Exclusive: The Truth Behind Teresa Giudice's Nephew on 'Housewives' Reunion

PopEater

You saw it, the earth-shaking exchange between Danielle Staub and Teresa Giudice on Monday night's 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' reunion special. The F-bomb barrage started with a question from Danielle to Teresa: "Did you acknowledge your nephew? Did you?" Teresa replied, "Yeah, of course I did," but after pausing for a second, she exploded. EXPLODED!

"Danielle doesn't intimidate me. I don't care if she stays on the show or not," Teresa tells me in anexclusive statement regarding the explosive reunion show.

So, what's the story behind the "nephew" drama? A friend of Teresa's reveals that what viewers saw was Danielle accusing her co-star of not visiting a nephew in the hospital at his birth. I'm told Teresa was at the hospital when the child was born last April, and that he's perfectly fine and beautiful.

Teresa was actually confused as to what Danielle was even talking about. But what set her off was the sudden realization that Danielle was dipping her toes into her private business.

"Danielle is obsessed with Teresa. Digging around her extended family," a family friend tells me. "Danielle brought up a lie about Teresa not visiting her nephew and then Bravo edited it to look more sudden than it was, of course. The best thing to do is just ignore everything Danielle says. That's what Teresa does."

The verbal fight, in which Teresa even shoved host (and Bravo exec) Andy Cohen, shocked more than just the viewers. It also blew away other 'Housewives' on the stage. WATCH THE MADNESS >>

"Insanity, complete insanity," is how Caroline Manzo described the scene to me in an exclusive statement. "We filmed for ten hours and by the end of the day, I was speechless. It took me two days to recover, I seriously could not compose a rational thought for hours."

Rumors have circulated that Teresa would leave the show if Danielle was invited back for another season. However, friends of our favorite housewife tell me that couldn't be further from the truth.

"I just talked to her and it's funny but she actually doesn't care if Danielle comes back for another season or not," a friend of Teresa's tells me. "Teresa's not intimidated or scared of Danielle. She actually thinks Danielle makes good TV and is amusing. If anything, she feels sorry for her. All she has in her life is this show."

My insider adds, "Teresa, on the other hand, doesn't spend one second of her time thinking about Danielle."

Sources confirm that it is the Manzo family that has made it very clear to Bravo that if Danielle stays, they go. Family member Dina Manzo has already quit the show and made it clear she would not be part of anything that involves Danielle, saying publicly that they are worried about their safety and that of their families when Danielle is around.

However, "Teresa doesn't feel that Danielle is a threat to her family or happiness at all," an insider tells me. "She's much tougher than that!"

Lady Starlight: How I Taught Lady Gaga to Rock Out

PopEater

She cut a direct path up to Lady Starlight and put a dollar bill in her underwear. Stefani Germanotta, an NYU dropout celebrating her 20th birthday at her much-older boyfriend's Lower East Side rock club, St. Jerome's, was transfixed by this leather-studded hottie shaking her ass in the skimpiest leather thong in history.

Germanotta's eyes lit up with fascination. Who is this girl?

It was as if Lady Starlight had been transported from a sleezy-hot, mid-1980s David Lee Roth video to this downtown rock club in 2007. But as perfectly as she had the whole pole-dancing, hair-metal video vixen thing down, who Lady Starlight was really channeling was the lurid, swaggering frontman.

"I just loved to dance," Starlight (born Colleen Martin) tells PopEater. "There was an aggressive thing about what I was doing on stage. I captured Axl Rose and David Lee Roth. I mixed c**k rock frontman with feminine go-go dancing. It just came from within."

After the show, Germanotta introduced herself. "I'm Lady Gaga," she said. The woman responded, "I'm Lady Starlight."

Wait. Two "Ladies"? "That was the first reaction. Holy s**t. We need to talk," says Starlight.

And what did they discover about their similar names? "Pure coincidence."

Lady Gaga asked Lady Starlight, already a fixture in the Lower East Side rock scene, if she wanted to start performing together.

"It was Gaga's idea," says Lady Starlight, who is 11 years older than Gaga. "She had already written most of the songs that would make up 'The Fame' and she was in a very creative period where she was making music and was feeling excited and inspired and needed a way to vent it."

Although Starlight's rock-metal night at St. Jerome's was going strong for two years, she agreed to partner up with the young newbie and guide her through the snobby, arty downtown world. She liked the young singer and saw in her a kindred spirit.

And so these instant BFFs set out to create a revue where Gaga could sing her then-unknown songs, including 'Poker Face' and 'Just Dance.'

"She didn't want a male DJ," says Lady Starlight. "She thought that was predictable. She wanted to do something different and exciting visually. That's where I came into the picture."Lady Starlight would serve as Gaga's DJ, but it was her encyclopedic knowledge of music and fashion subcultures, which came from her countless years as a dedicated scenester, that Gaga found the most useful. Starlight's been through more incarnations than the Dali Lama, from British psychedelic '60s mod to NYC club kid ("I was a dead ringer for Amanda Lepore") to Sunset Strip '80s sleaze/metal. It also didn't hurt that she was a master costume designer and makeup artist.

"All the stuff you see Lady Gaga do now -- the fire and fog and the elaborate outfits -- were things we wanted to do, but we didn't have any money. We tried to give our outfits as much visual impact as possible for the least amount of cash. That usually involved going to the fabric store and buying mirrors, sequins, fringe and then gluing it on to our underwear."

"It was really more of my attitude towards art that was influential to her, rather than any specific look or style," Starlight says. "Do it as big as you can, as loud as you can. Whatever it is. The more shocking the better."

Whereas Gaga's parents and classmates had been asking her to tone it down, Starlight encouraged Gaga to push things to the limit. To push them past the limit.

