Buzz Briefs: S. Johansson, B. Brown
Scarlett Johansson's Love Lessons
Lately, actress Scarlett Johansson is really on top of her game, with a debut album, two new movies, and a recent engagement to Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.
The Hollywood starlet commented on monogamy to Cosmo -- which is appropriate considering that she just got engaged in May.
"I don't think it's a natural instinct for human beings, but it doesn't mean I don't believe in monogamy or true love," Johansson told Cosmo. "I believe in finding a soul mate. I've always been in monogamous relationships. I would never want to be in an open one. It'd be too awful. Monogamy can be hard work for some people. I don't think it applies to everybody, and I don't think a lot of people can do it."
New Edition Celebrates 25 Years Of Success
Although the '80s soulful New Edition made catchy tunes, they also stirred up some controversy.
Despite the bad business deals, internal conflicts, which lead to the removal of Bobby Brown from the group, the R&B singers said they look forward to their upcoming movie and future careers.
"It was only them kicking me out the group that made me like, 'Yo, if I don't succeed, I ain't going to be [nothing] back home'. But these Brothers did the best thing for me that could ever possibly be done. Teach me a lesson," Brown told Jet Magazine.
The group received its first major music industry award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in honor of 25 years of success.
The group will embark on a tour in September -- with or without Brown.
Kylie Minogue Receives Honor From Prince Charles
Britain has honored Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her services to music.
The pop star has received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
She was lauded during Thursday's ceremony for a career that spans more than two decades.
Minogue first appeared on British television in the mid-1980s soap opera, "Neighbors." She has since sold millions of albums and had hits such as "I Should Be So Lucky" and "Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi."
Spielberg & Reliance In Studio Talks
Reps for Steven Spielberg and the Indian conglomerate Reliance continue to talk about terms of a $1.5 billion proposal to fund a privately owned DreamWorks that would produce more than 30 films over the next five years, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The business plan being discussed would see Spielberg and top DreamWorks execs create a new company financed with about $550 million in equity funding by Reliance, a senior debt facility and possible additional equity from whichever studio is chosen as a theatrical distributor.
Those expressing interest in distributing the new company's films include Universal, Fox, Disney and Paramount. Paramount struck a deal to acquire DreamWorks in December 2005 and will continue to distribute all DreamWorks-branded films at least through year's end, when contract provisions allow Spielberg to opt out of his Paramount deal and take DreamWorks chairman David Geffen, DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider and the DreamWorks name with him.
Kilmer And Xzibit Take To The Big Screen
Val Kilmer and MTV's "Pimp My Ride" host Xzibit have joined Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes in "Bad Lieutenant," the Werner Herzog-directed remake of the 1992 Abel Ferrara cult hit, according to Variety Magazine.
Cage will play a police officer on the brink, and Kilmer will play his partner. Xzibit will play their arch enemy "Big Fade."
Springsteen Honors N.J. Boardwalk Fortuneteller
Bruce Springsteen is paying tribute to a boardwalk fortuneteller he made famous in a song.
Madam Marie Castello, who told fortunes on the Asbury Park Boardwalk in New Jersey, died recently. She was 93.
Springsteen wrote about her in his 1973 song "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)."
In a posting on his Web site, Springsteen remembers Castello as a boardwalk fixture at the Temple of Knowledge.
"I'd sit across from her on the metal guard rail bordering the beach, and watched as she led the day-trippers into the small back room where she would unlock a few of the mysteries of their future," he writes. "She always told me mine looked pretty good - she was right."
Springsteen adds: "Over here on E Street, we will miss her."
Celeb Spotting
Kim Cattrall was spotted on Tuesday evening, eating at Il Buco in NYC's East Village. Dining with Cattrall was "Sex and the City" stylist, Patricia Field.
The cast and crew of the CW's "Gossip Girl" was seen filming at the Hudson Hotel near NYC's Columbus Circle. Scenes were filmed Wednesday and Thursday in the hotel's library and on the terrace.
Photos: Celebrity Circuit