Hot Gossips Of Celebrity

THE mystery brunette posing sexily with a knife at Lindsay Lohan's throat in photos (posted by celeb photo agency x17) that ran in yesterday's New York Post is Vanessa Minnillo, who might have a hard time getting a new job because of the risqué party pictures.

One of the photos from last summer shows Minnillo pulling down Lohan's tank top. Another shows her with face upturned, eyes closed and lips parted, as if about to kiss the wild child, who is now 20 and in rehab.

Minnillo, 26, was host of MTV's "TRL" and New York correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight," both Viacom shows, until her contract expired in April. The former date of Derek Jeter and current girlfriend of Nick Lachey did not renew with either show.

Last week, she co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City with Mario López without incident. But the beauty is gaining a bad rep in the TV industry for her diva-like behavior at work and hard partying outside the studio.

While friends of Minnillo insist it was she who decided not to renew the contract with "ET," insiders say her bosses at CBS Paramount soured on her when she covered the Grammys in February. Minnillo was not assigned to the Academy Awards in March.

When producers flew her to Los Angeles to cover the Grammys, "she was extremely high maintenance," said one source. "She insisted they fly her own hair and makeup people and her personal assistant out with her every time she flew to L.A. She only flew first class and stayed at the Four Seasons, and then she didn't want to work.

"Vanessa wants to be a celebrity, not interview them," said the source. "She wouldn't conduct post-show interviews because she wanted to party. She expected to be paid a full-time salary for a part-time job."

Page Six spotted Minnillo at one of the fall fashion shows changing seats for 15 minutes until she was satisfied. She's been known to bark orders at cocktail waitresses and cause scenes when she goes club hopping at night.

In April, we reported that Minnillo had moved in with Lachey in Los Angeles, where she's hoping for a movie career.

A rep for Minnillo denied any "diva behavior" and told Page Six, "She chose to leave 'ET' because her contract ended. This is the first I've heard about any bad behavior."

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