Real Housewives Of NYC's Kelly Bensimon Arrested

The Real Housewives of New York City newcomer Kelly Bensimon was arrested last week for allegedly punching her boyfriend and splitting his cheek open, Usmagazine.com has confirmed.

Bensimon, 40, was arraigned in an NYC court Thursday -- two days after the alleged incident -- on a charge of assaulting Nicholas Stefanov, 30, whom she has known for three years.

According to court documents, Bensimon, a former model, and Stefanov got into a verbal argument, and she struck him with a fist, causing a laceration below his left eye.

"She split his cheek open," a Stefanov source tells Us.
Bensimon's lawyer, Stephen Turano, tells Us she has pleaded not guilty, adding, "The charges are unfounded."

Stefanov tells Us, I have always been loyal and faithful to Kelly."
Bensimon is due in court March 31.
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Zac Efron And Vanessa Hudgens Star in New Disney Ad Campaign

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are showing off their fairy tale romance in the latest installment of a popular Disney ad campaign.

The High School Musical costars (and real-life couple) posed for celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz in December, recreating the scene from Sleeping Beauty in which the princess is awakened by the kiss of her prince.

The shot, titled "Where Romance Is Celebrated," will run as part of Disney's "What Will You Celebrate?" ad campaign. Efron, 21, and Hudgens, 20, aren't the first celebrities to portray iconic Disney characters for Leibovitz's lens.

Tina Fey took the role of Tinker Bell in a Peter Pan-themed shoot.

Other celebrity participants include: Jessica Biel (as Pocahontas); Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony (as Jasmine and Aladdin); and Beyonce (as Alice in Wonderland).
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The Bachelor's Melissa Rycroft Is "Beautiful Dancer"

If Melissa Rycroft had an inkling of a doubt that she made the wrong decision to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars, it was erased the minute she stepped foot onto the stage Monday night.

“She was radiant. She owned the place,” judge Bruno Tonioli gushed to PEOPLE after the live show. “She embraced the whole feeling of the show.”

The Dallas beauty, whose engagement to The Bachelor’s Jason Mesnick ended on television just a week earlier, was embraced by the supportive crowd as she and partner Tony Dovolani took her mark during the commercial break before she performed.

After she and Dovolani danced an elegant Viennese waltz, the crowd leapt to their feet.

The thunderous applause was much deserved, especially considering Rycroft had only two days to rehearse while her other fellow competitors had four weeks.

With 48 hours of practice, Rycroft managed to earn one of the highest scores of the night: a 23 out of 30.

The warm response brought tears of joy to Rycroft’s eyes, and made the judges gush.

“You’re just a beautiful dancer,” an awestruck Carrie Ann Inaba said.

Perhaps head judge Len Goodman summed it up best, telling Rycroft, “The Bachelor’s loss is Dancing with the Stars’ gain.”
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Dancing With The Stars Is Back!

Dancing With the Stars kicked off its eighth season and, despite the desperately random assortment of said stars, this has the makings of a good go-around.

This barely begun season has already witnessed the premature exit of two injured stars—Nancy O'Dell and Jewel—and the last-minute arrival of their replacements—Girls Next Door babe Holly Madison and Bachelor castoff Melissa Rycroft.

The ballroom also welcomed two new pros, the show's youngest-ever contestant, its first already established star-pro couple and a pair of newly engaged DWTS veterans.

Here's the recap of last night's performances:

Lil Kim: The raunchy rapper, who revealed that she first started watching DWTS while in prison, has rhythm and her cha-cha with defending champ Derek Hough got the night off to a very saucy—and technically sound—start. She needs polish but has major potential. "You can work wonders with that tushy!" Bruno offered, while head judge Len Goodman called the performance "first class."Score: 21

Belinda Carlisle: The former Go-Go's frontwoman looked lovely, but, according to her debut waltz with Jonathan Roberts, she's missing the inherent grace possessed by past elder stateswomen such as Jane Seymour and Priscilla Presley. There certainly weren't any Cloris Leachman moments, as Bruno suggested, but the 50-year-old still needs to get that beat back, pronto.Score: 17

