Celebrity News – Us Weekly |
- She’s Free! Stars React to Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Coming to an End
- 'Freedom!' Sam Asghari Supports Britney Spears After Conservatorship Victory
- Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs Over the Years
- Nina Agdal and Boyfriend Jack Brinkley-Cook Split After 4 Years Together
- ‘Best Day Ever!’ Britney Spears Speaks Out After Conservatorship Ends
- Britney Spears and Sam Asghari: A Timeline of Their Relationship
- ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars Weigh In on Lala Kent, Randall Emmett Drama
- Britney Spears' Conservatorship, Mental Health Battle Explained
- Scheana Shay and Brock Davies: Lala and Randall ‘Need Some Time Apart'
- Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs With Dad Jamie Over the Years
- Stars Who’ve Spoken Out About Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Britney Spears' 13-Year Conservatorship Is Officially Over
- 'Proud!' Aaron Rodgers’ Estranged Dad Defends Him Amid Vaccine Controversy
- Tayshia Adams Apologizes for 'Scaring' Fans After Brief Hospitalization
- La La Anthony: I Had ‘Terrifying’ Emergency Heart Surgery 5 Months Ago
- BFFs! Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian Sat Together at Paris Hilton’s Wedding
- Kanye West: I’m Trying to ‘Keep My Family Together’ Amid Kim K. Divorce
- John Mulaney Hires 3 Lawyers in Anna Marie Tendler Divorce: What to Know
- 'Obsessed!' Kourtney Kardashian Approves of Travis Barker's Vegan Snacks
| She’s Free! Stars React to Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Coming to an End Posted: 12 Nov 2021 05:25 PM PST Three cheers for Britney! Celebrities including Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Luann de Lesseps were among the first to celebrate Britney Spears' conservatorship coming to an end after 13 years. On Friday, November 12, the Grammy winner, 39, was declared free from the conservatorship that she's been under since 2008, following a court hearing. Spears has been unable to make her own personal or financial decisions following a series of public struggles — and her divorce from Kevin Federline. The "Hit Me Baby One More Time" singer's father, Jamie Spears, was appointed as the conservator of Britney's estate from day one. Caretaker Jodi Montgomery later took over as the conservator of Britney's person in September 2019. The "Gimme More" artist spoke out for the first time publicly against the conservatorship earlier this year — calling for the end of the legal restrictions. "I just want my life back. It's been 13 years, and it's enough. It's been a long time since I've owned my money," she said during a June testimony. "And it's my wish and my dream for all of this to end without being tested." The Crossroads actress revealed that she would "like to sue my family" over the whole ordeal, claiming anyone involved in the conservatorship should be in jail. "I also would like to be able to share my story with the world, and what they did to me, instead of it being a hush-hush secret to benefit all of them," she continued. Britney alleged that her conservatorship team wouldn't let her "go to the doctor to take [my IUD] out because they don't want me to have any more children." The musician, who shares sons Preston, 16, and Jayden, 15, with Federline, 43, has been in a relationship with Sam Asghari since 2016. The pair got engaged in September. Following her bombshell testimony, Britney's quest to end her conservatorship took a series of positive steps. For starters, she was able to choose her own attorney in Mathew Rosengart. Then, in September, her 69-year-old father filed paperwork to end his role as the conservator of the estate. Jamie was removed from his role later that month with John Zabel taking over the position until December, pending a November hearing to discuss the matter further. Earlier this month, Jamie argued on behalf of his daughter to "immediately" have the legal restraints against her terminated for good, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. "Jamie unconditionally loves and supports his daughter. Full stop," the November filing read. "As he has done for her entire life, Jamie will do everything he can to protect and care for her. For the last 13 years, that included serving as her Conservator. Now, it means ending her Conservatorship. So it is said in no uncertain terms, Jamie believes that the Conservatorship should end, immediately." On Friday, Britney's attorney stated, "The record is clear, the time is clear. The time has come today to end the conservatorship." Montgomery's attorney assured the judge, "Ms. Montgomery will be there for her. There is no reason that this termination cannot happen. The termination of [the conservatorship of] the person can happen today." The judge then ruled to terminate the conservatorship. Scroll down to see all of the celebrities who celebrated Britney's freedom:  "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOA SHES FREEE,FREE,FREE,” the Burlesque actress tweeted along with cake, dancing ladies, dove and ice cream emojis. "FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!” Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock  “History was made today,” Britney’s fiancé wrote via Instagram. “Britney is Free! ❤️.” Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock  “Britney deserves to be free,” the Modern Family alum tweeted along with a red heart emoji. MediaPunch/Shutterstock  “Congratulations @britneyspears! #FreeBritney,” the Real Housewives of New York City star tweeted with fist pump and confetti emojis. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  “Britney: FREE!” the Watch What Happens Live host tweeted. Rob Latour/Shutterstock  “So happy for Britney Spears! #freedom,” the Rosemary’s Baby star tweeted. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  The 98 Degrees singer shared a throwback photo with Britney via social media, writing, “Thrilled to hear the news that @britneyspears is free! Long overdue! #FreeBritney #BritneyIsFree.” Invision/AP/Shutterstock  “I will see you all at @DOCNYCfest tonight. However, today is also a day to celebrate the liberation of Britney Spears,” the 80-year-old singer wrote via Twitter. George Pimentel/Shutterstock  “#Britneyisfree YESSSSS @britneyspearsI am so happy to hear this news love you,” the Sharknando actress tweeted. Broadimage/Shutterstock |
| 'Freedom!' Sam Asghari Supports Britney Spears After Conservatorship Victory Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:48 PM PST Supportive fiancé! After learning that Britney Spears' 13-year conservatorship has been terminated, Sam Asghari was elated to learn about his love's newfound freedom. "History was made today. Britney is Free!  Alongside his #FreeBritney-esque caption, the model shared a snap of a pink square with the word "Freedom" in the center. During the Friday hearing, Judge Brenda Penny terminated the conservatorship over the 39-year-old Louisiana native's estate and person. The "Stronger" performer, for her part, also expressed her joy over learning the news. "Good God I love my fans so much it's crazy Hours earlier, the personal trainer shared a selfie of the "Lucky" songstress wearing a "#FreeBritney: It's a human rights movement" shirt ahead of the court proceedings. He captioned his post, "Loading…." The couple, who had been dating for five years after initially meeting on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video in October 2016, got engaged in September. "I can't f–king believe it," Spears captioned a selfie of the pair, showing off her diamond ring at the time. Asghari, who has been a fervent supporter of the #FreeBritney movement amid the lengthy legal battle, vocalized his excitement over his love's previous victories in September. "Free Britney!" he wrote via Instagram Story at the time, shortly after her father, Jamie Spears, was suspended as conservator of her estate. "Congratulations!!!!!!!!!" One month earlier, Britney gushed over her man's invaluable support amid the thick and thin via a heartfelt Instagram selfie in August. "Not only has this cute a–hole been with me through the hardest years of my life but he happens to be an extremely good cook," the Grammy winner posted at the time. "Fast & Furious franchise, don't miss out on your next star." The pop star had been unable to make major decisions since 2008 when the conservatorship was first established amid her personal struggles and divorce from ex-husband Kevin Federline. Since its inception, her 69-year-old father was tasked with controlling her estate and caretaker Jodi Montgomery was in charge of her person beginning in September 2019. Earlier this year, the Crossroads star publicly broke her silence over her ordeal during an emotional court testimony. "I just want my life back," Britney said in June. "It's been 13 years, and it's enough. It's been a long time since I've owned my money. And it's my wish and my dream for all of this to end without being tested. … I would honestly like to sue my family, to be totally honest with you. I also would like to be able to share my story with the world, and what they did to me, instead of it being a hush-hush secret to benefit all of them." |
| Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs Over the Years Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:46 PM PST The price of fame? Britney Spears' career and personal life have faced a series of ups and downs over the years. Spears, who was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, first showed off her vocal skills on the singing competition Star Search at 10 years old in 1992. Following a stint on The Mickey Mouse Club, she signed a record deal with Jive Records in 1997. As Spears' singles, including "…Baby One More Time" and "Oops!… I Did It Again," climbed the charts, she started a relationship with ‘NSync member Justin Timberlake and the world became even more invested in the pop star. The twosome called it quits in 2002 after three years together amid rumors that Spears was unfaithful. As the "I'm a Slave 4 U" singer's popularity continued to grow, so did the attention on her personal life. Spears married her backup dancer Kevin Federline in October 2004 after a whirlwind romance. The twosome later welcomed sons Sean Preston and Jayden James. In 2007, Spears made headlines for a very public breakdown, which lead her to temporarily lose primary custody of her boys. She was also placed under a legal conservatorship in February 2008, which gave her father, Jamie Spears, control over her finances and her person. Nearly a decade later, the Grammy winner addressed her battle with mental health during an interview with Marie Claire UK. “I moved to Los Angeles when I was very young. I was so under scrutiny,” she said in October 2016. “If a hair was out of place, I'd be so anxious. I would get very anxious about so many things.” Britney added that motherhood made her "so much more accepting" of herself: "That has been a really big thing for me over these last few years.” After a triumphant comeback and successful Las Vegas residency, Jamie was hospitalized in late 2018 after his colon spontaneously ruptured. As a result, Britney postponed her second Vegas residency in January 2019. More than two months later, she checked herself into a mental health facility. "The stress has been hard on her," a source told Us in March 2019. "It's been a very difficult time." Six months later, Jamie temporarily stepped down as Britney’s full-time conservator and Jodi Montgomery, a licensed fiduciary, joined her conservatorship team. In February 2021, Hulu released an episode of The New York Times Presents titled “Framing Britney Spears,” which renewed public interest in her conservatorship. Four months later, Britney broke her silence about the situation during a remote court hearing. “I just want my life back,” she said, asking the judge to end the conservatorship. “It's been 13 years and it's enough. It's enough and it makes no sense at all. I'm done.” A judge officially terminated the conservatorship in November 2021. Britney reacted to the news via Instagram, writing, "Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen????" Scroll through to revisit Britney’s ups and downs:  Britney made her debut on The All New Mickey Mouse Club with Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and future boyfriend Justin Timberlake. Exclusive Images/WireImage  Britney and Timberlake were Hollywood’s hottest couple for nearly four years until the “Lucky” singer reportedly strayed from the relationship. Timberlake went on to write his single ”Cry Me a River," seemingly about Britney's infidelity, with a look-alike of the singer starring in the music video. Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage  As Britney’s image continued to get sexier, she made headlines for kissing Madonna during the opening of the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Chris Polk/FilmMagic  The “Toxic” singer turned heads in 2004 after she briefly married her childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their marriage was annulled 55 hours later. Britney then started seeing her backup dancer Kevin Federline. The twosome were engaged after three months of dating and documented their relationship on a reality series titled Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. They wed at their home in September 2004. Michael Caulfield/WireImage for Sony BMG Music Entertainment  Less than a year after Britney welcomed son Sean Preston in 2005, she made headlines for driving with the then-infant on her lap rather than in a car seat in February 2006. “I was terrified that this time the physically aggressive paparazzi would put both me and my baby in danger,” she said in a statement at the time. “I instinctively took measures to get my baby and me out of harm’s way, but the paparazzi continued to stalk us. … I love my child and would do anything to protect him.” MEGA  Britney and Federline welcomed their second son, Jayden, in September 2006. Three months later, the couple split. The Crossroads actress filed for divorce from the rapper, citing irreconcilable differences, in November 2006. She was often seen partying in Los Angeles that same year, with photos of her out with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan causing a stir in December 2006. MEGA  Britney hit a breaking point in 2007 when paparazzi captured her shaving her head at a hair salon and subsequently attacking a photographer’s car with an umbrella. A struggle with addiction, an undisclosed mental illness and a bitter custody battle with Federline were reportedly behind her behavior. MBF-AlphaX/X17online.com  After months of setbacks, Britney was criticized for her attempt at a comeback while performing “Gimme More” at the 2007 VMAs. Kevin Winter/Getty Images  In early 2008, the "Slumber Party" singer was hospitalized and under evaluation for 72 hours, also known as a 5150 hold. The performer’s father, Jamie, was also named her conservator. By the end of the year, however, Britney released her sixth studio album, Circus, much to the delight of fans. The singer also appeared to be in better spirits and hit the road for the Circus Tour, which would become her highest-grossing tour. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images  Following the release of her seventh and eighth studio albums, Femme Fatale and Britney Jean, respectively, the pop icon announced she had landed a Las Vegas residency. The show, titled Britney: Piece of Me, debuted at Planet Hollywood in December 2013. While it was initially set for two years, the popular show ran for four years, concluding in December 2017. Denise Truscello/WireImage  Britney and Federline’s relationship was back in the news after he filed for more child support following the “Make Me” songstress’ successful Vegas residency. “[Britney is] angry Kevin is asking for more money because she pays for everything,” a source told Us exclusively at the time. “Those boys are her world. She is an amazing mother.” The exes reached an agreement in September 2018, with the Crossroads star paying the DJ an additional $15,000 a month. Their original agreement had her giving Federline $20,000 a month. WireImage (2)  Britney announced she was going on an indefinite work hiatus — and putting her second Las Vegas residency titled Domination — on hold after her father, Jamie, fell ill. “I am dedicating my focus and energy to care for my family. We have a very special relationship and I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me,” she said in a statement to Us in January 2019. “Thank you to all my fans for your continued love and support during this time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and I look forward to the time when I can be back on stage performing for all of you.” Nearly three months later, multiple sources confirmed to Us that the star checked into a mental health facility amid concerns over Jamie’s illness. Britney is at a “wellness center that prioritizes physical, mental and spiritual well-being and Britney will be there for a few weeks,” an insider told Us at the time, noting that her sons “are in the full-time care of their dad, Kevin, for the time being.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The former X Factor judge requested to have her father permanently removed as her conservator in August 2020, in favor of having Montgomery become her sole care manager. Her lawyer, Samuel Ingham, told the court that she "strongly opposed" having Jamie return in the role. Shutterstock (2)  In June 2021, Britney broke her silence about her 13-year conservatorship during a 20-minute address to the court that was full of bombshell revelations. She said she felt "enslaved" by her father, adding that she had been forced to take lithium against her will, among other things. "You know, fake it till you make it, but now I’m telling you the truth, I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry it’s insane," she said. "I cry every day.” The singer also claimed that she wanted to have another child, but her conservators had prevented her from going to the doctor to have her IUD removed. "I have an IUD in my body right now that won’t let me have a baby and my conservators won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out," she told the court. "I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told with the conservatorship I was not able to get married and have a baby." Shutterstock  In August 2021, Us confirmed that Britney was under investigation for battery after her housekeeper claimed that the performer slapped a cell phone out of her hands. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office told Us that the alleged altercation occurred at the Grammy winner's California home and that there were no injuries at that time. Britney's attorney, Mathew Rosengart responded to the accusations in a statement to Us. “This is overblown sensational tabloid fodder — nothing more than a manufactured ‘he said, she said’ regarding a cell phone, with no striking and obviously no injury whatsoever,” he said. “Anyone can make an accusation, but this should have been closed immediately.” The following day, TMZ reported that the incident was allegedly related to the housekeeper's concerns about Britney's dogs. After the singer asked a dog sitter to take them to the vet, the animals were reportedly not seen again. When Britney asked about their whereabouts, the housekeeper claimed she was concerned about the dogs being neglected and that is when the alleged altercation happened. Shutterstock  In September 2021, the "Lucky" singer announced that she is engaged to longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari. The duo met in 2016 on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video. “I can’t f–king believe it,” Britney wrote via Instagram, sharing a video of herself showing off her ring with her fiancé by her side. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney’s conservatorship officially ended in November 2021 after 13 years. “The record is clear, the time is clear,” her attorney said during the court hearing. “The time has come today to end the conservatorship.” The “Gimme More” singer reacted to the ruling by posting an Instagram video of her fans celebrating the win outside the courthouse. “Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day!!!!” she wrote. “Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen???? #FreedBritney.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram |
| Nina Agdal and Boyfriend Jack Brinkley-Cook Split After 4 Years Together Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:42 PM PST  It's over. After nearly four years together, Nina Agdal and Jack Brinkley-Cook have called it quits on their romance, a source confirms to Us Weekly. The former couple had been dating since 2017, often gushing about their bond and even hanging out with the Rove founder's famous family, including mom Christie Brinkley and sister Sailor Brinkley-Cook. "Everything is good," The Agdal Method founder, 29, exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2019 of their romance. "Oh, my God, well, we're not perfect. No relationship is perfect, but I think we just have a really sincere love for each other, and we support each other, we respect each other and we just love you each other!" Months earlier, the model penned a heartfelt tribute for Jack’s birthday via Instagram in June 2019, writing, "Happy birthday to this ham! I adore you One year prior, the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute alum, 26, posted a sweet birthday tribute of his own to the Denmark native. "Happy birthday cowgirl. To the moon and back," he captioned a March 2018 selfie of the pair in the snow. During a February 2018 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the Victoria's Secret model was giddy while discussing their eight-month romance and her newfound bond with her beau's mother, now 67. "It's actually really, really good," Agdal told Andy Cohen at the time. "I mean, me and Christie are super cool. She's one of the most smartest [women], the most beautiful woman. I, like, get surprised [when] I walk out of the door in the Hamptons at 10 a.m. and she looks 10 times better than I do at all times. She's an incredible woman and she's so sweet." The pair initially sparked dating speculation in July 2017, shortly after her previous breakup from Leonardo DiCaprio, and their romance continued to blossom from there. "Went on a date with Jack last night and actually tried to be hot," Agdal shared via Instagram in January 2019, alongside a pair of date-night selfies as she was getting ready. "Woke up this morning like myself again, hungover with a mask on. Feels good to be in a comfortable relationship |
| ‘Best Day Ever!’ Britney Spears Speaks Out After Conservatorship Ends Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:40 PM PST Britney Spears reacted to the news of her conservatorship ending after 13 years in an emotional message to all the #FreeBritney supporters. After it was announced by Judge Brenda Penny on Friday, November 12, that "the conservatorship of the person and estate" had been terminated, Spears, 39, posted a video of her fans celebrating the news in front of the courthouse — complete with pink confetti.
"Good God I love my fans so much it's crazy!!! Since 2008, the pop star had been unable to make personal or financial decisions on her own following a series of public struggles and her divorce from Kevin Federline. For many years, her father, Jamie Spears, was in control as the conservator of her estate — but Us Weekly confirmed in September that Jamie, 69, filed paperwork to end his tenure, three months after the "Gimme More" singer publicly broke her silence about her journey. In an emotional court hearing in June, Britney detailed her experience under the conservatorship, alleging that her conservators "won't let me go to the doctor to take [my IUD] out because they don't want me to have any more children." (The Grammy winner shares sons Preston, 16, and Jayden, 15, with Federline, 43.) "I just want my life back. It's been 13 years, and it's enough," she said at the time. "It's been a long time since I've owned my money." During Friday's hearing, the pop star's attorney Mathew Rosengart argued that Britney "was allowed to hire counsel, she had the capacity to make her own decisions, hire other people around her" in September, which should help her case. He later added, "We have disputes with Mr. [Jamie] Spears' counsel but we agree with their status report on October 20 to terminate the conservatorship immediately." Following the judge's ruling, Rosengart declared, "The record is clear, the time is clear" as the crowd outside the courthouse erupted into cheers. Celebrities quickly reacted to the news that Britney was finally free including Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who tweeted, "Britney deserves to be free,” with a red heart emoji. "Thrilled to hear the news that @britneyspears is free!" 98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons tweeted alongside a throwback photo of him with the "Toxic" singer. "Long overdue! #FreeBritney #BritneyIsFree." Britney's fiancé, Sam Asghari, also celebrated the good news, writing via Instagram, "History was made today. Britney is Free! |
| Britney Spears and Sam Asghari: A Timeline of Their Relationship Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:36 PM PST Stronger together! It was love at first sight when Britney Spears and Sam Asghari met in October 2016 on the set of her "Slumber Party" music video. "I was excited that I [would] get to meet one of the biggest artists of all time," the personal trainer recalled to Men's Health in July 2018. "I had butterflies." But when Asghari tried to break the ice, he almost ruined his chances with the Grammy winner. "She said, 'Hi, I'm Britney,' and I said, 'I'm sorry, what's your name again?'" he told the magazine. "I tried to be funny. I don't think anybody got it." Fortunately, Spears was charmed by the fitness model and they started chatting about one of their favorite foods, sushi. They continued to talk throughout the shoot and exchanged phone numbers by the end so that they could set up a proper first date. And the rest, as they say, was history. "I found his number in my bag. I was like, 'He is really cute. This guy is really cute,'" the Princess of Pop recounted during a January 2017 radio interview. "So then I called him, and ever since then, he is just a really fun, funny person." Since then, Asghari has been a huge support system for Spears in her personal and professional lives. He was a fixture in the audience during her Piece of Me residency in Las Vegas and helped her come out stronger than yesterday (pun intended) after she spent 30 days in a mental health facility in spring 2019. For more hot celebrity news, listen to Us Weekly editors dish on top topics & trends with these clips from the Hot Hollywood Podcast! "Sam has been an absolute dream come true for Britney," a source told Us Weekly exclusively in May 2019. "He is such a positive light in her life." The "Toxic" singer was previously married to her childhood pal Jason Alexander for 55 hours in 2004, and backup dancer Kevin Federline from 2004 to 2007. She coparents sons Preston and Jayden with K-Fed. Scroll down to see a comprehensive timeline of Spears and Asghari's relationship!  Asghari starred as Spears’ love interest in her “Slumber Party” video, which was filmed at a Beverly Hills mansion. He previously played a hunky construction worker in Fifth Harmony’s “Work From Home” video. YouTube  The Crossroads actress made her new relationship Instagram official when she uploaded a picture on New Year’s Day of herself having dinner with the Iran native. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The couple looked sharp while attending Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala together. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Spears wished Asghari a happy 23rd birthday on Instagram by sharing a photo of them hiking together. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The aspiring actor invited his girlfriend to designer Michael Costello's Art Hearts show during Los Angeles Fashion Week to watch his sister, Faye, walk the runway. Arun Nevader/Getty Images  Spears wrote on Instagram that the pair had a “beautiful day” at a waterfront Malibu restaurant. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari stopped backstage to see his “lioness” after one of her Vegas concerts. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  The Asghari fashion designer visited Spears in Japan during the international leg of her Piece of Me show. “Great matching duo,” she wrote on Instagram, referencing their coordinating pink outfits. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The duo packed on the PDA while celebrating her sons’ birthdays at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. “Happiest man on earth,” Asghari gushed on Instagram. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  The pop star cozied up to her beau while sitting courtside with her sons at a Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors game in L.A. Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images  Asghari called Spears his “partner in crime” in the caption of a funny Instagram video on New Year’s Day. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  “I’ve been with this man for over a year,” the former Mouseketeer wrote on Instagram. “Everyday he inspires me to be a better person and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!!” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari supported Spears at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards, where she was honored with the Vanguard Award. J. Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD  After the Louisiana native uploaded a video of her and Asghari’s intense workout, she told the Associated Press that they “did 40 [takes] and I hurt myself,” but “he did a good job” with the editing. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The lovebirds took a trip to Miami, where they recreated their first date with some sushi. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  Spears and Asghari took a dip in her swimming pool to ring in the summer. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  The “…Baby One More Time” songstress and her love cheered on her son Jayden at his football game. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Spears snuck in a kiss with Asghari as he snapped a selfie on the beach. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  After the performer completed her mental health treatment, she shared three smiling selfies with her boyfriend on Instagram. “I love this man @samasghari,” she gushed. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  When Spears posted a snap of her and Asghari riding bicycles with the caption, “I’m so blessed to have this in my neighborhood,” he hilariously replied, “Are you talking about the lake or that handsome gentleman?” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  During a trip to Miami, the pair recreated the iconic scene from Titanic where Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) held onto Rose (Kate Winslet) as she stretched out her arms on the bow of a ship. MEGA  The twosome enjoyed a day at the beach during their weekend getaway to the South Florida city. MEGA  The couple sparked engagement rumors while making their red carpet debut at the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiere. Spears arrived wearing a diamond ring on her left hand. