Britney Spears is set to open the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend.

The “Toxic” singer – who stunned fans with her shambolic performance of “Gimme More” at last year’s ceremony – has not revealed exactly how she will be kicking off the prestigious Los Angeles event, but confirmed she has something “exciting” planned.

Britney – who is nominated for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for her promo for “Piece of Me” – told People magazine: “MTV has long played an important role in my career.”

“How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I’m excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated.”

Referring to Britney’s varied performances at past ceremonies – including controversially kissing Madonna at the 2003 ceremony - Van Toffler, the President of MTV Networks Music, added: “Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. I can’t wait to see what she does to kick off this year’s show.”

However, a source close to the production revealed Britney – who has been nominated for 16 VMAs throughout her career but has never won - will not open the show with a musical performance.

The singer’s manager Larry Rudolph said last week: “Britney Spears will not be performing at the VMAs this year. I’m telling you officially and unequivocally.”

The MTV Video Music Awards are taking place in Los Angeles on Sunday (September 7, 2008).

Hilary Swank is set to gain 30lbs for her next movie role.The actress - who lost a huge amount of weight to star in 2004 movie “Million Dollar Baby,” a role for which she won an Oscar - will pile on the pounds to appear in the movie adaptation of Mireille Guiliano’s best-selling book “French Women Don’t Get Fat.”

A source close to the movie, which Hilary will also produce, told gossip website E! online: “She’ll gain 20 to 30lbs. But it’s no sweat.”

“She has played a man before in ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. She can handle anything.”

Hilary will play the manager of a champagne company in the film, who deals with skinny French women who eat calorific treats including bread, wine and cakes and never put on weight.

The actress is not the only star who has put on weight for a role.

Eva Longoria is currently putting on pounds to play Gabrielle Solis in hit US TV show “Desperate Housewives,” while Matt Damon gained weight to appear in upcoming movie “The Informant.”

However, other actresses have taken the easy route by wearing a fat suit.

Meg Ryan “gained” 140lbs for new movie “My Mom’s New Boyfriend” by wearing a padded outfit, while Gwyneth Paltrow did the same for 2001 movie “Shallow Hal.”

Anne Hathaway paid her ex-boyfriend’s $148,000 rent.

The “Devil Wears Prada” actress reportedly gave Raffaello Follieri money to cover the $37,000 monthly payments for his luxurious Olympic Tower apartment, in New York, for four months, according to Vanity Fair magazine.

After growing suspicious of the Italian businessman’s money-making schemes, Anne is believed to have phoned Raffaello and ended their four-year relationship over the summer.

It has been claimed Anne told him during the emotional call: “You were the love of my life. I’ll always love you. You know that, baby.”

Just hours after the pair parted ways, Raffaello was arrested and charged with a dozen counts of federal wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

He is accused of posing as a member of the Vatican and attempting to con investors interested in buying and developing church properties.

Raffaello also allegedly stole $6 million from his investment firm.

He will remain in jail unless he can post $21 million bail.

It has also been claimed Anne’s father Jerry first began to doubt Raffaello in 2005 and had him followed by a private investigator.

Earlier this week, it was reported Anne, 25, is now dating “Sweet Home Alabama” actor Josh Lucas, after the pair were seen at several Democratic National Convention events together recently.

Jennifer Lopez ”doesn’t know” if she will have any more children.

The 39-year-old actress – who welcomed twins Max and Emme, her first children with husband Marc Anthony, into the world in February – is unsure whether she will extend her family any further.

She said: “When I was pregnant, I told Marc, ‘I love doing things for you. If I’m not cooking, then I’m picking out a shirt. But this is the first time in my life where I’m just going to be a little bit selfish. I don’t know if I’m going to have kids again, so I want it to be a beautiful experience. I don’t want to have any drama. I want to just be smiling every day.’”

The “Wedding Planner” actress also described the first moment she knew she was expecting.

She added to America’s Elle magazine: “I was sitting down doing hair and make-up and I felt a flutter. The weirdest little flourish.”

“My make-up artist said, ‘What’s the matter?’ I didn’t say anything, but in my head, I was like, I have life inside me!”

Jessica Simpson has no plans to return to acting.

