Gossip / Rumors

Aniston and Cusack, along with Catherine Keener, were at Sundance for the premiere of their new film, 'Friends With Money.'

Watch interview with Aniston, Keener and Cusack

Here's what the driver is saying:

- Aniston was so wound up over paparazzi following her, she told the driver: "You need to take me where nobody is." He accommodated her by driving for 25 minutes, ending up in a church parking lot. Aniston got out of the car and immediately began chain smoking cigarettes. The driver says this happened several times during her stay.

- Cusack was "sick" of all the hoopla surrounding Aniston's personal life. Cusack told the driver that even though she's a celebrity she's a private person and able to live a "nice normal life." The driver says Cusack put it this way: "It's a choice an actor makes." The comment wasn't specifically directed at Aniston, but the implication is certainly there.

The driver also talked about other celebs at Sundance. He says two "well-known actors" (he did not specify whom) tipped another driver with the joint they had been smoking in the car.

Over each of the past four years, I have worked as one of the people handing out the gift bags at the Golden Globes. I cannot keep from laughing when I recall some of the stories I have heard from attendees of such a prestigious event when trying to obtain one of the coveted bags. And throughout the course of the evening, as more and more alcohol is consumed, these stories increase in urgency, importance and emotion.

I'm still amazed at how many creative, needy, sad and desperate stories are told in the hopes of being rewarded with a gift bag. It's almost like judging a junior high drama contest. Because, you see ... there are strict rules that no gift bags are to be handed out without a ticket stub from the actual ceremony. End of story.

OK, but my story doesn't end there.

The experiences which emerge from this fly on the wall perspective at the Globes, makes for some great storytelling.

"(The rumor) got started because the movie had a love scene with Denzel, and people took that and translated it to real life," the 34-year-old actress tells the magazine, now on newsstands.

"They said I was pregnant with Denzel's child, and people were calling my mother, saying I'm having his baby. It's frustrating. People are going to talk no matter what."

Washington, 51, has been married to his wife, Pauletta, for 22 years.

A call by The Associated Press to the actor's representative wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.

Lathan stars in the upcoming romantic comedy "Something New."

It's been a tough week for Simpson. She was skewered by George Lopez at the People's Choice Awards. After Simpson's ultra-sexy performance of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' from 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' Lopez quipped, "Hey, that makes up for 'The Dukes of Hazzard.'"

According to the television show 'EXTRA,' recent reports that Brad Pitt called Jennifer Aniston to tell her about Angelina Jolie's pregnancy prior to the public announcement are false. Aniston's publicist Stephen Huvane tells 'EXTRA,' "All the reports about phone calls between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie are all made up lies."

The full story will air on the Thursday, January 12th edition of 'EXTRA'.

Without further ado, the top five censored moments of 2005:

Robin Williams at the Academy Awards

In the ring: Sister against sister, and ex-lovers against ex-lovers. Even D-List reality stars have jumped into the fray, as many of them host their own New Year's Eve parties. Who will win? TMZ sizes up the competition and predicts who will emerge the winner.

The notorious Hilton sisters usually throw parties together. But this year, Paris and Nicky will both host competing New Year's Eve bashes in Las Vegas: Paris at Tao in the Venetian Hotel, while younger sis Nicky, along with her boyfriend, 'Entourage' star Kevin Connolly, will hold court at Pure at Caesars Palace in a winter wonderland-themed event. Both parties will feature views of fireworks displays and the hosts doing the midnight countdown.

But there are some major differences. Nicky's party is a black-tie event with a ticket price of $499. Paris' party is more accessible (at a ticket price of $200) and doesn't require formal wear. At the stroke-of-midnight, Nicky and her beau will open a bottle of Cristal champagne worth a reported $100,000. At midnight during Paris' party, 2006 pink balloons will drop and a snow machine will turn the place into a winter wonderland.

TMZ's winner pick: Paris is the bigger celebrity, so it's a no-brainer that her party will likely have more star power. Paris is also more likely to take off some of her clothes and do something wild at the party, which would also motivate people to be there. The bottom line: Paris' party sounds like a lot more fun.

