Mills’ former nanny sues over spray-tanning

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

The Heather Mills news respite is over: now a former nanny Mills hired to look after daughter Beatrice is suing the former Mrs. Paul McCartney.

The nanny, Sara Trumble, claims that Mills required her to blow-dry Mills' hair, work unreasonable hours, and spray-tan a naked Mills.

A spokesperson for Mills told the British press, "Heather is devastated that Sara, who Heather considered a part of her family, should choose to level these accusations at her. This claim will be vigorously defended."

Mills and Trumble have 28 days to reach a settlement or they'll have to go to court over the battle.

Mills is worth an estimated $35 million, thanks mostly to a large settlement from her 2006 divorce from the former Beatle.

Cruise's birthday surprise for Holmes
Tom Cruise's obligations to "Valkyrie" and its continued promotion kept him from being with wife Katie Holmes for her 30th birthday Dec 18 (she's been appearing in "All My Sons" on Broadway) but that doesn't mean that the day went by unnoticed.

Cruise told Us Weekly that he arranged for a surprise birthday cake presented by the "All My Sons" cast. 

“I set up the whole thing,” Cruise told the mag at the Los Angeles premiere of the film. “The cast came out with a huge cake and the audience sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. It was really nice.”

Cruise also had this to say: He's fine with daughter Suri breaking into the business. "I'd love it," he told Us.

Suri would join big brother Connor if she did enter acting. Connor just appeared in his first film, "Seven Pounds," although dad wasn't at the film's premiere.

Good Charlotte to good actor?
Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden is diversifying, at least in terms of his career.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Kristen Stewart winds up a whirlwind “New Moon” week, Jennifer Lopez warms up the AMAs, Heidi Klum parties after Victoria's Secret show and more. more photos

Life & Style says that Madden wants to be in pictures, so he’s boning up with legendary acting coach Howard Fine.

“Joel wanted to master the craft before attempting it professionally,” an insider close to him told the magazine. “He really wants his acting career to take off. He’s had small parts in a few films [including 2006’s "Material Girls"], but he has yet to be recognized as an actor.”

Madden's first role won’t be much of a stretch: Joel, 29, has landed a part as a guy who joins a famous band in an upcoming MTV movie based on the video game Rock Band.

“(Madden's girlfriend) Nicole [Richie] is really pushing Joel to pursue an acting career,” says the insider. “She feels it will give him more time to spend with her and their daughter, Harlow, because he won’t have to tour all the time.”

Box office goes to the dogs
It's been a good year for dogs at the box office: First, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" came along as a surprise hit, and now "Marley & Me" pulls off not just a win, but a Christmas release box-office record. "Marley" made $37 million the Dec 26-28 weekend, besting the number 2 spot, "Bedtime Stories" by $9 million.

Video   Scoop on holiday box office Dec. 29: Courtney Hazlett talks with Morning Joe's Willie Geist about how “Marley & Me” ruled the theaters (cute dog alert!), while “Valkyrie” didn't do as well. MSNBC

Most early estimates had "Bedtime Stories" winning for the weekend, and not only did it not win, but "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" lagged behind by less than a million dollars ("Button" made $27.2).

The other noteworthy release of the weekend, "Valkyrie," came in fourth, and while $21.5 million is better than many thought, it's got a long way to go before the film recoups the $60 million MGM spent on marketing.

More on Heather Mills

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com.

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