Barack Obama Hires Same Interior Decorator as Cindy Crawford

Us Magazine

The Obamas are using the same interior designer as Cindy Crawford and Steven Spielberg to decorate their new White House digs!

California-native Michael S. Smith -- who's written two books on design -- is hard at work on 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha's bedrooms, choosing items from "a variety of different outlets, kid-friendly everyday retail stores," Michelle Obama's spokesperson, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, told the Washington Post.

Added Michelle Obama: "Michael shares my vision for creating a family-friendly feel to our new home and incorporating some new perspectives from some of America's greatest artists and designers."



Smith said he'll base his decorating on "the family's casual style, their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront and utilizing affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home."

Also on his task list? The designer told Domino magazine in 2008 that he'd "love to redecorate the White House - I am sick of the paint color!"



Although the family hasn't released many details about how they'll personalize their new home, the Post reports the Obamas' Chicago residence featured Asian and African art, glass-fronted bookcases and framed family photos.

Angelina Jolie tops actress salary list

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie has proven again how handsomely it pays to combine gun-wielding action with serious roles, as she topped The Hollywood Reporter's list of highest-earning actresses on Friday.

But salaries are plummeting for top actresses and still lag the earnings of leading men, the trade paper said.

Jolie, 33, earned $15 million for the action movie "Wanted" this year and she could make $20 million to star in a possible sequel, it said.

Jolie played dramatic roles in 2007's "A Mighty Heart" and in this year's "Changeling." The mother of six and partner of actor Brad Pitt last month talked about eventually fading away from acting to spend more time with her family.

Oscar winner Julia Roberts, 41, claimed the No. 2 spot after a long absence from the screen, making more than $15 million for "Duplicity," which comes out next year.

Actors are also earning less, with the exception of Will Smith, star of blockbusters "Hancock" and "I Am Legend," who is riding high with up to $25 million per movie.

"Everyone else's prices have gone down," an unidentified talent agent told The Hollywood Reporter.

Reese Witherspoon, 32, who topped the female list last year after winning an Oscar for her role in the 2005 movie "Walk the Line," dropped to No. 3. She earned $14 million for appearing in the comedy hit "Four Christmases" that opened last week.

Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl, Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Aniston rounded out the list, with 39-year-old "Friends" star Aniston earning more than $8 million for the comedy "Marley & Me" opening on Christmas Day.

Big stars such as Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman -- both Oscar winners -- are no longer able to earn $10 million a movie.

Compare that with Pitt and Johnny Depp, who according to The Hollywood Reporter make between $15 million and $20 million per film.