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images  Asghari exclusively told Us how the duo have helped each other with their respective fitness journeys. “You have to stay on top of that,” he said at the time. “When it comes to our busy schedules, both of us, we try to support each other as best as we can.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Spears cozied up to her boyfriend while boating together. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The pair enjoyed a horseback ride together. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari wished Spears a speedy recovery after she suffered an injury, writing: “When you break something it tends to heal stronger, specially when you’re my girl👌🏽 my lioness broke her metatarsal bone on her foot doing what she loves which is dancing 💃 Wishing her the best recovery so she can jump, run, and dance her butt off 💪🏽 #stronger.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari called Spears’ smile the “best birthday gift,” while the “Toxic” singer raved about what a “stunner” he was upon turning 26. Rob Latour/Shutterstock  Spears shared a video from the pair’s workout session and noted how “grateful” she was to have Asghari to “stay in shape with.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The duo had a socially distanced beach day amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Going to the beach is always so much fun!!!!!” she wrote via Instagram. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  “All you need is love and the beach,” she wrote via Instagram, sharing several photos from their day in the sun. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Spears and Asghari took “a little trip to paradise” to celebrate her 39th birthday a few weeks early. “I’m doing that whole work on yourself thing at the moment,” she wrote via Instagram of their Hawaiian getaway. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari spoke out to defend the singer after a New York Times documentary took a closer look at her life and career amid her legal battle to have her father, Jamie Spears, removed as her conservator. "Now it's important for people to understand that I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way," Asghari wrote via his Instagram Stories on February 9. "In my opinion Jamie is a total dick. I won't be going into details because I've always respected our privacy but at the same time I didn't come to this country to not be able to express my opinion and freedom." His comment came a day after he gave a statement to People amid social media speculation about Spears, saying that he has "always wanted nothing but the best for my better half and will continue to support her following her dreams and creating the future she wants and deserves." "I am thankful for all of the love and support she is receiving from her fans all over the world, and I am looking forward to a normal, amazing future together," the actor added. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  A source told Us exclusively that Asghari “would love” to start a family with Britney one day. “He’s always dreamt of having children and thinks he would be a great father. He’s a natural around little kids,” the insider revealed. MediaPunch/Shutterstock  The longtime lovers got cozy at one of Sam’s friend’s weddings in late April, sharing a bit of PDA as they danced the night away. “Thanks to science, we get to dance again,” the personal trainer wrote via Instagram Stories alongside a clip of him and the pop star twirling around on the dance floor. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  Asghari wore a “Free Britney” t-shirt on June 23, the day the pop star was set to address the court regarding her conservatorship battle for the first time. He captioned the photo with a lion emoji — a nod to his nickname for his girlfriend. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  Britney gushed over her boyfriend, posting a sweet selfie via Instagram. "Not only has this cute a--hole been with me through the hardest years of my life but he happens to be an extremely good cook," the singer wrote on August 25. "Fast & Furious franchise, don’t miss out on your next star." Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The pair got engaged on September 12, she posted via Instagram at the time. “The couple made their long-standing relationship official today and are deeply touched by the support, dedication and love expressed to them," his manager told Us. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  “Surprised my fiancé with our newest member to the Family ❤️ Porsha #doberman #homesecurity,” the Iran native captioned Instagram footage of himself petting the black dog. In the video clip, the “Make Me” crooner asked, “Who's the new addition to the family?” The actor then replied to his love, “Her name is Porsha and she's meant to unconditionally love you and it's going to be trained to protect you from any motherf--ker that comes around you with bad intentions.” Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram  The “Piece of Me” songstress shared a reflective message via Instagram on October 29 following the couple's recent travels, writing, “OK … I wish I had cool pics to show from this place but it rained the whole damn time 🤷🏼♀️😒 … This trip wasn’t a success but as my boyfriend always says, ‘stay GRATEFUL’ 🙏🏼 😬😬😬!!!” In response, the Iran native lovingly corrected his partner, commenting, “Fiancé* 😂 ❤️ 😍.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Asghari congratulated Britney after a judge terminated her conservatorship during a court hearing. “History was made today. Britney is Free!” he captioned a photo of the word “freedom” against a pink backdrop. Courtesy of Sam Asghari/Instagram |
| ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Stars Weigh In on Lala Kent, Randall Emmett Drama Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:32 PM PST Adding in their two cents. The cast of Vanderpump Rules has a few thoughts about costar Lala Kent and Randall Emmett's rumored split — including the timing of it all. Ariana Madix spoke about her castmate during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Tuesday, October 26, noting that Kent's been "up and down" amid the alleged breakup. "I don't want to speak for her too much," the 36-year-old star said at the time, noting it's been a "crazy" time for the "Give Them Lala … With Randall" podcast cohost. James Kennedy, on the other hand, questioned the timing of the rumored split one week prior. "It's perfect timing, isn't it? Tonight's more about me and Raquel [Leviss] and all we are talking about so far is Lala," the 29-year-old reality star said during an appearance on WWHL on October 19, referring to his engagement to Leviss airing on that week's episode of the Bravo show. "I'm just, like, it's perfect. She's got a book signing tomorrow in L.A., right?" The DJ explained that although he couldn't give any real insight into whether Kent and Emmett, 50, are over for good, he said that the Utah native did recently leave him and Leviss, 27, in an awkward situation regarding the film producer. "We have a pickleball tournament with Randall in La Quinta, [California]. She canceled that," Kennedy said. "Well, her participation is canceled, but now what do I do? Do I go play pickleball with Randall? I've got myself in a pickle here." Earlier this month, Kent sparked split speculation when she erased all traces of her fiancé from her social media pages on October 17. The Give Them Lala author also posted a clip of two men walking through the Beverly Hills Hotel with suitcases as they pushed her daughter, Ocean, whom she shares with Emmett. The Instagram Story clip featured Beyoncé's song "Sorry" playing in the background. The same day, Kent hinted that the Florida native may have cheated on her when she "liked" a meme on Instagram about Emmett's alleged actions. "Rumors are swirling that Randall might have had some extracurriculars with a couple of cocktail waitresses," the meme caption read alongside a side-by-side photo of Emmett with Lisa Rinna holding a gun. Kent, who got engaged to the Midnight in the Switchgrass producer in 2018, was then spotted without her engagement ring while out in Los Angeles on October 19. The duo, however, have yet to publicly address the rumors. In November 2021, Us Weekly confirmed that the pair had split and he was trying to win her back. Scroll down to see which Vanderpump Rules stars have commented on the alleged breakup:  “I think the truth needs to come out. I think somewhere in between each one of their stories is the truth,” the Australia native exclusively told Us on November 12. “And are we going to get to know what that truth is? Probably not. So then it's just kind of like, ‘Look, we gotta be supportive of our friends.’” The personal trainer continued: “The thing about this group is, like, we're still a group of friends, but we really get deeper with the subject matter [on the show]. So, it kind of, like, causes this awkwardness and these issues, but then once we fix them or deal with them, you come back together and it's kind of like [we are all] a little deeper glued.” Rob Latour/Shutterstock  "I'm not going to speak on that relationship at all. You know, it's a tough position that they're in," Shay said during the November 2 episode of WWHL. "I don't like seeing her go through any of this. I talk to Lala almost every day. I've checked in on her a lot. She's doing good." The “Scheananigans” podcast host exclusively told Us on November 12 that Lala is “a very strong woman and she's going to be just fine” after the breakup. She noted that she wants her pal to “do what’s best for her” and take “some time apart” from Randall. “Of course, you would hope for any family to be back together [eventually], but right now, no, I think she just needs to focus on herself and her baby,” she added. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  “I have spoken to her. I don't know what's gonna happen in the future. I really don't know, like, what she's planning on doing,” the Fancy AF Cocktails author said during the October 26 episode of Watch What Happens Live. “And certainly, it's been a crazy week, but I have spoken to her and I support whatever decision I she makes.” Stewart Cook/Shutterstock  “Well, look, Randall and I have come a long way and obviously my loyalty stands with Lala, no matter what,” Kennedy told WWHL host Andy Cohen on October 19. “But, honestly I don’t know much. I just wish them the best. I don’t really like to dip deep into their business. You know what I mean? I’m more about me and Raquel these days.” Gregory Pace/Shutterstock  When asked by a fan whether she was worried about her fiancé, Kennedy, now that his former flame Kent is allegedly single, Leviss was quick to respond. “Oh, no! No, no, no. I’m actually not worried at all because he’s shown me how loyal he is to me,” she said on WWHL while sitting next to her man. “I think that we’re an unstoppable force.” MediaPunch/Shutterstock |
| Britney Spears' Conservatorship, Mental Health Battle Explained Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:28 PM PST For the longest time, it seemed as though Britney Spears' dark days were finally behind her. After suffering a much-publicized breakdown in 2007 and 2008, the Princess of Pop came out on top, taking home one award after another and landing a four-year Las Vegas residency that grossed nearly $138 million. In February 2019, Spears was set to return to the Las Vegas Strip for Piece of Me's follow-up, Domination. However, she announced a month before the scheduled kickoff date that she would be taking an indefinite work hiatus to care for her ailing father, Jamie Spears, who underwent a life-threatening surgery after his colon spontaneously ruptured the previous fall. Britney subsequently went dark on social media, only posting in mid-January 2019 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her debut album, …Baby One More Time. She did not return until April 2019, when she posted on Instagram that she was taking "a little 'me time.'" Within minutes, news broke that Britney had quietly checked into a California mental health facility in late March for a 30-day stay. A source told Us Weekly exclusively that the Grammy winner decided to seek help after the stress of her dad's hospitalization and the complex process of changing the medications she had been taking for an undisclosed mental illness. The news rocked the Britney Army, which began speculating about the pop star's well-being and picking up the #FreeBritney movement launched by the cohosts of a podcast dedicated to Britney's Instagram. Her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, was quick to shut down unfounded rumors surrounding the "Toxic" singer, writing via Instagram, "I have been here long before anyone else, and I'll be here long after. I love my sister with everything I have. So, anyone or anything that speaks to the contrary can GTFOH with all the comments about what you don't understand. Do not come for me or the ones I love anymore." Britney herself spoke out later that day, assuring fans in a video message that "all is well." The Crossroads actress has been unable to make major personal or financial decisions in her life without the approval of her father since a court-approved conservatorship was put in place in February 2008 after her meltdown and divorce from Kevin Federline, with whom she shares sons Preston and Jayden. As a result, co-conservators Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallett had long been credited with saving Britney's life. Wallett abruptly resigned in March 2019, leaving Jamie as the sole conservator until he temporarily stepped down that September following an alleged altercation with Preston. (Jamie was later cleared of wrongdoing.) Licensed fiduciary Jodi Montgomery later assumed Jamie's position, though he still had partial control of Britney's estate. Britney spoke out against her conservatorship for the first time in June 2021. "The main reason why I'm here is because I want to end the conservatorship without being evaluated," she said during a court hearing, adding: “I just want my life back. It’s been 13 years, and it’s enough.” Two months after Britney laid it all on the table during her court hearing, Jamie filed documents agreeing to step down as the conservator of his daughter’s estate, asserting “he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests.” Jamie was suspended as conservator of the estate in September 2021 before requesting two months later that the conservatorship end "immediately." He was replaced temporarily by John Zabel until the end of December 2021. A judge ruled in November 2021 to officially end the conservatorship after 13 years. Scroll down to stay up-to-date on the conservatorship. This is an ongoing article that was originally published in May 2019 and last updated on Friday, November 12. With reporting by Marjorie Hernandez  The Louisiana native announced on January 4, 2019, that she would be putting Domination on hold “to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time.” A source later told Us, “Family is — and always has been — the most important thing to her. After all, her family was there for her when she needed them the most a decade ago.” Kevin Mazur/BCU18/Getty Images for BCU  After Us confirmed that Britney was seeking treatment, a source explained, “Britney was distraught when her dad first got sick. … She couldn’t emotionally handle the thought of potentially losing him. It was her breaking point.” Her sons stayed with their dad, Federline, while she was away. In a statement, the DJ commended his ex-wife for “taking the reasonable steps to deal with her situation in a responsible way.” INSTARimages.com  The entertainer was spotted for the first time in three months when she stepped out at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills on April 21, 2019, to celebrate Easter with her boyfriend of two-plus years, Sam Asghari. Two days later, the personal trainer told TMZ that Britney was “doing amazing” and would “be back soon.” J. Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD  Britney took to Instagram on April 23, 2019, to slam the “rumors, death threats to my family and my team, and just so many things crazy things being said” while she was in treatment. “Everything that’s happening is just making it harder for me,” she wrote. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The former Mouseketeer checked out of the wellness center on April 25, 2019. Asghari picked her up and drove her back to her mansion in Thousand Oaks, California. “She feels rejuvenated,” a source told Us. startraksphoto.com  Britney and Asghari spent a long weekend with her sons, Preston and Jayden, after returning home. “Britney’s visit with the boys went extremely well,” a source told Us. “She thrives around them.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The former X Factor judge’s mother, Lynne Spears, filed court documents on May 6, 2019, to request to be updated on the details of Britney’s conservatorship. (She and Jamie divorced in 2002.) “Legally Jamie, as the conservator, has more of a say in Britney’s life than Lynne, as the mother,” a source explained to Us. “This filing is not Lynne’s attempt to take control of the conservatorship from Jamie; she simply wants to know what’s going on and feels she should have that right just as much as Jamie does.” Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic; Heidi Gutman/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images  In separate court documents, Lynne requested to have her attorney, Gladstone N. Jones III, participate in a conservatorship hearing scheduled for May 10, 2019. The motion was quickly granted. Derek Steele/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic  On May 8, 2019, Britney was granted a restraining order against Sam Lutfi, who once claimed to be her manager and had been accused of drugging her in 2008, which he denied. The singer’s attorneys said in court documents that she wanted protection for herself, her parents and her sons against the “severe mental trauma” that Lutfi allegedly caused by sending threatening messages about #FreeBritney to her family. Lutfi claimed he had not contacted Britney since 2009, and his attorney alleged that the restraining order being granted violated his client’s “constitutional rights.” Kevin Mazur/BCU18/Getty Images for BCU; J. Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD; Courtesy Britney Spears; Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic; MEGA  Britney appeared in court on May 10, 2019, for a hearing about her conservatorship. She arrived with Lynne and stayed in the judge’s chambers until members of the public and media cleared out of the courtroom. Her attorney requested to make the hearing private because personal finances and Britney’s minor children would be discussed. After Britney, Lynne and Jamie spoke, the judge ordered a 730 expert evaluation, which is “a very comprehensive report prepared by a team of Britney’s doctors and possibly a court-appointed medical professional,” according to a source. The insider explained that Britney is “exploring formally petitioning the court to end the conservatorship,” with the evaluation being “the first step in the process.” Kevin Mazur/Getty Images  The “Slumber Party” songstress’ longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, made headlines on May 15, 2019, when he said she may never perform again. “It’s clear to me she should not be going back to do this Vegas residency [Domination]. Not in the near future and possibly never again,” he told TMZ, adding that he is “only here for her when she wants to work.” Later that day, Rudolph attempted to clarify his comments, telling Billboard that Britney may never tour again but another Vegas residency is still an option. The entertainer seemingly hit back at Rudolph’s claims the next day by posting a video on Instagram of herself dancing to Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson’s “Scream.” Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images  Jamie filed a request to extend the California-based conservatorship to Florida, Louisiana and Hawaii on May 21, 2019. Britney regularly travels to Hawaii, and the Spears family has properties in Louisiana and Florida. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  The “Work Bitch” singer’s temporary restraining order against Lutfi was extended through June 13, 2019, during a May 28, 2019, court hearing. The judge disagreed with Lutfi’s dispute of the order after he claimed in documents obtained by Us that it “would violate the first amendment, because it prohibits speech that has not been deemed defamatory, is vague as to what speech is banned and is overbroad because it restricts speech about Ms. Spears rather than speech to Ms. Spears.” Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic  After Jamie and Lutfi’s testimonies on June 13, 2019, a Los Angeles judge granted Britney a five-year restraining order against Lutfi. During the court hearing, Jamie admitted that his and the singer’s “relationship has always been strained.” A source later told Us that “Britney absolutely still wants the conservatorship to end,” although her father has given her “full access to her social media accounts,” among other “additional privileges that weren’t [previously] in place.” VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images; Nicholas Hunt/FilmMagic  Us obtained court documents on September 6, 2019, detailing Jamie's request to “temporarily relinquish the powers of conservatorship” due to “personal health reasons.” Montgomery subsequently assumed the position after being approved by an L.A. judge. Shutterstock (2)  A source confirmed to Us on September 3, 2019, that Britney and Federline altered their custody agreement from 50-50 to 30-70, respectively, after Jamie allegedly “shook” Preston during an argument the month prior. K-Fed filed a police report and obtained a restraining order against his former father-in-law after the incident. Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced on September 17 that criminal charges would not be filed against Jamie. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Jayden made headlines on March 3, 2020, when he went live on Instagram and told fans that his famous mom might stop making music. “I remember one time I asked her, I said, ‘Mom, what happened to your music?’ and she was like, ‘I don’t know, honey. I think I might just quit it,’” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘What? What are you saying? Like, do you know how much bank you make off of that stuff?’” A source later confirmed to Us, “Britney is in no rush to start recording music again. The thought barely crosses her mind. This is the longest break between album cycles in her career — it’s coming up on four years since Glory was released — and she’s perfectly content with it.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Us exclusively reported that Britney flew to her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, in early April 2020 to spend time with Jamie, Lynne, Jamie Lynn and her nieces amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They also celebrated the Zoey 101 alum’s birthday while Britney was in town. After she returned to California later that month, Federline asked his ex-wife to quarantine for two weeks before seeing their sons. Debby Wong/Shutterstock; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  Britney’s former photographer Andrew Gallery, who worked on her 2008 MTV documentary, Britney: For the Record, went viral on TikTok on July 10, 2020, after reading a third-person letter that she allegedly once wrote about her conservatorship. In the letter, she was quoted as saying that she has “no rights … as long as people are getting paid.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The Through the Storm author filed court documents on July 13, 2020, to demand “special notice” of “all matters” involving the SJB Revocable Trust, which her eldest daughter established in 2004 to protect her multimillion-dollar fortune. Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com  Britney’s brother, Bryan Spears, spoke out in a rare interview on July 23, 2020, as the #FreeBritney campaign started to gain traction again on social media. “She’s always wanted to get out of [the conservatorship],” he said on the “As Not Seen on TV” podcast. “It’s very frustrating to have. Whether someone’s coming in peace to help or coming in with an attitude, having someone constantly tell you to do something has got to be frustrating.” Shutterstock  Jamie shut down speculation about Britney's conservatorship when he fired back at #FreeBritney "conspiracy theorists" on August 1, 2020. "The world don’t have a clue. It’s up to the court of California to decide what’s best for my daughter. It’s no one else’s business," he told Page Six. “I love my daughter. I love all my kids. But this is our business. It’s private." Jamie also denied rumors that he's stolen from his eldest daughter's estate, saying, “I have to report every nickel and dime spent to the court every year. How the hell would I steal something?” Shutterstock (2)  Britney requested to have Jamie removed as “the conservator of her person” and as the “sole conservator of her estate” on August 17, 2020, stating in court documents that she is “strongly opposed” to him returning and that she wants Montgomery to permanently take over. In the filing, her attorney also broke down Britney’s case into three phases: “triage” (2008), her “performing years” and present day, stating that she has no “desire … to perform at this time.” A source later exclusively told Us, “Britney does want the conservatorship of her as a person to end, but she was concerned that Jamie could attempt to have the temporary conservator removed. There has been significant improvement in Britney’s overall medical treatment plan, which has been attributed to no longer having her father in charge of her personal life.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  The Britney and Kevin: Chaotic alum’s first ex-husband, to whom she was married for a mere 55 hours in January 2004, returned to the spotlight on August 18, 2020, when he attended a #FreeBritney protest in Los Angeles. “I’ve been quiet for 10 years, and I feel [like] what a good time to come forward now with the movement making noise and the conservatorship hearings going on,” Alexander exclusively told Us before claiming that he and Britney “stay in contact pretty regularly” and had texted the night before. Doug Peters/PA Images/Startraks; Picture Perfect/Shutterstock  Jamie filed a petition on August 19, 2020, requesting that Wallet return as co-conservator of the estate following the attorney’s exit 17 months prior. Additionally, Wallet signed an affidavit saying he consents to working with Britney’s father again. However, the lawyer withdrew the petition on October 2, 2020. Courtesy of Wallet Law  Us obtained court documents on August 25, 2020, that showed Jamie Lynn being named as trustee of Britney’s SJB Revocable Trust in the event of the pop star's death. The move would have put the Zoey 101 alum in charge of distributing Britney’s fortune to Preston and Jayden by following out the trust’s rules. However, after a court hearing on November 2, 2020, Us confirmed that Jamie Lynn withdrew her petition to become a trustee. Shutterstock (2)  Britney showed support for the social media campaign in a court filing on September 2, 2020, saying she is “vehemently opposed” to Jamie’s motion to keep her conservatorship case closed to the public and “hidden away in the closet as a family secret.” Her lawyer also slammed Jamie for calling #FreeBritney a “joke,” saying in the documents, “[Britney] is trying to regain some measure of personal autonomy [and] welcomes and appreciates the informed support of her many fans.” Days later, Jamie accused his daughter’s attorney of grandstanding. He also argued that her medical and financial issues are “inextricably entwined” and that unsealing the details of one could expose the other. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney objected to the reappointment of Wallet as co-conservator of her estate in court documents filed on September 11, 2020, saying the attorney is “uniquely unsuitable to fill that role” and “had little or no direct contact” with her over the years. Her lawyer, Ingham, argued that bringing Wallet back onto the case would be “a very poor value that Britney cannot afford” given she has not performed in years. The paperwork then laid out the exorbitant amounts of money that Britney has paid her team. On top of his $426,000 annual salary, Wallet received a $100,000 “golden parachute” after his “voluntary resignation” in March 2019. Then, in December 2019, Jamie “modified the compensation” of Britney’s business manager Lou Taylor’s firm, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group, to “a minimum annual fee of $500,000,” which was “more than double the amount” that Tri Star previously received. “[Jamie] has taken the position that Britney’s decision not to perform will require him to undertake drastic changes to her budget. Apparently, this frugality does not extend to the fees [Jamie] pays from the conservatorship to the financial professionals with whom he surrounds himself,” Ingham said in the documents. “Apart from the fact that Mr. Wallet has been extremely expensive in the past, based on what occurred over the 11 years he served as her co-conservator there is no reason to believe that Mr. Wallet will be able to work with Britney to explain and implement any difficult budgetary choices that must be made.” In response three days later, Jamie claimed that Britney’s filing was full of “untrue” and “misleading” statements and denied that Tri Star is compensated more now than the firm had been in the past. He requested a court hearing to further discuss the matter. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney's court-appointed attorney, Ingham, filed documents on September 18, 2020, to ask the judge to approve the law firm Loeb & Loeb LLP to help him with the case. Ingham made the move to seek additional lawyers with expertise in conservatorship litigation to help him prepare for upcoming hearings. The judge in the case ruled in Britney's favor on October 14, 2020, and allowed the firm to be brought on to help the pop star regain control of her estate. “The mere presence of Loeb & Loeb has already provoked a massive change,” Ingham said during an hourlong court hearing, referencing Jamie dropping his petition to bring back Wallet. Jamie's attorney Geraldine Wyle, however, argued that there was no need to bring in additional attorneys who would only take away more money from Britney's estate. Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  According to court documents obtained by Us on September 29, 2020, Ingham requested for Bessemer Trust Company, a private wealth management firm, to take over Britney’s estate. A judge is set to sign off on an official decision in November. Jamie responded on October 5, 2020, and indicated that he is willing to work with Britney and her attorney on finding the “most efficient and effective” plan to manage her estate. Stewart Cook/Shutterstock  During a court hearing on October 7, 2020, Montgomery’s attorney, Lauriann Wright, acknowledged that “Britney’s right to privacy does not belong to” the fiduciary. Jamie’s lawyer Wyle agreed, saying that Britney’s desire to unseal certain court documents related to her conservatorship is up to her and her attorney, Ingham, who noted that the singer “is not legally capable to execute a declaration” in the case. The judge ordered both parties to discuss the issue and gave them due dates to file various briefs ahead of a hearing on November 10, 2020. In his response on October 23, 2020, Jamie denied Ingham’s claim that Britney “lacks the capacity” to speak for herself, arguing that she has the “right to be heard” even as a conservatee. Jamie’s legal team also rebutted Ingham’s assertion that he is Britney’s “exclusive voice” as her court-appointed attorney. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney assured her fan base on November 2, 2020, that she is hanging in there amid her conservatorship battle. “I know that there have been a lot of comments and a lot of people saying a lot of different things about me, but I just want to let you guys know that I am fine,” she said in an Instagram video. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.” Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney’s attorney filed court documents on November 3, 2020, requesting that Jamie be removed as co-conservator of the singer’s estate once and for all. The filing addressed a letter that Jamie had filed in October, in which he agreed to have Bessemer Trust as a co-conservator after Britney asked for the trust to be the sole conservator of her estate moving forward. Britney’s lawyer claimed that Jamie hired a new business manager without consulting his daughter after Taylor of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group “suddenly” resigned from the role. "The October 28 letter is a blatant attempt by James to retain full functional control of her assets, books and records in the face of Britney's objections, Tri Star's resignation and the appointment of Bessemer Trust,” the document read. “His simple litigation strategy is to introduce a new gatekeeper who admittedly has a major working relationship with his legal team.” The paperwork continued: “It is now obvious that any effort to create a viable working relationship between and among Britney, Bessemeer Trust and James would be doomed to failure even without the added stress of litigating Britney's objections to the Account.” Jamie made a case for why he should remain co-conservator of the estate in court documents obtained by TMZ on November 8, 2020. He argued that he succeeded in managing her business affairs and assets for years and even saved her from debt at one point. Jamie also took credit for making sure that Britney had a business manager, Taylor, whom he claimed resigned over death threats from fans. Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Nick Ut/AP/Shutterstock  A court hearing was held on November 10, 2020, to determine whether Jamie would remain the co-conservator of Britney’s estate. However, the judge ultimately decided not to suspend Jamie, saying the matter can be further discussed “down the road.” She did, however, approve Bessemer Trust to oversee the estate with Jamie. During the hearing, Ingham alleged that Britney informed him “she is afraid of her father” and that she “will not perform as long as her father is in charge of her career.” Jamie’s lawyer denied the claim. Lynne’s attorney, meanwhile, said the matriarch supports Britney and wants her ex-husband “to be a part of [Britney’s] life,” although “it has broken her heart to watch” the family’s court drama unfold. Ahead of the hearing, Britney filed an objection to her dad’s financial report, claiming Jamie approved a $308,975 payment to Tri Star without her knowledge. “Objector [Britney] believes that the retroactive fees paid to Tri Star ... are excessive and should be disallowed in their entirety as a credit on the accounting,” Ingham said in court documents obtained by Us. Jim Smeal/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  Jamie told CNN on December 15, 2020, that he had not spoken to his daughter since that August — and believed it was the fault of Britney's lawyers. "I love my daughter and I miss her very much," he said. "When a family member needs special care and protection, families need to step up, as I have done for the last 12-plus years, to safeguard, protect and continue to love Britney unconditionally. I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family." At the time, Ingham declined to comment on Jamie's interview. Shutterstock; Matt Baron/Shutterstock  Jamie’s attorney, Vivian Thoreen, argued in a January 27, 2021, court filing that Britney’s lawyer, Ingham, could not ask the judge to remove Jamie as co-conservator of the estate because a previous court order stated that changes could only be made if Jamie himself agreed to step down. In a response filed on February 2, 2021, Ingham pointed out that Jamie could have objected to the co-conservatorship with the “highly sophisticated” Bessemer Trust but failed to do so. Jen Lowery/MEGA; Astro/LSN/MEGA  Britney’s social media manager, Cassie Petrey, took to Instagram on February 2, 2021, to shut down rumors that the entertainer had been sending hidden messages in the captions of her posts. “People continue to believe conspiracy theories over what Britney says over and over again,” the Crowd Surf cofounder wrote. “Britney is not ‘asking for help’ or leaving secret messages in her social media. She is literally just living her life and trying to have fun on instagram.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  On February 5, 2021, FX and Hulu released the “Framing Britney Spears” episode of their series, The New York Times Presents, which looked back on Britney’s life and career and included interviews with her former assistant Felicia Culotta, record executive Kim Kaiman and lawyers involved in the conservatorship. After the documentary premiered, the hashtag #FreeBritney trended on Twitter again as fans and celebrities called for the general public to apologize to the star for the way she was treated in the mid-aughts. FX Networks  During a hearing on February 11, 2021, the judge ordered that Jamie would share equal power with Bessemer Trust as co-conservators of the estate. The judge left it open for Britney’s lawyers to file another petition in the future should she still want to have Jamie removed. “It is no secret that my client does not want her father as co-conservator, but we recognize that removal is a separate issue,” Ingham said in court before requesting that Jamie and the trust company “work together” to come up with an investment plan and a proposed budget for Britney. After the hearing, Jamie’s attorney, Thoreen, said in a statement to Us, “The probate court’s rulings today show the court’s confidence in our client Jamie Spears and Bessemer Trust to manage the conservatorship of Ms. Spears’ estate together. My client looks forward to working with Bessemer to continue an investment strategy in the best interests of his daughter. The probate court is highly experienced in these matters and takes them very seriously.” Thoreen continued, “From the beginning, the court has closely monitored Britney’s situation, including annual accountings and in-depth reviews and recommendations from a highly experienced and dedicated court investigator. Britney’s conservatorship of the estate was comanaged by a private professional fiduciary and her father until early 2019. At that time, Britney requested in court papers that her father be the sole conservator of her estate. Her conservatorship of the person is not managed by her father but by a licensed personal care professional and is similarly subject to the scrutiny of interviews, audits and detailed reports to the judge by the court investigator. My client Jamie Spears has diligently and professionally carried out his duties as one of Britney’s conservators, and his love for his daughter and dedication to protecting her is clearly apparent to the court.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  During a Good Morning America appearance on February 25, 2021, Thoreen insisted that Britney “never asked [Jamie] to step aside” from the conservatorship despite the pop star’s attorney filing multiple court documents stating the opposite. Thoreen also applauded her client for creating “a safe environment” for Britney and for bringing “her finances back from disaster.” She added, “Britney knows that her daddy loves her and that he will be there for her whenever and if she needs him, just as he always has been — conservatorship or not.” Thoreen did not, however, have an answer when Amy Robach asked why Britney has not put an end to the speculation surrounding her conservatorship, responding, “You’ll have to ask Britney.” ABC  During a virtual court appearance on March 17, 2021, Ingham said he was preparing to file a motion to appoint Montgomery as the permanent conservator of Britney’s personal affairs — including the star’s medical care, safety and other needs — at the next hearing, which was scheduled for April 27, 2021. The attorney also said he had prepared a revised order for the judge to sign concerning the appointment of Bessemer Trust as the co-conservator of Britney’s estate alongside Jamie. Ingham submitted the paperwork regarding Montgomery succeeding Jamie on March 23, 2021. In it, he noted that Britney “expressly reserves the right to petition for termination of this conservatorship” and that “nothing in the within petition shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of that right.” Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock  According to documents filed on March 26, Jamie’s attorneys are asking the court to approve a $16,000 per month salary for himself as the co-conservator and an extra $2,000 to maintain an office. Britney’s father also wants the singer’s estate to pay more than $3 million in legal fees. Broadimage/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  Court documents filed on April 19, 2021, outlined an objection from Britney's mom, Lynne, who argued that the $890,000 in fees requested by Jamie's team of attorneys are "procedurally and substantively improper" given that the Holland & Knight firm's services were not "performed in good faith for the benefit" of Britney. Lynne's filing asked the court to review the fees and that the $224,000 used for press communication be "immediately repaid" to the pop star's estate. Shutterstock (3)  Jamie fired back at his ex-wife's claims in an April 26, 2021, court filing, asserting that Lynne has "no knowledge" of what's best for Britney. "Lynne Spears is the one who exploited her daughter's pain and trauma for personal profit by publishing a book about the Conservatee," Jamie's response stated, defending himself as "a loving, caring father who has nothing to hide, has been loyal and fiercely loving toward his daughter, sought to protect her, and manage her finances so that she can live her life the way she wants." Shutterstock (3)  In April 2021, Britney's attorney revealed that the pop star would like to address her conservatorship in court. Two months later, Us exclusively confirmed that the singer would be appearing via Zoom at the June 2021 hearing. Mediapunch/Shutterstock  When asked by fans when she would be "ready" to take the stage again after putting her Las Vegas residency on pause in January 2019, Britney admitted she had "no idea" when she would perform next. "I'm having fun right now," she explained in a June 2021 Instagram video. "I'm in a transition in my life and I'm enjoying myself, so that's it." Top Photo Corporation/Shutterstock  The musician “articulated she feels the conservatorship has become an oppressive and controlling tool against her,” according to sealed court documents from 2016, released by The New York Times on June 22, 2021. In the docs, which were written by a court investigator, Spears reportedly thought the system had “too much control” over her life and finances. "She is 'sick of being taken advantage of' and she said she is the one working and earning her money but everyone around her is on her payroll," the investigator added at the time. The Times’ report also revealed that Spears allegedly stated her father was “obsessed” with controlling everything about her. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  Britney spoke out about the conservatorship for the first time during a June 23, 2021, court hearing, which she called in for rather than appearing in person. She claimed that she felt “enslaved” by her father, adding: “I’m so angry I can’t sleep, and I am depressed. I want to be heard. … I want changes and I want changes going forward. I deserve changes.” She continued: “I just want my life back. It’s been 13 years and it’s enough. It’s enough and it makes no sense at all. … I’m done. I want to sue my family, to be totally honest with you.” Britney further alleged that she has been prevented from having more children. “I have an IUD in my body right now that won’t let me have a baby and my conservators won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out,” she claimed. “I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told with the conservatorship I was not able to get married and have a baby.” Mediapunch/Shutterstock  The “Toxic” singer’s father claimed in court documents obtained by Us on June 29, 2021, that Jodi Montgomery, who is the conservator of Britney’s person, is the one to blame for his daughter’s alleged poor treatment over the past few years. In the documents, which were submitted but have yet to be filed, Jamie claimed Montgomery “has been fully in charge” of Britney’s “day-to-day personal care and medical treatment” for two years, adding that he is “greatly saddened” by his daughter’s alleged mistreatment and wants an “investigation into those claims.” Jamie also pointed the finger at the Grammy winner’s attorney, claiming both Samuel Ingham and Montgomery are the only ones “permitted” to speak with Britney about her “current medical treatment, diagnosis or therapy.” In addition to asking for an evidentiary hearing, Jamie requested a judge postpone the decision as to whether Montgomery’s stint as temporary conservator of Britney’s person should be extended until after a hearing can be conducted. Shutterstock; LinkedIn; Shutterstock  Montgomery, who has been a part of Britney’s conservatorship team since 2019, denied Jamie’s claims in a statement to Us on June 30, 2021. “I can state unequivocally that Jodi Montgomery has been a tireless advocate for Britney and for her well-being,” Montgomery’s lawyer Lauriann Wright told Us at the time on behalf of her client. “While she does not control Britney’s financial assets, she is responsible for her personal care, and if Britney wants any issue brought up to the court, Ms. Montgomery is and has always been ready, willing, and able to do so.” The attorney explained that the California native’s “primary goal” has always been to “assist and encourage Britney in her path to no longer needing a conservatorship of the person.” She added: “It is [Montgomery’s] sincere personal wish that Britney continues to make meaningful progress in her well-being so that her conservatorship of the person can be terminated.” In the case of who is to blame for Britney’s ongoing restrictions under her current conservatorship terms, Wright claimed that her client does not have the final say on most things, Jamie does. “Practically speaking, since everything costs money, no expenditures can happen without going through Mr. Spears and Mr. Spears approving them,” Montgomery’s attorney said. “Jamie Spears, as conservator of the estate, has a duty to make decisions in the best interests of the estate, and sometimes that has meant requested expenditures have been denied or limited. Since being appointed in September 2019, Ms. Montgomery has tirelessly acted in Britney’s best interests with the approval of her doctors and the oversight of the court.” LinkedIn/Shutterstock  According to court documents obtained by Us on June 30, 2021, judge Brenda Pennysigned an order to have Bessemer Trust serve as a co-conservator of the singer’s estate alongside Jamie. The decision was made months ago during a November 2020 hearing, but according to probate and trust attorney Mina Sirkin, the order was most likely not signed until recently to allow parties to file any objection. One day after news of the co-conservatorship deal made headlines, Bessemer Trust filed an emergency application asking the court to approve their resignation from Britney’s case. The attorneys for Bessemer said their decision to resign was connected to the singer’s June 23 statement and her desire to terminate the conservatorship. "Petitioner has heard the Conservatee and respects her wishes,” the court filing read. The musician’s next hearing is set for July 14, 2021. Broadimage/Shutterstock; MEGA  Less than one month after Britney took the stand, Ingham, her court-appointed lawyer for the past 13 years, resigned from his role in July 2021. According to court documents obtained by Us on July 6, Ingham and the Loeb & Loeb LLP, which was brought in to help the attorney in October 2020, will step back once the judge assigns new counsel to Spears. Shutterstock; Inset: Courtesy of Samuel Ingham III/Linkedin  Us confirmed on July 2, 2021, that Judge Penny signed an order and approved in part Bessemer Trust’s emergency application to be removed as co-conservator on Britney’s case. The judge will fully weigh in on the trust’s desire to end its role as co-conservator of the singer’s estate — a duty it currently shares with Britney’s father, Jamie — at the July 14, 2021, hearing. If the judge grants Bessemer Trust’s request to be removed from the Grammy winner’s conservatorship, her father will once again be the sole conservator of her estate, which is what she’s been fighting against since August 2020. Shutterstock; Jason Szenes/EPA/Shutterstock  When Spears began her residency in Las Vegas with her "Britney: Piece of Me" show in 2013, the contract required that she remain under the conservatorship, according to a New Yorker expose published on July 3, 2021. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock  Montgomery noted on July 6, 2021, that she has “no plans” to be removed as Britney’s conservator, just days after Bessemer Trust’s emergency application to be removed as co-conservator was granted. "Ms. Montgomery has no plans to step down as Ms. Spears’ Temporary Conservator of the Person. She remains committed to steadfastly supporting Ms. Spears in every way she can within the scope of her duties as a conservator of the person,” Montgomery’s lawyer, Lauriann Wright, told Us in a statement. “Ms. Spears as recently as yesterday has asked Ms. Montgomery to continue to serve. Ms. Montgomery will continue to serve as a conservator for as long as Ms. Spears and the Court desire her to do so.” Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Courtesy LinkedIn  Shortly after Ingham's resignation was filed, Britney's mom petitioned the court to allow the pop star to select her own replacement attorney. "Now, and for the past many years, [Britney] is able to scare for her person and in fact has, inside of the parameters of this conservatorship, earned literally hundreds of millions of dollars as an international celebrity," court documents obtained by Us on July 7, 2021, stated. "Her capacity is certainly different today than it was in 2008, and [Britney] should no longer be held to the 2008 standard, whereby she was found to 'not have the capacity to retain counsel.'" Shutterstock (2)  The ACLU filed a petition on July 12, 2021, asking the court to grant them "confidential communication" with the pop star to offer "supported decision making services" after her attorney's resignation. The civil rights organization also applied to file a brief as an impartial advisor to help Britney select her own lawyer, per a source. Attorneys with the ACLU asked if they could present their petition during the July 14, 2021, hearing and asked the court to authorize an order within 10 days so their attorneys could meet with Britney. A status report would be filed after the meeting. "This petition offers the Court and Ms. Spears a mechanism to make that system of informed, supported choice a reality," docs obtained by Us read. "Petitioner here request confidential communication with Ms. Spears to make sure she is aware of the concept of supported decision-making, and to learn whether she wishes to use supported decision-making to select a successor lawyer. If she so wishes, and if she wishes to consider Petitioner as supporters, Petitioners seek the Court's leave to provide this support to Ms. Spears. As a nonprofit organization with no vested interest in the outcome of this case, Petitioners offer their services confidentially and without cost." Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock  After Britney's father petitioned for a "court-ordered investigation," Montgomery fired back in a filing of her own. "This Court should not take the bait," a July 12, 2021, filing read. "Mr. Spears' thinly veiled attempt to clear his name is absolutely procedurally defective, and must fail. Barring that, the Petition should be continued until Ms. Spears has counsel who can fully represent her interests." Montgomery asserted that she "is in full support" of Britney's claims being verified and is "preparing a comprehensive care plan" with the singer's medical team to "offer [her] a path to ending her Conservatorship of the Person, as she so unequivocally desire." Shutterstock; LinkedIn; Shutterstock  At a July 2021 hearing, Britney was granted the right to choose her own lawyer for the first time since her conservatorship began in 2008. The judge approved her chosen attorney, Mathew Rosengart, a former federal prosecutor. “I’m here to get rid of my dad and charge him with conservatorship abuse,” the pop star said during the hearing, adding that she is “extremely scared” of her father. “This conservatorship has allowed my dad to ruin my life.” Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock  After Rosengart filed documents in July 2021 requesting Jason Rubin replace the musician’s father as the conservator of her estate, her health team supported the motion with a filing of their own. Montgomery argued in court documents at the time that she and the rest of the singer’s medical staff are on board with Jamie being replaced. "[Jamie] should not continue to act as the Conservatee's Conservator of the Estate, because his doing so is not in the best interest of the Conservatee," the filing read. "Because the paramount concern for this Conservatorship is doing what is in the best interest of the Conservatee, Petitioner hereby joins Conservatee in the Removal Petition." The docs continued: "Ms. Montgomery respectfully notes that Ms. Spears's medical team agrees that it is not in the best interest of the Conservatee for Mr. Spears to be and remain Conservator of the Estate. Ms. Montgomery believes in good faith that Ms. Spears's best interests are served by granting the Removal Petition and removing Mr. Spears and replacing him as Conservator of the Estate with Mr. Rubin as requested in the Appointment Petition." Courtesy Britney Spears/Instagram  Britney’s attorney filed an emergency motion on August 4, 2021, to move up a September 29, 2021, hearing. According to court documents obtained by Us, the "Lucky" singer requested that the hearing to suspend Jamie as conservator occur after August 23, 2021, but no later than September 5, 2021. As an alternative, Britney also asked the judge to immediately suspend Jamie and appoint Jason Rubin as conservator of her estate. Brian J Ritchie/Hot Sauce/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  In August 2021, Us confirmed that the judge denied the emergency motion to move up a September hearing or, as an alternative option, to immediately remove Jamie as conservator of her estate. The next hearing is still set for September 29. MEGA; Shutterstock  Jamie filed court docs to begin the process of leaving Britney's conservatorship team in August 2021, noting at the time, "Regardless of his formal title, Mr. Spears will always be Ms. Spears' father, he will always love her unconditionally, and he will always look out for her best interests." The Grammy winner's attorney later told Us, "This is a major victory for Britney Spears and another step toward justice. ... We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, while he reaped millions of dollars from his daughter's estate, and I look forward to taking Mr. Spears' sworn deposition in the near future." Shutterstock (2)  After Jamie expressed plans to step down after resolving issues such as "the pending Twelfth Account and a final account," Britney's attorney hit back at the request. In a supplemental petition on August 30, Rosengart explained that the singer's father would not be getting any more money. According to the legal docs, Jamie was requesting payments for "continu[ing] to do my best to keep current regarding the music, advertising and entertainment business," as well as legal work involving "public, media, and social media attention." Rosengart added that Jamie and his legal team were "now on notice" after the request. "The status quo is no longer tolerable, and Britney Spears will not be extorted," Rosengart wrote in the docs. "Mr. Spears’s blatant attempt to barter suspension and removal in exchange for approximately $2 million in payments, on top of the millions already reaped from Ms. Spears’s estate by Mr. Spears and his associates, is a non-starter." Shutterstock  Days after announcing her engagement, Britney urged the judge to immediately end Jamie’s involvement in her conservatorship so that she could move forward with creating a prenuptial agreement with Asghari. On September 23, 2021, the singer's fiduciary accountant, Jason Rubin, exited and she requested that John Zabel, the CEO of Media Finance, take over as temporary conservator of her estate. Shutterstock (2)  In September 2021, Jamie filed paperwork to terminate his role as conservator of his daughter's estate on the basis that he didn't think it was "longer required." According to court documents obtained by Us, Jamie's petition mentioned that since the start of the conservatorship in 2008, things have changed and now "grounds for establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist." The legal docs also argued that Jamie didn't think a psychological evaluation would be necessary in order for him to step down and for the conservatorship to end. In a statement to Us, Britney's attorney called the new petition a "massive legal victory." "Having exposed his misconduct and improper plan to hold his daughter hostage by trying to extract a multimillion-dollar settlement, Mr. Spears has now effectively surrendered," Rosengart noted. The attorney added that even though Jamie has decided to step down from his role as guardian of her estate, he still can't "avoid accountability and justice" as their "investigation into financial mismanagement and other issues" will keep moving forward. Shutterstock (2)  While she never spoke out against the conservatorship publicly until 2021, Netflix unearthed a voicemail in the teaser trailer for Britney vs. Spears in September 2021 that indicated she has been fighting to end the legal guardianship for over a decade. In the clip, the singer called a lawyer in January 2009 about “the process of eliminating the conservatorship.” Jim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock  The musician commented on The New York Times Presents “Controlling Britney Spears” documentary, which claims Britney’s security team (and her father) monitored her phone calls, in September 2021 via Instagram. “It's really crazy guys ... I watched a little bit of the last documentary and I hate to inform you but a lot of what you heard is not true!!!” she wrote. The same day, Britney’s lawyer slammed her father, Jamie, for his alleged part in the bugging scandal. “The Times reported that Mr. Spears engaged in horrifying and unconscionable invasions of his adult daughter’s privacy,” Rosengart said in court documents filed in September 2021. “Specifically, the Times reported that he and others 'ran an intense surveillance apparatus that monitored [Ms. Spears’s] communications' and also evidently captured attorney-client communications with her prior lawyer, which communications are a sacrosanct part of the legal system. Even more shockingly, the Times reported that Mr. Spears and his cohorts 'secretly captured audio recordings from her bedroom,' including private communications with her children. Mr. Spears has crossed unfathomable lines.” The filing called for Jamie’s immediate suspension from his role as conservator of her estate when Britney’s hearing takes place on September 29. "To be clear, his suspension will not impede the ultimate termination of the entire conservatorship, as Mr. Spears will be required during the transition to work with his temporary successor,” her attorney wrote. “The only thing Mr. Spears will ‘lose’ is something he should not have ever had — the ability to further harm his daughter." MEGA; Shutterstock  Jamie was suspended as conservator of Britney’s estate during a September 29, 2021, hearing. The judge appointed John Zabel as the singer’s temporary conservator until December 31, 2021. Montgomery's role as the conservator of Britney's person will continue through the end of December. Both legal teams will return to court on November 12 to determine whether the conservatorship will be terminated completely. Shutterstock  In November 2021, Jamie filed a report calling for the "immediate" termination of Britney's conservatorship. "Jamie unconditionally loves and supports his daughter," he wrote in court documents obtained by Us. "Full stop. As he has done for her entire life, Jamie will do everything he can to protect and care for her. For the last 13 years, that included serving as her Conservator. Now, it means ending her Conservatorship. So it is said in no uncertain terms, Jamie believes that the Conservatorship should end, immediately." He also reiterated the need for the conservatorship when it was implemented in 2008, but noted again that he thinks it should be ended as soon as possible. "The fact is that 13 years ago, a conservatorship was necessary to protect Britney in every sense of the word," he wrote. "Her life was in shambles and she was in physical, emotional, mental and financial distress. Through the Conservatorship, Britney has been able to return to a path towards stability in all of these phases of her life. The mission has been successful and it is now time for Britney to re-take control of her life. Not tomorrow or next week, now." Nick Ut/AP/Shutterstock; Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock  The pop star’s mom filed a petition in November 2021 requesting that Britney’s estate pays for her attorney’s legal fees amid the ongoing conservatorship case, according to Page Six. Michael Simon/Startraks; Rob Latour/Shutterstock  A judge ended the conservatorship during a November 2021 court hearing, causing cheers to erupt from the crowd gathered outside the building. “The record is clear, the time is clear,” Rosengart said. “The time has come today to end the conservatorship.” Montgomery’s attorney, meanwhile, assured, “Ms. Montgomery will be there for her. There is no reason that this termination cannot happen. The termination of [the conservatorship of] the person can happen today.” Britney, for her part, celebrated the news via Instagram. “Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy!!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day!!!!” she captioned a video of well-wishers outside the courthouse. “Best day ever … praise the Lord … can I get an Amen???? #FreedBritney.” Asghari also showed support for his fiancée, posting an Instagram photo of the word “freedom” against a pink backdrop. “History was made today,” he wrote. “Britney is Free!” Matt Baron/Shutterstock |