"The people from her upbringing were more conservative. She was finally connected to a group of artist who encouraged her to just go for it. Before that, I don't think she had found that crew where she could really be herself."

She also showed her that the one thing a performer must be, above everything else, is committed to the role.

"That's what makes me stand out, especially to people who are a bit younger than me, like Gaga, that grew up in this alternative culture being a mash-up of things. She saw how specific, focused and disciplined I was to my look and style, and she admired that."

Lady Gaga talked to New York Magazine about her total commitment to living the heavy metal ethos. "In those days, I'd wake up at noon in my apartment with my boyfriend and his loud Nikki Sixx hair, jeans on the floor, his stinky sneakers. He'd have his T-shirt on, no boxers. Then he would go do the books at St. Jerome's. I'd spin vinyl of David Bowie and New York Dolls in my kitchen, then write music with Lady Starlight."

It's during this time that Lady Starlight became something of an Obi Won Kenobi to Gaga's Luke Skywalker, encouraging her to unleash her wild side, to become one with her sexual force.

Which brings us to the final lesson: take off your clothes. "I was the one who told her to take her trousers off because I rarely wore any myself," says Lady Starlight. "The attitude of that scene was to shock people and make them pay attention. Not just in a sexual way, which often happens. It was more, like, let's freak people out. It was very basic. Let's freak people out."

Was it hard for Lady Gaga, a Catholic girl, to come out on stage with her arse hanging out?

"She was never, like, 'Oh, I don't know about that,'" says Starlight. "She was down. She was excited. And I was like, 'More, more, more, more, more!' She never put on the breaks. We were encouraging each other to go bigger and bigger. More and more outrageous. And it did get more outrageous."

And the response of the crowd?

"People would just sit there and stare. Sometimes I would think that they hated us. But they would come up to me after the show and say, "Oh, my God. That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen."

While their burlesque act lasted less than two years, it's impact on Lady Gaga was immeasurable. She always had the musical chops to be a rock star, but she lacked the laser-focused commitment to the role. Lady Starlight is the reason Lady Gaga is never not Lady Gaga, even when walking through an airport or attending a Yankees game.

"It was a call to arms," says Starlight, recalling how their burlesque show was about challenging societal norms. "What Lady Gaga was doing was not pop. It really was performance art. We weren't referencing a certain look or time period. That's what's so cool about Gaga. She's never lost that attitude from those days in the scene."

So, is Lady Starlight bitter that her friend and creative partner has gone on to unfathomable stardom while she's still getting by performing her go-go dancing DJ routine, mostly in small clubs? Not at all -- Starlight is proud of her young Jedi student. She even designed an outfit for Gaga to wear on her current tour.

Starlight, 34, is performing these days as the opening act for Semi Precious Weapons, Back in their early days, she and Gaga would open for SPW at tiny downtown venues like Pianos and St. Jerome's.

"It's a DJ performance with go-go dancing. Everyone will see what made Lady Gaga stop and say, 'Who is that girl?' I'm showing the world that now. Every night, I'm retelling the whole New York story."

Kristen Bell on Turning 30, Working With Betty White, and Loving 'Jersey Shore'

PopEater

Actress Kristen Bell isn't afraid of turning 30--in fact, she's never been more excited about a milestone in her life! In a new interview in this week's Parade Magazine, Bell talks about hitting 30, working with Betty White, and why she's not ashamed at all to admit she loves watching 'Jersey Shore.'

"I love 30 more than I've ever loved anything. I feel like I was born on my 30th birthday. It's finally the time where I've fully accepted and loved myself, which I'm realizing more and more each day -- it is so important to love yourself. Because if you don't love yourself than nothing really matters," Bell tells the magazine.

She spent too much time trying to be perfect, she says. "For a long time, I went through life kind of beating myself up and trying to be a perfectionist and do everything right and I just thought, 'What's the point?' I have faults, that's fine. I can still strive to be better, but I'm not going to be as rough on myself as I used to and it's just kind of alleviating all of this stress and kind of taken a weight off my shoulders and I think now I'm just happy," the former 'Veronica Mars' actress said.

More excerpts from the interview after the jump.

On fiancé Dax Shepard:
"I never loved dating. I think it's very uncomfortable to put yourself out there and be vulnerable. I'm much more comfortable in a relationship and I'm very happy."

On why she skips the club scene:
"I'm definitely a homebody. I don't know if I've been to a club in the last seven years, at least not one that I was forced to go to because it was for a friends' birthday party. I'm not much for the club atmosphere, but I don't drink so that may have something to do with it! I love to cook and I have a garden at home and I'm much more like a 1950s housewife, I think."

On working with Betty White:
"We were just lucky that she fit us into her busy schedule because she is quite literally the busiest woman in Hollywood. Everyone was just happy to be working on a movie where there were so many fun, feisty women."

On her not-so-secret guilty pleasure, 'Jersey Shore':
"I'm always DVR'ing Jersey Shore, but I've never been ashamed to admit that. I probably should be ashamed to admit that, but I'm not. I think that it's one of the greatest disasters to ever come to television and I just love the lessons they learn each week and the trouble they get into."

Michael Douglas: "80 Percent Chance" of Beating Throat Cancer

Michael Douglas talked for the first time abouthis cancer Tuesday night on 'The Late Show with Dave Letterman,' the Associated Press reports. The actor told the audience he's in the middle of an "eight-week struggle" against throat cancer but is hopeful about his chances for recovery.

Douglas revealed that he was diagnosed three weeks ago though he'd complained of a sore throat at one point earlier this year. Testing at the time didn't find a cause for the pain. When he returned to the doctor after a summer of traveling with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their two kids Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta, he was diagnosed with stage-four cancer, "which is intense, and so they've had to go at it," he said.

