Demi Moore plot thickens: Pursuing Zac Efron, fountain of youth?

Demi Moore isn't having the best week, as far as newsstands are concerned. The actress has reportedly been battling massive insecurity with age and weight, as well as chasing young things like Zac Efron.

After her January hospitalization, allegedly thanks to a bad reaction to nitrous oxide and a smoke inhalant, reports are charging the "Margin Call" star with massive insecurities surrounding the breakdown of her marriage — all leading to this current crisis.

"She's been really down, and she's surrounding herself with young people to make her feel better," Us magazine cites one source as saying.

And by "surrounding" the report suggests Moore "tracked down" 24-year-old actor Zac Efron for companionship. This proposed hunt led to a party in L.A.'s Venice Beach neighborhood, prior to Moore's medical treatment. 

"As Demi got older, she convinced herself that she needed to stay young and skinny to remain attractive to her husband," People magazine added to the party, via their own inside source.

"[She] was always fixated on being young. And the only thing that tied her to that, as she got older, was her marriage to a younger guy and hanging around young people."

Following the hospital visit, Moore's rep said she would seek "professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health." On the work front, Moore was replaced by Sarah Jessica Parker in the adult film biopic "Lovelace."

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Demi Moore attends the premiere of "Margin Call" in New York on Oct. 17, 2011. Credit: Peter Kramer / AP Photo

'New Year's Eve' premiere: Hilary Swank sees every day as a new start

The significance of New Year's Eve has long been glorified on the big screen -- after all, who can forget Billy Crystal running dramatically to Meg Ryan to declare his love before the ball drops in "When Harry Met Sally"?

With the release of Garry Marshall's romantic comedy "New Year's Eve" on  Friday, a whole new set of over-the-top romantic gestures will likely set legions of young moviegoers up for future disappointment when the clock strikes midnight later this month.

At the premiere of the star-studded film in Hollywood on Monday night, even many of the movie's cast members -- including Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Hilary Swank, Zac Efron, Katherine Heigl and Michelle Pfeiffer -- admitted they believe too many expectations are placed upon the holiday.

Photos: 'New Year's Eve' red carpet arrivals

"I'm sure we've all felt let down over this night," said New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre, who plays Rory in the film and whose birthday falls on New Year's Eve. "I admire those people that just keep it real simple. Stay inside. You know all the jokes -- 'It's rookie night,' and the whole thing. That's when the crazies come out."

Hilary Swank, meanwhile, said she wishes more people were able to view every day as a new opportunity to approach a resolution.

"I don't think you have to wait a whole year," the actress told us on the black carpet, which was decorated with stylish heat lamps and a disco ball. "Every day can be an opportunity to be a better person or to love more or to forgive."

Swank should know: She's spent the last few weeks trying to recover from the fallout from attending an event honoring Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, whom many say employs violent tactics to quiet his critics.

"Shame on me," Swank told Jay Leno last week of the mistake. "The bottom line is that I should know where I'm going, and do better research."

After making the appearance on "The Tonight Show," Swank said she hasn't had to face too much criticism about the international incident during the promotion of "New Year's Eve."

"It's been really great," she said. "I think people saw me talk on Jay Leno and felt like their questions were answered, and it was nice to be able to talk about because I hadn't really gotten an opportunity to say what had really happened."

Meanwhile, Swank's co-stars stuck to discussing lighter fare on the carpet: actor Josh Duhamel, for one, spent plenty of time gushing about his wife, Fergie.

Asked what he admired most about the Black Eyed Peas singer, he responded: "Her spirit." As for their plans this New Year's Eve, the pair will be heading to Las Vegas to celebrate.

"It takes a lot out of the equation when you have somebody you're married to to be with," he smiled.

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--Amy Kaufman

twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: Lea Michele and Ashton Kutcher meet on the red carpet at the "New Year's Eve" premiere." Credit: Frederic Brown/AFP/GettyImages

Jennifer Lopez tops People magazine's 2011 Most Beautiful list

Jennifer Lopez has made it to the top of People magazine's Most Beautiful list.

The New York-born "American Idol" judge beat out the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner and Eva Longoria.

"Rarely am I left speechless, but I feel honored," the 41-year-old singer told the magazine.

Jenny from the Block, whose current single "On the Floor" is No. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart this week, is married to singer Marc Anthony and has twins with him. Her upcoming album titled "Love?" will be out in May. And, lest we forget, Lopez recently debuted a reworking of the classic "Venus" song in Gilette razor commercials and has attained the unique title of "Venus Global Ambassador."

