Stefani: No Doubt plans no breakup

Stefani: No Doubtplans no breakup
NEW YORK -- No worries: No Doubt isn't breaking up.
"I thought it would be a good publicity stunt to say we were breaking up, but really we're not," the group's lead singer, Gwen Stefani, tells Cosmopolitan magazine for its June issue. "We decided after our album 'Rock Steady' that we were going to take some time apart to pursue independent projects," she says. "And I really wanted to do a movie." That movie is "The Aviator," the Howard Hughes biography starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese.
"It's very small," the 34-year-old says of her role as Jean Harlow. "I was only shooting for four or five days so I'll barely be on screen for two minutes, which is so hilarious, because they're making it sound like I'm the star of the movie."
Stefani's new solo CD, which comes out in August, is "going to be a fun '80s-inspired retro dance album."
Everyone's a critic
NEW YORK -- Jennifer Esposito, who's probably more famous for being hot than for the long list of pretty decent flicks she's acted in, is trying to branch out.
According to the New York Post, the 31-year-old Gotham native is so obsessed by Jennifer Lopez that she wants to copy J.Lo's career -- by recording a CD. But life isn't all that melodious in J.Esp's world: Reportedly her neighbors are so disturbed by her warbling at home that they've tried to get her kicked out of her East Village co-op.
Keenen Ivory Wayans,wife of 3 years to part
LOS ANGELES -- Keenen Ivory Wayans has filed for divorce from his wife of three years, citing irreconcilable differences, according to court papers.
Wayans, 45, and his wife, Daphne, have been married since June 2001 according to papers filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Wayans is requesting joint custody of his five children.
The actor-director is best known for his role in the 1990s comedy-variety show "In Living Color." He also has appeared in the films "Scary Movie," "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" and "Hollywood Shuffle."
Lil' Kim chargeskeep her from race
NEW YORK -- There was no horsing around for Lil' Kim.
The controversial rapper was forced to cancel an appearance at the Kentucky Derby last weekend because New York prosecutors wouldn't let her leave the state, reports MSNBC.com.
Lil' Kim -- real name Kimberly Brown -- is facing perjury charges after allegedly witnessing a gunfight outside a New York City radio station and lying to investigators about it. The singer's lawyer has said he expects the charges to be thrown out, "but we were told that prosecutors are very, very serious about pursuing this case and pursuing it hard," according to an insider. Lil' Kim was scheduled to attend the famed horse race and some of the swank parties surrounding it, and one insider said that the last-minute cancellation cost organizers thousands of dollars.
Danza goes back to Iowa
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Tony Danza is frank about why he left his native Brooklyn to attend the University of Dubuque.
"It was the school that accepted me," said Danza, a 1972 graduate. "I had the possibility of a wrestling scholarship."
The 53-year-old actor, best known for his TV roles in "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss?" will return to his alma mater Saturday to receive an honorary doctorate in humane letters. "I just wish my parents could be here to see it," said Danza. Instead he'll bring his wife and three kids, including his 33-year-old son, Mark, who was born in Dubuque. He'll also perform his musical variety show "Tony Danza Live!" Friday at Five Flags Theater, with proceeds benefiting the University of Dubuque music program.
Today's Birthdays
Actress Ann B. Davis is 78. Actress Pat Carroll is 77. AFL-CIO president John J. Sweeney is 70. Saxophonist Ace Cannon is 70. Country singer-musician Roni Stoneman is 66. Actor Michael Murphy is 66. Actor Lance Henriksen is 64. Comedian-actor Michael Palin is 61. Actor Jean-Pierre Leaud is 60. Actor John Rhys-Davies is 60. Actor Roger Rees is 60. Actor Richard E. Grant is 47. Broadcast journalist John Miller is 46. Rock singer Ian McCulloch (Echo and the Bunnymen) is 45. NBC newscaster Brian Williams is 45. Actress Tina Yothers is 31. Singer Craig David is 23. Actress Danielle Fishel is 23.