Lindsay vs. Wilmer, Miami

Lindsay Lohan and Wilmer Valderrama's breakup is rumored to have caused hard feelings between the two, especially since Valderrama went on to date Lohan's friend, Ashlee Simpson. Now the two former lovebirds will be competing in a Miami showdown of New Year's Eve parties.

Lohan's bash at the indoor/outdoor club Prive/Opium will feature several DJs (including Samantha Ronson and DJ Irie), and will have a minimum admission price of $150 to $200 per person. Valderrama's party at Mansion will have DJ AM (aka, Nicole Richie's ex) and a live performance from trendy rock band the Bravery. The cost of admission to Valderrama's bash starts at $225.

TMZ's winner pick: Although Valderrama's party will have better music, Lohan's event will draw the cooler crowd. We're betting that a lot more of the beautiful people would rather see Lohan up close than Valderrama, and Prive is a much nicer space.

Pamela vs. Kid Rock

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock were once engaged, and they've definitely gone their separate ways when it comes to what they're doing this New Year's Eve. Anderson will be in Los Angeles to host a party dubbed "Gridlock" on the Paramount Studios back lot. The Pussycat Dolls will perform, and the minimum admission price is $125. Kid Rock will DJ at the new Vegas nightclub Jet in the Mirage Hotel, with admission prices starting at $200.

TMZ's winner pick: Anderson's party will draw a hotter crowd since Kid Rock's party will have so much more competition in Vegas. Having a party on a movie-studio back lot is much more unique than just another hotel. And a lot of partygoers may not admit it, but a big appeal of Anderson's party is to see what she's wearing...or not wearing.

Reality Stars vs. Reality Stars

For anyone who wants to party with reality stars of dubious fame, there's no shortage of New Year's Eve choices. In New York City, Brittny Gastineau of 'Gastineau Girls' will host a bash at Nest, with tickets going for a minimum $50. Also in the Big Apple, Wes Bergmann and Johanna Botta of 'The Real World: Austin' will host a party at the sci-fi-themed restaurant Mars 2112; ticket prices start at $145. And from the first season of 'The Real World: New York,' Eric Nies will preside over a bash at Sequoia, with the cost of admission starting at $125.

Meanwhile, in Miami, a minimum $60 ticket price will get someone into a party at Crobar hosted by 'America's Next Top Model' first-season winner Adrianne Curry and her fiancé, Christopher Knight, who both starred in their own reality show, 'My Fair Brady.'

TMZ's winner pick: None. Why party with reality stars when these cities will be packed with bigger celebrities at relatively accessible bashes?

Celeb spotlight

• Mariah Carey
• Paris Hilton
• Lindsay Lohan
• Maroon 5
• Jamie Foxx
• Pamela Anderson
• Kid Rock
• Colin Farrell
• Jennifer Aniston
• Vince Vaughn
• Mary J. Blige
• Sean "Diddy" Combs

TMZ has obtained legal documents filed by Angelina Jolie which will bring Brad Pitt one step closer to adopting her two children.

Jolie has already filed adoption papers. Now she has filed legal notice to change the last names of Maddox and Zahara to Jolie-Pitt.

California law requires proposed name changes to be published four successive weeks in a local newspaper. Jolie has published her intention to change the last name of her children in the Daily Commerce. The notice reads: "The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted."

A hearing on the name change is scheduled for January 19 at the Santa Monica courthouse.

So what's the deal? Will Brad and Angelina get hitched, or are they pulling a Goldie and Kurt? There's no evidence they've filed for a marriage license.

