they were snapped at a hockey game looking, to put it mildly, less than thrilled to be there.

People, which first reported the "break" turned permanent split, quotes a source saying, "It just wasn't working out" and Bilson is "focusing on her career, spending time with her family and just moving forward."

The former O.C. star met Christensen on the set of 2007's Jumper .

They got engaged in December 2008, choosing not to make a big announcement about—or ever really confirm—it. But, gotcha, the following February, Bilson was overheard telling a fellow passenger on a flight from L.A. to New York that she was engaged. (E-Online).

One Tree Hill Actress' Marriage Over After a Month



Jana Kramer's marriage didn't make it over the first hill.

The One Tree Hill star and Johnathon Schaech, who tied the knot in Michigan on July 4, are already going their separate ways.

Talk about nipping something in the bud!

"Jana and Johnathon have agreed to dissolve their marriage," Kramer's rep tells E! News. "Jana is humbled by the outpouring of support from her fans, friends and family, and appreciates the respect of her privacy."

Schaech, 40, and Kramer, 26, met while shooting Prom Night in 2008, a year after his marriage to Christina Applegate ended.

He popped the question on Dec. 22, Kramer calling it "the best present ever."

Schaech told People at the time, "I can't wait to make Jana my wife and have a family."

We'll see if his ex has better luck the second time around. Applegate is currently expecting her first child with fiancé Martyn LeNoble. (E-Online).

Fantasia "Certain" She Didn't Cause Couple's Divorce



A guy Fantasia has been seen in a few pictures with may have been a married man, but she's not the one who landed him in divorce court.

She doesn't think so, anyway.

"Fantasia is certain that she is not responsible for the deterioration of the Cooks' marriage," the singer's manager, Brian Dickens, said in a statement to E! News.

That most certainly is not what Antwaun Cook's wife thinks, though.

In her divorce petition filed last Wednesday, Paula Cook singles out Fantasia's "covert adulterous affair" with her husband as the reason for their breakup, stating that Fantasia once told her over the phone, "He don't want you. Maybe the next time that you get a husband you'll know how to keep him. That's why he is here with me."

Cook claims that the affair began in August 2009 and that her "Husband and Ms. Barrino have at times recorded their illicit sexual activity."

Lordy.

According to WCNC-TV in Charlotte, N.C., North Carolina is one of seven states where an alleged "other woman" can be sued. (Illinois, where Gabrielle Union was sued by Dwayne Wade's wife, appears to be another.)

"Fantasia will weather this Storm with the dignity and grace that she has exemplified throughout a life in which she has repeatedly overcome obstacles and challenges," continued her manager's statement regarding the allegations. "Fantasia's faith in God, herself and family remain as strong as ever."

But while Cook didn't mention the accusations in detail, Fantasia's lawyer isn't being quite so magnanimous.

"Mrs. Cook gratuitously included claims about Fantasia to sensationalize that litigation and to insure that her tale would be picked up by tabloids," attorney Gina Morris told TMZ.
"The fact that she would seek such publicity in a case involving her children is particularly disgraceful."

Antwaun and Paula Cook have two children, ages 1 and 4. Paula is seeking full custody, as well as child support and alimony. (E-Online).

Levi Johnston Following in Sarah Palin's Footsteps



The Palins might want to start thinking about moving.

Levi Johnston has teamed with a production company to shop a reality series called Loving Levi: The Road to the Mayor's Office, which will—just as the title implies—chronicle his life as he runs for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.

Or since the mayor's job won't be up for grabs until 2012, as his new campaign manager points out, maybe he'll make a run for city council in the meantime.

Best idea ever, right?

"The more I think about it and look into it, I think there's a possibility we can make it happen," Johnston told Variety, admitting that he wasn't exactly keen on the idea when producers Scott Stone and David Weintraub of Stone and Co. approached him with it.

But now, "it's something that I want to do."

Man, if only he hadn't mucked up his latest go-round with Bristol Palin. Not only could mom Sarah have given him plenty of politically minded pointers, but she actually was mayor of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002.

Stone and Co., which describes Loving Levi as a "real inside look into who he is as a father, a skilled hunter, an avid dirt biker, and his journey down the road of small-town politics... right after he gets his high school diploma," has already started shooting the pilot, according to Variety.

And though Johnston didn't look as if he was kicking off a political campaign last night at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, he says that he will fulfill his duties as mayor if elected.

"It's hard to figure me out," he said. "You've got to follow me around. I'm very different. I lead a crazy life. But it will basically be both worlds, my life in Hollywood and back home, the real country boy that I am."

Well, you don't have to follow him around, but apparently somebody's going to.

The 22-year-old father of one and douchey boyfriend to many said that he and Bristol were indeed looking for the right reality-show opportunity during the brief time they were back together, but that they "weren't thrilled with any of the ideas. We got a lot of offers. But the fact is we didn't want to do it." (E-Online).

Pregnant Kelly Preston & John Travolta Surface at Scientology Gala


After the tragic loss of their son last year, John Travolta and Kelly Preston finally have reason to celebrate.

Kelly, who's got a baby on board, showed off her bump at a party for the Celebrity Centre of Scientology this weekend, where she was joined by her hubby and daughter Ella for their annual bash.

Check out John and Kelly's getting their groove on together and how proud papa Jon plants a kiss on his daughter's cheek.

It's nice to see their family enjoying happier times after all they've been through! (E-Online).

Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel: Playhouse in Hollywood



Saturday night.

The lovebirds stopped by Hollywood hot spot Playhouse around midnight to help J.T.'s producing partner Rob Knox celebrate his birthday.

The singer and A-Team actress drank 901 Tequila (Justin's own brand) and were spotted kissing with a lot of PDA throughout the night. The couple took their love to the dance floor, shaking it to Michael Jackson and a few of Timberlake's own songs.

Also hitting L.A. at night? Sandra Bullock. Read on to find out who she was hanging out with...

Emma Roberts joined Bullock for dinner at the W Hotel's Drai's nightclub in Hollywood. The actresses dined with club owner Victor Drai before moving to a private cabana. Later on Paris Hilton arrived at the club and introduced herself to the Oscar winner. Paris twittered, "She's even more beautiful in person."

Nicole Richie helped celebrate a friend's birthday at gay bar Fiesta Cantina in West Hollywood on Friday. The mommy of two had some trouble getting into the club because she didn't have any ID with her—yup, the bouncer didn't recognize her. Thankfully, another staffer did and she was let in.

Halle Berry enjoyed a girl's night out with several friends at the Well in Hollywood after taking in a movie across the street at ArcLight Cinemas.

Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Ashley Greene celebrated summer by lounging poolside at Wet Republic. The Eclipse starlet chatted with fans and hung out with friends in a VIP bungalow where they enjoyed Hpnotiq cocktails, cupcakes and sliders.

Also in Sin City were Playboy Playmates Hope Dworaczyk and Crystal McCahill, who hosted a cocktail soiree at Palms Casino and Resort's Mint High Roller Lounge Sunday night before a screening of their E! reality special The Girls Next Door: The Bunny House. (E-Online).