Tom Cruise has a new girlfriend in the shape of newly-single actress Katie Holmes. The movie superstar has been spotted wining and dining the former Dawson's Creek beauty, and now his sister and publicist Lee Anne Devette has confirmed the rumors of a romance are true. The new golden couple, who are separated by 16 years, are currently enjoying a romantic getaway in Italy, where Cruise is scheduled to receive a national award for his contribution to cinema this weekend. Holmes announced her split from fiance Chris Klein in February and was romantically linked to Josh Hartnett, while Cruise split amicably with Spanish lover Penelope Cruz last year and had reportedly been dating Latina model Sofia Vergara.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been photographed on holiday together in Kenya, further fuelling rumors of a romance. American magazine Us Weekly and British publication Reveal have printed snaps of the Mr. And Mrs. Smith co-stars playing on the beach in Monbassa with Jolie's adopted son Maddox. The pictures appeared alongside testimony from locals at the resort who claim they have been "holding hands and kissing" during their stay at a four-bedroom rented villa in the Alfajiri Villa Resort. The pair have stringently denied reports they are dating, following Pitt's January split from wife of four-and-a-half years Jennifer Aniston.

Michael Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe shocked prosecution lawyers when she tearfully testified yesterday that she was not pressurized into appearing in a television documentary praising her ex husband - and she asserted that her answers were not scripted by Jackson or his aides. Rowe, who was married to the Thriller singer for three years from 1996 to 1999, and had children Prince Michael and Paris with him, was expected to bolster the prosecution's argument that Jackson forced the family of the boy accusing Jackson into appearing in a counter documentary following British journalist Martin Bashir's damaging 2003 expose Living With Michael Jackson. Rowe told the court, "I didn't want anyone to be able to come back to me and say my interview was rehearsed. As Mr. Jackson knows, no one can tell me what to say." She said that she was offered a list of the questions so she could prepare, but she chose not to read them. She recalled, "It was a cold interview and I wanted to keep it that way." Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen asked Rowe what she expected in return for giving the video interview and the visibly crying witness replied, "To be reunited with the children and be reacquainted with their dad." In his opening statement on February 28, chief prosecutor Tom Sneddon told the jury, "Debbie Rowe will tell you her interview also was completely scripted. They scripted that interview just like they scripted the (accuser's mother's) interview." But the prosecution's line of attack has faltered in the face of Rowe's reversed testimony - and she remained adamant that neither Jackson or his aides tried to coerce her into giving scripted answers. Rowe will take the stand again today. Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiracy involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. The trial continues.

James Bond producers are refusing to confirm actress Dame Judi Dench's claim that Pierce Brosnan will play 007 in Casino Royale, despite being fired from the franchise. Dench, who has played Bond's boss M in the last four films, insists fans shouldn't be expecting a new face, contradicting reports both Clive Owen and Daniel Craig are being secretly groomed as the next spy after bosses sacked Brosnan last year. However, production company Eon are remaining tight-lipped about Dench's revelation. A spokesperson says, "No cast members, locations or release dates can be confirmed." Yesterday British newspaper the Daily Mirror quoted Dench as saying, "Despite the fact that everyone on the face of the earth has been tested as his (Brosnan) possible replacement, he'll be doing it again, and it'll be announced come summer."

Erin Brockovich Oscar winner Julia Roberts has beaten Hollywood's best-looking stars to claim the cover of People magazine's annual 50 Most Beautiful special issue. The new mom beat the Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston love triangle; Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Desperate Housewives stars Eva Longoria and Jesse Metcalfe; and Orlando Bloom to claim an unprecedented third cover. It's the America's Sweethearts star's eighth inclusion in the list - a record she shares with fellow Oscar winner Halle Berry.

Film legend Mel Brooks has hit out at reports of a crisis on the set of the movie remake of his hit Broadway show, The Producers: The Movie Musical, insisting rumors he is unhappy with director Susan Stroman are nonsense. Sources claimed Brooks had stepped in to re-shoot comedy scenes because he was dissatisfied with the efforts of Stroman, who directed and choreographed the Broadway smash hit version of The Producers, but is making her first movie. An insider told Pagesix.Com, "Stroman hasn't quite yet mastered the art of directing comedy in a feature film - at least not to Mel's liking. So Mel had to step in and re-shoot a number of non-dancing scenes. But there have been no problems with the dance numbers. Mel is apparently very happy with those." But Brooks' spokesman Peter Graves refutes the claims, maintaining all is well on the set of the film, which stars Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell. He says, "Mel is the producer of the film. He's there almost every day, as good producers are. They've worked collaboratively over the years but the idea that he is out there redirecting or re-shooting anything is absolute nonsense."

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal has sparked controversy after declaring her native America "is responsible in some way" for the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington DC. The 27-year-old Mona Lisa Smile star made the comments in an interview last week, provoking a strong reaction from her patriotic countrymen. In a statement issued by her publicist, Gyllenhaal says, "(September 11 was) an occasion to be brave enough to ask some serious questions about America's role in the world. Because it is always useful as individuals or nations to ask how we may have knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this conflict. Not to have the courage to ask these questions of ourselves is to betray the victims of 9/11."

Funnyman George Lopez has successfully undergone kidney transplant surgery. The Latino comedian, who stars in the Sandra Bullock-produced George Lopez Show, suffers from a genetic condition that causes kidney deterioration. His wife Ann donated her kidney to the comic. Both are said to be resting comfortably at their home in Los Angeles and are expected to make a full recovery. In a statement, released on Tuesday, Bullock says, "The love and respect I have for Ann and George has doubled knowing how they have struggled with this quietly for the past several years. I'm relieved that they are now on their way to recovery... "

Pop legend Madonna has slammed director Norman Jewison for his scathing criticism of her acting abilities. The Moonstruck film-maker attacked movie bosses for giving the Material Girl a succession of coveted movie roles, despite her lack of talent. But Madonna insists she wouldn't have achieved her superstar status is she wasn't a skilled entertainer. Jewison says, "Madonna? It's all hype. Come on. How do you know whether anybody can act? You're told that they're a big star, you know, or somebody's got a cute ass or they've got great boobs. But Madonna has a small amount of talent when it comes to movies. And we're all being suffocated by talentless stars in films. I can't believe that people are obsessed like they are now with celebrity. I don't know what's going on." But Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg told gossip website The Scoop, "I completely disagree with his statement about Madonna making a lot out of a little talent. I don't think you can sell 100 million records and sell out arenas and stadiums for over 20 years just being a celebrity. Madonna is a Golden Globe winner and a Grammy winner and has had an unprecedented career as an artist and actress."

Actress Farrah Fawcett has hit out at reports she had an affair with private detective Anthony Pellicano, who she insists has been wrongly accused of wiretapping her house. The former Charlie's Angels star has been named by Pellicano's biographer John Connelly as one of his possible wiretapping victims before he was sentenced to jail on explosives charges. The actress, who recently rekindled her romance with Ryan O'Neal, says, "It was incorrect. Have I been wiretapped? Yes. But who they said wiretapped me was incorrect. He's in prison. Anthony Pellicano did not (do it). They don't even know (who did it)."