Documents

Jolie's proof of publication

Video

Brad Pitt's Hollywood Hills compound

Related Links

• Jolie Files Name Change Papers for Her Kids
• Did 'Mr. & Mrs.' Cause the Brad and Jen Breakup?
• Is Brangelina Getting Hitched?
• Will They? Is She?
• Brad and Angelina's First Official Public Outing

You can bet Irish hottie Colin Farrell has to fight off the ladies. Well, here's a plot twist! In 2005, one very wacky lass claimed the 'Phone Booth' star stalked her after steamy phone sex. Dessarae Bradford claimed in court papers that Farrell caused her mental anguish and wouldn't leave her alone. She demanded $5,000 plus the return of an erotic tape. Bradford made similar claims against movie star Alec Baldwin. Both stars denied even knowing the woman. Farrell's reps called the claims crazy. Some believe she is either hallucinating or trying to make a name for herself. Dessarae talked to our own Omar Lugones.

Click to hear Dessarae talk about the case

The article, "Brit & Kev: Secret Sex Tape? New parents have a new worry: racy footage from 2004," claimed that Spears and Federline showed it to their lawyer and expressed fear that "...a member of their entourage has threatened to release raunchy footage of the two..."

The suit, filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that the article, which ran in the October 17, 2005 issue, is an "outrageous fabrication." In legal papers, Spears' lawyer, famed attorney Marty Singer, claims there was never a sex tape and that Us Weekly was "maliciously standing by the bogus story."

The suit seeks $10 million in damages, an award of the gross revenues received by Us Weekly for the alleged "unauthorized use of Spear's name, photograph and likeness" and other damages.

Singer told TMZ.com, "Britney has finally decided to take a stand to put a stop to people fabricating these malicious lies about her."

They griped about Carey's entourage, and her demands the store be shut down for her.

At that point, claim Page Six sources, "an older gentleman purchasing an orange ski jacket unexpectedly chimed in with, 'Yeah...that girl will really make your head spin!"

The former Mrs. Cruise sat alone at the blackjack table as she played out an impressive pile of chips, stacked almost a half-foot high. She was playing at a no-limit blackjack table. Her chips ranged between $25 and $500 each.

Nicole has been linked romatically to country crooner Keith Urban -- who is also in Vegas for the Radio Music Awards tomorrow night.

The people in the casino definitely noticed Nicole but left her alone. There were two other players at Nicole's table. They had friendly interaction as they gambled away.

As if she needs the extra bucks, Nicole appeared to be winning, possibly winning big. Indeed, she had a winning smile on her face as the dealer drew the cards.

She may have ended a marriage, moved from a fab Beverly Hills home, dealt with her ex-hubby's very public new romance, and tried to keep her own under wraps, and still, Jen looked fabulous at the LA premiere of her new film, 'Rumor Has It.'

Aniston, her co-stars -- Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo, Mena Suvari, and Mike Vogel -- and director Rob Reiner all made appearances at the premiere in Hollywood last night.

Jen overcame a scratchy throat to tackle a bevy of rumors on any number of topics, including her recent chat with Jessica Simpson following her oh-so public split from Nick Lachey.

The 34-year-old Pinkett entrepreneur/business consultant was hired over 24-year-old financial journalist Rebecca Jarvis. At the show's live finale at New York City's Lincoln Center, Donald Trump gave Pinkett the chance to decide if Jarvis should be hired as his co-worker. Pinkett nixed the idea by saying that there could only be one 'Apprentice' winner.

At the show's after-party at Planet Hollywood, Pinkett's controversial decision was the talk of the night. And TMZ heard plenty of people associated with 'The Apprentice' speak off the record and say that Pinkett's decision showed poor sportsmanship.

One person who was vocal about his distaste was former 'Apprentice' contestant Raj Bhakta, who was known for his bow ties and canes on season two. He told anyone who would listen on the red carpet that he thought Pinkett's decision was "ungraceful." Jarvis commented on Pinkett's snub, "I think everyone was surprised. It seemed out of line with how Randal has endeared himself."

But she remained philosophical and said, "You're not going to win everything in life. I will not let this be a concrete wall."

In a story published in July 2005, the paper wrote that Hatcher kept a van parked outside her home which she used to have sex with a series of men while her daughter remained unattended in her house.

Naturally, Hatcher had her lawyer sue the pants off the tabloid. Today, The Daily Post admitted the story was entirely false and agreed to pay Hatcher "very substantial damages" and all of her legal costs, to issue a front page apology, and to never repeat the original story.