Angelina Jolie has more than one reason to celebrate today: Hot on the heels of the news of her engagement to Brad Pitt, the United Nations has announced that the actress will take on a new real-life role as special envoy.

Jolie, who has served as goodwill ambassador to the UN for ten years, received the promotion in a first from the international organization, who usually reserves the honor for career diplomats and retired politicians.

Angelina Jolie pretends she's above Angelegging >>

"Her work does go substantially beyond what we would typically see as being the normal role of a goodwill ambassador," UN spokesman Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva. "I don't think you need a rocket scientist to see the benefits that she is bringing in terms of the attention that she is getting for the plight of the world's displaced."

Jolie's work with the UNHCR -- the UN's refugee agency -- will focus on helping to resolve the crises that cause mass displacements of people in locations like Somalia and Afghanistan. "That can mean conveying messages to governments. It can mean conveying messages to other people and partners that we work with," said Edwards.

6 Tips for Brad and Angelina's would-be wedding planner >>

But while Jolie has donated tons of cash to the group over the years, that had nothing to do with gaining this new role.

"She has donated substantially to refugees," Edwards explained, also noting that Jolie won't receive any money for the job. "There is to my knowledge absolutely no connection between any donation of money and this role."

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/957509/angelina-jolies-engagement-and-un-role

Ricki Lake's princess card is all filled up thanks to her time on Dancing With the Stars. The newlywed cites her turn in the bright spotlight as part of the reason she and Christian Evans opted to elope.

“It was a week ago and I am so, so happy to be with him," Ricki Lake, who tied the knot in a private ceremony on April 8, said Tuesday. "Better late than never."

Of her decision to keep their nuptials a secret Ricki Lake divulged during a visit to The View, "Dancing With the Stars was such an experience where I felt like I was a princess twice a week. I got to get all the attention and the accolades and I didn't need that on my wedding day. I really wanted it to be about us."

Ricki Lake certainly got her wish. The couple's beachside vow exchange was attended only by their dogs -- her two sons didn't even get to witness her wedding!

Ricki Lake Show is making a comeback >>

"It was Easter break," the mother of 15-year-old Milo and 10-year-old Owen explained of their absence. "It was spring break and it was actually Easter Sunday and they were with their father. We invited them, but I think they were more concerned with what cake they were missing versus the ceremony. We celebrated with them and they've always felt like he's a stepfather to them anyways so they're really happy for us."

"He is my soul mate," Ricki Lake, whose book Never Say Never is now out, added of her new husband. "I was ready for that right person to come into my life."

Image via WENN

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/957525/ricki-lake-eloped-after-dwts

Gym, tan… lawsuit? Yet another castmate of MTV's Jersey Shore

is being sued -- this time for refusing to pay a hefty commission to the talent agency that negotiated his paycheck with the network. Looks like having fun every summer makes some serious cash.

Here's the deal, according to The Hollywood Reporter -- Pauly D was first signed by MTV in 2009 to head to the Jersey Shore for the summer. After such a successful first season, talent agency ICM renegotiated his contract with the network after each subsequent season. However, ICM only received a cut from his paychecks for some of the past seasons, and though the agency has been fired by the DJ, there's apparently $370,000 of unpaid commission worth fighting for -- and possibly more, since he's set for Season 6.

ICM filed the lawsuit yesterday with the Los Angeles Superior Court. According to the complaint, "No deed goes unpunished, however, and DelVecchio ultimately terminated the representation."

So how much is the DJ paid to party on the Jersey Shore? For Season 5, he raked in $150,000 per episode! Along with money due from after-shows, reunion shows, merchandising, a very generous signing bonus and more, Pauly D is said to be entitled to $2.1 million.

Though Pauly D already fired ICM, the agency cites that the "standard custom and practice in the entertainment industry [is] that talent agencies are entitled to post-termination commissions on all deals they negotiate for their client."

However, Pauly D's lawyer thinks otherwise. "ICM was paid for its services," said attorney Hillary Hughes to THR. "It is even more disappointing that an agency like ICM would choose to take advantage of its former relationship with a client and disclose his confidential business affairs to the public, in disregard of any duties it owes as a talent agency."

Photo credit: Josiah True/ WENN.com

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/957151/talent-agency-sues-pauly-d-for-cut-of-jersey-shore-salary

Holy smokes! Lea Michele sizzled in a barely there black bikini on Sunday. Michele left little to the imagination while enjoying the Mexican sun on vacation with rumored beau and "Glee" co-star, Cory Monteith.

