Roll Call: Paris’ Faux Pas & Clooney’s Killing Joke

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans: September 10, 2007 by Tommy Vergason

KILLER CLOONEY: Speaking to reporters at the Toronto Film Festival, George Clooney riffed on the friendly rivalry he has with good friend Brad Pitt, REUTERS reports. “I’m working with him right now on this Coen brothers movie [“Burn After Reading“], which kills me because he’s going to steal the movie and I’m going to murder him,” Clooney reportedly joked.

‘COUSIN’ ALLI COMES CLEAN: Britney Spears’ friend and former assistant, Alli Sims, has cleared up confusion surrounding her oft-reported label as Spears’ “cousin.” “Yeah! We are cousins through marriage, and it’s the south!” she reportedly told USMAGAZINE.COM. “My grandmother’s sister is married to her grandfather. So my mom and her dad are first cousins through marriage.”

FOOT IN MOUTH?: Paris Hilton may have made a faux pas at Christina Aguilera’s LAX Nightclub party in Vegas this weekend, PEOPLE reports, when she publicly alluded to Aguilera’s unconfirmed pregnancy: “Congratulations to the most beautiful pregnant woman in the world. You’re gorgeous,” Hilton reportedly said from the mic. Aguilera’s rep declined to comment when contacted by PEOPLE.

SINGING FOR KING: Aretha Franklin will sing at NYC’s Dream Concert Sept. 18, raising funds for the Martin Luther King Jr. monument to be erected on the National Mall in Washington D.C., THE NY DAILY NEWS reports. “Dr. King absolutely deserves to be on the Mall,” Franklin reportedly said. “I am honored to perform for such a great man.” Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Carlos Santana and Queen Latifah are also scheduled to perform.

DIVA’S DEBUT?: “American Idol” finalist LaKisha Jones spoke to TV GUIDE about a possible album release, reportedly saying, “I have some deals on the table. We’re going to see which ones fit me best. I’ve got to see what style of music I want to do first.” Genres she’s considering for an album are “soul and inspirational,” naturally.

OUT OF SYNC: Former ‘N Sync singer JC Chasez says he is currently in talks with other labels after the ‘‘mutual decision’‘ to part ways with longtime label Jive Records, EW.COM reports. ‘‘I want to wipe the slate clean and then take on as many suggestions and ideas [as possible],” he reportedly said. Jive Reps could not immediately be reached for comment by EW.