Beyonce Knowles was shocked news didn't leak out about her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover shot - because everything about her life is so public. The Dreamgirls star posed for the cover of the magazine in November and was sworn to secrecy until the sexy shot was revealed on Wednesday. She explains, "It was hard because I was so excited! You grow up seeing those issues and they're so amazing, it's crazy that I was able to be on the cover. It's amazing for me. They called and they said they were doing a music issue and they said they didn't know if I would be willing to wear the swimsuits. I said I would for Sports Illustrated because it's so classy. My mother actually designed all of the swimsuits. We have a clothing line, House of Dereon, so that was a great launch for us." The star was amazed the media didn't figure out what she was doing adding, "I don't know, they didn't, it's great. We were in Miami (Florida), it's not like we were somewhere very far away. They're iconic photographs, so I'm very happy."

Country music star Kenny Chesney has denied rumors he split from Renee Zellweger because he is gay. The couple checked the word "fraud" on their legal separation documents when they split, which fuelled rumors about the singer's sexuality. Speaking for the first time about the annulment to news show 60 Minutes he says, "The only fraud that was committed was me thinking that I knew what it was like... that I really understood what it was like to be married, and I really didn't. We thought the least harmful (stated reason) was fraud because it (is) kind of broad... doesn't specify (the reason for the separation). And boy... we were wrong!" Speculation Chesney was gay grew because Zellweger was the one citing fraud as the reason for the split. He says, "Its not true. Period. Maybe I should have come out and said, 'No, I'm not (gay), ' but I didn't want to draw any more attention to it. I didn't have to prove to anybody that I wasn't (gay)." But Chesney insists he has no regrets about marrying the Oscar winner: "I loved her... It was real." Zellweger, 37, and Chesney, 38, married just four months after they met in 2005 and split four months later.

A Florida judge yesterday ruled Anna Nicole Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead can obtain one more DNA sample from her body and review specimens already taken. Birkhead is in a paternity fight over Smith's daughter Dannielynn and wanted to make sure no substitute samples could be used in subsequent DNA tests. Probate Judge Larry Seidlin ordered the medical examiner, at the request of Birkhead's attorneys, to take on more oral swab of Smith's body for review by Birkhead's expert. The order came after three hours of arguments and testimony this morning. Attorneys for Birkhead, Smith's companion Howard K. Stern and her mother, Virgie Arthur, are currently gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida fighting for the release of her body. The actress died on her way to hospital last Thursday after her nurse found her unconscious in a suite at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Former Felicity star Keri Russell tied the knot with her long-time boyfriend Shane Deary in New York City on Valentine's Day. Russell and Deary, both 30, recently announced they were expecting their first child this summer. Only a few close friends attended the intimate ceremony, which took place during a snowstorm. According to American publication Us Weekly, the wedding reception was held at the Red Cat, a French restaurant in New York's Chelsea district. A source adds, "As far as I know, it went beautifully." Russell, who starred with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III, made an appearance with Deary at the Sundance Film Festival last month to promote her new film, Waitress. This will be the first marriage for both. Russell previously dated her Felicity co-star Scott Speedman and fellow Mouseketeer Tony Lucca.

Actor Ryan Phillippe credits his seven-year-old daughter Ava for helping him get through his break-up with estranged wife Reese Witherspoon. The Flags Of Our Fathers star and Witherspoon, 30, announced their separation in October after seven years of marriage - and Phillippe has branded the split "the most devastating time in (his) life." Speaking to talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, he explains, "Going through something like this, as difficult as it is, my daughter has been the inspiration - my seven-year-old daughter Ava." The star claims she is beyond her years in "conscientiousness and maturity" adding, "I know it sounds pathetic. I'm a 32-year-old guy, but my seven-year-old daughter is getting me through the toughest time in my life, and that's beautiful too." When asked how his three-year-old son Deacon is handling the divorce, he says, "He's all right, you know. I mean, three-year-olds. He's fun, every day he says something that makes me laugh, warms my heart. They're hanging in there. It ain't easy. It's devastating, but the bottom line is the focus on the children, and they're doing amazingly well and that's really all that matters."

Former US Vice President Al Gore, Cameron Diaz and hip-hop producer Pharrell Williams have joined forces to promote an international campaign to raise environmental awareness. The trio were in Los Angeles yesterday to announce the initiative called Save Our Selves - The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis. Promoters are planning a 24-hour concert called Live Earth that will take place on seven continents on July 7. More than 100 music acts, including Pharrell, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boy and Kelly Clarkson, will participate. Diaz told the audience, "This is the only issue in the history of mankind that affects every single one of us - our planet is in danger. But at least someone is doing something about it." Promoters said the concerts will take place in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; London and cities to be announced in Japan, Brazil and the United States. Pharrell added, "Our atmosphere, our planet, is being abused, and we need to make this part of our daily consciousness. On July 7, you're going to see the biggest party on earth!"

Campaigning star Jennifer Lopez's humanitarian efforts have been honored by human rights group Amnesty International. The Out Of Sight actress was awarded the Artists for Amnesty prize at the Berlin Film Festival on Wednesday for highlighting the spate of unsolved killings in Mexico in her latest film. Bordertown, which also stars Antonio Banderas and Martin Sheen, sees Lopez play an investigative journalist reporting on a serial killer in the Mexican town of Ciudad Juarez. Amnesty International claims more than 400 unsolved female murders have been committed in Juarez since the killings began in 1993. Lopez described the situation as "one of the world's most shocking and disturbing, underreported crimes against humanity." The actress said she was "very humbled" after being presented with the award by East Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, a Nobel Peace laureate.

Courtney Thorne-Smith decided to have a low-key wedding the second time around after she appeared on the cover of America's InStyle magazine in a bridal gown just days after announcing her divorce in 2001. The former Ally McBeal star married first husband Andrew Conrad in June 2000, with the couple announcing their divorce just six months later in January 2001, just as the lavish photo spread from their nuptials was hitting newsstands. The 39-year-old tied the knot for the second time with digital marketing company owner Roger Fishman on New Year's Day and was determined to keep the event intimate. She says, "It was just us, our two dogs, two friends and the rabbi. (The dogs) were our groomsmen. I'm not crazy about weddings, so we thought we'd just do it ourselves." The According To Jim star was so casual about planning the event, she didn't even know what she was wearing until the last minute. She adds, "The day before we were supposed to get married I was having coffee with my girlfriends and I said, 'I think I'm going to wear a dress' and they were like, 'Honey, it's too late!' I said, 'No, I think I'm going to wander over to this boutique.' The boutique next door (to the coffee shop) found my dress the day before. Dress, shoes, necklace, everything - it was perfect!"

British funnyman Simon Pegg was left red-faced when he accidentally revealed his naked self to his entire family. The Shaun Of The Dead star made the mistake of showing his parents and siblings a home-made film without censoring the tape's contents. He says, "I once showed a holiday video to my entire family and forgot there was a point where I flashed. I only realized about one second before it happened and couldn't get to the remote in time to stop them all from seeing me pull down my trousers and reveal myself. My sister screamed and my mum said, 'Ooh, that's changed.'" The actor is next set to appear in cop comedy Hot Fuzz.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has slammed reports she is marrying longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams. Media reports claimed Williams proposed last month, with the couple quietly planning their wedding. Ferrera's representative, Carrie Byalick, rubbishes the reports, insisting her client "is not engaged." The couple met while they were attending film school in California. The 22-year-old received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy on January 16 and her series Ugly Betty was named Best Comedy Series.