SOLD: Clay Aiken, 24, may have ended up No. 2 on last season's "American Idol," but this week he's No. 1 on the CD sales charts with his debut album of heart-aching pop songs, "Measure of a Man," which sold 613,000 copies in its first week, according to Soundscan. In comparison, "Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson's debut, "Thankful," sold 297,000 copies in its first week. More impressive, "Measure of a Man" is the second-biggest debut by a solo artist since Soundscan began monitoring sales in 1991. Only Snoop Dogg has beaten Mr. Aiken, with "Doggystyle," which sold 803,000 copies when it appeared in 1993.
QUOTED: "I am with the kids, and I am committed to taking the fall off. Then we will see what happens." -- Uma Thurman, 33, on her reportedly troubled marriage to her husband of five years, Ethan Hawke, 32, to Vogue magazine
SPLIT: After two years of dating and numerous rumors of engagement, Matt Damon and girlfriend Odessa Whitmire have called it quits, a source tells PEOPLE for its latest issue. The actor, 33, first met Whitmire, 28, in 2001, when she was working as a personal assistant to his pal Ben Affleck. Though no reason was given for the breakup, Damon's schedule often put them thousands of miles apart. Since this summer, Damon has spent a considerable amount of time in the Czech Republic filming "The Brothers Grimm."
HALTED: Production on Robert De Niro's latest film, "Hide and Seek," which was to begin shooting in January, has been postponed indefinitely following news that the actor, 60, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, 20th Century Fox confirmed Wednesday. A rep for the "Raging Bull" and "The Godfather, Part II" Oscar winner said that after treatment, which has not been disclosed, De Niro is expected to make a full recovery.
FOUND: Mel Gibson will distribute his controversial new film, "The Passion of Christ," in the U.S. through an independent company, Newmarket Films, rather than through a major studio, reports Reuters. The film has come under attack from some Jewish groups who claim the film is anti-Semitic, while several Christian groups have hailed it. Spokesmen for Newmarket and Gibson, 47, declined to comment.
