BURBANK, Calif., May 17 (UPI) -- Ellen DeGeneres is planning to marry actress Portia de Rossi following a recent California ruling, the TV talk show host says.

With California officials officially lifting the state's ban on same-sex marriage ceremonies this week, DeGeneres wasted no time in announcing her plans to marry the former "Ally McBeal" actress, the BBC reported Saturday.

"I am announcing I am getting married," DeGeneres said during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" this week.

"It is something, of course, that we have wanted to do and we wanted to be legal, and we are just very, very excited."

DeGeneres and de Rossi, who was in the studio audience when the TV host made the announcement, have been dating for nearly four years.

The BBC said the comedian, who officially announced her sexuality in 1997, still couldn't resist injecting a bit of humor into her marital announcement.

"Thank you. I'll tell you who the lucky guy is soon." she told the applauding "Ellen" audience.

Cannes festival losing cinema focus

CANNES, France, May 17 (UPI) -- The Cannes Film Festival in France is becoming more focused on partying and celebrities than on cinematic accomplishments, attendees say.

Actress Jeanne Moreau says since she first attended the annual film festival in 1955, it has changed from a simple cinematic gathering to a celebration of excess and celebrities, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"The festival has really evolved," Moreau said. "There used to be far fewer people: Cannes was a good, joyful child who took his turn to stand up on the table and sing. Now, it's a kaleidoscope of emotions -- and often a festival of vanity more than anything else."

The heightened party atmosphere has not been overlooked by Cannes residents, who appear to dislike the direction the May gathering has taken over the years.

"It's always the same every year," a Cannes street cleaner identified only as Christophe told the British newspaper.

"In the morning, you find crazy things: people sleeping in the street, in amongst broken glass. They come to Cannes to party, work or both, and reduce themselves to terrible states -- especially you English."

Stars unsteady following Madonna party

LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- A festive fundraiser organized by U.S. pop star Madonna in London left some of her celebrity friends a bit unsteady while heading home, a source says.

An anonymous source said following the party held by the "Hard Candy" singer, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and pop singer Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, were seen stumbling home, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

"The event was a get-together organized by Madonna for the Sisterhood -- as the girls call themselves -- to celebrate a few things in their lives," the source said of the fundraiser for Kabbalah, a faith based on Judaism's mystical teachings.

The event in London's Soho district also was attended by singer Paul McCartney's daughter, Stella, and several of Madonna's personal fitness experts, the source told the Daily Mail.

"Madonna has just brought out a new album, Gwyneth has just brought out a new film and Stella was celebrating getting Heather (Mills) out of her father's life," the source said of the 49-year-old's celebration.

Spears: Bloating not due to pregnancy

LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. pop singer Britney Spears says she is not pregnant for a third time despite recent photographs showing her with a bloated stomach.

The "Toxic" singer says a new medication she is taking was responsible for her recent weight gain and not a third pregnancy, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

"I am not pregnant -- it is just my medication that makes me bloated," Spears said of recent pregnancy rumors.

A source close to the "Baby One More Time" star told the British newspaper Spears has struggled with her weight since the birth of her 20-month-old son Jayden James.

Meanwhile, a friend of Spears said she is spending some time with actor Mel Gibson and his wife in Central America to help her gain some perspective in her life.

"Mel and his wife Robyn clearly saw a woman in crisis and wanted to extend themselves in any way possible," the unidentified friend told the Daily Mail.

"There are no expectations, there is no agenda. It's simply an act of human kindness, one neighbor reaching out to another."