Gwyneth Paltrow was named the "World's Best Dressed Woman" of 2012 by People magazine on Wednesday (September 12), wowing the celebrity magazine with a simple elegant style that avoids some of fashion's quirkier trends. The Oscar-winning actress, 39, and wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, headed a list of the year's style mavens that included Kate Middleton, Rihanna, and the Kardashian family. People said the list was compiled after soliciting input from editors, readers and fashion bloggers.

Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and LA Reid kicked off the newest season of "The X Factor" in Los Angeles with a hand print ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Spears is joining "The X Factor's" season 2 with a reported $15 million salary after a 14-year singing career that made her one of the world's biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s. Cowell is banking on her huge fan base and a strong curiosity factor to give his show a second chance with audiences after a disappointing first season in 2011 that ended with the firing of two judges and the host.

Angelina Jolie continued her United Nations tour in the Middle East with a visit to Lebanon on Wednesday (September 12) where she met with the Lebanese Prime Minister and Syrian refugees. According to the UN, around 250,000 Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, around 65,000 estimated in Lebanon. Jolie told reporters she visited with families that were grateful for the hospitality from Lebanon.