Is Angelina Jolie an expert at media manipulation?

So says the New York Times in THIS rather revealing article where they detail how the actress carefully orchestrates her public image.

A few highlights:

- When Angie agreed to sell photos of her new twins to People magazine for a cool $14 million, “the winning magazine was obliged to offer coverage that would not reflect negatively on her or her family.”

- In the People interview, there were questions about Angelina and beau Brad Pitt’s charity work and no use of the word “Brangelina,” the tabloid amalgamation of their names, which irks the couple.

- Says former tabloid editor Bonnie Fuller: “She’s scary smart. But smart only takes you so far. She also has an amazing knack, perhaps more than any other star, for knowing how to shape a public image.”

- Angelina’s transformative public image — from self-cutting wild child with an obsession for knives to philanthropic mother-of-six — was apparently carefully crafted. After she divorced second husband Billy Bob Thorton in 2003, Us Weekly asked Angelina if she would agree to an interview and be photographed. She initially declined — but then offered the magazine another photo opportunity. She informed it what time and place she would be publicly playing with Maddox, essentially creating a paparazzi shot. The result? A complete public image overhaul.

- As for that whole stealing Brad right out from under Jennifer Aniston’s nose? Angie could and should have faced a media and public backlash (let’s face it — no one likes a thief), but Miss Jolie quickly through herself into international humanitarian work (remember all those trips to Pakistan?) and instantly all was forgotten about her questionable courting methods.

- And finally, during the premiere of A Mighty Heart, Angelina used her star power to restrict access of the media. She made journalists sign a contract where journalists had to agree to that “the interview will not be used in a manner that is disparaging, demeaning or derogatory to Ms. Jolie.”

Despite (or perhaps because of) all this, Angie’s star continues to rise.

Oh, it is on!!!

Rosie O’Donnell is taking Barbara Walters recent unkind words sitting down!

As you may recall, Babs criticized Rosie for her for her constant need to bash The View ever since her untimely departure. “There are some people who have done this show and then for years feel like they have to dump on it, maybe for their own publicity,” she said. “And that not only hurts me, but I resent it…”

Well, now Rosie has reacted — with much sarcasm — both on her blog and on Conan O’Brien’s show last night.

Next week, Ro is scheduled to chat with former Viewster Meredith Vieira on Today. This morning, when Matt Lauer asked Meredith about the latest feud, she said, “I had nine years there. They were terrific.”

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson may have looked loved up at the grand opening of the Atlantis resort of the world-renowned Palm Jumeirah, Dubai yesterday, but the couple is said to be seeing a couple’s counselor.

A source tells the New York Post that “are fighting like cats and dogs. They fight every day, screaming, crying and yelling at each other. Sam and Lindsay are still very much together and very much in love, but drama just seems to follow Lindsay, and Sam hates it. She deals with Lindsay every day. And every day for Sam means questioning, ‘Is this worth it?’”

So what caused all the drama? LiLo’s recent run-in with Calum Best at London hot spot Boujis. After the former flames’ encounter, she and Sam argued bitterly in their limo during the ride back to their hotel.

The spat on Tuesday night wasn’t an isolated incident. The duo also fought outside of Citrine on West 21st Street recently.

Adds an insider: “Lindsay is high-maintenance and a lot to deal with. And Sam has always dealt with her. But it isn’t easy.”

A rep for La Lohan claimed she was unaware of any therapy sessions.

And that’s a wrap!

Almost faster than it started, Madonna and Guy Ritchie have been granted a preliminary decree of divorce in a London court today after 8 years of marriage.

Reporters gathered outside the Family Division of High Court, but neither star appeared at the brief session in which a judge granted decrees to 17 couples, including “Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S.”

The decree said the divorce was granted on the basis of Guy’s “unreasonable behaviour,” but did not elaborate.

The divorce can become final after six weeks and a day.

Gwen Stefani took baby Zuma Rossdale for a check up at a Beverly Hills Medical Clinic Thursday after returning from a vacation in Mexico the day before.

Zuma seemed relaxed snuggled up in his mother’s protective arms. And while Gwen’s other son Kingston was M.I.A., it appears he may have been busy working on his chops.

According to dad Gavin Rossdale, the 2-year-old is already showing a knack for performing.

Says the Brit rocker: “He’s got a better wardrobe than I have! I can definitely see a performer in him. [But] it’s such a worry — it’s such a weird world. I mean, he’s been photographed nonstop since he began. He had the first nine days off of his life - after that, it’s been full- [throttle]. It’s pretty intense. Who knows what’s going to happen?”

[Fame]

With her trademark clown makeup firmly etched on, a casual Christina Aguilera was spotted arriving at the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday night for rehearsals for the upcoming American Music Awards.

Xtina is set to open the star-studded on Sunday with a seven-minute medley of her greatest hits. The opening number will include Genie in a Bottle, Fighter, Beautiful, Keeps Getting Better and Dirrty.

Joining Christina at the show, that will be held at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, are Miley Cyrus, Beyonce, Coldplay, Kanye West, Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo, Pink and many others.

And, of course, FYB will have the sickest red carpet coverage this side of the net!

[Flynet]

Just a small update on Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz’s new baby.

The new parents welcomed Bronx Mowgli Wentz, a healthy 7 lbs., 11 oz. boy, late Thursday night.

Says a spokesperson: “Ashlee, Pete and baby Bronx are all healthy and happy, and thank everyone for their well wishes!”

The unique middle name of Mowgli is likely taken from the character in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.

Our thoughts?

Reese Witherspoon was a vision in midnight blue as she arrived at the premiere of Four Christmases at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Thursday.

Joined by her co-stars Kristin Chenoweth, Sissy Spacek and Mary Steenburgen, it was a full-fledged estrogenfest on the red carpet as the holiday flick’s headlining star Vince Vaughn was nowhere to be seen.

This will clearly not help those rumours that he and Reese did not get along — at all — on the set.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was in Wasilla today to do the traditional pardoning a local turkey ahead of Thanksgiving.

No big deal, right? Wrong.

Following the ceremony, the one-time Vice Presidential candidate did an interview with a local TV station…all while turkeys were being slaughtered behind her!

Much like the Bush Doctrine, Sarah went on and on and on completely oblivious as to what was going on.

So much for that whole culture of life thing!

Newly single dad Guy Ritchie treated his sons Rocco and David to dinner during a break from filming Sherlock Holmes on Thursday.

So where’s little Lourdes? As part of their agreement, the 12-year-old celebuspawn will spend all of her time in New York City with her mother Madonna.

Meanwhile, a court schedule says Guy and Madge will be granted the first stage of their divorce in London tomorrow.

London’s High Court lists “Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S” as one of 16 cases for “matrimonial and civil partnership causes for pronouncement of decree.”

A judge will grant the couple a preliminary divorce decree. After six weeks and a day they likely will be granted a decree absolute and the divorce will become final.

Neither are expected to appear in court.

[Bauer Griffin]