Lawrence Taylor: He might have been wearing Emmit Smith's cha-cha outfit, but the 50-year-old NFL Hall of Famer isn't quite disco ball material yet. Not that he needed to be, what with Edyta Sliwinska returning in fine scantily clad form after last season's one-and-done appearance with Jeff Ross. But as Len noted, there's a "naturalness" about Taylor.Score: 16

Steve-O: The former Jackass player didn't exactly stick his foot "up the waltz's butt," but he didn't suck too hard, either. Let's just say Lacey Schwimmer has her work cut out for her, but if anyone can cover up someone's rough edges with edgy choreography, she can. Score: 17

Gilles Marini: Turns out Sex and the City's Samantha would have done well to visit her naked neighbor. The 33-year-old Frenchman, who quite literally flashed into American theaters last summer, is a frontrunner at this point, as far as raw talent is concerned. He's rough around the edges, but his cha-cha was the best of the bunch. And, for the record, Cheryl Burke looks great. Score: 24

Chuck Wicks: The 29-year-old country singer is the first star to join the show having already seduced his pro partner. Julianne Hough's easy-on-the-eyes boyfriend showed a lot of potential, waltzing his girlfriend around the ballroom with relative ease, although his desire to impress her—and make her laugh during rehearsals—could make for a rough ride behind the scenes.Score: 20

Holly Madison: DWTS first-timer Dmitry Chaplin certainly didn't need to whip his Playboy Playmate partner into shape for the challenge. Holly's lovely limbs, spray-tanned to perfection, could serve her well eventually, but tonight's cha-cha proved that a week's practice just ain't enough.Score: 18

Ty Murray: Well, Jewel wouldn't have had to worry about her hubby wrangling the title away from her. The rodeo cowboy gave his cha-cha a go, and his aw-shucks demeanor is very charming, but newcomer Chelsie Hightower is probably going to have a very short debut season.Score: 14

Shawn Johnson: Girl knows how to compete. The Olympic gymnast, fresh off a four-medal performance in Beijing and the youngest-ever DWTS competitor at 17, has the potential to add a disco ball to her trophy case. Her waltz was graceful—"surprisingly refined," Bruno called it—and she partners well with the boyishly handsome Mark Ballas (who, after all, is only 22).Score: 23

Steve Wozniak: It is possible for the billionaire entrepreneur to win this season. It would require free iPods suddenly appearing in mailboxes across the U.S., but still... Anyway, Karina Smirnoff had her man suited up to be the clown, trotting him out for the cha-cha in a pink boa, but unless Wozniak's minions find a way to hack the database, the likable Apple Computer cofounder probably won't last too long.Score: 13

David Alan Grier: The comedian was likable but forgettable, his waltz—and his face—being neither here nor there. "One character will suffice," Bruno advised, referring to Grier's constantly shifting facial expressions. The In Living Color star couldn't even get a break from former Fly Girl Carrie Ann Inaba, who docked him a point for lifting both of Kym Johnson's feet off the ground. Score: 19

Denise Richards: She was the first to cry during rehearsal this season, but the actress rebounded nicely, minus that limp left arm. Going for Richards already are her flexibility, killer bod and fan-favorite partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Not great are those nerves, which she needs to shake. "You've got it all, but you don't know what to do with it!" exclaimed Bruno. Score: 18

Melissa Rycroft: OK, we'll say it... Suck it, Jason Mesnick. A week after being ceremoniously dumped on national TV (thanks, producers, for replaying the moment tonight), in a snazzy bit of ABC synergy the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader made a triumphant return to prime time. Her promising waltz, combined with all the good will she's acquired (standing ovation, anyone?), means Tony Dovolani finally has a shot at the title.Score: 23

The 13 contestants will dance again next Monday and this week's scores and votes will be combined with next week's before the season's first elimination show on Tuesday, March 17.

