Was he sipping a milkshake?

Rosie O'Donnell saw a teenager at a Detroit restaurant and thought he had a face that belonged in pictures.

Now 17-year-old Philip Johnson has the lead role in America, a Lifetime network movie also starring O'Donnell and Ruby Dee that is set for broadcast in February.

Johnson was eating lunch at Small Plates, a popular downtown eatery, when O'Donnell spotted him and asked whether he would be interested in trying out for a film.

He took a screen test the next day and won the title role.

O'Donnell was in town to work on a movie version of a young-adult novel by E.R. Frank. It's about a teenager named America who has spent most of his life lost in the foster care system.

He confronts his troubled past with help from a therapist, played by O'Donnell.

During a break in shooting at a former homeless shelter in the impoverished Detroit enclave Highland Park, Johnson said he remains shocked by his luck.

"I won't even realize it until it comes on TV; then it will finally hit me, I think."

Leona Lewis could join Beyonce, Jay-Z

Leona Lewis is in talks to perform at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. on January 20.

A source close to Lewis told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "She's had such a successful past year that joining in the festivities in Washington would be the icing on the cake for her."

Beyonce Knowles and her rapper husband Jay-Z have already been confirmed for the event, which is expected to see a million people converge on the nation's capital.

You call it porn, I call it acting

Dakota Fanning has defended her rape scene in the upcoming movie Hounddog.

The 14-year-old actress is unfazed by the controversy and wouldn't comment on calls for her mother to be jailed on child pornography charges because she allowed Dakota to appear in the scene without having a body double.

She said: "It's a movie and it's called acting. What drew me to the film was that my character shows people that you can overcome adversity in life and it doesn't define you.

"I wanted to do the film because I thought it might help one person that has happened to and help them overcome adversity in their lives."

Dakota also said she remains a fan of Sue Monk Kidd's book, on which the film is based.

"It is still one of the best books I have ever read. It really grabbed me.

"The scenes with Paul Bettany, who plays my abusive father, were very challenging and he is very scary in them but he is about the nicest guy you could ever meet in person."

Get a bunch of nannies and hit the road

Gwen Stefani is set to reunite with No Doubt.

The popular 90s band, which kickstarted Gwen's career before she went solo, posted a photo of themselves on their website and announced it was time to tour.

Gwen, who recently gave birth to her second child with husband Gavin Rossdale, said: "I don't think we should wait. Pack up the babies and get a bunch of nannies. So fun!"

Bassist Tony Kanal added: "We need to play.

"It's been too long. I feel like it's time for some rock and roll."