When the actor revealed to Letterman that he'd just finished his first week of radiation and chemotherapy, the talk show host was visibly surprised. "You've never looked better to me, and this proves that you're a tough guy, for God's sakes," Letterman said.

The 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' actor said his cancer has remained above the neck which is good news--he said this means there is an 80 percent or better chance of recovery.

Douglas has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards, first as producer of 1975's Best Picture, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and as Best Actor in 1987 for his role in 'Wall Street.' Douglas received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2009.

Douglas will next be seen onscreen reprising his role as disgraced moneyman Gordon Gekko in the anticipated sequel 'Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps,' due out Sept. 24.

Emmy Winner Aaron Paul Gets Dirty During a Tyler Shields Photo Shoot

Last night, Aaron Paul took home his first Emmy Award for his turn as troubled Jesse Pinkman on AMC's acclaimed series 'Breaking Bad,' and now he's roughing it up in the dirt and setting things on fire in a hot photo shoot for PopEater's buddy in bad-ass photography, Tyler Shields. Check out the photos and an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of the shoot after the jump.

Lindsay Lohan Tells Vanity Fair: 'I Want My Career Back'

Lindsay Lohan is determined to return to the top of the Hollywood A-List.

In an interview with Vanity Fair conducted prior to her incarceration, Lohan tells the magazine that she's willing to do whatever it takes.

"I want my career back. I want the respect that I had when I was doing great movies. And if that takes not going out to a club at night, then so be it. It's not fun anyway."

"I don't care what anyone says. I know that I'm a damn good actress. ... And I know that in my past I was young and irresponsible-but that's what growing up is. You learn from your mistakes," she says.

The actress defends herself against rumors that claim she was an alcoholic. "If I were the alcoholic everyone says I am, then putting a [SCRAM] bracelet on would have ended me up in detox, in the emergency room, because I would have had to come down from all the things that people say I'm taking and my father says I'm taking-so that says something, because I was fine," she explains.On her father: "I think my biggest focus for myself is learning how to continue to get through the trauma that my father has caused in my life."

Her alleged drug use: "I've never abused prescription drugs. I never have-never in my life. I have no desire to. That's not who I am. I've admitted to the things that I've done-to, you know, dabbling in certain things and trying things 'cause I was young and curious and thought it was like, O.K., 'cause other people were doing it and other people put it in front of me. And I see what happened in my life because of it."

Bar Refaeli Rails Against Skinny Models

PopEater

Supermodel Bar Refaeli is sick of seeing stick-thin girls starving themselves in hopes of landing a runway modeling gig, so she decided to take a stand and rant to her Twitter fans.

According to HollywoodLife, she tweeted, "I get so sad when I see 15-year-old pale extremely skinny models at the agency looking all shaky and hungry ... when will it end?!?!?"

The 5-foot-9-inch supermodel is represented by One Management in NYC.

Her rant comes just as the Australian federal government has begun implementing tougher restrictions and even bans on ultra-thin models.

In 2006, the world's first ban on super-skinny models in a high-fashion show occurred in Madrid and caused outrage among modeling agencies.

Refaeli was the first Israeli model to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and two years later, she was the cover model for the famed edition. Refaeli is also known for her on-again, off-again relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Lisa Edelstein is the new H mag cover

Lisa Edelstein does H mag. Photographed by the fashion photographer Joey Shaw Dr Lisa Cuddy looks absolutely stunning.
There's also an exclusive interview and much more. Get your own copy right now and enjoy it.

'Bachelorette' Contestant Jesse Csincsak Weds

"I've waited for this moment my whole life," said Jesse Csincsak on Friday, according to PEOPLE, the night before tying the knot with Ann Lueders at Las Vegas' Rumor Hotel on Saturday.

Csincsak, a 28-year-old professional snowboarder, first became famous with TV fans when he got engaged to 'Bachelorette' star DeAnna Pappas in 2008, after she gave him the final rose on her season of the reality dating series. Though the pair announced plans for a Bahamas wedding, they broke up after less than a year together.

Lueders, a 26-year-old Arizona flight attendant -- who's expecting a baby this winter with her new hubby -- was a contestant on 'The Bachelor' in 2009, when she competed for the affections of Jason Mesnick (who ultimately gave his final rose to Melissa Rycroft, then infamously had a change of heart and ended up marrying runner-up Molly Melaney). Mesnick and Melaney were guests at the Csincsak-Lueders wedding this weekend.

The newlyweds first met on a cruise to Mexico last fall that brought together contestants from the ABC franchise. Their engagment was brief: Csincsak, a native of Amherst, Ohio, proposed to Lueders earlier this month on a small island in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio.

The groom recently told PEOPLE he's not only looking forward to welcoming a baby boy (the couple say they want to name him Noah), but have recently brought two Siberian husky puppies into their growing family, as well. "We thought, 'Hey, let's just take the hit all at once," he said. "So you get all the puking, vomiting and peeing on the carpet out of the way, all at once!"

Justin Bieber, Too Sick to Sing?

Girls flocking to Syracuse this weekend got devastating news today: Justin Bieber is postponing his concert at the New York State Fair -- originally set for 7 p.m. tonight -- until this Wednesday, according to TMZ. He's reportedly suffering throat trouble and simply too under the weather to sing. (No word on whether medical intervention involved reaching under his bangs to feel for a fever.)

Naturally, fans of the 16-year-old pop star are atwitter on Twitter, and their idol is trying to keep them in the loop.

Yesterday, Bieber tweeted: "Been super sick lately but u guys are carrying me. thank u for the love." He later added, "thanks 4 the kind wishes. Im tough. Im Canadian. Love yall."

