Celebrity News January 8th 2005

I debated and debated on canceling this section.  However in reviewing my logs this weekend I noticed that I received so much traffic for this section alone. What's the hot topic? The separation of Hollywood's top couple - Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston. Since I like to follow the celebrity news and get updates about celebrity gossip I figured why not share. After all sharing is caring! Well onto the juicy celebrity gossip:

Yes folks it is true...
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt have officially given notice that they are separated. Jen and Brad have been married for four years and a half and after much speculation and rumors of relationship difficulties they have come to the front lines and admitted their separation. They however claim that the rumors of infidelity and conception problems have NOT been the result of their decision. It was however widely known that Brad wanted a family.
Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt Separate

We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate,” the couple said in a joint statement released Friday by Pitt’s publicist, Cindy Guagenti. “For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. | source: People Magazine

Other false rumors were those that reported that Madonna and Husband Guy Richie renewed their vows in lavish kabalah ceremony.
Reports of Madonna celebration were wrong

Romantic Kabbalah ceremony never happened Madonna and Guy Ritchie did not have an elaborate vow-renewal ceremony, despite some international reports. | source: MSNBC

If you have been following the Michael Jackson child molestation case you are probably well aware that there are new updates every week. Updates from the Jacko files this week:
Jackson Defense Allegedly Harassing Witness - Comedy club owner says attorney engaged in unethical behavior.

LOS ANGELES - A witness in the Michael Jackson molestation case held a news conference on Wednesday to complain that the singer's defense team was harassing him. As soon as he wrapped up his remarks, he was served with a fresh subpoena. | source: MSNBC

Hollywood news cannot all be bad right? In a town where every event and everyone has a press release, the best I found from the lifestyles or the rich and famous was that of Academy Award winner Hilary Swank.
Actress Hilary Swank Ready To Be a MOM

Hollywood actress Hilary Swank has changed since turning 30 - she's now ready for motherhood. The Oscar-winning beauty, married to actor Chad Lowe, celebrated her landmark birthday in July (04), and she's since realized that having children is something she wants to happen in the very near future.

She says, "I felt like I became an adult in my late twenties. I had moved to New York. I really became a woman there. But I'm really happy to hit my thirties.

"I think having children will happen in my thirties. I certainly wasn't ready for them in my twenties. But I can see that happening sooner rather than later."
| source: Handbag.com

Now this isn't good news but I find it amusing and sadistically funny. You may recall the uproar that was caused a couple months ago from a performance gone awry from performer Ashlee Simpson. It was undoubtedly noticeable her lip-sync techniques but were however blamed on an upset stomach. This week I wonder what Ashlee's camp will blame.
Ashlee Simpson Gets Booed

Ashlee Simpson continues her streak of bad luck in her public appearances. After ending the year on a sour note for lip-singing a song on "Saturday Night Live," she was booed at the Orange Bowl half time show. Ashlee performed there in front of 72,000 people and got razzed when she couldn't hit the high notes. | source: IVillage.com

So what is the real deal with Jennifer Gardner? Last weekend there were reports that she would have to miss her own movie premiere for the upcoming film ELEKTRA.  The press reported that the Alias star would miss out on promotional appearances due to a severe viral infection. Latest news is that it was actual nerve damage:
Garner was really struck down with nerve damage

The full extent of Jennifer Garner's ailments have been released--she's actually suffering from severe nerve damage. The actress pulled out of promotional work for her new movie Elektra last weekend amid reports she was pregnant with boyfriend Ben Affleck's baby. Her aides insisted she had a viral infection and was trying to recover in time for this Saturday's Elektra premiere in Las Vegas. But now it seems Garner was struck down with a nerve problem resulting from a stunt she performed on the set of her TV show Alias. An insider says, "We all thought she was suffering from a viral infection, but doctors concluded that it was more. "Under doctor's orders to take it easy she had to cancel a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live and the film's press junket." | source: Hollywood.com

Read more scoop from this weeks headlines:
DiCaprio lends a hand to victims of tsunami
Lindsay Lohan Naturally Endowed
Jennifer Lopez - "I'm Not J-Lo"
from MSNBC