Agreed that we seem to have reached the stage where tabloid journalists feel free to fabricate quotes that sound vaguely plausible. I didn't get that feeling from US Weekly (although I did get the sense of one person's wishful thinking). But imagine if she did call the Enquirer!
This all makes me so glad I didn't have access to a publicist when I was her age. It is "my friend really fancies you" on an international scale!!!