The singer – who starred as Daisy Duke in movie “The Dukes of Hazzard” and has since appeared in films including “Blonde Ambition” and “Employee of the Month” – admits she has lost her appetite for the industry following the lack of interest in her latest movie ventures.

She said: “I’m not closing that chapter of my life by any means.”

“But I am all about the music right now. When it comes to acting, it’s got to feel right for me at this point in my life.”

“It’s got to just be a really incredible director and production with an awesome studio and great cast. But for me right now Jessica Simpson is music.”

Jessica – who will soon release her debut country album “Do You Know” – also revealed she began to lose confidence in her vocal talents following her shambolic performance of Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5.”

She added: “You know, what happened at Kennedy Center, I really thought I was done singing.”

“I was just at a place where I’d lost a lot of confidence and I didn’t even know who I was.”

“But Dolly totally took me under her wing and helped me up and over the cares of the world.”

“It went from the Kennedy Center to her being a part of this record and getting letters from her of encouragement.”

“She told me she’s never been more proud of anything in her whole life.”

“And I have it written down in her handwriting! I do owe a lot of my confidence to her.”

The 28-year-old star added she now wants to inspire other young singers.

She told E! News: “On stage, when I say, ‘Thank you for giving me a second chance,’ I feel like I’m having a comeback. I’m on solid ground again.”

“They can look to me for inspiration. I want to be a role model.”

Angelina Jolie is reportedly suffering from postpartum depression.

The “Wanted” actress – who has six children with partner Brad Pitt - is said to be having severe “mood swings” and is finding it hard to cope after her newborn twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon were diagnosed with colic, a common condition where babies cry excessively for no apparent reason.

A source said: “Angelina slips into depression mode all the time. She has been trying to control her emotions around her older children but her mood swings have been hard on the entire family.”

“She has been staying in bed most of the time, all she does is sleep. She has little energy and has to force herself to remember to eat because she is still breast feeding. She cries at the drop of a hat and laughs at inappropriate times.”

Following the birth of the twins in July, Angelina has stayed in the family’s Chateau Miraval in Provence, France, and is reportedly angry at Brad for attending Italy’s Venice International Film Festival to promote his new movie “Burn After Reading.”

The source added to In Touch Weekly magazine: “Angelina feels that Brad has it easy. He had the kids without the pain of birth, and he can just jet off whenever he feels like it.”

Kate Hudson says her divorce from Chris Robinson was the ”best thing that ever happened” to her.

The “Fool’s Gold” actress – who has a four-year-old son with Black Crowes frontman Chris – insists the couple’s relationship has improved dramatically since their legal separation in October 2007.

She told America’s Cosmopolitan magazine: “Look – Chris and I are still basically living together! We’ve figured it out.”

“I mean, obviously, nothing’s perfect, but I could never look at our divorce as a mistake. If anything, it’s the best thing that ever happened to us.”

The 29-year-old actress recently revealed she doesn’t regret forsaking her partying years to have a child.

She said: “Am I going to look back and say, ‘God, I wish I could have gone to that concert?’ I’d rather be listening to my son sing songs. I’d rather be watching him sleep.”

Despite having a series of failed relationships, including those with Lance Armstrong, Owen Wilson and Dax Shepard, Kate also admitted she still holds out hope she will find her soul mate.

She added: “Every girl wants a fairy-tale ending. And I believe it’s possible. Absolutely.”

Keira Knightley has topped a poll of perfect pouts.

The “The Duchess” star beat “Wanted” actress Angelina Jolie to the number one spot in a public survey by lip care company Blistex.

Keira, 23, has previously said she doesn’t think her pursed lips are attractive, claiming it makes her look like she is having trouble with her bowel movements.

She said: “I don’t pout to be sexy. I do it when I’m concentrating. I think it makes me look constipated.”

Pop princess Kylie Minogue took third place in the poll of 3,000 women.

The worst pout slot went to British actress Leslie Ash, who suffered an allergic reaction to collagen injection.

She was closely followed by troubled singer Amy Winehouse and British glamor model Jodie Marsh.

Keira has recently claimed she would be terrified if she had to give an Oscar acceptance speech.

She said: “I would probably s**t myself if I had to give a speech.”

Miley Cyrus has splashed out on a $75,000 car for her 16th birthday.

