Wham, Bam, Thank You Bonnie!

When the jilted ex-fiancée ofMTV’s Bam Margera called a Philadelphia radio stationclaiming he'd slept with Jessica Simpson, the denialsfrom both parties and the source’s suspect motives had every celeb rag holding their noses. Every rag except Star, that is. Insidersat the magazine say that—contrary to their oft-trumpeted policy of nolonger paying sources—Star shelled out $8,000 for“exclusive interviews” with Margera and his ex, JenniferRivell. In the latest issue, on stands today, the pair supposedly “sets therecord straight” about the latest stain on Simpson’s marriage. Butthe multi-page spread should have been headlined“Viva La Scam!” insiders say.

“Jennifer and Bam were holding out forthe highest bidder,” says a source close to the former couple, who, wehear, are in on their “feud” together. “They'd beendating for seven years—since he was only 18-—and have been friendssince childhood. Their engagement was never real anyway, and he cheated on herwith tons of girls.”

A source close to the Jackass alumsays that on April 19-—the night of Simpson's supposed infidelity—Margerawent back with Jessica and 10 other pals to Simpson's parents’ house in L.A. afterpartying at a Metal Skool show at The Roxy until 2 a.m.

“Everyone slept at Jessica’s,” says the source,“but no one slept with Jessica, except maybe her little dog.” Askedabout the story, Star spokesman Stu Zakim insistedthat the interviews were won through “old-fashioned, hardcorejournalism—payment was not an issue.” Zakim continued, with astraight face, “Star magazine does not pay its sources. That isour policy.” Margera’s reps did not return calls for comment bypress time.