TRAVIS BARKER AND SHANNA MOAKLER'S NIGHT AT OPERA

Photo Credit: Buzz Foto
You’d never know it by the look on her face, but Shanna Moakler got her wish – she and her estranged husband Travis Barker are back together for the umpteenth time, and presumably divorce proceedings are on hold again. Travis is all cleaned up for a night at Opera and Shanna looks like she’s going to a toga party.

Star Jones seems to be wallowing in praise since she “came out” and admitted she had gastric bypass surgery in 2003, ignoring the fact that everyone already knew about it and had labeled her a liar. Star claimed she didn’t want to mention the surgery because she didn’t want other people risking their lives to emulate her. REALLY. Lawyer talk. Actually, as the weight rolled off, she enjoyed bragging about her “years of hard work” and her “commitment” – her rigorous exercise programs and strict eating habits. She loved feeling superior to us as she boasted about her swimming and tennis lessons, pilates, and long daily walks. She laid it on thick and made herself appear to be a shining example of self discipline. She sold a lot of books and got tons of publicity. NOW she admits she is a liar. Too late, Star. You lost your credibility a long time ago.
Many celebrities are a little grouchy at 7:45 in the morning – especially when they’re at the airport and fans want photographs. James Gandolfini, clad in a black silk embroidered Chinese shirt, khaki pants, and sandals with socks, was at the San Francisco airport this week, quietly browsing in the magazine shop. When two fans asked him to pose for a picture, he winced, knowing what was to follow, but obliged. What followed was that suddenly everyone NOTICED the Sopranos star (despite his decidedly non-Tony Soprano garb) and made a huge fuss, pulling out cellphones, gaping and calling out to him. Because of that first photo, James remained the reluctant but affable center of attention in the waiting area until his plane took off.
There’s one person who’s not thrilled or impressed that David Beckham has come to LA to play soccer for the LA Galaxy team. Maybe you could describe Vinnie Jones as a rival of Beckham. Vinnie is a notorious UK soccer player who was famous for playing ROUGH and ended up a tough guy in the movies. Guy Ritchie cast him in “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” and an acting career was born. Vinnie, one of our personal favorites, has since moved to Hollywood and is fulfilling Beckham’s dream of becoming an actor. Jones hasn’t lost his edge – when the subject of Beckham’s arrival came up, he snarled “Well, he’s only coming to look after Posh’s handbag, isn’t he?”
Sometimes sitting near a celebrity in the movies is fun, sometimes it’s not. Our spy went to The Grove theater to see Hairspray last Saturday (the busiest night of the week) and found Larry King and his wife saving a number of seats in a choice row. Shawn sweetly pointed out one empty seat for our spy. AFTER the movie started, Larry got up several times, went to the lobby, and brought people back to their saved seats, disturbing others in the audience. Larry’s group did lots of whispering. One woman in his party text messaged throughout the movie and got up and left several times. Our spy said “She couldn’t have seen more than 15 minute of the film.” When Hairspray was over, Larry and friends walked out singing its praises.
Paris Hilton is becoming painfully aware that Victoria Beckham is stealing her thunder and challenging her rep as the most photographed female in Hollywood. And Victoria is enjoying every moment of the competition. Due to her legal problems, Paris isn’t able to drive around in her Bentley any more, so Posh one-upped her by getting a new convertible Bentley with “VB” monogrammed on the white leather seats.