“Hannah Montana” star - who reportedly earned $18.2 million last year - is treating herself to a “fully loaded” white convertible Mercedes Benz to mark the milestone on November 23.

A source said: “Miley wanted special options like parking assist and a cream-colored leather interior, so she ordered the car early.”

“She is telling everyone that she hopes to get a car when she turns 16, so when it comes, she can say it was a surprise from her parents.”

Miley - the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus - recently revealed she wanted a “bad” car to celebrate turning 16.

She said: “I definitely want to get something bad on the road, big enough for all my friends and to scare all the cars away from me. I’m a good driver but it’s everyone else that I’m worried about!”

Miley is set to celebrate her birthday at Disneyland, California, and is selling $250 tickets for the bash to raise money for Youth Service America.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed “7 Things” - which appears on Miley’s current album “Breakout” - was written about her split from Jonas Brothers singer Nick Jonas.

The catchy track, which features the young star detailing the seven things she hates about an unnamed ex-boyfriend, includes the lyrics, “Your friends, they’re jerks/When you act like them, just know it hurts.”

Miley parted ways with Nick in 2007 after two years together.

Earlier this year, 15-year-old Nick insisted the song wasn’t about him, saying: “My friends aren’t jerks.”

However, Brett Ratner - who directed the video for “7 Things” - revealed the necklace Miley wears in the video was given to her by the boy she sings about.

He said: “She is wearing his diabetes or medical necklace. You can tell by the lyrics that they’re very personal. The stuff she talks about in the video is clever and emotional and fun at the same time.”

Nick has Type 1 diabetes and campaigns to raise awareness about the disease.

Anne Hathaway has been spotted canoodling with actor Josh Lucas.

The “Devil Wears Prada” actress, who split from Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri over the summer, was reportedly holding hands with Josh at the Democratic National Convention, in Denver, last week.

The happy pair were later seen flirting and laughing at Earls Restaurant in Denver.

A source told gossip blogger Perez Hilton: “They definitely looked like a couple. They were really into each other, giggling and smiling and even holding hands at one point. You could almost taste their chemistry!”

“She looked beautiful and happy. Josh put his arm around her for a bit before they left.”

Anne, 25, and Josh, 37, are also believed to have been “connected at the hip” at another Democratic National Convention event hosted by the National Apartment Association earlier this month.

The Hollywood stars reportedly “sneaked away” together for some privacy during a speech by the association’s president.

“Sweet Home Alabama” star Josh has previously been romantically linked to Salma Hayek and Heather Graham, while Anne split from Raffaello after four years following a series of scandals involving the businessman.

Lindsay Lohan has confessed she ”loves” Samantha Ronson.The “Mean Girls” actress - who has so far refused to confirm she is dating the New York DJ - declared she is “smitten” with the blonde star.

Writing on her official MySpace blog, Lindsay puts her mood as “smitten.”

She then went on to dedicate Ray LaMontagne’s touching ballad “Trouble” to “sr” (Samantha Ronson) before adding “ILY” (I love you).

Lindsay also revealed she is desperate to track down a dessert she and Samantha used to enjoy at school as a surprise for the DJ.

The blog reads: “So, Samantha and I are looking for Dixie cups - does anyone remember them???”

“They were given in school as a desert. They are half vanilla/half chocolate.”

“I have to have them before she gets back - so anyone that can help me find them - please, please, please, post it for me to see!!!!”

“Take care xoxo.”

“This song is for sr… ILY”

“Currently listening: ‘Trouble.’ By Ray LaMontagne.”

Ray’s romantic track includes lyrics such as: “She gave me love and affection/I said I love her/She’s good to me” and “I’ve been saved by a woman/She won’t let me go/She won’t let me go now”.

”Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester’s mother was in prison when she was born.

The brunette beauty – who plays “Park Lane princess” Blair Waldorf in the hit US TV show – was welcomed into the world while her mother was serving a federal prison sentence in Texas, according to America’s Star magazine.

Leighton’s mother, who gave birth to the actress in April 1986, was permitted to stay in a halfway house for the labor and birth.

She was then forced to return to prison to complete her sentence for her role in a major drug-running ring on the same day Leighton turned three months old.

Leighton was raised by a relative while her mother finished her sentence.

