Ludacris Narration of Girls' Hoops Pic a Labor of Admiration

Hip-hop superstar Ludacris -- aka film actor Chris Bridges -- bristles when asked whether criticism that some of his lyrics sound misogynistic had anything to do with his hefty support of "The Heart of the Game."

Hip-hop superstar Ludacris

Bridges lends his distinctively textured voice to narration of the saga of the Roosevelt Roughriders, a girls' high-school basketball team in Seattle. Miramax is releasing the film in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle tomorrow (6/9). He makes it clear, "I'm using my celebrity to lift it up as much as I can," -- but says that has nothing to do with complaints.
 
"People, if they know me, know the media takes out of my lyrics what it wants. They're always focused on anything negative or bad about hip-hop instead of positive things. They thought some words were directed at women -- but you know, and I know, that men can also be 'hoes.' That's a specific type of individual," he says, alluding to his prostitute references as an example.
 
In fact, says Bridges, "Women are the strongest individuals on the face of the earth. They have to be."
 
Moviegoers will see examples of strong women in "The Heart of the Game," which includes a moving account of one player's fight to regain her eligibility after an unplanned pregnancy.
 
"This movie is for the whole family, and young women definitely need to watch it. They'll get so many things from it -- self-empowerment, self-improvement and self-esteem most importantly," says Bridges, who has a foundation aimed at helping middle and high school girls and boys in the arts.
 
Meanwhile, he doesn't know yet what acting assignment he'll take to follow up his work in last year's "Hustle & Flow" and Oscar-winning "Crash." "I had to break from acting to focus on the music for a while," he notes. His much-anticipated "Release Therapy" album will be out in September, he says.
 
BETTY GOT BITE:

Betty White is thrilled that "Boston Legal" is not only returning in the fall, but "The show was picked up for a full 22-episode season So often these days the networks only give orders for six or 13 episodes. I'm not saying I'll be on it," adds the beloved octogenarian actress, who's been seen as malicious secretary Catherine Piper on the David Kelley series, "but I have a hunch David might have plans for Catherine. I'm not only game, but eager!"
 
Right now, White has a full agenda of non-series activities -- starting with co-chairing and serving as mistress of ceremonies at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo's annual Beastly Ball fundraiser June 17. "It's kind of a magic night. People walk through beautiful landscapes and have up-close-and-personal encounters with animals. There will be food from 19 gourmet restaurants. Steve Tyrell is singing, and Disney, which has been one of our underwriters and wonderfully supportive of animals, is being honored," says longtime animal advocate White, a zoo commissioner.
 
Betty tells us her longtime pets, two dogs and a cat, all died last year -- but she now has a Golden Retriever named Pontiac who is "still a bit of a puppy. He ate a $20 bill yesterday." Talk about expensive tastes.
 
NO REST FOR THE WICKED-FIGHTERS:

"Supernatural" hottie Jared Padalecki hasn't had much of a break from his paranormal duties this hiatus. The haunting series about two brothers (Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) locked in an ongoing battle with the dark side that was picked up for a second season is such a global hit, Padalecki and the "Supernatural" troupe have been overseas tub-thumping with the international press. Currently in London, Padalecki will have to head right back to Vancouver,B.C., to start shooting the show the beginning of next month. "Supernatural" is scheduled to follow "Smallville" on the new CW Network's Thursday night lineup.
 
WOMAN OF THE WORLD:

Exotic Karina Lombard, who plays alternate reality-maker Alana Mareva on the USA Network's "The 4400" sci-fi hit, admits, "Even though I love playing the character, this year I have to say I really miss New York and L.A. Vancouver, where we shoot, is definitely in Canada," says the beauty, who is Lakota on her mother's side, Swiss and Russian/Italian on her father's -- born in Tahiti, raised in Barcelona. She adds, "Canadians are nice people. Everything is softer, I find in Vancouver, a softer vibe than other cities. But, mama mia! I wish we could shoot in New York. I was so happy to go back there last month! I have special people there." Even so, Lombard, who rose to fame on "The L Word," doesn't consider New York home. "Home is in my heart. I've never felt an allegiance to any country, but an allegiance to love and the people who come into my life."