Lacey Schwimmer on Dancing with Jackass

Lacey Schwimmer Dishes on Dancing with Jackass Star Steve-O In 2008, dancer Lacey Schwimmer went from So You Think You Can Dance veteran to Dancing With the Stars newbie with a few fleet turns of the foot. And in a stellar showing, she took Lance Bass all the way to the finals before going on a nationwide tour with the show. Back for season 8, Lacey is partnered with comedian Steve-O and spoke with PEOPLE about why she was wrong about the Jackass star, whether they have any stunts planned and why she thinks they’ll do well in the competition. – Scott Huver So let us have it — how’s Steve-O? Steve-O is a workhorse. He is here everyday, five hours. He says, “Is five hours enough, Lacey? Do you think I need more than that?” So he’s just such a hard worker and we’re in very intense rehearsals everyday. Were you worried that because of his history he wouldn’t be the most disciplined partner? Absolutely, and that’s what I thought going into it, too. I was like, “Oh, man. He’s not going to want to practice and this, that and the other.” But I walked in and the first thing he said to me was, “I’m taking this very seriously. So you’re the boss. You tell me what to do. I’ll do whatever you want.” Ever since, he’s been such a great person to work with. Were you surprised? It’s funny because he’s been eleven months sober from drugs and alcohol and so I think his mind is now thinking, “I really have to now achieve this goal. I have to do this.” His head is really clear. I look up to him in that sense because as hard as he’s working on so many things, I feel like I should be working harder. I wasn’t expecting how nice of a guy he turned out to be and how much of a gentleman and how adorable he is. He’s so sweet and so cute and everyone who meets him just falls in love with him. Does he have any dance experience? He comes from a background of circus training. He graduated clown school, I believe, and he has these really interesting tricks that he can do that I’ve never seen anyone on the show do before. So we’re definitely going to try and incorporate what he already can do and I’m trying to develop things that he could potentially do. How about incorporating elements of Jackass into your routines? Of course! He’s already told me things that he’s wanting to do on the set. I’m like, “You have to remember that this is live television and it’s ABC Family. I don’t know if me kicking you in a certain area would look good on TV.” He’s having fun and has great ideas and is a really creative guy. We’re both so silly and we love to laugh and have a good time. I get him. I get his humor and I understand what he’s thinking. We work really well together. What do you think are your chances? I think he’s this little dark horse of the competition. People don’t really know what to expect from him … I keep getting these messages on Myspace or on Facebook and they’re like, ‘Oh, man, you and Steve-O. I’m so sorry.’ I look at them and think they have no idea about this guy.

The Clintons Bid Farewell to Socks the Cat

Former First Cat Socks, one of the world’s most famous felines, died Friday at the age of 20 after battling throat cancer since November. A stray cat rescued by the Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, Socks lived in the governor’s mansion in Arkansas and later moved with the family to the White House.

"Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere," the Clintons said in a statement, released first to PEOPLE.COM. "We're grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years."

Currie, the president's personal secretary, and her husband, Bob, took over care of Socks after the Clintons left the White House. It was near their home in Maryland that Socks was put to sleep Friday morning. "He could no longer stand and wasn’t eating," according to family friend and presidential historian Barry Landau.

His Pal Buddy the Lab
Though much was made of the fact that Buddy, the family’s beloved brown Labrador retriever – who died after being hit by a car in 2002 – remained with the Clintons while Socks did not, Landau says, "The truth be known, Betty asked if Socks could come live with her. The Clintons didn’t abandon Socks. They were totally conflicted. It broke their hearts, but they knew it would be the right thing for Socks’ welfare.”

"Betty had lost a close family member and a dog and they wanted to do something nice for her," continues Landau, noting that Hillary Clinton had just been elected to the U.S. Senate.

Hillary Clinton with Socks in 1999 Photo by: J. Scott Applewhite / APThe Clintons Bid Farewell to Socks the Cat| Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton
During the family's days in the White House, Socks had become attached to Betty, with whom he spent many hours every day. "Socks was always curled up on a blue striped silk chair, next to Betty," in her office outside the Oval Office, Landau says. "Socks didn’t act like a cat. Socks was very dog-like, and Buddy and Socks got along well.” Landau adds that even visiting heads of state asked to have pictures taken with the cat.

