Angelina Jolie has finally set the record straight over those reports she kept a vial of Billy Bob Thornton’s blood around her neck during the couple’s marriage.

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly’s Dave Karger, Jolie claimed the reports got it wrong.

“It was never a vial anyway. It was like a flower press,” she said. “It was like from a slight cut on your finger and you press your fingerprint in. It was kind of a sweet gesture. I thought it was kind of romantic!”

The couple was married for three years, splitting up around the time Angelina adopted her first son, Maddox. Though Jolie and Thornton have gone their separate ways, she told the magazine there is no bad blood (no pun intended) between them.

“I still love him dearly and think the world of him and I’m proud to have been his wife for a time,” she said. “I don’t believe in regrets. It’s a dangerous habit to get into — it makes you pause in your life if you start thinking back and questioning yourself.”

Currently, Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt are in France, preparing for the birth of twin daughters. The additions will bring their brood numbers to six, which is news the family was not prepared for.

“We weren’t expecting twins! So it did shock us, and we jumped to six quickly. But we like a challenge,” Jolie said. “[Brad’s] mom and dad are on standby to come out and help. And fortunately we can hire help if we need it, but we’re going to try as we usually do to balance it as well as we can.”

Another thing the Jolie-Pitts are balancing? Their sex life.

When asked if twins were bad for their between-the-sheets action, Jolie said carrying twins has made things more interesting.

“I think it’s quite the opposite. It’s great for the sex life,” she said. “It just makes you a lot more creative. So you have fun, and as a woman you’re just so round and full.”

Copyright 2008 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Perhaps Brangelina chose southern France for its blue skies, vineyards and the availability of an estate with a moat. But there’s another reason the world’s most famous expecting couple was smart to come here: French law is tough on paparazzi, especially when it comes to snapping photos of children.

That could come in handy after the birth of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s twins — particularly if they hope to sell rights to the first baby pictures for millions.

In France, where the Jolie-Pitts are believed to be setting up house to prepare for the births of children Nos. 5 and 6, other celebrities have waged war on gossip magazines with relentless,
precedent-setting lawsuits.

Often, the tactic pays: Monaco’s royal family grossed $681,120 through lawsuits in France in 2006, the newspaper Le Figaro has reported. On top of fines, magazines are regularly ordered to slap huge “mea culpa” notices across their covers.

“This country is medieval in terms of its legislation about printing information about celebrities,” fumed Loic Sellin, editor of glossy Voici magazine. “It’s shameful. Absolutely everything can be considered an attack on someone’s private life.”

Case in point: Former presidential candidate Segolene Royal won more than $12,000 from Paris Match magazine after it ran photos of her praying in an Italian church.

The lines are blurry and debatable, but there’s general agreement on the need to shield children from the media glare. To avoid lawsuits, magazines regularly blur out the faces of celebrities’ children or simply pull the photos.

The four Jolie-Pitt children — 6-year-old Maddox, 4-year-old Pax, 3-year-old Zahara and 2-year-old Shiloh — are an exception, simply because they have been seen out in public so often.

But if any magazines were to obtain snapshots of Jolie and her as-yet-unborn twins, two French lawyers say they would counsel them to blur the babies’ faces in most cases. Jolie has said in the past that the babies are due in August but there has been no further word.

“Let’s say she went to the French Open with her children, I would say, ‘she’s out in public and knows she’ll be seen, there’s no reason to ban the photo,”’ said lawyer Daphne Juster, who
regularly defends photographers. “But if she’s strolling in the park in sunglasses, minding her own business, she could say, ‘I tried to be discreet, this is not part of my public life,’ and can sue.”

Emmanuel Pierrat, who defends both gossip magazines and celebrities, said he might urge magazines to run photos of the babies snuggling up against their mother, or turned from the camera, so their faces do not show. Of course, he says, “some would take the risk anyway.”

In which case, he said, there would be an added incentive for Jolie and Pitt to sue: The couple sold exclusive photos of Shiloh to People magazine for a reported $4 million and donated the money to charity, a practice they’re likely to duplicate, with rumors brewing of a bidding war inching toward $10 million this time around.

