Taking Names

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'Grey' matters

"Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, under fire for using a homosexual slur about a co-star, met Monday with homosexual rights activists who said he agreed to help educate the public about the cruelty of such language, Associated Press reports.

"He seemed very sincere in his interest in working with us on an ongoing basis," said Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

According to Mr. Jennings, Mr. Washington said he wanted to explore ways to work with GLSEN to address issues of "name-calling and how he might use his various platforms to educate people about how painful and wrong it is."

Last October, it was reported that the actor used the term faggot about fellow cast member T. R. Knight during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey. He used it again backstage at the Jan. 15 Golden Globes as he denied ever uttering it. Mr. Washington, 44, issued an apology after a rebuke by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and by ABC.

J.Lo's new block?

Jennifer Lopez, who famously sang about her down-to-earth roots in the Bronx, appears to have embraced Scientology, the New York Daily News reports.

Miss Lopez, 37, has been hanging out with church stalwarts Tom Cruise and his new wife, Katie Holmes, and Leah Remini -- and along with Miss Holmes' new best friend, Victoria Beckham, seems to have been seduced by the faith.

Some suggest Miss Lopez's newfound interest in Scientology is an effort to revive her flagging film career. Since starring in the romantic comedy "The Wedding Planner" six years ago -- which opened at No. 1 the same week her album "J.Lo" debuted on top of the charts -- Miss Lopez's movie achievements have been spotty at best. Blame the "Bennifer" backlash. Miss Lopez's Hollywood stock dropped faster than she could ever dump a husband after she co-starred with then-fiance Ben Affleck in the 2003 turkey "Gigli." She hardly fared better opposite Jane Fonda two years later in the forgettable comedy "Monster-in-Law."

However, Miss Lopez and her husband, singer Marc Anthony, seemed keen to win back favor at the Golden Globes last week when they talked animatedly with Mr. Cruise, co-owner of the revamped United Artists studio, and his producing partner, Paula Wagner -- who have carte blanche to produce up to four movies per year.

Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from Web and wire reports.