The pair couldn't keep their hands off each other, keeping quite close as they cooled off in the pool.

But Michele's itsy-bitsy black bikini was just one of her two bikini looks for the day. The toned and trim Broadway baby also showed off her flawless figure in a neon pink two-piece.

Although the singing duo have yet to officially confirm a relationship, there's no denying that they've got some major romantic chemistry. The pair were recently spotted in Hollywood, sharing an intimate dinner at Soho Hous

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/lea-michele-bikini-cory-monteith-glee_n_1412764.html?ref=celebrity

It's another girl for Bruce Willis!

The actor and his wife, Emma Heming Willis, have welcomed their first child together, they announced Monday. The baby, a girl named Mabel Ray, made her big debut in Los Angeles on Sunday and weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce.

According to their statement, "Both mother and baby are healthy and doing beautifully."

This is the fourth daughter for Willis, who has three daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore: Rumer, 23; Scout, 20; and Tallulah, 18.

Willis and Heming wed in 2009 and announced in October they were expecting a baby together.

Check out photos below of other stars who are expecting in 2012:

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Uh oh. It looks like Kim Kardashian may not be rid of Kris Humphries just yet. The New York Post reports Kris Humphries demands a public admission from Kim Kardashian that their marriage was fake. In addition, Humphries requests a public apology from her.

Page Six cites sources who say Kris feels "the entire wedding was staged by her and her family."

They say Humphries refuses to move forward with their divorce until she gives in to his demands. Page Six talked to a friend of Kris Humphries who revealed to the newspaper the NBA player is more concerned with his reputation than making money off his pending divorce.

"Kim's camp is depicting him as money-hungry, but in fact he turned down a $7 million settlement. Her camp is putting out stories about Kim's divorce hoping he'll cave in, but he won't." Their source continued, "Kris wants Kim to admit to fraud, to admit the whole thing was staged for publicity, to make a public apology to him because he really wanted a marriage."

And it looks like Humphries is actually serious. Page Six says Humphries "took the unusual step of filing for an annulment based on fraud" and demands Kim report the total amount she earned off of their 72-day marriage.

In March, it was reported Kris asked for $7 million from Kim to avoid him prolonging the divorce.

Kris Humphries married Kim Kardashian on Aug. 20, 2011. It was Humphries first marriage and Kim's second. In October 2011, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries citing irreconcilable differences.

The quick demise of their relationship coupled with the estimated $18 million Kim made from their two-hour E! televised wedding led many to believe the marriage was done for the increased — and very profitable — exposure to the Kardashian family. Inside sources claim Kim has a history of publicity stunts.

A former publicist for Kim Kardashian, Jonathan Jaxson, told RadarOnline in February 2012 that Kim's engagement ring from Humphries was really her own ring purchased during her days with NFL player Reggie Bush. Jonathan explained that in 2007, "Kim wanted to stage a paparazzi moment acting like she got engaged because she was with Reggie Bush at the time, so I did a set up with her with the same ring." Jaxson later issued an apology and said his comments were merely his opinion and "not intended to imply firsthand knowledge of Kim's thoughts and feelings."

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/955847/kris-humphries-to-kim-kardashian-admit-it-was-fake

The "30 Rock" star, who turns 54 on Tuesday, proposed to 28-year-old girlfriend Hilaria Thomas over the weekend on Long Island. Thomas is a yoga instructor and co-owner at New York's Yoga Vida yoga studio.

Baldwin's representative confirmed the news to The Huffington Post.

Thomas, who was born in Mallorca, Spain, grew up between Boston and Spain and studied dance and art history at NYU before taking up yoga. She met Baldwin last year, and often exchanges fun displays of Twitter affection with her new fiancee (as well as with his daughter, Ireland).

The couple has not set a date for the wedding. It will be the first marriage for Thomas and the second for Baldwin, whose previous marriage, to Kim Basinger, ended in divorce in 2002.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Alec Baldwin (L) and Hilaria Thomas attend the match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Santiago Giraldo of Colombia during Day One of the 2011 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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Peter Cook cheated on Christie Brinkley with a teenager and tried to use his wife's money to buy the girl's silence -- but he says he's the real victim here.

Brinkley gave a tearful interview on The Today Show in which she broke down over what she called Cook's blatant disregard for their children's "peace." Now Cook says she is a liar who is doing nothing more than trying to manipulate public opinion in her favor.

“I thought it was horrible she could sit and shamelessly lie to our children again on national TV about the events surrounding this current issue," said Cook during his own interview on The Today Show.