A Taste for Chicken
In the years since he left the White House, Landau says, "Socks had an incredible life. Betty cooked for Socks," he said, noting the cat loved chicken. He was also the subject (along with the family dog) of a book by Hillary Clinton titled Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets.

On Thursday, Currie took Socks for one last walk; she plans to have the cat cremated.

Rihanna Assures Fans She 'Remains Strong'

Rihanna spoke out for the first time since allegedly being assaulted by Chris Brown, issuing a statement of thanks to her fans. "At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown," says the statement from her rep on Friday. "She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time." The statement comes on her 21st birthday and a day after she was spotted in Los Angeles after spending nearly two weeks in seclusion. The singer was photographed Thursday heading to an airport the same night a graphic photo reportedly showing her battered face surfaced on the Internet, upsetting her father, who criticized police for their "sloppy work." Prior to the statement, neither Rihanna nor her representatives had commented since the arrest of Brown, 19, on Feb. 8 On Friday, friends in Rihanna's native Barbados marked her birthday by taking out an ad in the local paper wishing her a happy 21st "amidst all the negativity about Ri Ri. God will continue to bless her." "I just really love that girl," Sharon Thompson, who bought the birthday greeting, tells PEOPLE. " Some nights I cry because of what I'm hearing. It has me deeply hurt. She's just so lovely."

The Oscars 81st Academy Award Coverage

Best Picture
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "Frost/Nixon" "Milk" "The Reader" "Slumdog Millionaire."
Actor
Richard Jenkins "The Visitor" Frank Langella "Frost/Nixon" Sean Penn "Milk" Brad Pitt "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Mickey Rourke "The Wrestler."
Actress
Anne Hathaway "Rachel Getting Married" Angelina Jolie "Changeling" Melissa Leo "Frozen River" Meryl Streep "Doubt" Kate Winslet "The Reader." Supporting Actor Josh Brolin "Milk" Robert Downey Jr. "Tropic Thunder" Philip Seymour Hoffman "Doubt" Heath Ledger "The Dark Knight" Michael Shannon "Revolutionary Road." Supporting Actress Amy Adams "Doubt" Penelope Cruz "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" Viola Davis "Doubt" Taraji P. Henson "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Marisa Tomei "The Wrestler."
Director
David Fincher "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Ron Howard "Frost/Nixon" Gus Van Sant "Milk" Stephen Daldry "The Reader" Danny Boyle "Slumdog Millionaire."
Foreign Film
"The Baader Meinhof Complex" Germany "The Class" France "Departures" Japan "Revanche" Austria "Waltz With Bashir" Israel.
Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" John Patrick Shanley "Doubt" Peter Morgan "Frost/Nixon" David Hare "The Reader" Simon Beaufoy "Slumdog Millionaire."
Original Screenplay
Courtney Hunt "Frozen River" Mike Leigh "Happy-Go-Lucky" Martin McDonagh "In Bruges" Dustin Lance Black "Milk" Andrew Stanton Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E."
Animated Feature Film
"Bolt" "Kung Fu Panda" "WALL-E." Art Direction "Changeling" "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "The Duchess" "Revolutionary Road." Cinematography "Changeling" "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "The Reader" "Slumdog Millionaire." Sound Mixing "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "Slumdog Millionaire" "WALL-E" "Wanted." Sound Editing "The Dark Knight" "Iron Man" "Slumdog Millionaire" "WALL-E" "Wanted."
Original Score
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Alexandre Desplat "Defiance" James Newton Howard "Milk" Danny Elfman "Slumdog Millionaire" A.R. Rahman "WALL-E" Thomas Newman. Original Song "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E" Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire" A.R. Rahman and Gulzar "O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire" A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam.
Costume
"Australia" "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Duchess" "Milk" "Revolutionary Road." Documentary Feature "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)" "Encounters at the End of the World" "The Garden" "Man on Wire" "Trouble the Water." Documentary (short subject) "The Conscience of Nhem En" "The Final Inch" "Smile Pinki" "The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306."
Film Editing
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "Frost/Nixon" "Milk" "Slumdog Millionaire."
Makeup
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "Hellboy II The Golden Army." Animated Short Film
"La Maison en Petits Cubes" "Lavatory - Lovestory" "Oktapodi" "Presto" "This Way Up."
Live Action Short Film
"Auf der Strecke (On the Line)" "Manon on the Asphalt" "New Boy" "The Pig" "Spielzeugland (Toyland)."
Visual Effects
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "The Dark Knight" "Iron Man."

