People : She’s a winner with Winfrey
Whatever anyone else might think about Madonna‘s adoption of an African boy, she has Oprah Winfrey‘s seal of approval.
“I have to say, Madonna, that’s a brave thing that you did,” Winfrey told the pop star during her talk show Wednesday.
Madonna said 13-month-old David Banda is healthy and thriving in her London home, having overcome malaria and tuberculosis.
“What really surprises me is … how he’s transitioned so easily from living in Africa in an orphanage to living in our house,” she said.
The boy’s father, Yohane Banda, has said he didn’t realize he was giving up David for good.
However, he tells Time magazine: “I don’t want my child, who is already gone, to come back. I will be killing his future if I accept that.”
Human rights groups have complained that Malawi officials skirted the law to allow a speedy adoption. A hearing is scheduled Friday.
Madonna told Winfrey. “I assure you it doesn’t matter who you are and how much money you have, nothing goes fast in Africa.”
Bahama mama?
An opposition leader called on the government Wednesday to investigate whether Anna Nicole Smith has legal residency status in the Bahamas, where her baby daughter was born and her son died three days later.
Hubert Ingraham said he has learned that another person owns the waterfront mansion that Smith claimed was hers in an application for permanent residency, adding: “Her general character and reputation don’t commend her for such status.”
Meanwhile, Smith failed to appear for a meeting this week requested by a former boyfriend who’s suing her, saying he’s the father of her daughter. Her longtime attorney, Howard K. Stern, also claims parenthood.
That’ll be J.J. in the walker
Remember those reports that Britney Spears and Kevin Federline had named their second son Sutton Pierce Federline – following in the initials of big brother Sean Preston Federline?
TMZ.com says the baby’s birth certificate identifies him as Jayden James Federline.
Dy-no-mite? Just a bomb
Janet Jackson‘s superproducer boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, says he quit as a top executive at Jackson’s label, Virgin Records, amid disappointing sales of her new album.
Says Dupri: “I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave.”
Jackson’s “20 Y.O.” has sold 443,000 copies since its release Sept. 26. Her 2001 album, “All for You,” debuted at No. 1 with more than 605,000 copies sold in a single week.
‘Grey’s‘ apology
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington has publicly apologized for his actions and “unfortunate use of words” during a scuffle with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
People magazine reports the argument arose when Dempsey insisted on waiting for co-star T.R. Knight, who was late for a scene, and that a homophobic slur was used. Following that, Knight revealed last week that he’s gay.
The birthday bunch
“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak is 60. Actress Rita Wilson is 50. Actor Dylan McDermott (“The Practice”) is 45. Country singer Keith Urban is 39. Actor Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) is 29.