Here's a rundown of tonight's leaderboard:
Gilles and Cheryl: 24
Shawn and Mark: 23
Melissa and Tony: 23
Lil Kim and Derek: 21
Chuck and Julianne: 20
David and Kym: 19
Denise and Maksim: 18
Holly and Dmitry: 18
Belinda and Jonathan: 17
Steve-O and Lacey: 17
Lawrence and Edyta: 16
Ty and Chelsie: 14
Steve and Karina: 13
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Carrie Underwood Covers Motley Crue For New ‘Idol’ Farewell Song

“American Idol” will have a new reigning champ soon enough, but until then, fans of the show will be hearing a former “Idol’s” sendoff to the not-so-lucky contestants.

Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood has recorded a remake of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” to be played as a farewell ballad to each finalist who is sent home, FOX announced on Monday.

The song will debut on “Idol” March 11, and will be available exclusively on iTunes until March 16. After that, the single will be available through all online music retailers.

A portion of the sales proceeds from “Home Sweet Home” will benefit The Humane Society of the United States, a cause near and dear to Carrie’s heart.

“I’ve always loved this song, and besides being fitting for ‘Idol’, to me, the title is also very fitting with animal rescue and finding animals their own homes,” she said. “So we felt it was important to tie the release into an amazing animal charity like the HSUS.”

Previously, “Idol” send-off songs have included “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter, “Home” by Chris Daughtry and former “Idol” winner Ruben Studdard’s remake of “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins.

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Is Robert Pattinson A Serial Flirter?

While downing Stella Artois at LA's Palihouse hotel, Twilight hottie Robert Pattinson joked about his workout regimen -- or lack thereof.

"Yeah, I do what I can," an eyewitness says Robert told a producer, adding that instead of a six-pack, "I prefer a 12-pack." And that appears to be fine with the ladies, who are seemingly fighting to get close to the star. In recent weeks, Robert's been spotted with a bevy of beauties, prompting the question: Who exactly is the vampire dating?

"I saw him at [agents] Patrick Whitesell and Rick Yorn's Oscar party on Feb. 22, and he appeared to be alone," says a partygoer. "But he was definitely interested in a lot of the women there, and vice versa. He would talk to one girl and then the next and then the next. Robert was talking to every girl at the party."

Including Paris Hilton! "I keep getting asked if I'm dating Rob, and the answer is no," Paris, 28, tells Life & Style. "Yes, I did meet him at a party, but that's it. I do love Twilight, though, and I think Robert's a great actor and very nice."
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Jessica Simpson Back in Daisy Dukes

It's been said that looking great is the best revenge.

Jessica Simpson performed just last night at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City, FL. Without a word to her critics for a weight debate that caused her sister Ashlee to blog her disgust at the reports, Jessica strutted across the stage in short Daisy Dukes.

The singer took a bashing on several blogs after being snapped in an unflattering outfit earlier this year. She later addressed the controversy by thanking a concert crowd in Charlottesville, VA, for their support. "Stay positive," she added, "and pray out loud."
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Cruising to Japan

How did they get that elephant through customs? Katie Holmes carries Suri and Tom Cruise gets plush-toy duty at Narita International in Japan, where Valkyrie premieres in Tokyo on March 11.

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Dennis Quaid's Emotional Interview with Oprah Winfrey

Actor Dennis Quaid sits down with Oprah Winfrey and talks about the devastating November 2007 medical mishap that he says caused his twin then-newborns to receive one-thousand times the dose of medicine they were intended to receive.

In the interview that airs on the "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday, Dennis describes the incident.

"Well, they were given Heparin which is a blood thinner and it's used at the point of entry for an antibiotic sometimes to make sure that the blood doesn't clot at the point of entry for the antibiotic," Dennis tells Oprah.

"They received a thousand times the dose that they should have gotten," Dennis goes on to say. "And what it does is it thins the blood so that the antibiotic can flow. But this massive dose turned their blood the consistency of water."

An emotional Dennis tells Oprah how he saw the silver lining despite the traumatic event:
"I remember after that 40 hours and they pulled through and they were sleeping comfortably at the hospital. I just remember thinking that, you know, this did happen for a reason. These two little kids, 12 days old, they're gonna -- they're gonna change the world in some way…."

Watch Oprah's complete interview with Dennis and his wife Kimberly Tuesday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

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Ashlee Simpson-Wentz: Moving to 'Melrose'

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is making her return to TV -- read on to find out which small screen series just made her a leading lady!

