Gossip / Rumors

Apparently actress Hilary Swank watches every penny... like a hawk! The Oscar-winning leading lady was recently out shopping for CDs at Virgin Megastore in Los Angeles. Our source, who was in the store at the time, said Hilary was very excited when it came time to pay because she had a gift certificate for $100.

Luckily for Hil, she didn't have to shell out any of her own money since the total balance due was $99.58. After the cashier rung Swank's sale up he handed her back a gift certificate now worth 42¢. Hilary asked that she be given the actual coins rather than the card. The manager had to be called to open the register and Hilary proceeded to complain about the inconvenience this was causing her.

As much of a time constraint she says she was on, she seemed more than willing to wait for 42¢.

Guess every penny really does count!

The revelation sets up a potentially nasty paternity battle. Stern appeared Tuesday night on "Larry King Live" disclosing his belief that he is the father. The statement is in sharp contrast to comments by Larry Birkhead who has told TMZ in the past that he is the father. Birkhead has asked for a paternity test and it is unclear whether Anna Nicole will oblige.

Stern said on King's show that he has been in love with Anna Nicole for along time and hopes the feeling is mutual.

Lindsay Lohan was out in Beverly Hills yesterday, sporting her now-famous cast on her left arm -- and a hat that simply read, TEAM HARRY. We're guessing Lindsay wants everyone to know she and Harry are still together -- or she completely supports his dumping of her. But that doesn't seem likely.

In fact, when photogs were done following Lindsay in and out of Cartier, they even asked her if the pair was still on. "Yeah," she curtly shot back before pulling away.

Speaking of pulling away, Lindsay, who has a history of driving problems, said "Get out of the way of my car" repeatedly to photogs as she was getting in.

Rumors of Lindsay and Harry's breakup came out last week, and two nights ago sources tell us she was making out with Paris Hilton's ex, Stavros Niarchos, at a club in Hollywood.

On again? Off again? You decide.

UPDATE: Sources, and a few astute TMZ readers, tell us that Lisa Rinna sells TEAM HARRY hats at her boutique, Belle Gray, to support her hubby, Harry Hamlin, on "Dancing with the Stars." Maybe Lindsay is a reality TV fan?

No one is safe from the cold shoulder of Shakira. A source tells TMZ that the pop princess skipped out on meet-and-greets scheduled months ago with fans and local radio personalities on her latest tour stop in McAllen, Tex. What's more, she demanded a full phalanx of protection literally surrounding her from dressing room to stage, preventing any contact with fans or staff, and asked the Dodge Arena to confiscate any cameras, which they did. (TMZ got this snap of the show from a cell phone.)

The Colombian-born songstress' budding-diva-behavior seems oddly off-key, particularly because McAllen's population is more than 80% Hispanic, and some of her most ardent fans are in the area, which borders Mexico, where Shakira is also hugely popular. In fact, fans were so desperate to get tickets for the sold-out shows that they have engaged in raw-egg-and-onion-eating contests for the chance to see her.

Star Jones has given the National Enquirer an ultimatum: either admit that a story calling her her marriage a "sham" is untrue, or prepare to do battle in court (and remember, Star is a lawyer).

Bob Chapman, the high-powered attorney who represents Star and Al, tells TMZ that the Enquirer's story that Al is gay and the marriage is falling apart is not true. Chapman insists, "They are happily married," adding that Star is "emotional and stressed out" over the story.

The article in question, published in this week's issue dated October 2, 2006, features the headline "Star Jones' Husband Walks Out!" In a demand letter to the Enquirer, Chapman writes the article is "false and defamatory" and has "caused them massive damage." The letter also states, "You have also chosen to state that Mr. Reynolds is gay. While Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds believe that everyone should be free to make their own choice concerning sexual preference and that there is nothing wrong with being gay, you have nonetheless chosen to falsely state that Mr. Reynolds is gay." Chapman also states that the Enquirer has done "grave damage to their reputations, both publicly and privately."

Brad Zeifman, a rep for the couple, issued the following statement to TMZ: "Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have tried to handle these vicious lies and attempts at character assassination with quiet dignity for far too long...now they will pursue immediate legal action against anyone who makes false statements about their family."

