Jon de Mello, CEO of the Mountain Apple Co., is part of a Montblanc global campaign to promote increased literacy among children. The music exec, who produced Israel Kamamakawiwo'ole's "Wonderful World," will appear at the Montblanc boutique at Ala Moana Center from 2 to 4 p.m. today to mark World Literacy Day and the release of a special edition Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 pen — it retails for $615.

Other celebrities — from Robin Leach in Las Vegas to Diahann Carroll in Beverly Hills — make similar appearances today to tout the literacy campaign, themed "The Power to Write." A portion of sales will be donated to support UNICEF education programs in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

— Wayne Harada, Advertiser entertainment writer

RACY PHOTOS NOT A CAREER KILLER

NEW YORK — The Walt Disney Co. is sticking with the 18-year-old star of its wildly successful "High School Musical" franchise despite her "lapse in judgment" in posing for racy photos that were leaked to the Internet.

Vanessa Hudgens apologized yesterday for the photos, which show her smiling as she posed naked and in underwear in a bedroom with a red curtain behind her.

"Vanessa has apologized for what was obviously a lapse in judgment," said Disney Channel spokeswoman Patti McTeague. "We hope she's learned a valuable lesson."

She said negotiations were ongoing to land all the actors for a "High School Musical 3" feature film — including Hudgens.

Hudgens, who played the brainy Gabriella in the first two made-for-cable TV movies, told her fans she was sorry.

"I am embarrassed over this situation and regret having ever taken these photos," she said. "I am thankful for the support of my family and friends."

FISCHER, GUNN ARE SEPARATING

NEW YORK — Jenna Fischer of "The Office" and her husband, filmmaker James Gunn, have separated after six years of marriage, Fischer's publicist, Lewis Kay, said yesterday.

The 33-year-old actress is nominated for an Emmy this year for her work on NBC's "The Office." She portrays mousy secretary Pam Beesly, who found confidence last season when she confessed her romantic feelings to co-worker Jim Halpert (John Krasinksi).

Gunn, 37, directed "Slither," which co-starred Fischer.

LETTERMAN HAS HIS OWN BUILDING

MUNCIE, Ind. — David Letterman says it will be convenient having a building named after him at his alma mater.

"Forget your name? Just check the building," he said.

That was part of a Top-10 list the talk-show host and Ball State University graduate read yesterday during the dedication ceremony for the David Letterman Communication and Media Building.

The Letterman Building, which has been used since fall semester classes started a few weeks ago, is much snazzier than the facilities Letterman had as a Ball State student in the 1960s when he was a disc jockey for WBST-FM.

The 75,000-square-foot building includes studio and office space and is open to students 24 hours a day. It features a $1 million production complex with five surround-sound editing suites and two surround-sound recording studios.