Officials at the fair promise to honor all tickets for today's performance, according to the Long Island Press, when filling seats for the rescheduled concert on Wednesday. The Associated Press reports that Bieber made it to the stage last night to perform for fans in Newark, N.J.

Sandra Bullock helps open New Orleans clinic Facility part of school she helped rebuild after Katrina

NEW ORLEANS -- Five years after Hurricane Katrina, Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock returned Sunday to the New Orleans high school she helped rebuild for the opening of an on-campus health clinic.

Bullock, whose adopted son was born in New Orleans, joined a host of educators, school supporters and politicians, including U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, for the clinic's ribbon-cutting ceremony, which coincided with the storm's anniversary.

"We're here to celebrate an anniversary and though that might be hard for some, I choose to emphasize the word 'celebrate.' Sometimes tragedies bring out the very best in people and it's one of the reasons why we stand in this school of excellence today," Bullock told about 100 people gathered in the auditorium of Warren Easton Charter High School, which was rebuilt after Katrina swamped the campus.

In addition to a contribution from Bullock, the $700,000 medical and dental clinic received grants from the Kellogg Foundation and the San Francisco 49ers Foundation. It's set to open in the fall and will provide services ranging from flu shots to emergency care.

Bullock previously donated money to Easton, the city's oldest public high school, for renovations, scholarships and supplies including new band uniforms.

"She's helped shine a light on us and our efforts," said Alexina Medley, Easton's principal. "Without her, we would not have returned as soon as we did. She's come to our rescue several times and in a pinch, she's definitely helped us out."

Janell Batiste, 44, whose 14-year-old daughter Jasmine is a freshman at Easton, said the community needs the clinic.

"It will definitely help those students who don't have insurance," she said. "I think there should be these types of facilities in all the schools."

Cassondra Ferrand, the school's nurse who helped spearhead the clinic project, said Tulane Medical Center will provide physicians for the clinic, which will also have nurse practitioners and social workers.

Ferrand said the clinic is badly needed in an area that's been underserved since Katrina.

"This corridor used to have a slew of doctors and dentists but post-Katrina, there's nothing," she said.

Brad Pitt Heads Down South to Discuss Post-Katrina New Orleans

http://www.popeater.com/2010/08/28/brad-pitt-visits-new-orleans-homes/

In the five years since Hurricane Katrina laid waste to many stretches of the gulf region, Brad Pitt has channeled energy into helping rebuild New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward. This week, the Oscar nominee and avid architecture buff visited a neighborhood of new Big Easy homes that his Make it Right foundation helped construct in the once-deluged city. He was reportedly greeted by smiling fans and Louisiana residents grateful for his venture's efforts. He also paused to speak with NBC News anchor Brian Williams about his emotional reaction when he first witnessed the impact of the 2005 disaster and the government's response: "I got really angry."

More than thirty (of a planned 150) green homes have reportedly been built for local families displaced by the hurricane. But when Williams referred to the affordably priced domiciles as Pitt's "empire," the movie star promptly corrected him. "It's not mine, it's theirs." Still, he conceded, "I can take credit for sitting down with the community first [before the government], and I can take credit for bringing in some really smart people and hooking them up with the families here." Watch more of Brad Pitt's discussion with Brian Williams here.

http://www.popeater.com/2010/08/28/brad-pitt-visits-new-orleans-homes/

Pitt, father of six with his partner Angelina Jolie, formed the Make it Right foundation in 2007 as a response the "unfathomable" loss of life and property in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Why Chris Brown Won't Tour With Usher

After July's well-received joint appearance onstage in Jamaica, and an enthusiastic remark that producer Bryan-Michael Cox made in an interview with Jermaine Dupri ("Usher and the boy Chris Brown are going on tour, y'all know that, right?"), fans expected a major concert collaboration to be announced.

On Tuesday's broadcast of BET's '106th and Park,' however, Chris Brown dismissed the rumor while plugging his film 'Takers,' saying he wanted to focus on solo efforts. Many questioned the explanation, and speculated that Usher -- whose reps have issued a statement denying a tour partnership -- wants to distance himself Brown, still struggling to repair his image after his notorious 2009 arrest for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna.

But now, a source is telling the New York Post that there's a much simpler reason: money.

An industry insider points to Brown's current Live Nation contract as the roadblock, because it's a deal Brown reportedly can't be freed from in order to be loaned out for a tour with Usher. In other words, he'd potentially be subject to legal action if he broke the agreement.

Meanwhile, another source tells the Post all is copacetic between the singers: "Usher has no issue with Chris....He and his camp were absolutely positive to the notion of touring. There were discussions, but it did not pan out."

Brown is famously banned from performing in the United Kingdom, thanks to the case that made him as well-known among many celeb-watchers for his domestic violence crime as for his music career. Although a judge recently praised the 21-year-old singer's progress in a probation hearing, he reportedly continues having trouble securing a travel visa for overseas performances, and getting radio programmers to play his singles.

Vampires Suck Us Dry: Why the Sexy Beasts Are Making Billions

They're devouring our blood and our money. And still we crave more vampires. And more ... and more ... and more.

The obsession with the sultry, immortal beasts is currently a deliciously lucrative business, especially when you add up revenues from movies, books, TV shows and merchandising. Citing its own projections, The Hollywood Reporter estimates that vampires are pulling in a staggering $7 billion in total sales.

Is it true? How can it be?

"It doesn't surprise me. That number shouldn't shock us," box office tracker Paul Dergarabedian ofHollywood.com tells PopEater. "There's no question that it's a multibillion-dollar industry. Vampires actually do have power over mortals and are causing people to spend more money."

