MUSIC

Raphael Saadiq The Way I See It This soul brother’s tracks will make you swear his retro-record was recorded back in the day. The latest from a former member of 80’s R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, Saadiq’s put-you-in-the-mood grooves makes this one of the sexiest solo albums of the year.

Not like we haven’t already seen Lindsay Lohan’s whole kit and kaboodle thanks to the paparazzi, bottle service, her refusal to wear panties, and that little Marilyn Monroe-inspired shoot for New York. But Playboy just offered the hottest lesbian in Hollywood $700,000 to pose nude for their magazine. Surprisingly enough, Lohan said “NO!” It’s amazing how love can change a girl. I can’t tell if this decision was brilliant or a bomb, but here’s how other stars have fared after telling Hugh Hefner to bug off, plus fifteen stars who’ve said “Yes” to Hef and have seen their stars sky rocket—and tank.

Julie Newmar, the actress who originated the role of Catwoman in the Batman TV series recently said Angelina Jolie would own the part. “She’s tremendously popular with women because she’s both a heroine and a villainess,” Julie said. “When you look at the staggering box office of this current film, which actress wouldn’t want to jump in?” Now, the Dark Knight writers don’t have any plans to bring back the character in the current franchise, but when Catwoman is resurrected, these actresses will certainly get into cat fights (har) with each other over who gets cast. Tell us who you think should shimmy into the leather catsuit…

“I never believed women had to be virgins when they got married, or that a woman has to fall in love with a guy just because they’re having sex. I don’t think sex is a big deal.” —Jessica Alba [Showbiz Spy]

The hot new fashion trend this spring is having your own clothing line. Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Sienna Miller, Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff, and all the girls from The Hills do. And now, Britney Spears may be adding her name to the long list of celebs whose mediocre clothes we could care less about.  That’s right, after sporting avant-garde looks like bloodstained white panties with ripped fishnets and no pants this past January, the pop tart has caught the eye of Ed Hardy. Known for their tattoo-style skull and tiger t-shirts, it looks like Ed Hardy may be willing to put an even scarier icon in their repertoire, the Britney. Yesterday she met with their fashion mogul about designing for the brand. Although she can’t seem to make a court appearance, Spears is always available to pick up some free schwag.  But, to be fair, Brit didn’t just horde all the stuff for herself, she asked them to send some clothes to her pregnant sister, Jamie Lynn, who is celebrating her birthday today. Aw, what a thoughtful big sis. So hopefully, this is a sign Britney is back on the road to recovery, because her freakish public mess is so out this season. [Dlisted]

It seems like every young female celeb—from Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale, to Nicole Ritchie and Jessica Alba—has been spotted in gladiator sandals. But like another footwear trend that started in Hollywood and spread across the country like the plague (Uggs), we’re not sure we want these shoes to leave California. Yet gladiators are hitting stores from Gap to Urban Outfitters. While they make a statement, why do we need that kind of ankle support if we’re not fighting for our lives in a colosseum?

They say one of the signs that you’ve “made it” as a celebrity is when you have your own action figure—but what about your own sex doll? Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, and Lindsay Lohan’s likenesses are among those that have been replicated as blow-up “love” dolls. Of course, since none of these women have authorized these products, the dolls only use their first names. The Lindsay Fully Loaded Love Doll bears the slogan, “She’s no love bug, she’s a fiery red ... who never says no and is always up for a good time.” If your idea of a good time is being a complete loser and humping an inanimate object that you can pop with a thumbtack, that is. [Trend Hunter]

Gaining weight often makes women better dancers because they have something to shake, if you know what we mean. Case in point: Belly dancers—and a London ballet company couldn’t agree more. Balletlorent is looking for 12 pregnant women to join the cast of their next production “MaEternal.”  The Artistic Director, Liv Lorent, who is pregnant herself, says, “You can’t get a 25-year-old size 8 ballet dancer type body to move with the weight, the gravitas or the sheer cheerful spirit a pregnant woman.”  So although no dance experience is necessary, you better bring it to the audition because there might be a lot of celeb competition with everyone, from Jessica Alba to Minnie Driver, being knocked up. [Reuters]

Oprah has admitted that she’s started to go panty-less. If that made you squirm, shake it off into a pair of her unseen favorite things: the new age girdles known as Spanx. The various styles of body wear, from footless tights to high-waisted undies, are designed to smooth cellulite, cinch waists, shape curves, and tighten your loose ends. The wonder for your down-unders was created by Atlanta entrepreneur Sarah Blakely and her brand has become an asset to women across America who want to look like they go to the gym. Even skinny minis like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Jessica Alba swear by Spanx. However, be warned, while they may smooth you, you have to be smooth yourself. The real trick here is getting the granny panties off before you get manhandled.  [Spanx]

Jessica Freaking Alba is the latest to join the list of 20-something smoking hot celebrities having unplanned babies with less-famous baby daddies, according to People, which got the word straight from her rep. Does this mean that yet another horrible Fantastic Four sequel will have to wait a few more years? Thanks Cash Warren! [People]