'I know what it's like to feel frumpy,' says Jessica Simpson as she reveals plans to design clothes to suit curvy women

Jessica Simpson is set to turn her weight furore into a career opportunity.

The singer and sometime actress has revealed plans to launch her own fashion line for curvy women.

In a timely move, she has created clothing to help women of all shapes avoid feeling 'frumpy.'

She tells the American issue of In Style magazine: 'I want to create clothes that flatter every figure.

'I know how a dress can make you feel so frumpy. I promise mine won't.

'I know what flatters a woman, and trust me, I've been judged a lot in my life.

'By now I know what works if you're curvy.

'If my clothing and accessories make you feel great and let you walk proud and tall - in big, big platform shoes - then I'm happy.'

Simpson, 28, has not publicly responded to the criticism of her weight, but said on Wednesday: 'Honestly, I am right where I'm supposed to be.

'I am so happy. Everything is really great. It's all about keeping the faith.'

Jessica's newfound curves were first noticed on January 25th, when she performed in an unflattering pair of $106, high-waisted Grey Ant jeans at the Country Chili Cookoff in Florida.

Following the controversy over her weight gain, her sister Ashlee, ex-husband Nick Lachey and socialite friend Kim Kardashian have all defended her figure.

Jessica is thought to have gained 10 pounds in recent months, despite sister Ashlee claiming her sibling is a size two (UK size six).

The former Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica reality TV star spent months sculpting her body to play Daisy Duke for the 2005 big screen version of Dukes Of Hazzard.

She endured two-hour workouts six days a week with personal trainer Michael Alexander, who honed her physique with a combination of running, squats, lunges and weight-resistance exercises.

She also followed a South Beach Diet-style low-carb, high-protein menu which featured grilled chicken, fish and green vegetables.

After filming the part, Jessica said: 'My body is definitely an accomplishment.'

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Anna Nicole Smith's life story coming soon to Royal Opera House

The life of Anna Nicole Smith, the American glamour model who married an elderly oil billionaire and died of an accidental drug overdose, is set to be turned into a West End opera.

The Royal Opera House today confirmed plans for Mark-Anthony Turnage to write the story, which will be staged in London's Covent Garden in 2011.

Richard Thomas, whose credits include the controversial Jerry Springer: The Opera, will provide the libretto.

A spokeswoman at the Royal Opera House said the work was in its early stages.

Director of opera Elaine Padmore said: 'It is not going to be tawdry, it is going to be witty, clever, thoughtful and sad.

'In broad outline, it will tell the story of her life, the people who influenced her, her progress.

'Clearly the story is about a woman who met an ancient gentleman in a wheelchair, but it's not going to be a straight narrative; choices have been made about significant moments, selecting which incidents in her life are to be built up.'


Ms Padmore said the work was not just a documentary about Smith, but a parable about celebrity.

'[It's] a larger-than-life American story, it was Puccini's Girl of the Golden West. It will be a slice of our times - of America in the pre-Obama days.'

Smith married wealthy tycoon J Howard Marshall, who was more than 60 years her senior.

In February 2007, the former Playboy playmate, 39, was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, and was later pronounced dead.

At the time, she was embroiled in a legal battle over the will of billionaire oil tycoon Howard Marshall, whom she married when she was 26 and he was 89.

Her death came just five months after that of her 20-year-old son, Daniel.

She left behind a daughter Dannielynn, now two, who became the centre of a bitter paternity battle.

Photographer Larry Birkhead won a custody battle against Smith's lawyer Howard Stern when DNA results proved he was the father.

Dannielynn was declared the sole heir to her mother’s estate last year, meaning she could one day inherit a multi-million dollar fortune.

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Angelina and Brad inject some Hollywood glamour into a freezing cold and wet Baftas ... but walk away with nothing

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrived to huge cheers at a rain-sodden Baftas in London last night.

The A-list couple braved the freezing cold and wet weather to sign autographs for ecstatic fans outside the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The pair brought a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the damp red carpet with Jolie wearing a strapless, floor-length black dress complete with a two yellow stripes.

A dashing, tuxedo-clad Pitt joked about the dismal weather: 'It's a nice change for us... all that sun!' But the pair, who were nominated for best actor and best actress, missed out on prizes.

A galaxy of celebrities arrived at the same time as Pitt and Jolie, including Kate Winslet, Daniel Craig, Emma Watson, Mickey Rourke, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and David Frost.

