Before her affair with John Edwards landed in the tabloids and shocked the nation, Rielle Hunter was an enlightenment-seeking drifter who fell hard for the former senator, a pal of the blonde tells the LA Times.

Pigeon O'Brien describes Hunter's feelings for Edwards as "head over heels." She details how Rielle confessed to her about the illicit affair, and how John allegedly promised they'd end up together. "She said he assured her she shouldn't have doubts," said Pigeon. Keep Reading...

Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama have been taking swipes at each other on the campaign trail -- but have decided to put politics aside to come together on the seventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

The GOP and Dem nominees released a statement today, saying that they will visit Ground Zero "to honor the memory of each and every American who died" in the NYC attacks.

According to AP, both of the senators' camps have agreed to not air negative campaign advertisements on 9/11, in honor of the joint appearance at the World Trade Center site.

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Family man Brad Pitt is at the Toronto Film Festival to promote the Coen brothers flick, "Burn After Reading" -- but that hasn't stopped the pop of six from gushing about his brood half a world away!

Brad opened up about the Brangie bunch, telling People magazine, "Everyone is healthy -- no sleep though!" The father of new twins Knox and Viv added, "Sleep is something you long for, but it's alright. We'll get it."

Brad has six tots with partner Angelina Jolie that are helping contribute to his laughter-filled late nights -- Maddox, 7, Pax, 4, Zahara, 3, Shiloh, 2, Knox and Vivienne.

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Michael Phelps will be at the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend, but "Extra" knows where he's hiding!

We spotted America's golden boy swimmer at the Palms Hotel in Sin City -- in a $40,000 a night villa!

Despite romance rumors, no ladies were in sight -- just some swimmer friends.

Click on an image to view the MICHAEL PHELPS photo gallery!

Film and TV legend Cloris Leachman tells "Extra" she was twice rejected by "Dancing with the Stars" before landing a spot on this season's show!

"I wanted to do it, so my people asked their people to do it, and they said, 'No, too old'... few months later, we went back again and no... few months went by and this time they set up a meeting and we had a long, very good meeting and fell in love with each other," she explained.

Despite being the oldest contestant to ever compete on the hit show, Leachman isn't shying away from backstage romance! She says, "I keep asking my partner [Corky Ballas], 'So you're not attracted to me? Is it because I'm 82? Keep Reading...

Michelle Obama won't be talking about Britstol Palin's pregnancy -- and says politicians shouldn't either. "This shouldn't be an issue for political discussion," Barack's wife told Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of Ellen's season debut show.

Earlier this week, Senator Obama said that 17-year-old Bristol's pregnancy was "off limits," a remark Ellen called "amazing." Michelle added, "I know that they care about their kids, and we should let them deal with this issue."

GOP VP pick Gov. Sarah Palin announced the baby news on Monday and said it "would make her Keep Reading...

The choices are have been made and the battle is on -- for First Lady of Fashion! And it's time to vote!

Cindy McCain's Oscar de la Renta dress cost $3,000, but it was her spectacular 3-karat diamond earrings, which cost a whopping $280,000, that are making news. Cindy, a liquor heiress worth an estimated $100 million, also wore a pearl necklace with a $25,000 price tag. But hey, if you're not going to bust out your best jewelry when your husband is nominated for President, when will you?

The price of Michelle Obama's lovely Maria Pinto green dress is a closely guarded secret, but a coat in the collection retails for $2,300, and Michelle's pin was pretty, but clearly wasn't from Tiffany & Co.

Has Oprah Winfrey really nixed Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin from her show? Blogs are buzzing that Lady O put her Louboutin-shod foot down -- but O tells "Extra" -- that's false!

Sarah is more than welcome to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" -- after the election. Oprah explained she'd already made a campaign promise that she "wouldn't use my platform for my own political interests."

Oprah has publicly endorsed Democratic nominee Barack Obama.