THR broke it down into segments, calculating that vampire movies are making a lip-smacking $3 billion; TV and DVDs account for $1.2 billion; publishing sales total $1.6 billion; and merchandising plus an "other" category each bring in $600 million.

Stephanie Meyer's 'Twilight' books and the movies based on them are a major piece of the bloody pie -- the three movies alone have made $1.76 billion at the box office -- but so is the smash HBO phenomenon 'True Blood' in all its foxy gore, as well as parodies like 'Vampires Suck' (which grossed $20 million during its recent opening weekend). Not to mention the monstrous influx of clothing, jewelry and other paraphernalia consumers have taken a sizable bite out of.

"Seven billion dollars. That's a lot of blood," Dergarabedian jokes. "I don't want to be in trouble with the vampires, but the vampire mythology is something very romantic, very sexual and very relatable to a lot of people. It's like this forbidden lust."

Of course for mere mortals who believe the fascination has only recently taken flight, a little Vampires 101 might be in order. Dracula flicks have been around since the silent film era (1922's 'Nosferatu'), Syracuse University pop culture expert Bob Thompson reminds us. And there's more.

"Some people think this vampire thing came out of thin air," he tells PopEater. "But when I was a kid, vampires were teaching us how to count on 'Sesame Street,' and we were eating vampire cereal called Count Chocula. It's been a pretty popular culture genre for a long time."

Not to mention legendary novels like Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' (1897) and John Polidori's 'The Vampyre' (1819), which spawned the numerous 'Dracula' films. Anne Rice got into the game with her 'Vampire Chronicle' novels, and TV shows like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' lured huge audiences. The word "vampire" itself dates back to the 18th century.

But there's no question that their image has changed, which is why we're falling in love with them all over again. Gone are the spooky capes, foreign accents, purplish skin and hideous fangs. Today's incarnations are smoking hot, lusty, devilish, dangerous, armed with supernatural powers, endearing and charmingly tormented. Oh, and did we say smoking hot and lusty? Whether they're virginal like in 'Twilight' or trampy like in "True Blood,' vampires ooze sex. And sex sells.

"It's no coincidence that vampires went from being very grotesque to being very good-looking leading men," says Dergarabedian. "The vampire is a tortured soul who feeds on blood and has a sexual drive. Audiences seem to have an insatiable appetite for them, so to speak."

They've also become much more like us in modern incarnations. And we're bewitched by beings like us.

"We've taken the vampire and totally domesticized it," Thompson says. "You take away the thick Middle Eastern accents, the black capes, and you turn it into the vampire next door: Someone you could fall in love with, pine over."

Yet vampires still represent "the other," a universally enticing and timeless theme. "The idea that these things are outsiders is very appealing. We've all felt like outsiders," says Thompson.

Is there any hope for the vampire loathers out there, the ones who are so tired of them that they fantasize about vampire genocide? Is there an end in sight?

"The vampire haters have a huge uphill battle because history is on the side of the vampires," Dergarabedian says ominously. "It may change, but I don't see that happening any time soon ... Part of me thinks there may be something more metaphysical at work.

Zoe Saldana Shows What She's Got Underneath That 'Avatar' Blue

Zoe Saldana is back in theaters in glorious Na'vi blue this weekend with a return engagement of 'Avatar.' And at the same time, she's showing exactly what's going on underneath all of that motion capture animation in a new Calvin Klein campaign.

The 'Avatar' and 'Star Trek' beauty gets confessional in three new online videos promoting Calvin Klein Underwear's Fall 2010 campaign, according to a company press release.

"I've got nothing to hide," she says in the ad.

And she's not kidding. The Avon beauty -- who helped write the script for the ads -- 'fesses up to having a great poker face and even a tattoo or two.

She also (surprise, surprise) has an affinity for Calvin Klein Underwear, cooing, "Calvin Klein or nothing at all" as she models the label's new Envy line.

The commercials -- shot by fashion photographer Mikael Jansson, who also did the brand's men's campaign -- will also air during the Aug. 29 telecast of the 2010 Emmy Awards... so save those bathroom breaks for the long speeches, OK?

Playboy Playmate Admits to Sex Tape With Heidi Montag

Playboy playmate Karissa Shannon confirmed Friday that there is indeed a sex tape featuring herself and 'The Hills' star Heidi Montag, RadarOnline.com reports. And though she admits to the tape's existence, she claims Spencer Pratt stole her camera that contained the scandalous video.

The playmate told RadarOnline that the video is just of her and Montag. "There is a sex tape of me and Heidi," emphasizing that Spencer was not around when they shot the video. "It's just me and Heidi, that's it," she said.

Pratt's been making the rounds the past week trying to sell the tape, including speaking with Vivid Entertainment, the porn company made famous for distributing sex tapes of Kendra Wilkinson, Kim Kardashian, and most recently, Montana Fishburne.

But Shannon says Pratt stole the tape from her. "Me and Heidi were hanging out at her house in Malibu and he came over to pick up some stuff and he 'accidentally' took my camera. I talk to Heidi every single day and I tried to be there for her when she was going through her divorce, but now it's starting to affect my life. Spencer had no right to steal my camera. There are other things on there that I don't want to come out, including the video of me and Heidi," she told RadarOnline.com.

Shannon says she doesn't want anyone to see the tape. She also admits to one regret: "I don't know, I just wish I'd done it [the sex tape] with Lindsay Lohan. At least it wouldn't be on the market right now!"

Nicole Richie Shows Off Her Short New Haircut

Nicole Richie is so confident in her new hairdo that she's posting it for all of the World Wide Web to see.