Winslet turned up at the ceremony in a stunning black gown by New York designer Zac Posen, Prada shoes and Chopard jewellery.

She said, 'No, I'm not going to cry tonight,' a reference to her tearful acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles last month.

David Frost, whose interviews with disgraced former U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1977 form the basis of the Bafta-nominated Frost/Nixon, said he would never have expected a film based on one of his achievements to have become so critically and commercially successful.

Michael Sheen, who plays Frost on screen, was also at the event alongside the movie's director Ron Howard.

Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel admitted he was intimidated to be nominated for Best Actor in his debut performance alongside screen veterans Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Mickey Rourke.

The Londoner said: 'It's weird for me at the moment. It's on my home turf. I've grown up watching the Baftas for years.

His co-star Freida Pinto, carrying a Judith Leiber handbag, was similarly taken aback.

She said: 'It's amazing. Alice In Wonderland, that's what's happening to me right now.'

This year's Bafta front-runners were The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire, with 11 nominations each, including Best Picture.

Sentimental favourite Slumdog Millionaire, the British-written and -directed underdog drama about a Mumbai street boy, walked away with seven awards.

The Baftas have a reputation for forecasting Oscar trends and upsets. Last year, Marion Cotillard unexpectedly won the Best Actress prize for La Vie En Rose. Two weeks later, she took home an Oscar.

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Prince Harry tells Paris Hilton: Our midnight date is off

Prince Harry might be back on the singles market but he seems to have forgotten how to play the dating game.

I’m told the Prince, who recently split from his girlfriend of five years, Chelsy Davy, had planned to meet American socialite Paris Hilton last week.

But he cancelled at the last minute, leaving the 27-year-old heiress without a date for the night.

Paris, who was in town promoting her new reality TV show,
had told friends she planned to meet Harry on Friday at midnight.

But she received a call from his bodyguard hours before their rendezvous to say that the Prince was not coming to London.

‘Paris had spoken directly with Harry to arrange their meeting,’ says my source.

‘She was pretty annoyed that Harry blew her out but they may well meet on her next trip to London.

'She has been in touch with Harry since they met in London last year and has even had an invite back to Clarence House.’.

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'I flipped out when I found a grey hair', admits Jennifer Aniston as she prepares to turn 40

Less than a week before her 40th birthday, Jennifer Aniston admits she is slightly scared of hitting the landmark age.While the former Friends star is in amazing shape and looks years younger than her 39 years, Jennifer revealed she has already starting going grey.Appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show on Friday, she admitted she had 'a wobble' when she found a silvery strand of hair last weekend.
She said: 'I have to say really, I feel better than I ever felt in my life.'I did have a moment, though, over the weekend my first like huh ... I don't want to turn 40.'I found a really long gray hair, and it kind of flipped me out.'It's not my first, but it's the fact that it was so long. I was like, "Oh that's been there.How many others are there, and what does that mean?"'
'It actually brought me to tears, slightly.'Jennifer is preparing to see in her 40th year with a star-studded party on Wednesday, with boyfriend John Mayer. best friend Courteney Cox and her husband David Arquette on the coveted guest list.Talk show host Ellen also quizzed Jennifer over the possibility of a Friends movie.Jennifer said: 'Maybe…Like one episode. It wouldn’t hurt.'Not a movie. I just think what would they do? I think one of our Thanksgiving episodes were always so fun.'

Appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno the previous night, Jennifer showed off her honed and toned figure in a black shift dress and heels.

Host Jay brought up recent reports she had 'turned down' the chance to pose for Playboy after posing in nothing but a necktie for Esquire magazine.

Playboy boss Hugh Hefner was reported to have said: 'This looks like the cover of Playboy. I’m much impressed by Jennifer. Is it just me, or is Jennifer Aniston getting hotter? Never seen her in this light before.'

When asked about the Playboy rumours, Jennifer remained coy: 'I heard I turned it down as well, I don't think they asked me, or someone else turned it down for me. I think that's just a rumor, Jay. I don't think that ever happened.'

Jennifer is currently promoting her new film He's Just Not That Into You, in which she plays a Baltimore woman trying to persuade her live-in boyfriend, played by Ben Affleck, to marry her.

He's Just Not That Into You opens in the UK today.

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Jessica Simpson On the Road Surprise: Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is on the road for Jessica Simpson, a new report from In Touch claims. The magazine has this item, "After a week of weight scrutiny for Jessica Simpson, her beau, Tony Romo, has joined her on tour for some special support."

