HONORED: Singer Janet Jackson, 36, received the Readers' Choice Award at the 2002 Essence Awards Friday night in L.A. The awards show, sponsored by Essence magazine (which, like PEOPLE, is owned by AOL Time Warner) and to be broadcast on Fox Thursday, salutes excellence in entertainment and the arts in the African-American community. India.Arie and Stevie Wonder were among the performers . . . WON: "Thoroughly Modern Millie," based on a 1967 Julie Andrews movie, was named Broadway's best musical and its star, former understudy Sutton Foster, best actress in a musical at Sunday night's 56th annual Tony Awards. Former "3rd Rock from the Sun" star John Lithgow, 56, was named best actor in a musical for his role in "Sweet Smell of Success" . . . VENTURED: Fashion designer Donatella Versace, 47, plans to launch her own magazine, to be called Versace, she has told Women's Wear Daily. She described it as something "fun, something different to do." She plans to publish it only twice a year, with no launch date reported . . . FILED: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, 60, has slapped the Star tabloid magazine with a lawsuit for defamation over a story that said the singer has a drinking problem that's wrecking her career and life, reports the Associated Press. Richard Valvo, senior vice president of corporate communications for American Media Inc., which owns the Star, declined to comment on the case . . . SET: The Los Angeles Lakers, winners of the National Basketball Association title for the past two years, will play in the finals (which kicks off Wednesday) after beating the Sacramento Kings, 112-106, in overtime Sunday night. They will face the New Jersey Nets.