Calling Brinkley's emotions nothing more than "crocodile tears," Cook said the "interview was a lie where she claims that I am harassing and bullying her on a daily basis; so this perception that I am harassing and bullying her is nonsense."

Fail: Christie Brinkley's ex tries to make himself look good >>

"I am also shocked by the blatant lies she told regarding our divorce proceedings of four years ago, including denying the indisputable fact that she fought for an open courtroom despite the warnings it would harm our children," he said.

"She will stop at nothing to continue the drama in our lives in order to harass me and keep herself relevant in the media. Clearly, Christie does not believe I was punished enough four years ago for my indiscretions in our marriage, but for the sake of our children I wish she would find a way to move on."

The couple share two children together. Jack, 16, whom Cook adopted upon their marriage, refuses to see him, Cook said. Sailor, 13, still speaks to her father.

Image courtesy Michael Carpenter / WENN

source:http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/955435/christie-brinkley-is-a-liar-ex-retorts

Angelina Jolie wasn't always an expert on the Bosnian War. That's one reason she wanted to make a movie about it. "I was very confused as to what were the Balkans, and what exactly happened, and why," says the actress. "Nobody could give me the answer I was looking for. And I remain confused about the region."

But Jolie had another, more personal reason for making "In the Land of Blood and Honey," her directorial debut, which comes out Tuesday on DVD and Blu-ray. The war that raged inside the former Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1995 was the most brutal conflict on European soil since World War II, and many of the people it affected were members of Jolie's generation. People like Vanessa Glodjo, whom Jolie cast in her film. "[While] I was driving back from class in Los Angeles," Jolie says, "she was running across sniper fire to get back to class."

Jolie spent two years making "In the Land of Blood and Honey," serving as writer, producer and (Golden Globe-nominated) director. But that's not all. She actually shot two versions of the entire movie, one in the region's native languages (Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian) and a second -- available for the first time in the new DVD edition -- in English.

To mark the DVD's release, Jolie spoke with The Huffington Post about the film's emotional reception in Sarajevo, her desire (or lack thereof) to direct again, and her belief that she and her partner, Brad Pitt, are obligated to help make the world a better place -- not because they're celebrities, but because they're people.

How did audiences in Bosnia receive "In the Land of Blood and Honey," a famous person's film about a tough issue so important to them?

The few weeks in Sarajevo was the most extraordinary, moving experience I've ever had. We ended up screening it at a place [the Zetra Olympic Hall] for over 6,000 people, that was originally built for the Olympics, which was a symbol for them of right before the war and a positive thing in their country. During the war, it was a place where a lot of bodies were buried. So going into that building was emotional. The whole experience was emotional. Some of the cast members who were Bosnian Serbs hadn't really been back since the war, and they were walking back into where they grew up with a piece of art that they hoped would be interpreted the right way, but they weren't sure.

And what was the audience's reaction after the film had played?

We all stood off the stage nervously holding hands and waiting for it to end, and wondering if somebody was going to scream or throw something, or if we were going to be safe onstage. And they stood up. It was extremely moving -- we all cried. It didn't feel like it was a film. The film didn't matter in the moment where, somehow, I feel like they felt that we did our best. And we tried. And they would forgive any small things and just see the overall, and the overall seemed to move them. And they received it, and they accepted it, and we stayed up until 3 o'clock in the morning speaking with a lot victims of war, and crying a lot and hugging a lot.

Meanwhile, the critical response to your film was mixed. Which leads me to the question: Is it more important for you as a director to get a message across, or more important for it be considered a work of art?

The most important thing is not to get the message wrong. That was what I sat with at the end of the day: I want to spend two years, I want to learn about a new craft, and more importantly, I want to learn about a history and a country and a people, and I know if I focus on this, in a few years I'll be better for it. I'll have grown as a person and have learned something about life. And in doing so, you hope that you can return with something that does right by all the people that trusted and came together and kind of shared and put their own history on the line. You don't want to do something and somebody says we misinterpreted the message. That was my great fear.

You just don't want to mess it up.

Yeah. It was a dramatic interpretation, not a documentary. You can't please everybody. And it's a very fresh war. But at the same time, it's my first film, so just to survive … [laughs]. I was actually very happy about the reviews. I was very happy reading some of the reviews in Europe, because it's a European film.

The DVD features a never-seen-before English version. What was it like shooting the movie twice? Which version do you hope people watch, the Bosnian or the English version?