The former 'Simple Life' reality star unveiled her latest look on her blog last night, calling it "makeover madness." No doubt, the 28-year-old fashion designer has run the gamut of hairstyles -- going from blonde to brunette to blonde again -- but now she's back to a shorter cut with loose, wavy layers and side-swept bangs, and we love it.

And even though Richie said she was "ready for a change" when she dyed her locks a sultry brown eight months ago, we are thinking that motherhood, stardom, and an impending walk down the aisle can cause any gal to want to lighten up a bit.

The mastermind behind the cut was her friend and celebrity hairstylist Andy Lecompte and the color was done by George Papanikolas.

After her makeover, Richie did what any star would do: play "Clueless". "Andy and George played Cher & Dionne, and I played Tai," she blogged. Then this morning she tweeted, "I've already done 2 dance routines, played DJ Lance Says & played freeze tag."

Scandalous Miley Cyrus Turning Heads ... and Profits

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Miley. Miley. Miley.

The 17-year-old star sent shock waves through Hollywood after the script for her upcoming film, 'LOL: Laughing Out Loud,' leaked online. In the film, Cyrus' character reportedly loses her virginity, smokes pot, gets wasted, kisses two girlfriends on the lips and flashes her va-jay-jay.

Okay, she "can't be tamed." We get it. Young women in Hollywood, including Hilary Duff, Dakota Fanning and Lindsay Lohan, have all taken turns showing the world they're all grown up. For Cyrus, the hits just keep on coming. The 'Hannah Montana' star cannot be a Disney girl forever, but she can't be totally oblivious about how her antics are turning heads and profits.

Cyrus has pole danced on an ice cream cart, posed nearly naked in Vanity Fair and kissed a girl (move over Katy Perry) during a live TV performance. We buried her "good girl" image a long time ago, so why do we care so much about her shocking antics? Perhaps its because she's done all of the above in the spotlight -- all before her 18th birthday.

The attention for 'LOL' has skyrocketed because we see Cyrus -- as herself -- not the character. Oh my gosh, what will Miley do next?! The leaked script (was it really an accident?) has created so much publicity for a film. But how will this affect the profits she's making from the young girls who look up to her but who won't be able to relate to this film? In a recent PopEater poll, 66 percent of readers thought this movie was an awful career move for Cyrus."Controversy alone doesn't always help at the box office," New York Daily News film critic Joe Neumaier tells PopEater. "I think Cyrus' worry ought to be whether the young girls who've followed her career for so long will care about a remake of a French film. She's not a draw for women over 25 or 30 -- the ones who'd presumably be the most interested -- and teens will only really appreciate the title. That doesn't mean 'LOL' will be DOA, but it does mean a few too many audience members will be asking, 'WTF?!'"

The Cyrus camp is pretty business savvy, though. Cyrus ranked No. 4 on Forbes magazine's list of the highest paid celebs under 30 thanks to the estimated $48 million she reportedly earned in 2009. Although 'Hannah Montana' made her famous, she's bringing home the Benjamins thanks to her tour and movie roles in both 'The Last Song' and 'Hannah Montana.'

'LOL' will likely succeed at the box office with everyone hoping to sneak a peak at Cyrus' "bad girl" side. Plus, as Neumaier points out, Cyrus' reputation won't be tarnished because respected actress Demi Moore plays her mother in the film.

"Miley will actually be part of a parade of sassy girls past and present here -- Demi Moore plays her mother, and Marlo Thomas, star of 'That Girl' in the '60s, will play Demi's mother. Three generations of cool chicks in one package ... sounds like Miley had a thought and realized that, at least on film, she needed advice from her elders. Which can only help: Julia Roberts did it in 'Steel Magnolias,' and Mandy Moore did it in 'Because I Said So.' Now, it's Miley's turn," the film critic adds.

You have to hand it to Miley -- even at 17, she's a pure business woman. People can criticize her all they want, but she knows what she's doing -- look how much money she makes.

Usher Opens Up About Love, His Divorce and Raising Two Sons

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Even though his marriage to Tameka Fosterdidn't work out, Usher says he doesn't regret marrying her at all. The singer tells PEOPLE in a new interview that he doesn't consider the union a failure.

"I appreciate the relationship for what it was. Even though it didn't work out, I'm glad we got together. I love her as the mother of my children; we just couldn't be married," he told the magazine. The couple has two sons: Usher V, 2, and Naviyd, 1.

When asked what went wrong, Usher recalls that soon after the birth of their second son, he and Foster started to argue about everything including parenting style. "We're two different people and we have two different goals. It just was never going to work out 100 percent," he said.

More excerpts from the PEOPLE interview after the jump.

On raising two boys:
"Usher [V] is always in everything. He's an instigator. He's the one who leads his brother astray. I was like that when I was his age... if one gets in trouble, the other one does, too. They both have a lot of energy. They can wear me out."

On his mom babysitting:
"She spoils them. She lets them do everything that she wouldn't let me do. Sometimes, when I'm scolding the kids, I sound just like my mom. I'm like, 'how did Jonetta get in here?' "

On his music:
"My music is about where I am at the time, In 'Raymond vs. Raymond,' I was going through a lot of things, and it came out in my music. My marriage fell apart and I was suddenly a single father. But now, with Versus, I'm singing about being a dating father."

On finding love again:
"I still believe in love. I believe in marriage. When I fall in love again, everyone will know. I'll sing about it."

Original Blue Power Ranger Reveals He Was Taunted on Set for Being Gay

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Almost two decades after leaving 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,' one of the most popular children's shows in TV history, the original Blue Ranger reveals it was behind-the-scenes taunting about his sexuality that eventually led him to walk off the show, EW.com reports. David Yost opened up about the life-changing experience toNo Pink Spandex, a site dedicated to the Power Rangers.

About 20 years ago, after being taunted for years for being gay, Yost walked off the set.

