Posted Aug. 22, 2007 -- Vivica A. Fox defends tabloid-favorite Jessica Simpson against talk of the singer's alleged diva-like behavior on the set of their new film together, Major Movie Star, reports People.

Fox calls the reports "vicious lies" and tells People she was "shocked" when a story surfaced, accusing Simpson of being a "spoiled brat" by supposedly refusing to walk from one place to the next without a driver, eating alone in her trailer and barely speaking to her costars, especially Fox.

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Those vicious lies they put out were just that – lies," Fox, 43, said Saturday during an event for the fashion label Young, Fabulous & Broke at the LG House in Malibu.

In fact, Fox referred to Simpson as a team player. "She was gracious and so down to earth." In the comedy, which also stars Cheri Oteri and Steve Guttenberg, Simpson plays a movie star who suddenly falls from grace and finds herself broke. She then enlists in the U.S. Army with the hope the service will change her life. Fox plays a tough sergeant who whips Simpson's character into shape.

Fantasia: "I'm so tired"

It takes a lot of energy to star in a hot Broadway play. Ask Fantasia Barrino. The "Color Purple" star says the successful show is wearing her down.

“I ain't never heard the sleep word so much in my life until I got on Broadway,' she told the Associated Press. 'I'm so tired - mentally tired, physically tired.'

Beyond the hectic schedule, her leading role as Miss Celie takes a lot out of her, too, she says. 'I'm being told everyday that I'm ugly... you can't play the part if you don't kind of put yourself in her shoes and live her life. So it's like, I carry that stuff with me...I put myself in her shoes in having (daughter) Zion at such a young age and dropping out of school and being in just bad relationships and disrespected," she says. "I just feel like God won't put too much on me than I can bear. As long as I feel like I'm touching somebody ... as long as I'm blessing somebody, I know that I'll be blessed.'

But the "American Idol" alum is making the best of it all.
           
It's teaching me discipline,' says Fantasia, who believes she'll be a new woman when it's over. I won't look at things the same. After doing Broadway, you can do anything.”

Campbell Wants More Black Cover Models

Naomi Campbell is taking on the editors of British Vogue for its lack of Black cover models.

For example, I hardly come on the front pages of the London Vogue magazine. Only white models, some of whom are not as prominent as I am, are put on splash pages,” says Campbell, who has appeared on the cover of Vogue twice, first as a teen in 1987 and again in 2002. “I don't want to quit modeling until I find that black models get equal prominence and recognition by the world media and information instruments.

Campbell, 37, also claims that modeling agencies regularly pass over faces of color.

Black models are being sidelined by the major modeling agencies. It is a pity that people don't appreciate black beauty,” she says.

Venus and Serena Give Their "Props"

Tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams will join other sports stars to help salute outstanding kid achievers in Cartoon Network’s upcoming special, “Props.” The one-hour, live-action event will feature six "real-world kids" -- chosen by viewers -- who have demonstrated a talent, commitment and accomplishment in sports, the arts or a hobby.

Cameras will capture the kids as they are surprised by their heroes with a "once-in-a-lifetime experience customized to each of their individual passions."     
    
Props," part of Cartoon's "2007 Get Animated" initiative designed to encourage healthy lifestyles for kids, debuts at 7 p.m. Sept. 1, with encore airings at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 2.