The Bosnian. A film like that, it's not just to tell the pieces of the history so much as to give you a feeling of who these people are, what it is, what it feels like, what it sounds like. To meet the Yugoslavian people. You don't really get that completely when they're not speaking in their language. But I also am happy that we have the English, because I didn't want to make a film just for people that like history, and foreign films. I wanted to make a film for people that don't know about this war, but really don't like to go to foreign films.

A lot of people won't watch anything with subtitles.

It was really hard on the actors. We did two takes in one, and two takes in the other, on average. We even had the producers say to us, "If you fall behind in the first week, you have to cut a language." The nice thing was, it brought us all together as a team.

After having your directorial debut be nominated for a Golden Globe, do you plan to direct another movie?

I'd love to one day. I had such a wonderful experience. I think I have to be as compelled. It's a lot of hard work, and it's a lot harder for me than acting. I loved it. But it's a much longer commitment. It's your life for two to three years. It has to be something about that matters and I haven't found anything [else I feel that strongly about]. If I just did one, I'm happy, because I learned a lot.

When the breakup of the former Yugoslavia happened, you must have been in your teens. Were you interested in the Bosnian conflict at this time? Did you ever imagine that you'd be directing a movie about it 20 years later?

No, I didn't. And I think that's part of why I did. You know [about] my travels. It's the part of the world that, when I visit, I couldn't understand. There were a lot of conflicts that I tried to learn about, but it was the one I couldn't get all the pieces of, I couldn't get all the information. I was very confused as to what were the Balkans, and what exactly happened, and why, and why did it eventually take so long. Nobody could give me the answer I was looking for. And I remain confused about the region.

So it was really why I wanted to make the film, because I knew it happened in my generation, to my generation. Some of the cast members were my age. Vanessa [Glodjo] -- [while] I was driving back from class in Los Angeles, she was running across sniper fire to get back to class.

That's a creepy parallel.

It's kind of amazing. It was important that we would meet and compare our lives and learn about each other, especially that I learn about her.

Do you think famous people have a responsibility to draw attention to a cause or social issue?

I tend to not think about it as a celebrity thing, but as a human thing. Celebrities just have a louder voice. I feel like we're living in a very interesting time, where people are more aware of the world, traveling more in the world. Young people are more engaged. Everybody has this responsibility. I tend to not sum it up to not if you have money, or if you have celebrity, but as no matter who you are. Certainly Brad [Pitt] and I have been fortunate enough to have success, be able to shine a light into the camera a little more, financially build something, support people or programs. We're very, very lucky.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/angelina-jolie-in-the-land-of-blood-and-honey_n_1380144.html?ref=celebrity&ir=Celebrity

Just months after telling me she wanted to return to "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" for its third season, Kelsey Grammer's ex-wife will not be back. But the question remains, was Camille given a pink slip or did she hit the road of her own accord?

"I was not fired," Camille says in a statement released to The Huffington Post. "I didn't want to expose my personal life so much anymore. I had done that and was over that. I care very much for my family and children and that show tends to take me away from them. I really want to focus on them right now."

In mid-January, Camille was singing a very different tune when it came to continuing her "Housewives" career.

"I had a good year, so I would want to go back for a third season, but they haven't asked me yet, so I wonder what's going on with that," Camille told me in January. "I guess they decided who they want, and I guess they are going to start casting, looking for new housewives. They told me they were going to start looking, so it wasn't behind my back. They were like, 'Sorry, we are doing a big casting call.' I was like, 'Thanks.'"

But the now ex-Housewife's decision to leave the show may not have been as one-sided as Camille tells it.

"It was mutual," a source close to Camille tells me. "Bravo wanted her back but, like with all the ladies on the show, was very clear about what they expected from her: drama. They loved Camille during the first two seasons when her marriage fell apart so publicly and she was going through a nasty custody and financial battle with her ex. But now all that is behind her and [she] is enjoying a peaceful life and refuses to change that just to stay on a reality TV Show."

Camille went through intense negotiations with producers to appear on the show in a less dramatic capacity, but Bravo only wanted the Camille that America loves to hate, confirming to me that the decision was mutual.

"Most of the Housewives fight about money and are willing to make a fool out of themselves on camera as long as they get paid a fortune," one ex-housewife tells me. "The negotiations are brutal and the producers always assume they have the upper hand, as usually the women will do anything to stay on the show. Camille was different: she doesn't need the money, plus she doesn't crave the attention that someone like Bethenny does."

Next season's filming schedule has yet to be released.

source:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/26/camille-quits-real-housewives-fired_n_1379957.html?ref=celebrity