There is no indication that paparazzi laws played a role in the actors’ decision to settle in the Provence village of Correns, in a sprawling stone villa with a tile roof and blue shutters.

The town’s mayor says they have moved in already, and a helicopter has been spotted taking off and landing at the site, but it is unclear if the couple is actually there. Though Pitt has been glimpsed nearby in Italy and Switzerland, Jolie has remained out of sight since the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Days after Jennifer Aniston introduced beau John Mayer to BFF Courteney Cox, Cox tells Usmagazine that her former Friends co-star is in a good place.

“Yeah, she is,” Cox told Us at the Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival in L.A. on Sunday when asked if Aniston is happy.

Last weekend, Mayer and Aniston were photographed at the Malibu home of Cox and her husband David Arquette. On Wednesday, Mayer, Aniston and Cox went out to dinner in L.A.

Aniston was back at Cox’s home on Sunday, but this time without the singer.

Aniston and Mayer began their romance after spending five sexy days together in Miami last April. Since then, they’ve been spotted out in L.A. and New York.

(Cox and Arquette famously traveled with Aniston and ex Brad Pitt to the Caribbean in 2005 just a day before the “golden couple” announced their split.)

Tell Us: Do you think John Mayer makes Jennifer Aniston happy?

‘Brokeback’ The Opera: Fans of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s gay cowboy film, “Brokeback Mountain,” should dust off their opera glasses, because the short story that became the film is scheduled to be told as an opera, Us Weekly reports. The New York City Opera commissioned Charles Wuorinen to compose a show, which is set to debut in 2013. We just won’t know how to quit the opera!

Jessica and Tony’s Sushi Sleeper: In other couple news worthy of opera-sized drama, Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo were spotted over the weekend dining on sushi at at SushiSamba in Dallas, People reports. At one point during dinner, Jessica reportedly laid her head in Tony’s lap. Apparently, Tony is quite the conversationalist.

More ‘Hills’ Awkwardness: It’s no secret that Audrina Patridge of “The Hills” doesn’t click with roommates Lauren Conrad and Lauren “Lo” Bosworth. The trio was spotted at the grand opening of Strike Orange County bowling lanes in Tustin, Calif., over the weekend, but Audrina did not hang out with her two roommates, People reports. Instead of spending time together as a happy trio, Audrina was busy kissing Tal Cooperman, while LC and “Lo” bowled a few lanes over. No word on whose frame was full of gutterballs, but we’re betting on “Lo.”

J.Lo To Design Exercise Line: Fresh off having twins, Jennifer Lopez will embark on yet another endeavor, possibly one to inspire other moms after giving birth. The singer/actress, who already has a line of clothing, will debut a line of exercise gear, OK! Magazine reports. “She has some street gear already in her lines, but she wants something exclusively for sneakers, yoga pants and dance gear,” a source close to J.Lo tells the mag. Just J.Lo it indeed.

The Blinged-Out Pitt-Jolie Twins Nursery: And in some uber chic baby news, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie might have taken the award for most baby bling in a nursery. The couple reportedly spent $140,000 on their nursery for their twins, according to the New York Daily News’ Rush & Molloy. The twins will even have two pink crystal chandeliers. We’re glad to hear there are two chandeliers, because there is nothing worse than two celeb twins fighting over whose chandelier is it.

Lindsay Lohan Pregnant - In Next Film: Lindsay will be strapping on a faux baby bump for her upcoming project, “Labor Pains,” Variety reports. The actress will reportedly play an assistant at a publishing house who fakes a pregnancy to avoid getting fired. Let’s hope life doesn’t start imitating art on the set of this film.

Brad’s Artful Purchase: What do you get Angelina Jolie for her birthday? If you’re Brad Pitt, apparently more than $50,000 worth of art. Brad was spotted shopping at Switzerland’s Art Basel fair Tuesday, Us Weekly reports. He reportedly bought two bronze chairs designed by Max Lamb, each costing $25,000. Soon the couple will have six kids and only two bronze chairs. Everyone at the Pitt-Jolie house better know how to share.