The 22-year-old actress’ father, grandfather and aunt have also reportedly spent time behind bars on charges of drug dealing.

Leighton shot to fame playing bad girl Blair on the TV show, which has been a worldwide hit, and loves starring as such a “conflicted” character.

She said recently: “The show needs to have conflict. If everyone was happy then it would suck. So we have a lot of conflict, believe me. And their conflict is very interesting, because it’s very internal.”

“There are no real outward obstacles. It’s a lot of their own minds colliding with each other.”

Keira Knightley would ‘’s**t herself” if she won an Oscar.The Duchess” actress, who has been tipped for Academy Award glory next year for her role in the period drama, is terrified at the thought of accepting the accolade if she does triumph.

She said: “I would probably s**t myself if I had to give a speech.”

Keira also revealed she was worried about accepting the role of Georgiana Spencer in “The Duchess” in case people didn’t take her seriously and she felt like a “w***er” wearing a wig.

The 23-year-old star added: “There is always an element of fear that you are not going to be able to make people believe in the fiction, that suddenly you are going to be standing there in your dress and wig, and feel like a complete w***er. Which is not particularly helpful.”

Pregnant Rebecca Romijn is craving soy cream cheese.The “Ugly Betty” star - who is expecting twin daughters with husband Jerry O’Connell later this year - can’t get enough of the bizarre savory snack, and Jerry has been busy keeping the kitchen stocked with her favorite foods.

He said: “Lemonade always has to be in our fridge. That’s my job.”

“Also soy cream cheese. It’s crazy, right? Can’t be cream cheese. Soy cream cheese.”

“Do you know how difficult it is to find soy cream cheese?”

“It’s usually in the corner of the supermarket someplace!”

Jerry, who married Rebecca last summer in an intimate Los Angeles ceremony, also revealed the 35-year-old actress’ appetite is growing bigger every day.

He added to People magazine: “Meals are not missed. We promptly hit them and if we’re a little late, then… somebody’s not happy.”

Jerry, 34, has previously spoken about Rebecca’s “crazy” pregnancy palate.

He said: “Rebecca has been craving a lot of ice cream!”

“And not any one particular brand… a lot of the different ones at Ben and Jerry’s, but also other crazy brands.”

Charlie Sheen’s pregnant wife is craving pickles and ice cream.

The “Two and a Half Men” star, who married Brooke Mueller in May, revealed his spouse has developed some unusual eating habits since discovering she is expecting the couple’s first child.

Charlie said: “She came to the outdoor kitchen the other night with a jar of pickles. That was followed by ice-cream.”

Brooke, 31, also admitted her appetite is growing and she can’t get enough of several other savory snacks. She said: “Cheese and crackers, pistachios. Everything.”

Charlie, who has three daughters from previous relationships, insists he doesn’t mind whether he has a boy or a girl with Brooke.

He explained: “We just want a healthy child. We know everyone says that, but it’s the truth.”

However, the couple are considering finding out the gender of the baby soon and throwing a party.

Charlie added to America’s OK! magazine: “We might do that thing where they do the test, then write it down, then we have a dinner and it’s revealed.”

The 42-year-old actor has two daughters - four-year-old Sam and Lola, three - with ex-wife Denise Richard.

He also has a daughter, Cassandra, who is in her twenties, from a relationship with Paula Profitt.

Thandie Newton refused to film her sex scene with Gerard Butler in ”RocknRolla” because he was ill.The 35-year-old actress – who plays stunning accountant Stella in Guy Ritchie’s new movie – insisted the scene didn’t involve her kissing him after she realized how sick Gerard was.

Thandie – who is only seen romping with the hunky actor in the movie – told BANG Showbiz: “I arrived on set for the sex scene to find Gerry was very unwell indeed. So I wouldn’t kiss him.”

“Guy had to improvise. I don’t know how he coped with those problems but it ended up being one of the most brilliant scenes.”

“But I did find it challenging having to climax in a close-up to camera.”

Thandie also said she really enjoyed shooting the gangster movie because she liked being around the predominantly male cast.

The actress added: “One of the things I really liked about the film was that on set it was just me surrounded by men! It was a lot less chat but it was great.”

Katie Holmes’ Broadway debut will be attended by an anti-Scientology group wearing masks.