"The reason that I walked off is that I was called 'f-–' one too many times. I had just heard that several times while working on the show from creators, producers, writers, directors... Basically I just felt like i was continually being told I was not worthy of being where I am because I'm a gay person. And I'm not supposed to be an actor. And I'm not a superhero," Yost said.

The former Blue Ranger was very candid in the interview, at times, even tearing up when remembering events at that time.

"I know that my co-stars were called in a couple times into different producer's offices and questioned about my sexuality which is kind of an humiliating experience to hear that and to find that out. There were just a lot of issues," Yost recalls.

The harassment was so bad, Yost even thought about taking his own life. "It just felt like a bad marriage. I could either stay and finish six more months -- do the second movie and finish six more months of the show -- or just... I was kinda worried about my life. I was worried I might take my own life," he reveals.

It was after a nervous breakdown and several years of soul searching that Yost eventually found peace. The former actor is now working behind the camera in Hollywood as a producer

'Glee' Star Dianna Agron Spotted With a New Guy

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Though most of the romance rumors coming from the 'Glee' set involve co-stars dating, Dianna Agron seems to be breaking away from the pack. PEOPLE reports that Agron is actually cozying up to a co-star from a non-'Glee' related project.

The blonde actress-singer-dancer has been spotted with Alex Pettyfer, her co-star from 'I Am Number Four'--a science fiction film they're both currently filming.

On Wednesday, Agron, 24, and Pettyfer, 20, were seen shooting hoops in Los Angeles. They were also recently spotted jewelry shopping in Santa Monica wearing matching T-shirts. Agron's read "What Part of Peace Don't You Understand?" and Pettyfer's tee said, "Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll."

"Alex was making Dianna laugh so much that her face was beet red. They were giddy the entire time, and before they left Alex bought Dianna a bracelet that he gave to her with a peck on the cheek," an onlooker at the jewelry store told PEOPLE.

After the recent breakup rumors surrounding Mark Salling and Naya Rivera, let's hope these two have better luck!

Bristol Palin 'Excited' for 'Dancing With the Stars' Gig

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Bristol Palin is moving on from her recent breakup from Levi Johnston by hitting the dance floor. Sarah Palin's 19-year-old daughter has officially been cast on season 11 of 'Dancing With the Stars,' E! News is reporting and sources confirm to PopEater.

Although she has never danced before, Palin is looking forward to living in LA while the show tapes and is bringing her son, Tripp, with her, sources at ABC tell PopEater's Naughty But Nice Rob. Her proud mama plans to be sitting in the front row cheering her daughter on.

"Bristol is excited and scared and hopes she gets Maksim Chmerkovskiy as her partner," the source adds.

Last season, he and Erin Andrews turned up the heat on (and off) the dance floor -- but the brash dancer still hasn't taken a star to the top to win the mirror-ball trophy.

According to E! News, David Hasselhoff, Audrina Patridge, The Situation and Brandy have all been cast on the upcoming season, which premieres Sept. 20.

On the same day Elin Nordegren's one and only interview about Tiger Woods' infidelity scandal hit the web, the famous golfer also opened up to the med

Pop Eater

On the same day Elin Nordegren's one and only interview about Tiger Woods' infidelity scandal hit the web, the famous golfer also opened up to the media about the end of his marriage, the sadness he feels and playing golf through the pain.

After wrapping up play at the Barclays tournament in Paramus, N.J., Woods spent 10 minutes answering questions from the press. Golf.com reports that when asked about his ex-wife, Woods said, "I wish her the best in everything. You know, it's a sad time in our lives. And we're looking forward to -- in our lives and how we can help our kids the best way we possibly can. And that's the most important thing."

More excerpts from Woods' post-round press conference after the jump.

On if he felt relief after the divorce was final:
"I don't think that's the word. I think it's just more sadness. Because I don't think you ever -- you don't ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced. That's the thing. That's why it is sad."

On having any regrets:
"My actions certainly led us to this decision. And I've certainly made a lot of errors in my life, and that's something I'm going to have to live with."

On whether playing golf through the aftermath was harder than he anticipated:
"It was, certainly. Because being asked questions all the time, even after -- even as the tournaments are going I've been asked questions while we're playing. And that's always difficult. And especially when I'm trying to work on a few things, trying to find shots in order to get around the golf course, and to have to talk about other things."

Miley Cyrus Splits From Boyfriend Liam Hemsworth

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The breakup rumors are true--Miley Cyrus and her boyfriend of over a year, Liam Hemsworth, have called it quits, PEOPLEreports. His rep confirmed to the magazine that the 'Last Song' co-stars were indeed no longer dating. Gossip Cop first reported the news earlier today.

It's been speculated for months that the pair were no longer together--and in June, Cyrus even took to her website to assure fans that they were still together and "so happy." But something must have changed over the summer.

Earlier this year, in happier times for the couple, the Disney star, 17, told PEOPLE that Hemsworth was one of a kind. "I'm not really a big lovey person. I'm not, like, mushy. [But] Liam was the first person that made me want to be in a real relationship," she said.

The 20-year-old Australian actor also spoke highly of his beau at the time, saying their relationship was "pretty serious" and that he liked her "big heart."

News of the breakup comes days after details about her Cyrus's new film role hit the web. In her new movie, 'LOL: Laughing Out Loud,' Cyrus's character loses her virginity, smokes pot, gets wasted and kisses two girlfriends on the lips. Her character even accidentally shows her mom Ana, played by actress Demi Moore, her Brazilian wax.

The film focuses on communication gap between Lola and her mother, due to the increasing use of YouTube, iTunes and Facebook. Lola's mom, Anne, "accidentally" reads her teenage daughter's racy journal and dicovers Lola's wild ways. The film will debut next year.