Sharon Stone’s Second Apology: Maybe no one heard her the first time or maybe people were still too upset to listen, but Sharon Stone is apologizing for her remarks about the China earthquake for a second time, People reports. “There have been numerous reports about what I said in Cannes,” the actress said in a statement Wednesday. “I would like to set the record straight about what I feel in my heart and end all of the misunderstandings. Yes, I misspoke. I could not be more regretful of that mistake. It was unintentional. I apologize, those words were never meant to be hurtful to anyone, they were an accident of my distraction and a product of news sensationalism. I am deeply saddened by the pain that this whole situation has caused the victims of the devastating earthquake in China.”

Audrina To Heidi: Don’t Get Married Yet!: “Hills” star Audrina Patridge thinks Heidi Montag needs to chill out her inner-bridezilla and think twice about rushing down the aisle with boyfriend and manager Spencer Pratt, Us Weekly reports. “I think she’s still young, and I just feel like she shouldn’t get married right away,” she told the mag at the Dodge Challenger Celebrity Drag Race in Rosamond, California, on Tuesday. “They should be together and see if they can actually live together for a year without fighting. Once you are married…you’re married.” And yet another nugget of wisdom from “The Hills” cast.

Audrina & Lauren Still Friends?: In more “Hills” news, and not to spoil any of the upcoming cat fights when the MTV show returns for another season this summer, but when Audrina was asked if she was still friends with her roommate Lauren Conrad, she told Us Weekly, “Ummm….yeah.” And Audrina hopes to be an actress?!? She better work on ability to tell a more convincing lie. Bring on the semi-scripted reality show drama!

Hotties Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have made the jump to France!

Looks like the superstar couple really is set to give birth to their new twins in the country! The Jolie-Pitts have just paid a reported $70 million for a French chateau, complete with a vineyard and ponies for their clan of 7, located on the French Riviera.

doit être gentil d’être riche et fabuleux!!!

This latest property adds to their two houses in the Los Angeles area and their home in New Orleans.

Way to work the property investments. At least some people will survive this housing slump!

Jennifer Aniston has decided to refuse to sleep with any of her boyfriends until she finds “true love.” A source claims that the actress, who was once married to Brad Pitt, is “saving herself.” A source close to the actress said:

“Jen’s made it clear to men who want to date her she’s not interested in one-night stands or flings. She’s looking for true love and she’s saving herself. Jennifer told me: I’m looking for the person who will love me for who I am, not what I am. I am not interested in sex for the sake of it.”

Jennifer is said to be dating actor Aaron Eckhart, her “Traveling” co-star. Following her divorce from Brad Pitt, she’s still looking good and has dated Vince Vaughn, Paul Sculfor, and was linked to actor Jason Lewis as well.

Alicia Witt’s character in the Friday (4/18)-opening Al Pacino thriller, “88 Minutes,” is that of a teacher’s assistant who’s completely ga-ga over her boss. To hear Alicia carry on about Pacino, her feelings of idolization must have been pretty easy to play. “Al goes above and beyond the norm, especially for someone who’s accomplished all he has,” she lets us know. “He really wanted to rehearse, and for two weeks before we started shooting, he had people come over to his house to read scenes and work on them with him.

During production, he’d have people get together for Italian dinners, and we’d sit there with our scripts and work on scenes some more.” Adds the actress/singer, “He’s probably always been my favorite actor. Now I look up to him for his work ethic as well. He doesn’t carry himself as someone to be idolized, which is really endearing. There’s no grandiosity, no entourage. As soon as we shook hands, my nervousness went away.” Pacino plays a forensic psychiatrist/university professor who put a serial killer behind bars, and who gets told by an unidentified phone caller that he has 88 minutes to live in the flick. Witt says that given the ticking clock aspect, “There was the challenge of trying to define what these people are to each other, but not be absurd about it” — and the relationship had to be conveyed within glances and tones of voice.

