Singer Jewel has become Jessica Simpson's guardian angel, as she battles her way through her split with husband Nick Lachey.

Last week, Simpson and Lachey ended months of relentless speculation when they announced that they were going their separate ways after three years of marriage. And as the tabloids continue to pick her private life apart, Simpson is leaning on singer Jewel as a confidant.

She says, "Jewel said to me, 'I want to shield and (protect) you.' She wanted to take care of me, and everybody needs someone like that. "I can talk to my parents, but they will never understand what it feels like to be the one booed. (My sister) Ashlee and I are closer than we've ever been in our lives because of that. We have this way to relate to each other that brings us closer."

Simpson is also jotting down her thoughts each day in a diary. She explains, "It's a way for me to know myself, my problems and my issues. If I don't do this, I'll push everything back until I explode."

Source: Teen Hollywood

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"Capote" was named best feature at the 15th annual Gotham Awards on Wednesday, and Bennett Miller was hailed as breakthrough director for his critically acclaimed biopic about late author Truman Capote.

Kicking off the year-end awards season, the event, staged by the New York-based Independent Feature Project at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, also singled out the gritty wheelchair gladiator film "Murderball" as best documentary.

Director Noah Baumbach's domestic drama "The Squid and the Whale" took the prize for best ensemble cast. The film's lineup includes Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, William Baldwin and Anna Paquin. The family drama about two divorcing New York intellectuals on Tuesday picked up a leading six nominations for the rival Independent Spirit Awards, including nods for Daniels, Linney and Eisenberg.

Amy Adams won breakthrough actor for her performance as a cheerful Southern wife in Sony Classics' "Junebug," a day after she also received an Independent Spirit nomination. Caveh Zahedi's autobiographical docudrama, "I Am a Sex Addict," took home a prize carrying the title Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You, awarded to a film without theatrical distribution.

Source: People

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What's in a name? In Jessica Simpson's case, at least $15 million.

A company that markets celebrities' names says it set up the deal that got Jessica Simpson Brand Management LLC $15 million for worldwide rights to her name to market certain merchandise, including clothing.

But the company, Icon Licensing Group LLC, says it wasn't paid its commission and has filed a lawsuit to get it. In papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, Icon says it is owed at least $180,000 by the JSBM company.

Icon's court papers say the company entered into an agreement May 9, 2005, with Andrew Kirpalani, owner and manager of JSBM, in which Icon would get a percentage commission if it successfully finalized a sale of Simpson's name.

Source: USA Today

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Actress Wendie Jo Sperber, who starred opposite Tom Hanks on TV's "Bosom Buddies" and who in his words became "a walking inspiration" after she contracted cancer, has died. She was in her 40s.

Sperber died at home Tuesday after an eight-year battle with breast cancer, publicist Jo-Ann Geffen said Wednesday. A Los Angeles native, Sperber appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including all three "Back to the Future" films.

Sperber also had roles in Steven Spielberg's "1941," Robert Zemeckis' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," and Neal Israel's "Moving Violations" and "Bachelor Party." Her television credits include "Murphy Brown," "Private Benjamin," "Will & Grace" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter."

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, the actress became an advocate for cancer care. In 2001, she founded the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, which provides free emotional support, information and social activities for individuals and families affected by cancer. Sperber helped unveil and promote a breast cancer stamp for the U.S. Postal Service in 1998, Geffen said.

"The memory of Wendie Jo is that of a walking inspiration," Tom Hanks said in a statement. "She met the challenges of her illness with love, cheer, joy and altruism. We are going to miss her as surely as we are all better for knowing her."

Sperber is survived by a son and daughter, her parents, two sisters and a brother.

Source: New York Daily News

--I totally loved "Bosom Buddies" back in the day.

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Kirsten Dunst has dismissed rumors she is romancing Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine - insisting they are just friends.

The actress was linked with Levine after the pair were spotted dirty dancing at a Los Angeles nightclub. And while onlookers claimed the stars only had eyes for each other, Dunst reveals Levine is just an old pal.

A spokeswoman for the star says, "Kirsten has known him for several years, and they have been friends."

Source: Teen Hollywood

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Law & Order: SVU actress Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann are expecting their first child together.

"I can confirm that she is expecting," Hargitay's publicist, Erwin More, tells Reuters. No other details were immediately available.

Hargitay, 41, who plays NYPD Det. Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, met Hermann, 38, on the show, where he has a recurring role. The couple wed in Santa Barbara, Calif. in August 2004 in front of 200 guests.

Source: People

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