"I don't want anybody thinking it's easy. It does take time and it's hard work. HDTV wide-screen is nobody's friend!" Lopez, she of the perfect posterior, said of her beauty regimen.

Other women who made People's list: singer Jessica Simpson, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, "Tangled" star Mandy Moore, "Desperate Housewives' " Dana Delany, Mrs. Tom Cruise Katie Holmes and "The Office's" Mindy Kalig and Ellie Kemper.

On the men's side, Zac Efron took top honors. The 23-year-old "High School Musical" alum took first place thanks to his abs, pecs and chest.

"I think it's important to remember to live in the moment and enjoy every day to the fullest," Efron told the magazine.

Efron, who also topped last year's list, is set to appear in Garry Marshall's star-studded "New Year's Eve."

Behind him were "Twilight" hottie Kellan Lutz and newly single Ryan Reynolds, People's sexiest man alive.

This year's Most Beautiful issue hits newsstands Friday.

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Jennifer Lopez shines at annual amFAR benefit in France [pictures]

-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: Jennifer Lopez on "American Idol." Credit: Tony Duran / Fox

Ashley Tisdale reunites Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron -- kinda, sorta

Ashley Tisdale worked some of her Disney magic to bring together exes Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens at a party Wednesday night.

No, the "High School Musical" sweethearts are not back together as a couple, but they are attending the same events.

Efron and Hudgens joined their "HSM" co-star at Soho House in West Hollywood for the launch of her straight-to-DVD Disney movie "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure," E! reported.

"The former couple appeared to be having a good time separately, but we're not holding our breath for a reconciliation," the blog said.

The two posed separately for photos with Tisdale, currently starring in the CW's "Hellcats," but also stayed away from each other on the red carpet, according to Access Hollywood. They began dating in 2005 on the "HSM" set, but split in December.

No surprise there. Efron, 23, is playing the field and has been busy filming Garry Marshall's "New Year's Eve." And Hudgens, 22, has been spotted with her "Journey 2: Mysterious Island" co-star Josh Hutcherson (recently cast in "The Hunger Games") on motorcycle rides. She's also been promoting her latest films, "Sucker Punch" and "Beastly."

We wonder, though, about any awkward moments they might have had at all those Lakers games they've been attending.

If you happen to be wondering what 25-year-old Tisdale's film "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure" entails, watch the trailer below, or think "Legally Blonde" meets "Fame."

Makes us wonder if this Zac-Vanessa buzz was just a way to plug the film. What do you think? Tell us in comments.

RELATED:

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photo: Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens arrive separately for the "Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure" launch at Soho House on April 6, 2011. Credits: Katy Winn / Associated Press

Zac Efron, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch kick off Golden Globes week

How appropriate that Sue Sylvester's bullhorn would ring in the real start of award season. Jane Lynch and other Golden Globes-nominated lovelies turned up in West Hollywood on Sunday to celebrate the start of a hectic week.

A buzz-cut-sporting Zac Efron stopped by the bash, thrown by Audi and designer J. Mendel at Italian restaurant Cecconi's, arriving solo despite reports he's reconciled with Vanessa Hudgens. The young actor chatted with "Hairspray" costar Brittany Snow and their director, Adam Shankman.

While "Avatar" beauty Zoe Saldana held court in a private booth with fiancé Keith Britton, funny lady Kathy Griffin got her schmooze on with the likes of "Modern Family" stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sofia Vergara.

James Marsden (who recently shared a hot tub with Ferguson on an episode of "Family") came through, as did a late-arriving Matthew Morrison, inbound from the Lakers game.

Stay tuned to the Ministry for a week of Golden Globes coverage!

RELATED:

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Zac Efron arrives at Cecconi's Restaurant in West Hollywood for the Audi-J Mendel party kicking off Golden Globes week on Jan. 9, 2011. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens split up

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens have split up, bringing their "High School Musical" romance to an end, according to several reports.

The pair met on the "Musical" set in 2005, but over the past years the relationship "just ran its course," a source close the couple told Us Weekly.

"They are still talking and still friends. There's no drama. No one cheated. They just grew up," the insider added.

In an August cover story with Details magazine, Efron indicated all was right between him and Hudgens, saying the relationship was "exactly how it should be. It's real." The couple attended a party in celebration of the same cover a few weeks later, looking happy.

Calls to reps for both actors were not immediately returned.

Leave your thoughts on the Efron/Hudgens split in comments below.