Charlie & Brooke Sheen Have Sports-Themed Baby Shower

Is Charlie Sheen hoping for a couple of sluggers when his wife, Brooke, gives birth to twin boys in April? It would seem so based on the sports-themed baby shower for the couple on Saturday afternoon. At the party – which was attended by a variety of stars including Paris Hilton, Eric Dane and baseball star Barry Bonds – kids decorated cupcakes with baseballs and basketballs, and blue and brown candy filled up apothecary jars. The family-friendly outdoor affair was held at the Los Angeles home of Dr. 90210 star Dr. Nassif and his wife Adrienne Maloof-Nassif. Also among the star-studded guests were Christine Taylor with her 6-year-old daughter Ella, Two and a Half Men's Jon Cryer with his son Charlie, and Sheen's two daughters Sam, 4, and Lola, 3, along with his father Martin Sheen. In addition to the sports-themed activities, there were plenty of girly touches, including manicures and airbrushed tattoos courtesy of Spa Di Da Kids Spa & Salon. While children played Nintendo Wii Fit and jumped on the moon bounce, parents indulged in hand massages and consultations with a feng shui expert. "It was cute. Definitely not like your traditional baby shower with games. It was lots of families just hanging out with their kids, and it was a good time," noted a guest, who added that Brooke "looked great!" The mom-to-be, who was briefly hospitalized earlier this week with early contractions, let the action come to her. "She didn't move once," said the guest. Instead, doting hubby Sheen led her to a seat in the middle of the party, and well-wishers lined up to chat with the first-time mom. Later, the Two and a Half Men star snuck off to talk about – what else? – sports with his dad and Barry Bonds.

Best Dressed at the 2008 Academy Awards

Oscars Style Star of the week

The “Slumdog” child stars board their plane in India for an 8,400-mile flight to the Oscars. Plus, Halle Berry hits the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon.

Rourke & ‘The Wrestler’ Win Top Honors At Independent Spirit Awards

The “Wrestler” star won another trophy for his performance as an aging athlete at Film Independent’s 24th Annual Spirit Awards in LA on Saturday, dedicating it to his recently deceased dog, Loki. His speech was funny and profanity-laden, describing co-star Marisa Tomei, who played a sympathetic stripper, as knowing “how to climb the pole” – and a preview of his possible acceptance speech at the Oscars on Sunday should he win Best Actor. The star was joined in the winners’ circle by Melissa Leo, who took home the trophy for Best Actress for her Oscar-nominated work in “Frozen River”; James Franco, who won Best Supporting Actor for “Milk”; and Oscar favorite Penelope Cruz, who won Best Supporting Actress for her fiery performance in Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” In the additional categories, Charlie Kaufman won Best First Feature for his direction of “Synecdoche, New York,” while Best First Screenplay went to “Milk” scribe Dustin Lance Black. Woody Allen won Best Screenplay for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” and “The Visitor” helmer Tom McCarthy earned the trophy for Best Director. Finally, Mickey’s film, “The Wrestler,” topped the ceremony with the award for Best Feature.

J-Lo and Marc's Twins Have First Birthday Party

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony celebrated their 1-year-old twins Max and Emme with a birthday party at their Bel Air home on Saturday. About 50 guests, including Nicole Ritchie, Joel Madden and their daughter Harlow, 1, joined the casual afternoon party, which started at about 1 p.m. Several guests were seen arriving with gifts in Elmo and Disney bags. Others brought stuffed animals and "Happy Birthday" balloons in festive shapes and colors. The backyard, where the party was held, was decorated with festive metallic silver balloons and a blue-and-red color theme. Two moonbouncers, a clown and upbeat music entertained guests, who were served non-alcoholic slush drinks provided by The Margarita Man. Guests sang "Happy Birthday" while a cake decorated with candles from Rosebud Cakes was presented. Max and Emme's actual birthday is Sunday.