People

Dollars and scents

New York J.Lo is getting some competition in the fragrance department from another diva Celine Dion.

The Canadian chanteuse announced Tuesday that she’s developing her own scent with Coty Inc., which also produces Jovan and Stetson fragrances. It’s expected in stores in early 2003.

Jennifer Lopez recently introduced her own perfume, called Glow. But don’t expect a “Celine” brand a designer already has fragrances under that name.

Elizabeth Taylor, Isabella Rossellini, Naomi Campbell and Michael Jordan are among the other celebrities who have their own scents.

Manilow a hot ticket

New York Despite the humidity and 90-degree heat, Barry Manilow’s fans decided they couldn’t smile without him, and flocked to see him perform Tuesday in Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan.

Manilow sang a few of his classics, including “Can’t Smile Without You,” for about 2,000 people at an outdoor concert that’s scheduled to air Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

He also did parts of “Mandy” and “Could It Be Magic,” as well as the commercial jingles he wrote for State Farm, Band-Aid and McDonald’s.

The 56-year-old Brooklyn native fanned himself backstage before opening the show with “New York City Rhythm.”

“This is above and beyond the call of duty,” he told fans, many of whom held up handmade posters and Manilow albums. “My Jewish guilt is kicking in, having these people stand in the sun.”

From doctor to lawyer

Radnor, Pa. A Martinez, the actor who has played Roy DiLucca on “General Hospital” for nearly three years, says he expects to leave that show soon to concentrate on “For the People,” a new legal series on the Lifetime cable network.

“My typical week comes close to being unreasonable,” Martinez says in the Aug. 3 issue of TV Guide. “I don’t think it’s wise to do two things like this at the same time.”

His contract with “General Hospital” ends in September.

On his new show, he plays Michael Olivas. He supports star Lea Thompson, who plays Los Angeles deputy prosecutor Camille Paris.

The universe is his

Buffalo, N.Y. Jim Carrey will play a disconsolate TV reporter in the upcoming comedy, “Bruce Almighty,” which will be shot on location in Buffalo and Niagara Falls in September.

Carrey’s character, Bruce, exasperates God with his constant grousing to the point where he’s given the chance to run the universe for a day.

Director Tom Shadyac, who also directed the 40-year-old Carrey in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Liar Liar,” said the actor watched Buffalo TV stations while growing up across the border in Canada and learned everything he needed to know for his role from local news broadcasts.