"He thinks Jessica looks hot and has an amazing body," an insider tells In Touch. "He is there to just be a good boyfriend." The sexy singer, who’s currently on tour with Rascal Flatts, is due to perform tonight in Grand Rapids, Michigan., where Tony will be cheering in the crowd. "They are having a blast and he can't wait to see her perform," adds the insider.

After flaunting a fuller figure at a concert in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on January 25, Jessica's body has been the topic of talk all around the country. But Tony, 28, isn't worried about how Jessica, 28, is handling the stress.

"She's a strong girl and has great self-confidence," says the pal. The couple has also laughed off recent rumors of Tony's cheating during a party at Jessica’s house. "They think all the rumors of Tony cheating are silly!"

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Rihanna shows off her legs in a tiny skirt as she prepares for Grammy performance

Singer Rihanna has never been shy about showing off her legs on stage and she wasn't hiding them on a shopping trip in Los Angeles.The 20-year-old's tiny cream skirt allowed admirers another glimpse of her toned pins. She teamed the outfit with a light blue shirt and brown heels and was all smiles in her preppy all-American look.

The R&B star star was seen out in LA ahead of her performance at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards where she is nominated in three categories.But while the star’s professional life may be going from strength to strength, it seems the same cannot be said for her personal life.
The Barbadian beauty's relationship with singer Chris Brown is on the rocks according to reports.
Brown, 19, is said to have become increasingly infuriated by his girlfriend's clingy behaviour.
“She has to have Chris around her 24/7,” a source is quoted as telling OK magazine.


“If Chris is with her on a photo shoot and steps away for a second, she starts saying, ‘Where did he go?’”'If Chris isn’t with her, she wants to call and check in every second. She’s crazy about him. Rihanna constantly talks about Chris.”Rihanna and Chris were first linked in 2007 when he re-worked her mega hit track Umbrella as Cinderella Under The Umbrella.The singer fuelled rumours that they were engaged earlier his month when she was spotted flashing a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger.They collaborated again on Rihanna's single Disturbia, which reached number three in the British singles charts.He originally wrote the song for himself, but decided it would sound better with a female voice so naturally, his girlfriend was the first person he offered it to.When asked about their relationship last May, Rihanna said: 'We are great actually. We have been friends for three years now.'When reminded of the photographs of her kissing Chris, a coy Rihanna replied: 'We are very good friends...'People always want to know what it is and what it isn't. People think they know. They try to guess. Sometimes you just need your privacy. But it comes with the territory. There's no privacy when you are out in the public.'

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'Miracle drug' provides ray of hope in Jade's desperate fight to stay alive

Cancer-stricken Jade Goody has been given a ray of hope in the form of a new 'miracle drug'.
The 27-year-old, who is fighting for her life after being told the disease had spread to her bowel, groin and liver, is to begin a two-month course of Topotecan.
Jade said last night: 'It has given me a glimmer of hope.'
And a family friend told the Sun: 'We hope it'll keep Jade with us a long time.'
Professor Martin Gore, medical director at the Royal Marsden Hospital, told Jade he wanted to start her on Topotecan, also called Hycamtin, after conventional chemotherapy failed.
The drug will probably be administered via a drip while the Big Brother star continues her chemotherapy.Based on a substance found in a Chinese tree, Topotecan was given the green light in 2007 after successful trials.It is normally given in only in advanced cases of cervical cancer and is seen as the last line of defence.The drug works by blocking an enzyme that can strengthen cancer cells, and a scan will show if the tumours are responding.
Side-effects can include bruising, bleeding, tiredness and sickness.The mother-of-two will undergo three weeks of chemo and Topotecan, before taking a week's rest and continuing with three more weeks of treatment.Her publicist Max Clifford said of the drug: 'People in the same situation who have taken this drug have seen encouraging results.''The information that was given to her left her thinking there was no way forward.The Big Brother star says she is 'frightened and angry''But this has given her a glimmer of hope. At the end of the day she is a young woman with two children and she is going to do everything in her power to prolong her life.'After hearing news that the cancer had spread Jade sobbed 'I don't want to die'.Earlier this week doctors said that the extent of her cancer was so bad that they are focusing on keeping her alive for as long as possible rather than pursuing a cure.'I am devastated,' Miss Goody said yesterday. 'I am frightened and I am angry. I don't want to die because I have so much to live for.'The reality is I have gone from a 40 per cent chance of a cure to seeing how long I can stay alive. The whole thing is so absolutely terrifying.'
The mother of two was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer last August and underwent emergency surgery to remove a large tumour, her womb and her ovaries.Since then, she has had several bouts of chemotherapy, causing all her hair to fall out.Only 15 per cent to 30 per cent of women with stage 4 cervical cancer will live longer than five years.Doctors had told her she had a 40 per cent of survival but have now scrapped this estimate since discovering the cancer has spread.Jade, who made her name on the 2002 series of Big Brother, is preparing a will and has told close family members to expect the worst.Her boyfriend Jack Tweed, 21, is said to be 'numb' at the news, while her mother Jackiey Budden, 50, has been 'in pieces' at her bedside.
Her two sons, five-year-old Bobby and Freddie, four, are staying with their father, TV presenter Jeff Brazier.
Miss Goody first had pre-cancerous cells removed at 16 and has since suffered a series of collapses.Three years ago, she was admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex, with stomach cramps.But it was not until August last year, during filming of the Indian version of Big Brother, that she was told she had cervical cancer.She later admitted she had ignored a hospital letter warning her that she needed treatment after a fourth smear test came back as abnormal.
She said she had hoped the disease would go away on its own and that she needed to appear on Big Brother to collect a £100,000 fee.

