People

By Michele Orecklin

JUST A LITTLE OFF THE TOP, PAUL

Sure, he makes a fine salad dressing, but would you really want PAUL NEWMAN to cut your hair? KEVIN COSTNER says he insisted on it. The scene is from the actors' forthcoming film Message in a Bottle, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, in which Costner plays Newman's son. "I wanted to stage it the way I remember my dad cutting my own hair," says Costner, who offered his vision to the film's director Luis Mandoki. "These two guys are bachelors and are not willing to invest money in someone cutting their hair--they're not worried about the cosmetic aspects of their lives. And even though the father and son have a cantankerous relationship," Costner adds, "this scene gives them an excuse to show how close they really are." Easier than painting each other's toenails too.

ISN'T THAT NICOLE? WELL, NOT EXACTLY

Former Hertz spokesman O.J. SIMPSON has demonstrated a remarkable ineptitude at shaping his public image. First there was that unpleasant murder trial, followed by a string of bizarre interviews and an endless series of golf outings when he was supposed to be searching for ex-wife Nicole's killer. Now he has been spotted, and photographed, by the Globe with a woman who bears an eerie resemblance to Nicole, far right. Christie Prody, near right, a 23-year-old former waitress, is said to be spending time with Simpson and his kids. Hang on to your sunglasses, Chris.

WHEN FREAKISH ROCKERS ATTACK

Poor MARILYN MANSON. With each well-documented transgression, the singer proves how derivative his act really is. After he and his entourage reportedly trashed their rooms last week at the Sheraton in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., one of the hotel manager's chief gripes was that Manson had stained the bathroom sinks with hair dye. That's the sort of complaint that would embarrass New Kids on the Block, let alone a rocker like Marilyn. And what of a claim a few days later that Manson ordered his bodyguards to beat up Spin magazine editor Craig Marks? Seems the same move had been tried weeks earlier by a rap producer and three friends who allegedly manhandled a Blaze magazine editor. Let's not even start with the tired old pretending-to-use-the-flag-as-toilet- paper thing he did last week. Can't help wondering where he came up with that name, though.

THIS YEAR'S MODEL

For 21 years, MICK JAGGER and JERRY HALL'S relationship has followed a reliable pattern: he cheats; she threatens to leave; they reconcile and have a baby. So with the couple's fourth child almost a year old, reports are surfacing that their marriage is on the brink. Recently Jagger was spotted emerging from the home of an ex-mistress, model Carla Bruni, and last week tabloid headlines shrieked the news that a Brazilian model is carrying Jagger's baby (the woman denies the rumor). Jagger is also reportedly irked by his 14-year-old daughter's new modeling career, which Hall supports. Perhaps he's worried she'll have to fend off aging rock stars.