Drew Barrymore Wanted to Rip Reporter's Face Off

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In an interview with the London Daily Standard, Drew Barrymore really opened up. Not about her new romantic comedy 'Going the Distance' and not about working with on-again, off-again beau Justin Long. In fact, she went off about a reporter who'd just interviewed her!

"You should have heard this bitch I had to do an interview with before you. God, I wanted to punch her, she would just not drop the youth thing. I have no problem talking about it. I am not someone who is ashamed of my past. I'm actually really proud. I know I made a lot of mistakes, but they in turn were my life lessons," she recalled to the London Daily Standard.

The actress continued, "It's actually good to get it done young and have a great life later. But yeah, man, I wanted to rip this woman's face off. She just would not shut up about it."

Barrymore never names the reporter or the publication that asked the probing questions. Quick note to self: keep "wild child" questions to a minimum next time we interview Ms. Barrymore.

Elizabeth Hurley Tweets About Her Body and the Authenticity of Her Breasts

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In case you were wondering how model Elizabeth Hurley keeps her svelte figure, she's got some information you might be able to use. "Btw my diet survived the onslaught of phenomenal vacation food-doctors disagree, but I swear by almost nothing for breakfast for adults," she Tweeted Tuesday. "Mugs of hot water first thing, maybe an espresso and a few oat cakes mid morning."

This isn't actually the first time Hurley's been hot to trot on oat cakes. The Huffington Post remembers after the birth of her son in 2002, Hurley retreated to Elton John's mansion and ate only oat cakes until she lost all the baby weight. Interesting post-baby diet! (The Huffington Post also shared the following nutritional information: British oat cakes are high-fiber crackers that have 50 calories a piece.)

Hurley also used Twitter earlier this week to address rumors about her body. After photos of her sunbathing in Spain wearing a skimpy bikini surfaced early this week, the model immediately responded to speculation she'd gone under the knife. "I read that I've just had breast implants-happy to report still au naturel but I do wear exceptionally well cut bikinis...." she Tweeted Monday morning.

Once Jennifer Aniston Revisits TV, Should She Stay There?

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Jennifer Aniston is moving back to the small screen and her timing couldn't be better. On the heels of Jen's box office disaster, 'The Switch,' it's been announced that Aniston will be teaming up with former 'Friend' Courteney Cox in the second season premiere of Courtney's hit sitcom 'Cougar Town.'

It's a good move for Jen to head back to a place where America first fell in love with her, in light of reviewers calling her "forgettable" and "depressing" in her latest failed rom-com. On television, Jen has to be hoping that she will get nothing but love.

"I think we feel like Jen is one of our best friends and you don't like to have a break from your best friend. You want them to come into your living room. I think America will embrace her when she rejoins Courteney Cox," says Hollywood Life Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Fuller.

Once Jen makes a visit to TV, should she maybe consider staying? Cox has had a successful post-'Friends' TV career, both in drama with 'Dirt' and now with comedy in 'Cougar Town,' where she essentially plays Monica 2.0. She's quirky and funny, she's just a little bit older and Chandler has dropped out of the picture. Plus, TV is where it's at these days, and Jen would be smart to start carving herself a niche.

"TV is where all the best writing is right now because cable networks provide the ever-so-coveted creative freedom that creators crave. They don't just need to produce huge blockbuster hits. As a result, TV actors don't just get handed scripts for roles that have boring, general appeal. 'The Switch' is so milquetoast -- most people probably forgot it came out this weekend," says New York Daily News television writer Cristina Kinon.

But what is the best niche for Jen to start carving? If she's looking to play something more alternative, less family-friendly, she can go somewhere like an FX or Showtime. If she misses that 'Friends' feeling, she can go back to network television. What could work is if she found a way to poke a little fun at her own situation that the tabloids have such a heyday with -- 40, divorced and looking for love.

"She needs a show built around her that makes the best of her comedic talents. She needs a role that parodies her situation, so that it isn't sad. I can see her as a Murphy Brown or a Mary Tyler Moore, a single woman taking the world by storm," Fuller says.

Jen can't afford another box office bomb. Hollywood operates on a three-strikes rule and she's got three stinkers behind her.

"Aniston doesn't need movie money. She needs industry respect. She can get that with the right show," Kinon says.

'America's Next Top Model' Winner Loses the Clothes for 'Love Your Body'

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Showing a more revealing side than she's ever displayed on the runway, "America's Next Top Model" season 10 winner Whitney Thompson flaunts her voluptuous figure in a nude campaign to promote Hollywood NOW's fifth annual Love Your Body Day.

Rocking new dark locks and not much else, the full-figured Thompson (left) -- who was the first and, so far, only plus-size contestant to win the "ANTM" crown -- joins curvaceous Love Your Body Day founder and Hollywood NOW president Chenese Lewis (right) in the racy shoot, photographed by Inez Lewis.

"We are so excited to have Whitney as our celebrity host this year," Lewis, a former Miss Plus America, says in a release. "She makes loving your body fierce!"

Thompson will also host the Oct. 23 Love Your Body Day event in West Hollywood, which celebrates women of all body types while raising awareness of eating disorders.

The plus-size model also couldn't resist weighing in on the recent controversy concerning "ANTM" and its apparent glorification of a stick-thin contestant with an alarmingly skinny waist, for which Banks has subsequently apologized.

"Tyra supports women of all sizes as long as they are healthy," Thompson says in the release.

"I do not fault her for her reaction to seeing such a tiny waist. She had a similar reaction to seeing [former contestant] Toccara's enormous breasts."

Cycle 15 of 'ANTM' kicks off on Sept. 8 on the CW.