MEANWHILE: Witt doesn’t know what her future will be with “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” though she made it clear from the start of her tenure as Det. Nola Falacci on the series, she says, that she wasn’t interested in a permanent job. “Julianne Nicholson is back from maternity leave, and the structure of the show is two detectives. They’ve asked me to do a few more but it wouldn’t be on a regular basis because that’s not the nature of the part. I actually miss Falacci. She’s a kick. I have one episode left to shoot on my current contract. I think we’ll do that in June, and then we’ll see.”

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE: Richard Jenkins’ “The Visitor” doesn’t open ‘til Friday (4/18), but it’s already become a critic’s darling, with praises for the film – and especially Jenkins’ performance – being sung from NPR to the New York Times, along with commentary about the mysteries of great acting. “It’s been an incredible experience and one I didn’t think I would ever have,” says Jenkins modestly. The one-time “Six Feet Under” ghost dad tells us that he and filmmaker Tom McCarthy (“The Station Agent”), who share the same agent, happened to be staying at the same hotel awhile back, and after running into each other in the lobby one evening, went out for dinner. “We talked about everything but the new movie. A year and a half later, he called and said, ‘I wrote this part for you.

Would you read it?’” The part turned out to be that of a widowed economics professor whose empty life gets recharged — and then some — when he becomes friends with the Syrian drummer to whom his New York apartment has been rented by scammers. “The first thing I said to Tom after reading it was, ‘Nobody is going to give you the money for this with me in the lead.’ But Michael London and Groundswell Productions stepped up and it wasn’t even an issue for them.” Jenkins’ next two flicks have him beck in the supporting actor range, but Jenkins isn’t complaining. He says he had a blast making the Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly comedy “Step Brothers” – as Reilly’s father, who falls for Will’s mother (Mary Steenbergen), leading to a blended family of grown men who never quite managed to leave the nest. He also recently wrapped the Coen Bros. comedic drama, “Burn After Reading” – with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand.

COOKING ON ALL BURNERS: Food Network star Sandra Lee reports the four — count ‘em — four cookbooks she’s putting on the market this year are just a drop in the bucket. “I have done so much work in advance I have already laid out my next nine books through 2011,” says the popular host of “Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee.” In addition to cookbooks, she now has “a deal to do a book based on my Semi-Homemade philosophy for Better Homes and Gardens.” First off the presses, is the just released “Semi-Homemade Grilling 2,” “Grilling 1 was the number two bestselling grill book ever when it was released,” she notes proudly. “Then this Fall I have ‘Semi-Homemade Shortcut Meal Solutions’ coming out on how to get the supermarket employees to do all your work for you, ‘Sandra’s Fast Fix Family,’ the 300 recipe collection all about family meals and ‘Semi-Homemade Desserts 2.’” Lee says she’s expressed concern she might be glutting her own market, but “the buyers dictate what comes out and they want these books. There’s always room for another cookbook and they’re all under $20.” Lee will celebrate the 200th episode of “Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee” show on May 3, but says she’s also way ahead of the game on that front. “I have three more shows to do and I will have shot shows well into and through 2009.” To commemorate the milestone, Lee and crew donated $10,000 to God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that feeds people living with serious illness.

It took a while, but Angelina Jolie has finally opened up about her pregnancy. During an interview with the “Today” show, Angie first confirmed that she is having twins, then later revealed her due date – which is August 19. She then continued:

“I’m very happy. Unlike most women, I love being pregnant. [It makes] you feel like more like a woman than you’ve ever felt. You just feel like everything about your body is there for your baby.”

In addition, Angelina said that she could “possibly” give birth two the girls in France, where she and Brad Pitt are currently semi-vacationing and promoting her latest films at the Cannes Film Festival.

Angelina Jolie Photos from Cannes Film Festival:

Actor George Clooney has verbally slammed rich girl Paris Hilton for being a “wannabe” actress. Apparently George isn’t a big fan of wannabes like her and even had this to say:

“There is a funny thing that happens when you are a young actor. You equate financial success and getting jobs with whether or not you are good at it. And it still happens. That’s why there is Paris Hilton. Now I’m in trouble with Paris Hilton.”

In addition, George has been hit with rumors that he is set to be the godfather of Nicole Kidman’s baby — as well as friend Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s fifth child. When asked about being a godfather, he has not been asked to be the godfather of either child… yet.