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— Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron attend the 2009 Golden Globe Awards. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens'

Zac Efron, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann welcome Bill Hader to Hollywood

Who says Hollywood isn't welcoming? Producer and director Judd Apatow and his wife, Leslie Mann, certainly rolled out the red carpet for "Saturday Night Live" funnyman Bill Hader on Tuesday night. 

Visiting the West Coast from his hometown New York, Hader booked a dinner date with the couple, who mentioned a soiree Details magazine was throwing for cover boy Zac Efron in the hills of West Hollywood. 

Hader confessed he'd never been to a "Hollywood party," and the Apatow-Manns certainly weren't having that. The three rolled up to the intimate bash, to which Efron had brought his girlfriend,  Vanessa Hudgens, for some quality schmoozing.

Guests including "Glee" star Matthew Morrison, singer Josh Groban, "The Twilight Saga" werewolf Alex Meraz, David Spade, Aaron Paul, director Adam Shankman and Rose McGowan, hosted by editor in chief Dan Peres.

Not bad for your first time, Bill.

Hader will soon head back to NYC to prep for the new season of "SNL," where he can expect the likes of Jane Lynch to grace the studio at Rockefeller Center.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Leslie Mann, left, Judd Apatow and Zac Efron show the Hollywood party ropes to Bill Hader (whose back is turned as he doubles with laughter over something undoubtedly charming).

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Zac Efron on Vanessa Hudgens, Tom Cruise and why he turned down 'Footloose'

Zac Efron, Dakota Fanning and more star in Stand Up to Cancer PSA

Report: Zac Efron may star in Nicholas Sparks' 'The Lucky One'

Couples update: Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens slip into something more comfortable

Zac Efron on Vanessa Hudgens, Tom Cruise and why he turned down 'Footloose'

There's a chatty lining to "Charlie St. Cloud," meaning its headliner, Zac Efron, recently opened up about girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens, his motorcycle date with Tom Cruise and why he turned down the lead in the "Footloose" remake. 

"Believe me, I rack my brain thinking, 'Why am I not out there playing the field?' One of my buddies was like, 'You have no idea what’s going on right now. You’re peaking on Ecstasy and you’re watching TV.' But it's not in my heart," he says about girlfriend Hudgens, in the new issue of Details magazine.

He calls the love between him and his "High School Musical" costar "exactly how it should be. It's real."

A more surreal experience occurred recently when Efron visited talent agency CAA and was flagged down in the lobby by Tom Cruise, who asked if the young star knew how to ride a motorcycle. After Zac admitted he didn't, Cruise offered to teach him.

The two spent a day talking about how the smaller engines work, followed by a tour of the hangar that Cruise keeps his bikes in. 

"It’s just so cool," Efron said, "... the fact that he cared at all."

Perhaps the actors talked shop, as Efron certainly has his pick of projects these days, including ...

Zac Efron, Dakota Fanning and more star in 'Stand Up to Cancer' PSA

Some of the hottest names in young Hollywood, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Dakota Fanning and Olivia Munn, have banded together to spread awareness for Stand Up to Cancer.

The likes of Kristen Bell, Zachary Levi, new "Spider-Man" Andrew Garfield and Naya Rivera of "Glee" pitch in as well in a new public service announcement tasking viewers to "defeat the odds" by supporting innovative cancer research.

The PSA also serves to promote Stand Up to Cancer's Sept. 10 telethon, a one-hour fundraiser that will be simulcast commercial-free across major networks, including NBC, ABC and CBS, as well as cable stations including E! and VH1.

Check out the PSA above.

— Matt Donnelly

Here at the Ministry we love giving back -- don't miss more on celebrity PSAs. 

Report: Zac Efron may star in Nicholas Sparks' 'The Lucky One'

Zac Efron is in talks to star in "The Lucky One," yet another Nicholas Sparks novel to be repackaged for the big screen, Vulture reports.

In classic Sparks style, Efron would play a Marine returning from duty in Iraq who searches for a mysterious woman whose picture he believes got him through the war alive. Other Sparks books turned into feature films include "Message in a Bottle," "A Walk to Remember," "The Notebook" and "The Last Song," which notably starred Miley Cyrus in her post-"Hannah Montana" acting debut.

The actor's "Charlie St. Cloud" is now in theaters -- and if you live in the L.A. area, his face is currently inescapable, plastered alongside freeways and on bus benches all over the place. Not that we're complaining -- the dude is definitely more attractive than the Los Angeles River bed in summer.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Zac Efron poses for a picture with a fan at the premiere of "Charlie St. Cloud" in Westwood on July 20, 2010. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

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