American Idol now has two judges to replace. Ellen DeGeneres has left the show after only one season, saying, "Idol "didn't feel like the right fit for me... It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. And while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."
Jessica Simpson has emerged as the new favorite to take over from Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol after Justin Timberlake and Elton John both rejected the role. Reps for both Timberlake and John moved quickly to shoot down the claims and now singer Simpson has become the latest celebrity touted for the job. A source tells TMZ that Simpson has had "several meetings" with American Idol bosses and that there's "mutual interest" from both parties to bring her on board. An official announcement is not expected to be made until September.
Dina Lohan scoffs at the idea that her daughter is getting special treatment behind bars. She says that Lindsay "doesn't have cell-phone privileges -- that's absurd. She doesn't even have a pillow to sleep on." Dina also complains that she isn't allowed physical contact with LiLo during visits. "I talk to her through glass. There's a phone and we put her on speaker, but I can't even hug my daughter... She's treated like a common criminal."
Jennifer Love Hewitt has a new man - she's dating actor/director Alex Beh, according to a tabloid report. She has been single since splitting from her TV co-star Jamie Kennedy in March but she's allegedly taken herself off the dating market after meeting 27-year-old Beh. The couple was spotted enjoying a romantic dinner date in Los Angeles earlier this month and the actress is smitten. A source says, "She's so into him. It's relatively new. But they're really cute together. They were holding hands the whole night!"
Mark Wahlberg has been enshrined in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 39-year-old actor was presented with a star yesterday on Hollywood Boulevard's famed sidewalk monument. His wife and four young children were on hand for the sidewalk ceremony. Wahlberg said, "I'm so happy my kids are sitting through this. When I heard I was getting this star, I felt like it was a practical joke."
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