Ashlee has joined the cast of the CW's remake of the popular 90's series "Melrose Place".

According to THR, the singer/actress will play Violet, a small town girl who moves to Los Angeles and brings a secret along with her.

Ashlee will also star alongside her rocker husband Pete Wentz, on the March 18 episode of "CSI: NY".

Simpson-Wentz started off her acting career with a role on the WB drama "7th Heaven".

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Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel Share the Small Screen

Musician Justin Timberlake hosted "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend and his girlfriend Jessica Biel made a special surprise appearance.

During Weekend Update, Timberlake and Andy Samberg spoofed the comic strip Cathy -- Samberg playing Cathy and Timberlake playing her adoring husband Irving. "I swear on Charles Schulz himself, if Jessica Rabbit walked in here right now I wouldn't even blink," Irving says.

Biel then walks in dressed as Jessica Rabbit wearing a tight, red dress and long purple gloves -- she asks Irving to take a walk and he immediately accepts. "Sounds good, later fatty," he says to Cathy.

"SNL" spoofed the comic strip characters after a recent survey from Cadbury Daily Milk ranked the sexiest cartoon characters leaving Cathy off the list.

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'Watchmen' Captures Top Spot at Box Office

The comic book thriller 'Watchmen' finished No. 1 at the weekend box office with $55.7 million, studio estimates showed.

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Dakota Fanning Confirmed For ‘New Moon’

After weeks of speculation, Dakota Fanning has officially joined the cast of “New Moon,” Summit Entertainment confirmed.

The 15-year-old actress, currently starring in Summit’s “Push,” will play the role of Jane, a member of the Italian Volturi vampires in the “Twilight” sequel.

In January, Dakota said she was excited about possibly joining the film when reports of her talks with the studio emerged.

“I think it’s too soon to tell if I’ll for sure be doing it, but it’s so great,” she said at the time.

“Pretty much all my friends are big fans.”

And, she added, she’s ready for her vampire close-up.

“I don’t think they’ll have to put a lot of makeup on me,” she joked. “I’m pretty white already.”

And “Twilight” fans may get to see her alongside star Kristen Stewart in another movie, as well. It was reported reported on Wednesday that she is negotiating to join the cast of rock biopic “Runaways” as singer Cheri Currie. Kristen is set to play Joan Jett in the film.

“New Moon” is slated for a November 20, 2009 release date.
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Rihanna Is "Easing Back Into" Work

Rihanna has thrown herself back into work to move forward from the alleged assault by Chris Brown.

"She's doing OK," Her producer, Adonis Shropshire reports. "I mean, of course [with] the situation, she's all right.

"You have to remember, she's still a kid," Shropshire continues of the 21-year-old. "With anybody in the world that goes through something, you have to bring yourself out of it. So I guess her refuge is her music, of course, as it should be.

"Of course, there's still remnants of whatever from time to time," he goes on. "But she's definitely trying to move forward."

Shropshire and Rihanna haven't been working too many hours.

"She's really just easing back into it," he says. "Just a couple of ideas here and there over the last couple of weeks. It's coming out good."

So what will her next project sound like?

"She's really going in the same direction," he explains. "Just an evolution of what she already is, you know: super pop-y."

Rihanna isn't letting the events over the past month affect her work.

"She always brings her best efforts every time she steps into the stage or the studio," he says.

"[Her next album will] eclipse what she's done before, so it's going to be hot."

Shropshire calls the added scrutiny "weird.

"I worked with Gwen Stefani right after she had her baby, and there were 100 paparazzi outside the studio. This is kind of the same deal," he says. "She tries her best to avoid. It's weird."
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Britney Spears Visits Sick Kids In Miami Hospital

Just hours before taking the stage, pop singer Britney Spears made a surprise visit to a group of sick children at Miami Children’s Hospital.

The 27-year-old Spears posed for photos with the children on Saturday.

She’s also donating $100,000 to the Big Apple Circus Clown Care program, which brings clowns to young hospital patients.

Spears played at the American Airlines Arena in Miami as part of her “Circus” tour.

The tour to support her hit album of the same name kicked off last week before a nearly sold-out crowd in New Orleans.

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