In a recent interview with Jawn Murray of AOL's Black Voices, Star stressed, "I love my husband and he loves and respects me-period! People can say what they want, but Al and I share what I like to call an unbreakable bond." Star reminds the public that, "It's not easy being under such intense scrutiny by the media. All we're trying to do is live our lives as Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds."

A rep for the National Enquirer had no comment.

Lindsay Lohan's got a new man and let's just say Paris Hilton won't be happy.

We caught up with Lindsay at Dragonfly nightclub in Hollywood Sunday evening where several sources inside the club tell TMZ she was making out with Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend, Stavros Niarchos.

Though Lindsay went to great lengths not to be seen with the Greek shipping heir outside the nightclub -- hiding behind a sheet and telling photogs to "f*** off and die" -- the two were all smiles when spotted together earlier that night. Lohan and Niarchos were photographed looking very flirtatious while hanging out at the Chateau Marmont, Lindsay's home, before heading to a concert at Dragonfly.

You'd think Lindsay would take great delight in sticking it to Paris Hilton, who has been somewhat instrumental in creating Lindsay's now-famous nickname, "Firecrotch." TMZ's video of Brandon Davis on a "Firecrotch" rant, Paris right by his side, is now firmly embedded in pop culture.

TMZ was out in force Thursday and we caught up with one of our favorite celebrities, Star Jones. Star was doing some high-end shopping on Robertson Blvd. in Beverly Hills, stopping at Tory Burch and Sky to check out the new fashions.

Rumors have been swirling that Star's relationship with her husband Al Reynolds might be having issues, but our camera caught her sporting the enormous diamond wedding ring from Big Al. The paparazzi was sent into a frenzy when Star headed for her Chrysler to load up her shopping bags saying, "Let us women walk."

Before driving away, Jones tells photographers that they aren't shooting her from the "most attractive angle" to which they quickly respond "we'll crop it."

You tell 'em Star!

Leonardo DiCaprio and girlfriend Bar Refaeli enjoyed a vacation in Greece, getting cozy on the beach in Lagonissi, a town near Athens.

Though DiCaprio has been spotted out solo a lot recently and the two are rarely photographed together, Leo and the Israeli model have been dating for a couple months now and this jet-setting is a sure sign the relationship between the two is heating up.

Leo's ex, Victoria's Secret model Gisele Bundchen, is apparently having a hard time with DiCaprio's budding relationship however, telling the underwear company she'd quit if they ever use Refaeli in their campaigns. The company was rumored to be courting Refaeli for their "Pink" line but eventually went with Ashlee Simpson.

Beware the wrath of Bundchen!

Though keeping mum on plastic surgery rumors, Ashlee Simpson had no problem talking about the "curse" put on her by a Texas priest.

Reverend Harrington recently slammed both Ashlee and sister Jessica, saying the girls "breasts will sag and their faces will wither and they will be left with nothing but a hollow shell," adding they've become obsessed with money and don't represent Christian standards.

Ashlee's response -- "I just think that story is a bit crazy. You should watch what you say about other people's kids, especially if you're planning on having any of your own."

The brave reporter, interviewing Ashlee at her London rehearsals for her stint as Roxie Hart in 'Chicago', also dared to asked her about the recent rumors alleging her and sister Jessica have had plastic surgery. Simpson's response -- "I would rather keep this about 'Chicago.'"

Ashlee also dispelled rumors of competition between the starlet siblings -- "I don't have that because we're sisters, we gotta be there for each other" -- and adds the whole family will be in town for her premiere next Monday.

When asked, point blank, by Diane Sawyer whether he was going to come out in the interview, Aiken gave an odd shrieky cackle, then said that he wouldn't address the speculation. And, with some nervousness, he called the speculation into his sexuality "invasive" and "rude." Finally, when asked by Diane Sawyer if it was "misleading" for him to talk about liking women in interviews just after his run on "American Idol," Aiken responded by saying he was "naive."

Aiken also said that he isn't unduly curious about other celebrities' (or people's) lives -- except for the "whole Jen and Angelina" thing.

