J.Lo just isn’t that appealing in the U.S.

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

How much is too much to pay for baby photos? That’s the many-million-dollar question, and it’s being asked now more than ever as the end of Jennifer Lopez’ pregnancy grows near.

Although magazines make it a rule to not disclose the final numbers, People magazine reportedly shelled out $6 million for the first crack at photos of J.Lo’s twins, but that deal only accounts for rights to publish the pics in the United States.

OK! magazine has also struck an exclusive deal for photos of the Lopez/Anthony babies. Their pics will run in OK!’s 15 international editions, the magazine confirms. “It is fantastic for those markets, and especially important with the immense strength the exclusive will bring to the new launch of OK! Spain,” said a spokesperson for the magazine. The Spain edition launches March 26. (Which begs the question: Is J.Lo not due for another month?)

So why pass on the rights to publish the photos here in the United States? One magazine industry insider said that frankly, Lopez’ appeal in the U.S. isn’t as broad as many people — including Lopez — would like to think.

Video   Price of celebrity baby photos Feb. 20: Janice Min of US Weekly magazine talks about the popularity of these pictures and the big bucks magazines are willing to pay for them. Today Show Entertainment

“Look at her track record with her movies, and look at her album sales. The U.S. market hasn’t been fascinated with her in some time,” the insider explained. “It makes more sense to not spend a fortune on photos that won’t cause a noticeable increase on the newsstand. This just isn’t going to sell like Shiloh (Jolie-Pitt), and $6 million is a lot of money.”

Another magazine insider says that the OK! approach is noteworthy. “There’s a real difference between U.S. appeal and international appeal, and most celebrities don’t really understand that.”

Lindsay Lohan’s nude photos
Although some friends of Lindsay Lohan are singing the praises of the starlet’s recreation of Marilyn Monroe’s last photo shoot (which happened to be a nude photo shoot, if you weren’t aware), some industry types are shaking their heads at the Lohan’s decision to do the New York magazine spread.

“She really is a good actress. All these antics just detract from that,” said one director who worked with Lohan. “With every decision she makes, it becomes clearer that she’s got no one giving her good advice.”

Video   The Scoop on Lohan's photos Feb. 19: Courtney Hazlett talks with Morning Joe's Willie Geist about Lindsay Lohan's provocative photo shoot, plus the new “Dancing” cast. Morning Joe

One magazine editor isn’t surprised. “She basically opened the doors to photographers while she was in rehab,” the editor pointed out. “I guess we shouldn’t be surprised, but her stock falls when she starts doing any project for any magazine.” (Lohan is also on the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar where she states, perhaps ironically, “When I look back on this last year, it’s like, what was I thinking?”)

Msnbc.com’s Sexploration columnist Brian Alexander said, “Lindsay Lohan’s ‘fashion’ spread in New York magazine seems more sad commentary on our current bankrupt culture than it does on Lohan.

“We keep mining the pop culture of the past to give ourselves some validity. But the 21-year-old Lohan’s attempt to inhabit the 36-year-old (and vastly more complicated) Monroe’s eroticism seems pale, shallow, out of context,” continued Alexander, who is also the author of “America Unzipped.”

“That’s why, if this is her attempt to go sexually highbrow, to be taken more seriously and separate herself from the tawdry psychodramas of the Parises, Britneys and Kim Kardashians, it doesn’t fly.”

Ouch.

Celeb sightings
George Clooney and his girlfriend, Sarah, celebrated Valentine’s Day with dinner at Nove Italiano at the Palms in Las Vegas. Also in Sin City: Enrique Iglesias was spotted eating crispy chicken and drinking Knights Head Light beer with friends at Company Bistro, and Paris and Nicky Hilton, along with David Katzenberg and Jeff Beacher, celebrated Paris’ birthday at N9NE Steakhouse.

Matthew Perry stopped by Little Nell in Aspen for a meal. In Los Angeles, Owen Wilson was at the Lisa Perry launch at Decades. Orlando Bloom was toting Mulberry luggage through Heathrow Airport. Gabrielle Union chatted with Beyonce Knowles at the 2nd Annual Jay-Z and LeBron James Two Kings Dinner sponsored by DoubleMint in New Orleans.

In New York City, Nelly and Jermaine Dupri stopped by Philippe to eat and say hello to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was there filming an episode of “Making the Band.” Janet Jackson was spotted outside in the car. Andy Roddick and supermodel Brooklyn Decker kept their distance at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition’s Party at 1OAK Sunday night. A source close to the tennis star said there’s no trouble in paradise, Roddick was just making sure Decker could have spend time with her girlfriends. Victoria Beckham had tea at Brasserie 44 at the Royalton Hotel.

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