'Survivor' contestant was once in Playboy

'Survivor' contestantwas once in Playboy
Here's a shocker: A "Survivor" contestant once appeared nude in Playboy.
Yes, difficult as it may be to believe, a young woman with the moral integrity to appear on the CBS reality game show "Survivor: Vanuatu, Islands of Fire," was featured naked in a 1996 magazine pictorial.
Not only that, 31-year-old Ami Cusack has presented herself as one of "Survivor's" first "out" lesbians. And CBS officials seem to be taking pride in both issues. Here's their news-release wording:
"When CBS announced the new 'Survivor: Vanuatu, Islands of Fire' lineup a few weeks ago, several of the contestants caused a stir, including 31-year-old Ami Cusack -- one of the show's first 'out' lesbians. While the plucky Cusack may be a newcomer to the Ring of Fire -- she's no stranger to the bikini.
"In 1996, the Denver barista modeled swimsuits for Venus swimwear and was featured in a nude Playboy magazine pictorial."
Engaged, Lavigne hopesfor a happy ending
She's still just a teenager, but it looks like 19-year-old pop star Avril Lavigne has decided it's time to settle down, reports Hellomagazine.com.
The "My Happy Ending" singer hopes to live happily ever with boyfriend Deryck Whibley, to whom she has just become engaged.
The 24-year-old frontman of punk band Sum 41, who has in the past been linked to Paris Hilton, is said to have popped the question over the weekend. And Lavigne, a Canadian star just like her beau, was snapped showing off her engagement ring to a friend not too long afterward.
The couple's families are said to have advised them to have a long engagement because of Lavigne's age.
"They know they're young, but Avril has been completely swept off her feet," said a family friend. In the meantime, the two have already begun to prepare for their new life together, buying a multi-million dollar home in Santa Monica, Calif.
Affleck to help 'SNL'kick off its 30th year
NEW YORK -- He's not former President Clinton, but Ben Affleck will do.
Although Clinton was invited, Affleck will host the 30th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" with musical guest Nelly on Oct. 2, NBC announced.
Clinton had been invited to host the not-ready-for-prime-time show, but turned down the offer, NBC said last month. No reason was given for Clinton declining to appear on the show.
The former president has since undergone open-heart surgery.
Affleck, 32, recently made headlines when he boisterously appeared throughout the Democratic National Convention in Boston, his hometown.
His latest movie, the holiday comedy "Surviving Christmas" with James Gandolfini and Christina Applegate, is due in theaters Oct. 22.
Rapper Nelly will perform songs from his new CDs, "Sweat" and "Suit."
The hosting gig marks Affleck's third appearance on the live sketch-comedy show. It will be Nelly's second.
McDonald's taps Olsensfor campaign in France
PARIS -- Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are getting supersized in France.
The 18-year-old actresses are promoting McDonald's Happy Meals in the 1,035 McDonald's outlets in the country. The meals come with either a photo album, a denim bag or a crayon box. The photo album has their picture on the cover.
The campaign began Sept. 8, a spokeswoman for the French division of the fast-food giant said Thursday. She refused to be quoted by name.
Mary-Kate was released in July from a treatment facility in the United States for an eating disorder. The twins, now freshmen at New York University, recently made appearances at New York Fashion Week and the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami.
Today's birthdays
Actor David Huddleston is 74. Actress Anne Bancroft is 73. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, is 71. Actor Paul Benedict is 66. Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter is 65. Singer LaMonte McLemore (The Fifth Dimension) is 65. Singer Fee Waybill is 54. Actress Cassandra Peterson ("Elvira, Mistress of the Dark") is 53. Comedian Rita Rudner is 48. Movie director Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge!") is 42. Singer BeBe Winans is 42. Actor Kyle Chandler is 39. Rapper Doug E. Fresh is 38. Actor Malik Yoba is 37. Rock musician Keith Flint (Prodigy) is 35. Actor Matthew Settle is 35. Rapper Vinnie (Naughty By Nature) is 34. Rhythm and blues singer Marcus Sanders (Hi-Five) is 31. Actress-singer Nona Gaye is 30. Pop singer Maile Misajon (Eden's Crush) is 28. Country singer Desi Wasdin (3 of Hearts) is 21.