JLo back on American Idols!

Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer of the hit franchise let the cat out of the bag on the 'On-Air with Ryan Seacrest' show that Jennifer Lopez will be back for another season of Idols.

Nothing is official yet, so JLo hasn't commented. But Lythgoe is quoted saying that he is "delighted to say that all three judges" (JLo, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson) and the shows "brilliant host" (Seacrest himself) are back for the next season.

American Idol is due to return to Fox television in January for its 11th season.

The Hiltons: 1 million for just one hour

Neither Paris or Nicky Hilton make much of the news these days, but that doesn't mean that they're old news, the sisters were recently paid $1 million to spend 1 hour at the party of a Middle Eastern princess in France.

The princess, throwing her 'sweet' 16 party was apparently “ecstatic” to have the Hilton's for the hour - and who wouldn't be?

The sisters have been busy of late, attending party after party around the Mediterranean amongst all their other endeavours.

Wathint'Abafazi Wathint'imbokodo! (You strike a woman, you strike a rock.)

For those who are not sure what all the fuss is about National Women's Day, and why the 9th of August is a particularly special day, it is all about commemorating the national march of women on this day back in 1956.

The March was organised as a petition against the law that said that all 'African' people had to carry a 'pass' - having a 'pass' branded you as an outsider to South Africa and was a chock-hold for freedom. Women around SA, lead by Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, Lilian Ngoyi and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.

Speaking to Channel24, Judith Sephuma, SA Afro-jazz singer summed up the day in her own words: "I believe that women are celebrated every day, but to give a national women's day is really special as it marks how far we have come and how much South Africa is changing. I believe it's not easy to be a woman, but because you are a woman – we have an amazing strength to overcome, the patience to understand even when we shouldn't. Let's stand together by supporting one another in any way we can. Be proud to be a woman."

Jazzy Nigerian singer Asa heading for SA!

If you haven't heard of her yet, better later than never: international jazz sensation Asa is finally putting SA on her map and coming down to headline next month's Arts Alive festival in Johannesburg.

Asa, (real name Bukola Elemide) was born in France in 1982 but grew up in Nigeria, in the Atlantic city of Lagos. In her music, listeners can find a fusion of pop, r&b, world, funk, soul and reggae both English and Yoruba.

Shows:
Sep 02, Newtown, Arts Alive Festival at The Bassline on 10 Henry Nxumalo Street.
Sep 04, Zoo Lake, Arts Alive Festival Open Air, Fox Street.

An Oscar for Oprah

Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones - now 80 years old, many know him as the voice of Darth Vader - and makeup artist Dick Smith have been picked to receive honorary Oscars by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The academy's Board of Governors get their own little show with the "Governors Awards" in November, and they voted on Tuesday to recognize these three entertainment industry veterans with Oscar statuettes.

For Oprah it's to honor all of humanitarian and charitable efforts, for Jones his more than 50 films and successful career and for Smith, NBC's first makeup man back in 1945, for being the "godfather of makeup".

Leo and Johnny make the top list of best-paid actors

Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp have been very busy men in the last little while, and their efforts have put them at the top of Hollywood’s highest-earning actors list. Not bad!

Leo (who had two box office hits last year, Shutter Island and Inception) pipped Jonny (Pirates of the Caribbean) at the post, earning a whopping $77 million while Jonny earned $50 million.

Funnyman Adam Sandler, who earned $40 million, captured the No. 3 spot while Will Smith and Tom Hanks were close behind, at $36 million and $35 million.

Angelina Jolie planning Sahara trek

Angelina Jolie is still on her Africa lovin' crazy as she starts planner her next trip, 6 kids in tow and all. On a month-long trek across Africa's Sahara Desert.

The actress says that she is keen to to the trip so Ethiopian-born adopted daughter Zahara (6 years old) and Namibian born Shiloh (5 years old), can 'get back to their roots' - has anyone told her that neither Namibia or Ethiopia are near the Sahara?

"We want to cross the Sahara. It takes 28 days. It would have to be on a camel. I wonder if we could do it in pieces and station the kids along the way? Zahara wants to get back to Africa, and Shiloh too. So everyone takes their turns in their country."