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Amy Winehouse proudly shows off her healthier new body

Amy Winehouse looked healthier and happier than she has been in years, as she tucked into lunch on her Caribbean holiday.

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Britney Spears' CD hits No. 1

Britney Spears' latest CD "Circus" is the No. 1 album after selling half a million copies last week, according to the AP:

The singer's comeback CD — actually, make that her second comeback CD — will top the album charts next week, according to her label, Jive. Though Nielsen SoundScan does not release its official figures until Wednesday, estimates have the record selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first week of release. "This is going to reinforce her icon status," said Barry Weiss, chairman and CEO of the BMG Label Group, which includes Spears' label. "It's not just a No. 1 album."

Britney's handlers already have a two-month tour planned starting in March, but is she ready? Sources for OK! Magazine say "Are you shitting me?":

"It is too much for her," an insider tells OK! of the star. "They packed her schedule too tight and now they're trying to find free time."
"She has the talent and the musical chops top pull it off, emotionally speaking, it's a little too soon," psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Berman, who does not treat Britney, tells OK!. "I don't think Britney will hit rock bottom, but it does leave her vulnerable to stress and burnout."

We're going to hear the "Is Britney ready to tour?" narrative ad nauseum until the thing launches in March, so let me just answer it definitively once and for all: HELL FUCKING NO. Unless, of course, the point of the tour is to make Britney think she's Mary Poppins again then be found days later using her children as boxing gloves in an underground cock fight. In which case, okay, yeah, start the bus.

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Pamela Anderson arrives at prestigious art show wearing just her underwear

Classy and elegant are not words you would typically use to describe Pamela Anderson - but surely she would know that at a prestigious art show, underwear is inappropriate attire.

The former Baywatch star caused a stir when she arrived at one of the most important art exhibitions in the U.S., Art Basel Miami Beach, wearing a pair of orange and black patterned underpants.

Known for wearing as little as possible, Anderson at least covered the top half of her modesty, with a grey off-the-shoulder t-shirt.

Anderson enjoyed playing up to the cameras as she seductively bent over paintings, with her bottom and pink high heels in the air.

But when it came to accessories, the 41-year-old was in keeping with the art theme, as she held a Campbell's Soup handbag clutch - a hint to the work of art produced by Andy Warhol in the 1960s.

Anderson was joined by Paris Hilton at the annual week-long art fair to view the work of fashion photographer and film director David LaChapelle.

LaChapelle's exhibition 'Jesus Is My Homeboy' featured a series of surreal and sometimes humorous images of models posing with Jesus.

The American artist, with his characteristic boyish cap tilted to the side, was yesterday eager to show the bare-legged Anderson around Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

During the tour, the ex-Playboy covergirl reached out to hug a photograph of herself.

Anderson recently signed a six-figure deal to be the new face of British designer Vivienne Westwood and will front her spring/ summer outfits campaign next year.

She met the designer at a party last year, and it is believed Westwood loves her 'quirkiness'.

Art Basel is an exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

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