Singer LeAnn Rimes is speaking out about a devastating illness she hid for most of her life: psoriasis. The country star, 26, was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune disease at age 2. By age 6 she was covered in red, scaly patches that would crack and bleed. "Not only does that take a physical toll on your body, but it takes an emotional toll," LeAnn tells PEOPLE. "I was very self-conscious."
The struggle was made even harder as a young woman in the public eye. "It's amazing to me how many people say, 'Oh my God, I would never ever have known,'" says LeAnn. "I was hiding it for so long." Symptom-free for five years thanks to medication, diet and stress management, LeAnn is sharing her experience on behalf of the Stop Hiding campaign in a new PSA to raise awareness of the disease, which affects as many as seven million Americans.
She also credits her husband of nearly seven years, Dean Sheremet, with encouraging her to speak out. Says LeAnn: "He gives me the courage to do this."
Source: www.people.com
Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren are expecting their second child in mid-winter, he announced on his Web site Tuesday. "This has been a year of contrasts," Tiger, 32, wrote. "I had a solid start to the season, won the U.S. Open in an exciting playoff, and then unfortunately had to shut it down after successful knee surgery.”
"And now, I have some wonderful news to report. Sam is going to be a big sister,” he continued. (Tiger and Elin welcomed daughter Sam Alexis Woods in June 2007.) "Elin is feeling great and we are both thrilled," Tiger went on. "While my injury has disappointing and frustrating, it has allowed me to spend a lot of time watching Sam grow. I can't begin to tell you how rewarding it is being a dad and spending time with her and Elin. The injury has been a blessing and a disappointment."
Tiger had said after he married in 2004 that he wanted more than one child. (Tiger was an only child, while Elin has a twin sister.) "It's been fantastic these last couple weeks to have Sam Alexis as part of our life," he said at a press conference to kick off the AT&T National Golf Tournament in July 2007. "It was a dream come true for both Elin and myself. I've been changing diapers and doing feedings. I definitely don't sleep now."
Source: www.usmagazine.com
Actor Brad Pitt took his oldest daughter, Zahara Marley, 3 ½, for a lift at Mandelieu Airport outside Cannes, France, on Monday. Mom Angelina Jolie stayed home in Nice with the rest of the brood -- Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien, Shiloh Nouvel, 7-week-old fraternal twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.
Christina Aguilera has the perfect dinner date in son Max Liron, 7 months! The singer, 27, and husband Jordan Bratman (rear) enjoyed a family night out Monday in New York City. The family is in the Big Apple for tonight's Brooklyn meet and greet at Macy's to promote Christina's new perfume, Inspire.
Actress Halle Berry and 5-month-old daughter Nahla Ariela take a walk on the wild side Saturday during a visit with Halle's mother Judith to the Los Angeles Zoo. Next up for the Oscar winner: appearing on the star-studded Stand Up to Cancer TV charity event on Sept. 5. Dad is model Gabriel Aubry.
Alabama Luella Barker, 2 ½, shared dad Travis Barker's serious look as they returned from breakfast at the Marmalade Cafe in Malibu on Monday. Along with brother Landon Asher, 4 ½ (not pictured), the trio visited 98% Angel after their meal. Mom is Shanna Moakler.
Eva Mendes puts a fashionable foot forward as the international face of 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty, a month-long style event sponsored by Australia's ACP Magazines, during a press event Wednesday in Sydney.
Looking business-ready in her chic blazer, Jennifer Aniston arrives at West Hollywood restaurant Madeo on Tuesday for a dinner with director Woody Allen (not pictured).
Just two months after giving birth to daughter Stella, Tori Spelling shows off her svelte form (in a mint-green Shoshanna dress) Tuesday while leaving a business meeting in New York City. 
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (from right) has a friendly meeting with Vanessa Minnillo and Lipstick Jungle star Lindsay Price at the launch of the New Tide and Downy Total Care at the Empire Hotel in N.Y.C.
American Idol alum Kellie Pickler absolutely needs her hair and makeup people, but not because she's a spoiled, demanding diva – because she can't do it herself. "Well, I have a team of highly-trained professionals that get me ready because I can’t do it on my own," she tells OK!. "When I’m out on tour, I usually just do it myself but for TV and photo shoots I usually have people that help get me ready because it’s so stressful anyways."
Kellie admits that she's a simple girl when it comes to makeup, saying "I hate wearing makeup anyway – I don’t ever wear it unless I have to." Although when it comes to mascara, she'll hit up the nearest drug store to stock up on her favorites. "I have 40,000 mascaras," she jokes. "For a girl that doesn’t like makeup, I have a lot."
The natural beauty definitely doesn't need any help from makeup to catch a man either – she's currently dating Nashville musician Kyle Jacobs. The couple keeps it casual when she's home from tour, choosing to relax on the couch instead of hit up wild night clubs and fancy restaurants.
"When I come in off the road, I like to crash and be a bum and sit at home on the couch and just talk," says Kellie. "We don’t really have to be doing anything. We usually just enjoy each other’s company and make each other laugh."
Of fellow American Idol country sensation, Carrie Underwood, Kellie hopes she'll find someone to laugh with too, saying the guy for her should be "someone who’s trusting and funny and a good guy who is going to treat her right."
As for any rumors swirling around Kellie herself, she's got a positive, if not overly generous, attitude: "I’m just glad people are actually talking about me. And when they’re talking bad about me, they’re giving somebody else a break."
Watch Kellie host the CMA Music Festival special, along with fellow country gals Taylor Swift and Julianne Hough, Sept. 8 on ABC.
Source: www.okmagazine.com
Happier personally and professionally than she's been in a long time, Jessica Simpson tells PEOPLE that boyfriend Tony Romo is her "perfect guy." "I just told him today, 'You're the love of my life,' " she confesses in the latest cover story. "I don't really ever say that to anybody." Jessica, 28 (as is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony), also co-wrote a song for her man, "You're My Sunday," which is featured on her new country album, Do You Know (out Sept. 9).
And, in a true modern-day sign of devotion, changed her cell phone number and e-mail address to cut off any potential communication from her exes. "I don't want anybody that's been in my life [before] in my life anymore," she says. "I don't even want them to have any way of contacting me." Tony hasn't done the same, but Jessica brushes it off. "I'm not a jealous girlfriend," she says – even though in a recent interview his ex, Carrie Underwood, claims she still hears from him.
As for her own onetime relationship with John Mayer – which began in 2006 and fizzled out last summer – Jess survived its rockiness by doing some self-appraisal afterwards. "I had to regain self-esteem and self-value," she says. When it comes to relationships, Jess says she gives over her heart fully and expects the same in return: "I just love, so I don't understand when people can't do exactly what I do."
Source: www.people.com
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