On Wednesday, Aiken spoke to "Good Morning America's" Diane Sawyer about how he suffered from panic attacks after appearing on "American Idol" in 2003. Clay believes the fact that he was bullied as a child, coupled with the death of his father, helped to exacerbate the problem.

Aiken admits to taking Paxil for the panic attacks, but isn't worried about getting addicted to the depression and anxiety medication. Clay also reveals he has no desire for therapy. "Everybody I know in LA goes to see somebody. And I don't want to do that."

While Clay will discuss the rampant rumors about his sexuality with Sawyer on Thursday, in an interview with People magazine, Aiken says "What do you say (to that question)? ... It's like when I was 8. I remember something would get broken in the house, and Mom and Dad would call me in and say, 'Did you do this?' Well, it didn't matter what I said. The only thing they would believe was yes. ... People are going to believe what they want."

While Clay may not be out, his new CD "A Thousand Different Ways" is.

When does season five of "24" come out on DVD?

Kristy, this is something everyone is sitting on the edge of their seats for. Plan to catch up on the action of "24" by getting your copy of the Emmy award-winning season on December 5. This release date comes as little surprise as the last two seasons have also come out on DVD during the first week of December. And just in time -- season six premieres Monday nights on FOX beginning January 2007.

For more on FOX, read this.

After getting caught playing tonsil hockey with Travis Barker on Tuesday, Paris Hilton had some choice words about the ex-blink-182 bandmate last night.

On her way out of Hollywood nightclub Hyde, a photographer asked the heiress, "What's up with you and Travis Barker?" Paris' reply? "He's one of my dear friends," adding, "I'm single, he's my friend."

As TMZ reported earlier, Houston's publicist Nancy Seltzer confirms the Grammy award-winning singer will file for divorce from husband Bobby Brown. The couple has one child, Bobbi Kristina.

Bobby recently talked about asking out Whitney for the first time on "The Tyra Banks Show."

According to the TMZ source, there is in fact no romance between Brown and Steffans, and that outsiders are creating that illusion because of her past, in which she was known as "Supahead" by legions of R&B and hip-hop artists to whom she provided sexual services on the sets of their videos. She wrote a book about her experiences, "Confessions of a Video Vixen," which was a New York Times bestseller.

Steffans recently told the New York Daily News' Lloyd Grove that her relationship with Brown was "a really tricky situation" and called him her "dearest friend," but wouldn't admit to having a physical relationship. During the summer, at a concert Brown gave with fellow '80s artists Bell Biv Devoe and En Vogue at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Steffans was backstage and in fact took Brown home in her car. Brown had told the audience that he and Whitney were on the rocks and that he needed a "tenderoni" to take home; it appears he found that "tenderoni" in the form of Steffans. Brown and Steffans' encounter that night was caught on tape by a show called "I Married A Baller" on the TV One network.

Ironically enough, Steffans told Grove back in August that she didn't want to "wreck any marriages" and that she was "a big fan" of Whitney's. "I want her to come back and sing her heart out," said Karrine of Whitney.

It doesn't seem like Heather Locklear is having trouble moving on from her reported split from David Spade. In fact, the blonde beauty was all smiles as she left Mastro's steakhouse in Beverly Hills Friday night, arm in arm with a new mystery man.

According to several media reports, Heather and David called it quits last week after a rumored six-month romance. However, a source tells People magazine, "Heather is still going through a lot with Denise (Richards) and Richie. It's just too soon for her to get serious. They are still friends. It's not ugly."

Update 5:53PM ET: The mystery man has been revealed to be realtor Bill Small of Aspen, Colo. Small specializes in selling high-end, exclusive residential properties. Bill is no dummy either. Heather's arm candy is a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar association and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Seattle University School of Law as well as a BA from the University of Maine.

Is Heather in the market for a new house or a new relationship??

Dave Navarro hit the Hollywood scene this weekend with another hot young mystery woman by his side, the second beauty linked to the rocker since his recent split with Carmen Electra.

Navarro first rebounded from his highly publicized split with porn legend Jenna Jameson, but rumors of a secret break-up between the two swirled after several reports linked Jenna to Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz.