People

By Ellin Martens

FROM HERE TO PATERNITY

Is ELIZABETH HURLEY the new Diana--lovely, spurned and not averse to tipping off the tabloids? Hurley, currently four months along in that family way, says Hollywood producer and multimillionaire Stephen Bing is the father. But Bing, "a spermicidal maniac," according to those hyper British tabs, is not so sure. "Ms. Hurley and I were not in an exclusive relationship when she became pregnant," he said in a statement issued to newspapers. "It was her choice to be a single mother." Bing--dubbed Bing Laden by Hurley pals--added gallantly, "If indeed I am the father, I will be an extremely involved and responsible parent." This was worse than the time Anna Kournikova called Hurley ugly. Worse than losing her role as the star face of Estee Lauder to a younger model. Worse, even, than starring in Bedazzled. "I loved Stephen enormously during the 18 months we were together," was Liz's rejoinder. "I was completely loyal and faithful to Stephen throughout as, indeed, he assured me he was with me." If he is Dada Bing and refuses financial support, Bing could be taken to court in California, where Baby Hurley could get a quarter of his annual earnings. Dada Boom.

DESTINY MUST BE FULFILLED!

Bootyliciously successful girl group DESTINY'S CHILD walked off with Billboard's Artist of the Year award, but days later headlines blared that the trio was splitting. Yes? No! Mathew Knowles, controller of Destiny--creatively speaking--and father to lead singer Beyonce, 20 (at center, of course), is adamant that it's a break, not a breakup. "All are exploring solo opportunities," he insists. "We're giving the sound a break." So Michelle Williams (far right), 21, will have a gospel album; Kelly Rowland, also 21, has a single on this summer's Men in Black 2 soundtrack, and Beyonce will be in the new Austin Powers film. They'll still tour. As Rowland explained to a reporter, "You know how the Beatles broke off, they all did their solo projects, and then they came back together, and they were even stronger?" Psst. Kelly? They never did get back together.

Can a Boy Save Poetry?

Here, a story with a Dickensian twist for Christmas. A boy confined to a wheelchair with a life-threatening disease makes three wishes: to meet his idol, Jimmy Carter; to publish a volume of his poetry; and--because he has a keen nose for commerce--to get on the Oprah Winfrey Show to hawk his books. Success! MATTIE STEPANEK, 11, got all his wishes and then one: a contract from Hyperion for three books to join his best-selling volumes Heartsongs and Journey Through Heartsongs. Stepanek, of Upper Marlboro, Md., has a rare form of muscular dystrophy that keeps him on a ventilator; the disease killed his two brothers and sister. His mother also has MD. Mattie showed his gift for poetry early on--at age 3. Although he almost died this summer, he has too many plans to dwell on his health. "My life mission is to spread peace to the world," he said. Next up: a speaking tour.

FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO B'WAY

That old saying about not wanting to see how laws or sausages are made? The same could apply to the financing of Broadway shows. On the stage of Manhattan state supreme court, composer-lyricist STEPHEN SONDHEIM (left; Follies, A Little Night Music) and Hollywood producer SCOTT RUDIN (The Royal Tenenbaums, Clueless) are facing off over rights to Sondheim's musical Gold! Back story: composer pens musical; producer invests in musical; producer sees early efforts and...hates it. Composer retools, plans Chicago opening. Two days after learning this, producer threatens to sue theater. The two fight over who now owns the rights. Judge sides with Sondheim, who also wants $5 mil. The show can go on? Not yet. Rudin countersues, alleging fraud, etc. Wants $8 mil. The curtain goes up on that circus next year.