Our congratulations to Vanessa Williams, star of Ugly Betty, who will be graduating from Syracuse University this weekend.

She left school 25 years ago, but “earned credits” on the job. She was the first African American Miss America (though she later lost her title), then had critically acclaimed Broadway performances and TV and movie roles.

Wesley Snipes has been convicted of tax evasion and has been given a three-year prison sentence and at least a $5 million fine.

Seems a little bit harsh, but with a recession, the government seems het up on getting as much money as it can. Whatever the sum, says one IRS representative, “we will still try to collect the money. You can count on that.”

Yikes.

Orlando Brown sent family and police into a frantic search after disappearing Tuesday morning. He turned up, and apologized for worrying everyone. “I just needed to be alone,” he said, saying he’s been overwhelmed by the huge workload, and upset by a problem that occurred last week.

Say it isn’t so! Not The Sexiest Man Alive (according to People magazine, and I agree wholeheartedly) of all time who also dresses like a dream? Well, it is true but in a roundabout way. Apparently, a couple of scammers in Milan are under investigation for using George’s name for their fashion label. The heartthrob denied having anything to do with it after some false reports spread around the media that he had indeed launched his own fashion label. In fact, the perpetrators had even gone so far as to rent out hotels for (fake) launches.

Oh, Anne, you could do so much better.

Anne Hathaway’s boyfriend of the past four years, Italian property developer Raffaelo Follieri, was caught trying to pass a bad check for $250,000 to a public relations firm.

Last year, he supposedly squandered $1.3 million in business funds on cars, clothes, and other luxe goods.

Anne has gushed about how Raffaelo had helped her out of a rut. “Before I met him, I wasted so much time. I was just annoying and narcissistic and smelled bad. He’s protective without being possessive, passionate without needing to show his temper.”

Oh, come on, Anne. Get a real man.

Naomi Campbell, supermodel, lost her poise at the airport — assaulting a police officer, and then spitting at other cops who came to the scene. (This is her second assault charge.)

So not glamorous, though her reps say that she was practically provoked. She was flying to L.A. for a memorial service, understandably distressed by the sad circumstances of her flight, when the airport lost her luggage. Police, on the other hand, said the was “obnoxious” from the beginning because she wasn’t allowed in the VIP lounge.

She was taken into custody and then released on bail.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z put all rumors of a breakup to rest by getting their marriage license at the Scarsdale Village Hall. “It was just the two of them,” said one eyewitness, “They were very polite and smiling as they filled out the paperwork. They were holding hands for a while. They looked really happy.”

The two have been dating since 2002, but the relationship has had its ups and downs. While Beyonce once said that she “couldn’t picture herself as a bride” she did admit that she began daydreaming about her own wedding after her sister got married in 2005. She later said,
“Maybe me and my man will go away to an island; maybe we’ll go to a church. I have no idea.”

Jennifer Aniston is forming a new production company, Echo. “We’re drawn to stories about people finding their voice and finding their way because they help us … [make] sense of our lives through the stories of others,” Aniston said in a statement. “That’s why we chose the name Echo, to echo back an idea, a challenge, something that resonates through all of us.”

Even comedian Robin Williams will find little to laugh about the recent turn of events. Marsha Garces Williams recently filed for divorce because of “irreconcilable differnces.” They had been married for 19 years. They have two kids: Zelda, 18, and son Cody, 16.

This is Williams’ second divorce.

The separation also ends their working relationship; Marsha had been the producer of several of his films, including Jakob the Liar, Patch Adams, and Mrs. Doubtfire and worked as his “assistant” on films like Dead Poets Society. Prior to that, she was his nanny.

Hulk and Linda Hogan are being sued for encouraging the reckless behavior of their son, who was involved in a car crash.

Hulk, great job being a role model. Duh.

How the mighty have fallen. Most of the Jackson family is broke, and have gone from being pop sensations to…supermarket clerks. We won’t name names, but Who knew Motown would lead to skid row? Did you know that the majority of the Jackson family is broke and scrapping for cash.

Check out this sad list of the Jackson’s (nion) careers, from stocking supermarket shelves to judging beauty contests.

Even Michael Jackson, the former king of pop, has been reduced to hiding out in Las Vegas. He’ll soon be losing his Neverland Mansion — on top of the Jackson family home.

Tragic.

Angela Bassett poses in front of her newly inaugurated star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. The actress has won several Golden Globes and been numerated for several Academy Awards. She was the first African-American to win the Best Actress Golden Globe for a Musical or Comedy.

Meet the woman who brought down the governor (or, depending on the way you look at it, brought some of him up).

And when we say meet, we mean it in a very intimate way. Ashley Alexandra Dupré apparently appeared in a “Girls Gone Wild” video.

Well that’s one way to launch a celebrity career… while ending someone else’s.

Heather Mills got what she wanted. The courts awarded her a hefty $48.6 million.

Too bad that all that money can’t buy breeding or good taste.

Britney Spear’s new video “Break the Ice” will debut at 6:30 ET today — and fans get to join her.

The video will be released at BlackOutBall.com. Fans can get to join the online party, where an anime Britney will mingle. (Fortunately, this version of the pop star won’t get drunk, high, or flirt with any paparazzi.)
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The clip itself was directed by Robert Hales, who also did the Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” video.

Our congratulations to the production company for thinking of a way to produce the video while the real Britney was having a nervous breakdown. We assume the animations were made while she was going in and out of the hospital, and gallivanting around town with paparazzi.

Jodie Foster’s stalker took his creepiness to a new level, by mailing a threat to bomb an airport in Los Angeles.

The terrorist threat included the words “Jodie Foster S” and there’s “going to be a gas bomb this building.”

Police picked him up, where (we hope) he’ll be relegated to scrawling Jodie’s name on prison walls for the next 10 years.

Bai Ling — best known for her roles in The Crow and Anna and the King — was arrested for shoplifting two magazines and batteries.

She claims that it was an honest mistake, and had really planned to pay for the items (which cost just a little over $16). In the end, she had to fork over $700 in penalties.

Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, his doctors are optimistic. “Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far.” in fact, he’s still continuing to work, inspired no doubt by the outpouring of support from family, friends, and fans.

Paris Hilton and Benji Madden (who happens to be the twin of Nicole Ritchie’s boy) are seriously dating.

How long this will last, nobody knows, but the two have been seen getting hot-and-heavy at Hollywood’s trendiest bars. Paris even had lunch with his mom. Ooooh, so she’s meeting the folks now, huh? (He did include her in a “family photo” on his website).

Of course, this is Paris Hilton, so don’t hold your breath to see another 20 carat engagement ring.

Mischa Barton’s Dec 27 arrest has led to formal charges of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, and driving without a valid license. She will face the court on Thursday.