In Nepal, 3-year-old Matani Shakya has been declared a living goddess, or kumari.

Work that goddess action, honey!

Why was this little 3-year-old chosen to be a deity????

Matani earned her goddessip through a series of tests, including a fearless night alone in a room populated with the severed heads of sacrificed goats and buffaloes. She also met the aestehtic standards of perfect hair, skin, and teeth.

From now on, she must always wear red, her hair in topknots, a "third eye" painted on her forehead, and live in mostly solitude in a temple in the Nepali capitol. There, she will be worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as an incarnation of the powerful Hindu deity Taleju and will venture into the public only for religious festivals, when devotees will touch their foreheads to her feet in reverence.

When she reaches sexuality maturity she will be sent back home to her parents and a new goddess will be appointed.

How rude!

Though the tradition is centuries old and deeply rooted in Nepal's abolished monarchy, critics say it violates child rights. The girls often experience difficulty reentering a life of normalcy and since a superstition claims that those who marry a former kumari die young, the girls are often left without support.

We can sort of imagine little Zahara in that getup - she is certainly a goddess!

[Image via AP Images.]

This has got to be very flattering news for Halle Berry.

The new mom to daughter Nahla Ariela was just voted by Esquire magazine as the sexiest woman alive.

Crazy - considering she just gave birth to Nahla back in March.

Berry is also featured on the mag's November cover looking gorgeous. Take that back. She's looking more gorgeous than gorgeous!!!

She says, "I don't know exactly what it means, but being 42 and having just had a baby, I think I'll take it."

Take it and run with it, honey!

Berry adds, "Sexy is not about wearing sexy clothes or shaking your booty until you damn near get hip dysplasia; it's about knowing that sexiness is a state of mind — a comfortable state of being."

Testify, sister Halle!

She continues, "It's about loving yourself even in your most unlovable moments. I know a little bit about that. Sexiness is also about knowing what's sexy to you"

And we agree, Halle Berry is one sexy lady!

Motherhood doesn't seem to have hurt Berry sexy status at all. She says, "I like what I am now. I like being a mother. I like my body better since I became a mother. I feel sexier as a result of becoming a mother."

Meeau!

Danity Kane's head skank, Aubrey O'Day, really loves her latest accessory dog.

Aubrey apparently also loves to dress up her teacup Maltese in wacky outfits and dye her hair with some shiteous color combinations not even Perez would wear!

Here's Aubrey making out with her doggie Ginger on Monday night at Paper Magazine's Absolut Disco party in Manhattan.

If Ginger could speak, she'd be say, "Teddy Hilton, please come rescue me!"

[Image via WENN.]

If you are watching or you aren't, Paris just sent over THIS MESSAGE just for U!

It's another typical day in Hollywoodland!

A little guy (Hannah Montana co-creator Michael Poryes) has just filed a lawsuit claiming that he got screwed over by the big dog (Disney).

Poryes says that he's owed a percentage of the profits made off of Hannah Montana licensed stuff - like books, merchandising and movies.

Good luck, Michael!

Hope you have some deep pockets to pay your legal bills.

Big, badass Disney does!

[Image via WENN.]

Screen legend Brigitte Bardot has something else to say!

The animal rights activist and alleged Islam hate inciter just penned an open letter to Sexy Sarah Palin.

Here are a few of Miz Bardot's choice words:

- "I hope you lose these elections because that would be a victory for the world."

- "By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true environmental catastrophe."

The former screen sex kitten went on to slam Sexy Sarah for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could jeopardize delicate animal habitats and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears, "This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life."

Then, to top things off, Brigitte asked Sexy Sarah NOT to compare herself to dogs (i.e. pitbull wearing lipstick), "I know them well and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal for that matter is as dangerous as you are."

Harsh, Brigitte! No mention of the winking?!

Love how old people let it all loose! No filtration!

[Image via WENN.]

According to Vibe and its readers, Eminem is the Greatest Rapper Alive.

Really.

Though the once tremendously outspoken rapper has been keeping to himself as of late, Eminem beat out all of today's hot acts from Kanye West to Rick Ross.

More than 920,000 votes were cast and rappers were eliminated tournament style, streamlining a large bracket, until it was down to Eminem and Jay-Z. Em came out the winner, with 69% of the votes.

Of the honor, Eminem dipomatically said in a statement:

"It's obviously an honor to have won the fans' support by being voted the Best Rapper Alive. I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best, though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things, and at what they do. But since Vibe's offering the distinction, hell yeah, I'll accept!"

It's strange that something out of his mouth makes us feel sort of…warm and fuzzy inside.

Rumor has it that Em's been working quietly at home on new material with 50 Cent and Dr. Dre.

Now that he's the Best Rapper Alive he's gotta back it up!

[Image via Mavrix Online.]

We mentioned Monday that Australian Idol alum Levi Kereama died over the weekend after falling 20 stories from a hotel room balcony. Officials classified the death a suicide.

Levi was in a band called Lethbridge and his family used the band's MySpace page to make a statement and refute the suicide claims:

"Investigations have revealed the tragic loss of Levi was an accident. Our beloved former Australian Idol contestant Levi Kereama did not leap to his death, as reported. Furthermore we would clearly like to clarify, Levi was NOT suffering depression. He was a happy, outgoing, lively and loving friend, brother, son, uncle and cousin. He loved being with friends, fulfilling his passion of music, and making people laugh. He is remembered as a happy spirit who enjoyed life."

Our thoughts go out to his family during this tough time of finding closure.

And remember y'all, if you are having a tough time, suicide is never, ever the answer.

Click here to get in touch with one of the many places where you can find help.

[Image via WENN.]

Double sad!

Nick Nolte's Malibu house caught fire on Tuesday AND the actor suffered fire-related injuries.

When firefighters arrived at about 11:30 A.M., the actor's house was burning and Nolte was trying to put the blaze out himself.

An electrical fire reportedly started in a bedroom.

Nolte suffered smoke inhalation and abrasions.

The house sustained about $1.5 million in damages.

We're glad you aren't too badly hurt, Nick!

[Image via WENN.]

Then do not CLICK HERE!

The talented singer and songwriter known as Avril Lavigne, performs in concert in Beijing on Monday. Can't wait for her new album!!!

[Images via WENN.]