The former “Dawson’s Creek” actress - who became a follower of the bizarre sci-fi cult, after marrying Tom Cruise in November 2006 - will face a silent protest from demonstrators from Anonymous in Guy Fawkes masks when “All My Sons” opens on October 16 in New York’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.

A representative for the group said: “We aren’t looking to shut ‘All My Sons’ down, we don’t have the power to do that, we just want to prove a point.”

“We just want to save Katie. We want to draw attention to Scientology, and hopefully get Katie out of it before it’s too late.”

Guy Fawkes was a British Catholic revolutionary who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. His actions are remembered every November 5 in the UK, known as “Bonfire Night.”

The group, who describe themselves as a “leaderless worldwide group of concerned citizens,” recently staged a protest at the Scientology Center in New York.

They claim the “dangerous cult” of Scientology has “a well-earned reputation for harassing critics and openly critical ex-scientologists at their homes and workplaces.”

Angelina Jolie would be ”interested” in starring in a French movie.

The 33-year-old actress - whose late mother Marcheline Bertrand was of French-Canadian descent - has been learning the complicated language for the past two years, and is keen to display her skills on the big screen.

When asked if she would consider starring in a European movie, Angelina said: “No one has asked me yet.”

“It would really interest me - there are more and more great films coming out of Europe and other cultures. When I can really speak the language, maybe I’ll try out for a French film in a few years.”

Despite being an actress, Angelina - who recently welcomed twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline with partner Brad Pitt into the world -hates watching films.

She added to German magazine Focus: “I find it difficult to sit still for two hours. I would rather read something or learn something or travel to experience something new.”

A schoolgirl from Liverpool has beaten young beauties from 25 other countries to take the Miss Teen World title in Houston, Texas.

Amy Jackson, 16, from Knowsley Village, told the Liverpool Echo: ‘I was completely shocked to win and so happy.

‘I really thought I had not made the final five. But then I went on to take the title. I made lots of friends during the competition and may now be going to live in Texas for a year to promote the contest.’

Personality and communication counted for a quarter of contestants’ scores, with the other three-quarters going to their appearance in evening gown, swimsuit, and ‘poise and beauty’.

In contrast to recent ’size zero’ model healthcare scandals, Miss Teen World judges stressed health over size: ‘Physical fitness should be an important part of everyone’s life,’ the judges said. ‘We are looking for a winner that is in great shape with a healthy respect for her body.’

Amy reached the final after winning the Miss Teen Liverpool and Miss Teen Great Britain contests.

Amy’s father, BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Alan Jackson, said: ‘The contestants were asked to talk about their home town and obviously Amy was not short of things to say. She mentioned Liverpool FC, Capital of Culture, the Mersey – there is no shortage of things to say about Liverpool.

‘We are very proud of Amy and the fact she has done so well in school too.’

Hardworking Amy hopes to go on to university and study law - after achieving nine GCSEs passes this summer, five of which were As.

But she will continue modelling in the meantime - with a new UK contract, which she hopes will lead to success in the industry.

Other contestants in the Teen Miss World competition came from countries including Canada, France, Mexico, Korea, South Africa, Russia and the USA.

Amy’s prizes include a modelling contract in the USA, a wardrobe of appearance clothes and a years supply of cosmetics and shoes.

Halle Berry has finally offered a public glimpse of her daughter.

Little Nahla Ariela Aubry smiled, danced and took a brief snooze on her mom’s shoulder while touring the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday.

The 5-month-old is Berry’s first child with boyfriend Gabriel Aubry.

Nahla has been seen in public before - but only from behind. Berry threatened to press charges against a paparazzo who photographed the actress with her daughter in the family’s backyard in July.

But Nahla wasn’t the only thing the “Things We Lost in the Fire” star showed off this weekend.

Although she’s sworn she’ll never marry again, Berry was photographed wearing a sparkling band on that special finger on Friday and Saturday.

“I never want to be married again,” the twice-wed actress said on “Oprah” in October 2007. “I guess you could say I have bad taste in men. But I no longer feel the need to be someone’s wife. I don’t feel like I need to be validated by being in a marriage.”

Berry, 42, and Aubrey, 31, have been a couple for three years.

Her publicist had no comment on Sunday.