Paris Hits Back At Cocaine Rumours

Paris Hilton has hit back at reports a suspicious white substance that appeared in her nose, when she was photographed in New York City this week, was cocaine. The New York Post printed a photo of the socialite and suggested that there was a suspicion of white powder in one nostril. The shot was taken after Hilton and friend Brandon Davis had enjoyed a lunch together and were leaving in her car.

Hilton's representative Elliot Mintz slams the rumors saying, "They asked me if Paris was using cocaine. I explained that she does not use narcotics. They asked what the substance could have been. I explained that I was not there... so I offered some possible explanations." Mintz insists Hilton won't be asking the newspaper for a retraction at this point, but added she might consider suing them in the future. He adds, "They did not make a specific charge. So, I am inclined to let it be for the moment. Of course, Paris shall reserve all of her legal options."

Hilton Defends Spears' Parenting

Paris Hilton has hit out at critics of Britney Spears, insisting she can party and still be a good mother. The pair have rapidly become bosom buddies, and are regularly spotted out on the town together in Los Angeles and Las Vegas - prompting some to question the time Spears dedicates to her one-year-old son Sean Preston and three month old Jayden James.

But Hilton writes on her MySpace.com page, "Lately, you've been seeing pics of me and Britney partying (blah blah) and she knows that some of her fans are very upset about what they call her 'behavior' and sadly they're blaming the issue on her being friends with me. For people to call out her parenting skills on behalf of her partying ethics is appalling. Britney loves her kids to death, and I know for a fact that it truly hurts her when she sees these cruel things being written about her. She goes home every night to her babies and partying has not come in the way of her parenting. Anyone who has called her out on this should really be ashamed. There are thousands of mothers out there who like to go out and have a good time. But, you do not see people out there calling them 'bad parents.' She's young, and if she wants to go out and have some fun, let her. Just because she does these things does not mean she doesn't care about her children. For the sake of Britney and her kids, be kind. Love, Paris."

Knowles Treats Jay-z To $3 Million Birthday Bash

Beyonce Knowles reportedly splashed out on a $3 million three-day birthday party for her rapper boyfriend Jay-z earlier this week. Following the New York premiere of her new movie Dreamgirls, Knowles whisked Jay-Z - who turned 37 on Monday - to an airport where she had chartered two planes to fly 20 of their closest friends to the island of St Martin in the Caribbean.

According to the New York Daily News, the guests, who included Knowles' former Destiny's Child colleague Kelly Rowland, spent the next two days aboard a 270 foot long yacht consuming lobster and champagne. They also reportedly had two helicopters at their disposal. An insider tells the publication, "The party must have cost $1 million a day." On Thursday, Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - was in Miami, Florida and he is expected to be back in New York this weekend, and not getting married to Knowles on the Caribbean island of Anguilla as widely reported.

Spears Defends Partying

Pop superstar Britney Spears has defended her constant partying - claiming she has been virtually housebound for the past two years. Spears, who turned 25 last Saturday, has twice been photographed without panties while out with new pals Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, among others. The singer split with husband Kevin Federline, with whom she has two children, Sean Preston, 15 months, and three-month-old Jayden James. But Spears insists she's earned her right to party.

She writes on her website: "It's been so long since I've been out on the town with friends. It's also been two years since I've even celebrated my birthday. Every move I make at this point has been magnified more than I expected, and I probably did take my new found freedom a bit too far. Anyway, thank God for Victoria Secrets' new underwear line! I look forward to a new year, new music and a new me. I'm just getting started... Happy Holidays everyone!"

Paglia Slams Overtly Sexy Celebrities

Renowned feminist author Camille Paglia has slammed young stars such as Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan for their recent pantyless antics with the paparazzi. Paglia insists their behavior is destroying the strides the feminist movement has made, along with their own reputations.

She tells American publication Us Weekly, "These girls are lowering themselves to the level of backstreet floozies. It angers me because I fought a bitter fight to get feminism back on track and be pro-sex at the same time. This is degrading the entire pro-sex wing of feminism. I am completely appalled by what these young women are doing because I think that they are cheapening their own image and obliterating all sexual mystery and glamour." Paglia singles out Spears for her recent hard-partying ways, insisting is ruining her career.

She adds, "A great promise was contained in the moment when Madonna kissed Britney at the MTV Awards. She in a sense was saying, 'I'm passing the torch to you.' It was a fabulous moment. Britney looked toned, in control of her career and it was up to her to take the next step. Literally, from that kiss, from that moment onward, Britney has spiraled out of control. It's like Madonna gave her the kiss of death! Britney is throwing it away!"

Spears Is Most Searched on Yahoo!

Britney Spears has been named the most searched name on internet search engine Yahoo! in 2006 - the fifth time she's topped the annual list in the last six years. Female celebrities feature heavily in Yahoo!'s top ten - Shakira takes third spot, beating out competition from Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton, who place fourth and fifth respectively.

American wrestling TV network WWE is the second most searched for item on Yahoo!. Yahoo! spokesperson Cathi Early says, "Why she keeps ranking top... is beyond me." The tragic death of Steve Irwin in September was the most searched for new item.

Knowles & Jay-Z Set To Wed This Weekend?

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z are reportedly planning a secret wedding this weekend in Caribbean holiday retreat Anguilla, according to US reports. Dreamgirls star Knowles is reportedly planning a four-day birthday party for her man on a yacht harbored off the coast of St. Bart's, but the bash is just a cover for a wedding ceremony at Anguilla's Cap Juluca resort, according to New York Post's gossip column Page Six.

A source tells the publication that guests have been told to have their passports ready by Friday for a party on a yacht in St. Bart's - but everyone knows a surprise wedding is planned. The news comes a day after Jay-Z debuted his new video "Lost One" on MTV's Total Request Live show, in which he raps about possibly splitting from Knowles. He rhymes, "I don't think it's meant to be, B/For she loves the work more than she does me/And, honestly, at 23, I would probably love my work more than I did she/So we ain't we, it's me and her/That's what she prefers."

Hilton Cancels Billboard Appearance

Socialite Paris Hilton has pulled out of an appearance at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday after objecting to jokes in her script which allegedly poke fun at her celebrity friends. The hotel heiress was set to co-host the ceremony with new best pal Britney Spears, but the singing star backed out of her role on Thursday - just hours after the announcement was made.

Hilton has now followed in Spears' footsteps, after representatives claimed the show's bosses could not reach an agreement with the 25-year-old over the content of the script, which Hilton found "objectionable." Her spokesman Elliot Mintz says, "It is my understanding that some satirical references ridiculed some of her peers. Paris did not want to say anything that could appear hurtful or embarrassing about people she knows.