| Scheana Shay and Brock Davies: Lala and Randall ‘Need Some Time Apart' Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:23 PM PST Pump the breaks! Scheana Shay and Brock Davies weighed in on Lala Kent and Randall Emmett's relationship status after their recent split — and why they're trying to be supportive. "When you go through a separation, it’s not easy, especially when a kid’s involved," Shay, 36, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, November 12, while promoting Davies’ new app, Homebody. "I can’t even imagine. But she is a very strong woman and she’s going to be just fine." The Vanderpump Rules star revealed that she's not hopeful that Kent, 31, and Emmett, 50, will get back together following their breakup. (Us confirmed earlier this month that the two called it quits after being engaged for three years.) "I want her to do what’s best for her," Shay explained. "Right now, like, no, I think that they need some time apart." The "Scheananigans" podcast host noted that things could change "down the road" for the Give Them Lala Beauty founder and the film producer, who welcomed their daughter, Ocean, in March. "Of course, you would hope for any family to be back together [eventually], but right now, no, I think she just needs to focus on herself and her baby," Shay added. Davies, 30, explained that there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding Kent and Emmett's breakup. "I think the truth needs to come out. I think somewhere in between each one of their stories is the truth," the Australia native told Us. "And are we going to get to know what that truth is? Probably not. So then it’s just kind of like, 'Look, we gotta be supportive of our friends.'" The former NFL player, who shares 6-month-old daughter Summer with Shay, noted that with this group of friends, no matter how bad things get, they all have each other's back. "This friend group is very much a crazy, true mess of friends. Like, [we're] friends and family," he continued. "The thing about this group is, like, we’re still a group of friends, but we really get deeper with the subject matter [on the show]. So, it kind of, like, causes this awkwardness and these issues, but then once we fix them or deal with them, you come back together. It’s kind of like [we are all] a little deeper glued." Ultimately, Shay said she is "hopeful" that Kent and Emmett can "come to an easy agreement for Ocean's sake," no matter what happens with them romantically moving forward. "When it comes to [Ocean], I hope that [they] can work [it] out regularly," she told Us. "The relationship [between them], that’s another subject. I do hope that they can figure that out for her." Kent and Emmett got engaged in September 2018 but three years later, the Utah native sparked split speculation when she wiped her then-fiancé from her Instagram profile. The "Give Them Lala … With Randall" podcast cohost was spotted without her engagement ring in October, fueling breakup rumors. Us confirmed in early November that the pair had separated. "Randall did not want to split but it was Lala's decision. The trust is gone," a source exclusively told Us at the time, noting that the Midnight in the Switchgrass director has been "trying to win her back." Kent addressed the split on November 3 during an episode of her podcast, saying, "There will be a time where I feel comfortable enough to open up and share. Today's definitely not that day. It's been a lot, I'm going through a lot and at this point in time, I just want to protect my child." Shay and Davies, for their part, have been focused on their own newborn and Davies' new app, Homebody. The live-streaming fitness platform, which launches in January 2022, will provide training, health tips and guidance from a variety of trainers with incentives available throughout one's workouts. "If you have an influencer that you follow and they host the live class, you’ll just meet them on [the app]," Davies told Us of Homebody. "They’ll schedule it. You jump on there and you can pay for a class or you can have a subscription-based model and drop in and join your influencer." The former rugby player explained that once it launches, users can join a 30-day challenge for three months. "[There will be] access to a lot of great trainers [that] kind of build [users] up as a foundation to start," he said. "[They will] really get people moving and [to start] goal setting. I’m excited." With reporting by Christina Garibaldi |
| Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs With Dad Jamie Over the Years Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:19 PM PST Britney Spears' legal drama with her father, Jamie Spears, has continued to make headlines amid her indefinite work hiatus, but their ups and downs date back to her childhood. "Me and my daughter's relationship has always been strained," Jamie testified during a June 2019 court hearing. Growing up, Britney and her mother, Lynne Spears, were thick as thieves, with the matriarch taking her eldest daughter to out-of-state auditions and performances in their native Louisiana while Jamie bounced from job to job and struggled with alcoholism. Lynne considered leaving her husband several times after their July 1975 wedding (and even filed for divorce in December 1979 before withdrawing her petition), but breaking up their family was the last thing she wanted to do. "When I look back, I guess I could have ended it a lot sooner and maybe saved myself and my son [Bryan] some heartache. But I wouldn't have my girls, Britney and Jamie Lynn," the former schoolteacher wrote in her 2008 memoir, Through the Storm. "Plus, it's almost impossible to say I should have done this or that. At the time, divorcing Jamie did not seem like the right thing to do." After Britney's career took off in 1998, however, her parents' marriage took a turn for the worse. They divorced in May 2002, and the Grammy winner later called it "the best thing that's ever happened to my family." Jamie remained in Britney's life after his split from Lynne and was tasked with playing a pivotal role beginning in February 2008, when a Los Angeles court gave him control of his famous daughter's personal affairs and estate amid her much-publicized breakdown. Although he originally petitioned for the conservatorship to be temporary, it was made permanent that October. The legal arrangement has been in place ever since, despite Britney eventually making a professional comeback, releasing new albums, touring the world, judging a season of The X Factor and raking in nearly $140 million during a four-year Las Vegas residency. As Britney's longest-serving conservator — others, like attorney Andrew Wallet and licensed fiduciary Jodi Montgomery, have come and gone over time — Jamie has been credited with essentially saving Britney's life when she was at her lowest point. "This is a story of a close family but not a perfect one," Jamie's attorney Leon Gladstone said in court in October 2012. "It's a story of a man who actually wanted nothing more for his daughter than to live and be well. It's a story of a father who has had to step up and take action that he never thought he would have to take." And yet, the Crossroads actress and many people in her inner circle feel that ending the conservatorship is long overdue. "Britney's family is at war with each other and it's all because of the conservatorship," a source exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2020, noting that Lynne, who briefly reconciled with Jamie in late 2010 but never remarried him, "wants a care plan established that would transition Britney's personal life out of the conservatorship." As the #FreeBritney movement continues to make waves on social media, scroll down to revisit Britney and Jamie's ups and downs over the years. Lynne wrote in Through the Storm that Jamie “always enjoyed a beer here and there, but he didn’t start drinking heavily until after Bryan was born” in April 1977. “With every alcohol-soaked episode, our perfect little life began to unstitch, and the knot we had tied with our vows and our love started to work loose, thread by painful thread,” she continued. Jamie eventually went to rehab in 2004 after Britney urged him to seek help. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Lynne and her longtime friend Felicia Culotta took turns traveling with Britney in the late ‘90s after the teen signed a deal with Jive Records. Britney’s agent at the time, Nancy Carson, recalled seeing Jamie around much less, saying in the “Framing Britney Spears” episode of The New York Times Presents in February 2021, “Jamie visited from time to time and was anxious to see this time be worthwhile so that he could justify the money that it was costing to do this.” Former Jive executive Kim Kaiman, meanwhile, said in the documentary, “Her mother would do whatever it took, personally and for the family’s sake, for Britney to be a star. I never talked to her father. The only thing Jamie ever said to me was, ‘My daughter is going to be so rich she’s going to buy me a boat.’” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Jamie was at Britney’s side throughout her 2008 MTV documentary, Britney: For the Record, as she prepared for her comeback after months of personal setbacks. In one particularly memorable scene, the patriarch whipped up his daughter’s favorite comfort food, telling the camera, “Grits is an old Southern tradition. She’s been eating them since she was born. … Everybody else has Wheaties, but Southern girls’ breakfast of champions is cheese grits.” MTV  In the summer of 2014, the former gym owner bought a video of Britney’s then-boyfriend, David Lucado, kissing and dancing with another woman so that it would not leak online and embarrass his daughter. Britney broke up with Lucado soon after. Broadimage/Shutterstock  Jamie attended several of the pop star’s concerts during her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, which ran from December 2013 to December 2017. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  The former Mouseketeer canceled her planned second Vegas residency, Britney: Domination, in January 2019 after her dad was hospitalized for a ruptured colon. “We’re all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time. I hope you all can understand,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. Mediapunch/Shutterstock  Multiple sources exclusively told Us in September 2019 that police responded to Jamie’s California condo the month prior after he got into an argument with his grandson Sean Preston and “shook” the then-13-year-old. Britney’s ex-husband Kevin Federline subsequently obtained a restraining order against Jamie that prohibited his former father-in-law from coming near Preston or the former couple’s youngest son, Jayden. While the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office declined to file child abuse charges against Jamie, the incident drove a wedge between Britney and her dad and led Federline to alter his ex-wife’s custodial time. “The incident with Jamie and Preston changed everything,” a source exclusively told Us in December 2020. Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Us exclusively reported in April 2020 that Britney “went back home to Louisiana to visit her mom, dad, sister and her nieces” amid the COVID-19 pandemic after initially quarantining in California with her boyfriend, Sam Asghari. The family celebrated Jamie Lynn’s 29th birthday while Britney was in town and also enjoyed “fun, relaxing downtime,” according to a source. Jamie’s attorney Vivian Thoreen confirmed the news 10 months later, saying on Good Morning America, “Early on in the pandemic, they spent two weeks with other family members, hunkered down in Louisiana, and they spent a lot of time together. Britney and Jamie went on long drives together. They played and worked in the family garden. And every night, Jamie cooked Southern comfort food that the family ate and enjoyed together.” Courtesy Jamie Lynn Spears/Instagram; Shutterstock (inset)  During her time out of the spotlight, Britney became more involved in her conservatorship. In August 2020, she filed court documents stating that she was “strongly opposed” to Jamie being the conservator of her person and of her estate. She requested that Montgomery, who temporarily replaced Jamie after his November 2019 health scare, permanently oversee Britney’s personal affairs. She also asked that a “qualified corporate fiduciary” take control of her money. Despite his daughter’s requests, Jamie has continued to fight to stay on the case. Matt Baron/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  The entertainer’s attorney said during a November 2020 court hearing that Britney had informed him that “she is afraid of her father” and that “she will not perform as long as her father is in charge of her career.” Jamie’s lawyer denied the claim. At the end of the hearing, the judge decided not to suspend Jamie as conservator but approved Bessemer Trust to handle Britney’s estate alongside him. Jim Smeal/Shutterstock; Nick Ut/AP/Shutterstock  The former building contractor told CNN in December 2020 that he had not been on “good terms” with Britney since that August, the same month she said she was “opposed” to his role. “I love my daughter and I miss her very much,” he told the outlet. “When a family member needs special care and protection, families need to step up, as I have done for the last 12-plus years, to safeguard, protect and continue to love Britney unconditionally. I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family.” Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock; Shutterstock  Asghari, who has been dating the “Lucky” singer since late 2016, slammed Jamie in February 2021, writing via his Instagram Stories, “I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way. In my opinion Jamie is a total dick.” The personal trainer later told TMZ that “once [Jamie] starts treating his daughter right, then we can be on good terms.” Broadimage/Shutterstock  The Grammy winner shared her side of the story regarding her father’s role in her conservatorship battle for the first time during a June 2021 court hearing. “It’s my wish and my dream for this to end,” Britney told the judge presiding over the hearing, which she attended virtually. “I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK and I’m happy. If I said that enough, maybe I’d become happy. … I’m in shock. I’m traumatized. … I’m so angry it’s insane.”Britney called her conservatorship “abusive” and admitted she felt “enslaved” by her father during his reign as her conservator. “He loved the control he had over me, one hundred percent,” the singer claimed. She continued: “I just want my life back. It’s been 13 years and it’s enough. It’s enough and it makes no sense at all … I’m done. I want to sue my family, to be totally honest with you. … Ma’am, I’m not here to be anyone’s slave.” Jim Smeal/Shutterstock  In July 2021, Us confirmed that Britney and her new lawyer, Matt Rosengart, had submitted paperwork to have Jamie permanently removed from her conservatorship team. Britney's mom, Lynne, seemingly supported the move in a fiery declaration, calling out Jamie's "entirely inappropriate" actions toward their daughter. "Since this conservatorship has been in place, the relationship between the conservatee and Mr. Spears has dwindled to nothing but fear and hatred of Mr. Spears by the conservatee due to Mr. Spears' behavior, including his complete control over her, his mistrust of her, his coercion of her, his 'bartering' with her over what she can and cannot do for whatever reward or punishment he is willing to mete out, his constant threats, and his decision-making over all aspects of her life," Lynne claimed at the time. Shutterstock(3) In August 2021, two months after Britney's bombshell court hearing, Jamie filed court documents agreeing to step down as the conservator of her estate. "Regardless of his formal title, Mr. Spears will always be Ms. Spears' father, he will always love her unconditionally, and he will always look out for her best interests," the docs stated. At the time, the pop star's lawyer noted in a statement, "We are pleased but not necessarily surprised that Mr. Spears and his lawyer finally recognize that he must be removed. We are disappointed, however, by their ongoing shameful and reprehensible attacks on Ms. Spears and others." Shutterstock (2)  Britney's attorney filed a supplemental petition on August 30 in response to Jamie agreeing to step down after "a resolution of matters." According to Rosengart, Jamie is requesting more money, specifically $1,356,293 for his attorney fees and a $500,000 payment to Tri-Star Sports & Entertainment Group in order to leave his role. "The status quo is no longer tolerable, and Britney Spears will not be extorted," Rosengart wrote in the legal docs. "Mr. Spears’s blatant attempt to barter suspension and removal in exchange for approximately $2 million in payments, on top of the millions already reaped from Ms. Spears’s estate by Mr. Spears and his associates, is a non-starter." Shutterstock(2) Jamie was suspended as conservator of his daughter’s estate during a September 2021 hearing, effective immediately. John Zabel was appointed Britney’s temporary conservator until December 31, 2021. The judge also said both legal teams would have to return to court within 30 to 45 days to discuss whether to terminate the conservatorship in its entirety. Shutterstock  After her father was officially suspended as her conservator, Britney took to Instagram to share her thoughts about the situation. "Although there is change and things to celebrate in my life, I still have a lot of healing to do 🌳 !!!" she wrote in October 2021. "Thankfully I have a good support system and am taking time to understand it’s ok to slow down and breathe 🧘♀️!!!!! Only through self love I can pray … love … and support others in return !!!!" MEGA; Shutterstock  A judge ruled to end Britney’s conservatorship in November 2021 during a court hearing. “The record is clear, the time is clear,” her attorney said. “The time has come today to end the conservatorship.”The lawyer added that while his team had “disputes with Mr. Spears’ counsel,” they agreed with an October 2021 report that suggested it is time “to terminate the conservatorship immediately.” Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock |
| Stars Who’ve Spoken Out About Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine Posted: 12 Nov 2021 03:04 PM PST Experts are hopeful that the coronavirus vaccine will help to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 2 million people worldwide since its 2019 emergence in China. Steve Martin, Martha Stewart and both President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were among the first high-profile names to get the shots. The Father of the Bride actor made jokes about the process after getting vaccinated in January 2021. "Good news/Bad news," Martin tweeted on January 17. "Good news: I just got vaccinated! Bad news: I got it because I'm 75. Ha!" The comedian noted that it was "smooth as silk" when getting the shot in New York City. He later made light of possible side effects, tweeting, "Right now, I'm having no fide resects." Stewart, for her part, shared a video of herself preparing to get her shot at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York, via Instagram on January 11. "I am so proud of and grateful to the doctors, nurses and medical staff who are wading through the red tape and confusion of the distribution of these very important vaccines," she wrote at the time. "I am excited to have received my dosage and look forward to the booster." The lifestyle guru clapped back at haters who claimed she cut in front of others, writing, "To allay your concerns that I jumped the line, know that I am in the approved age group for this batch of vaccines and I waited in line with others." Stewart, who is 79, added: "Here's to the advancement of science and a heartfelt thanks to those working on the vaccines. We are all hoping for an end to this pandemic." Biden and Harris had the press in attendance when they received their shots, which they both got before taking office on January 20. “I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared, when it’s available, to take the vaccine,” Biden told reporters in December 2020. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m looking forward to the second shot.” Ian McKellen and Joan Collins were among the first celebrities to document their vaccine journey in the U.K. Collins received her dose on the same day as Queen Elizabeth II, writing on Instagram that she was "honored" to get the shot. Scroll down to see which stars have spoken about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.  “Kaboom! Moderna booster,” the Better Call Saul actor tweeted in November 2021 alongside a photo of him getting an additional third shot. “F Covid!” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  "Got my booster vaccine AND my flu shot!!! Stay healthy and trust SCIENCE my friends!" Hyland captioned a video of herself via Instagram Stories in September 2021 after getting a third dose of the COVID-19 shot. Courtesy of Sarah Hyland/Instagram  "For anyone concerned,” the model wrote in September 2021 via Instagram Stories alongside a photo of herself getting vaccinated after she was noticeably missing from the Met Gala days earlier. The charity gala required all guests to be vaccinated. Matt Baron/Shutterstock  "BE COOL. GET VAX'D," the Beatles star wrote via Twitter in August 2021, sharing a photo of himself getting the shot. Shutterstock  The Voice coach snapped a sideways, masked selfie in August 2021 to empower her fans to get vaccinated. She captioned it, “Vaxxed n masked. 🖤 This is your gentle reminder to please get your vaccines if you are eligible. This thing is not yet over !” The Sam & Cat alum aimed to share “some info because I care,” and continued her post, “I’d like to help anybody who is hesitant or curious with making their decision. This delta variant is very new and since data is changing all the time, I’ll source some links for you to stay up to speed yourself but so far... we do know that it spreads much more easily compared to previous variants. … And yes although you can still get it while vaccinated, the vaccine helps to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death ! all great things to be protected against in my book. Please and reassure yourself why getting vaxxed is the move. save a life or two. who knows.” Courtesy Ariana Grande/Instagram  The “Juice” singer shared an impassioned PSA to her fans, urging them to “GIMMIE 6FT” until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. "I don't care who you are,” the musician explained on Instagram Live in July 2021. “You could be the nicest person. You could be vaccinated. You could be quadruple vaccinated. If you see me, please give me 6 feet. This s—t is coming back. And people being real sloppy with personal space. It's not you! It's me. I'm not trying to catch nothing. I don't even want to catch feelings, bitch. You think I'm trying to catch COVID?" Courtesy Lizzo/Instagram  The This Is Us star shared via Instagram Story in July 2021 that she “got the vaccine the first chance she could” in March. Moore posted a screenshot of her DMs, where a follower accused her of “promoting” a vaccine that she didn’t take herself. The actress continued, “If it were widely available while I was pregnant, I would have gotten it then.” After another follower criticized her for pushing an agenda about the vaccine on her page, she clapped back on her Story, writing, “Pushing a narrative? About a virus that has killed over 4 million people worldwide in the last year and the life-saving vaccines we have to combat it?” She added, “I will continue using my platform to speak out about it because it’s about protecting the most vulnerable among us.” Courtesy Mandy Moore/Instagram  The teenage activist shared that she received her first dose of the vaccine via Instagram in July 2021. “Today I got my first COVID-19 vaccination dose,” she captioned a masked selfie. “I am extremely grateful and privileged to be able to live in a part of the world where I can already get vaccinated. The vaccine distribution around the world is extremely unequal. … No one is safe until everyone is safe. But when you get offered a vaccine, don’t hesitate. It saves lives." Courtesy Greta Thunberg/Instagram  The Shameless alum shared the first photo of her baby girl, born in May 2021, to promote the COVID-19 vaccines. Rossum kissed her daughter in an Instagram photo in July 2021, alongside the caption, "When I was pregnant I got vaccinated. Not only did we have a healthy, beautiful baby girl but we also just learned our daughter now has antibodies. In short, stop being an irresponsible idiot and get the vaccine.” Courtesy of Emmy Rossum/Instagram  The former One Direction band member shared a snap of himself getting a vaccine dose via his Instagram Story in July 2021. The “Nice to Meet Ya” singer captioned his post, “Thank you to the team and to the lovely nurse Clare for making it an easy, pain free experience. Go get yours.” Horan also tagged England’s National Health Service in his Story. Courtesy of Niall Horan/Instagram  The Handmaid’s Tale star shared a selfie via her Instagram after her second shot in July 2021. The Canadian actress wrote alongside the pic, “Double Vax Life. Thank you in advance to all of the airports that will have to deal with myself, my kids, @aidanshipley and @barb_godfrey. Good luck to you.” Courtesy of Amanda Brugel/Instagram  The Independence Day actor recreated one of his most famous scenes in a new Budweiser commercial to promote free beer and COVID-19 vaccines in June 2021. In the advertisement, Pullman gave a new speech for the 4th of July to help promote more Americans to get vaccinated. This ad is part of a new campaign that offers a free beverage to any vaccinated American (over the age of 21) at MyCooler.com/beer. Budweiser/YouTube  The 14-year-old star of Disney's Luca shared a video of himself getting a vaccine shot via Instagram while Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” played in May 2021. Jacob Tremblay/Instagram  Following her husband, Kate posted a photo of herself receiving her first vaccine shot as well. "Yesterday I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at London’s Science Museum," the Duchess of Cambridge tweeted in May 2021. "I’m hugely grateful to everyone who is playing a part in the rollout - thank you for everything you are doing." Courtesy of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Instagram  The “Prisoner” singer revealed on her Instagram story that she got her dose of the vaccine in May 2021. She shared a photo on, rolling up a sleeve of her Led Zeppelin T-shirt to show off her bandaged bicep. “Led Zeppelin is cool,” she wrote. “Getting vaxxed is cooler.” Courtesy of Miley Cyrus/Instagram  The “My Best Friend’s Wedding” star shared a selfie in May 2021 to announce her vaccination status. “Fully….VACCINATED!!! Grateful beyond measure,” she wrote via Instagram. “If you are not vaccinated and have the GOOD FORTUNE to get vaccinated- go,go,go! #weareinthistogether #.” Courtesy of Julia Roberts/Instagram  The royal posted a photo of himself getting the shot following a previous struggle with the virus. "On Tuesday I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," William tweeted on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge account in May 2021. "To all those working on the vaccine rollout - thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do." Courtesy Kensington Royal/Instagram  "Two weeks ago yesterday I got my second vaccine!!!" the Arrested Development alum wrote via Instagram in May 2021, along with a photo of her standing in a parking lot after her shot. "My vaccinatress at @cvspharmacy gave me this Proud Lion sticker because she said i was very brave. I’m terrified of needles and shots. I’m happy because I know I’m protecting myself, my friends & family, and the strangers I come in contact with every day. I’m sad because we lost, and are still losing, so many people to COVID-19." Courtesy of Judy Greer/Instagram  "Happy girl!" the To All the Boys I've Loved Before star wrote in May 2021, captioning an Instagram Story video of her newly vaccinated arm. She also included a sticker that read, "Let's get vaccinated." Courtesy of Lana Condor/Instagram  “Can’t start a healthy relationship without being healthy.❤️,” the season 17 Bachelorette wrote via Instagram in April 2021 alongside a video of her getting the shot. “Got my vaccine today! #covidvacccine.” Courtesy of Katie Thurston/Instagram  "I got that Pfizer," the Younger star captioned a photo via Instagram Story of herself flashing a peace sign after getting the vaccine in April 2021. Courtesy of Hilary Duff/Instagram  "Vaxx’d wax’d and ready to pay my tax," the Office alum captioned a fun photo via Twitter in April 2021. Courtesy Mindy Kaling/Twitter  The football player revealed that his choice to get the vaccine was all about his newborn daughter. "To me, it was more of a personal decision with having a baby girl and knowing I was going to be around people," Mahomes told reporters in April 2021 as the Kansas City Chiefs began their offseason program. He added, "I wanted to make sure I did whatever I could to help keep her healthy." The athlete welcomed his daughter, Sterling, with his fiancée, Brittany Matthews, in February 2021. David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock  The “Toxic” singer posted an Instagram video with boyfriend Sam Asghari in April 2021 after they both got their first shot. “Got the COVID vaccine 😳💉 …. Great success 😂 …. High-five 🖐🏻 !!!!!! @samasghari,” she captioned the clip. The Grammy winner then spoke about the vaccine, saying, “It was nothing. I felt nothing. I feel fine and I hope I continue to stay fine.” Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram  Vaccine side effect: G6,” the singer captioned an April 2021 Instagram post, detailing her journey to getting the vaccine. In true Mariah Carey fashion, the singer let out a high note as the needle went in. “Here we are, hoping for the best, encouraging you guys to do it when you can,” she said in the video. Courtesy of Mariah Carey/Instagram  In April 2021, the actress proudly showed off her Band-Aid-covered arm, revealing that she got the vaccine via Instagram. "So glad to have finally got my jab. Thanks to all the hardworking scientists and healthcare workers," she wrote. "I cannot tell you how good it feels to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In this together!!" Courtesy of Naomi Watts/Instagram  Chastain shared some wise words on Instagram in March 2021. "My vaccine time has finally come! This is so much more than just a shot in the arm," she captioned a selfie, displaying a Band-Aid on her arm. "It’s our way to fight back against COVID, protect ourselves and keep those around us safe and healthy. I believe in science! If we listen to the experts, life as we knew it is just around the corner." Courtesy of Jessica Chastain/Instagram  Jett confirmed that she got the first round of the vaccine with a photo of her getting injected in March 2021. Courtesy of Joan Jett/Instagram  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants star posted a photo of herself gazing lovingly at the nurse administering her shot in March 2021. “Find you someone who looks at you like I look at the heroic nurse vaccinating me. 💕” she wrote via Instagram. Courtesy of Blake Lively/Instagram  “Finally got 5G,” the Deadpool star joked in the caption of a mid-poke photo in March 2021. “💪🏼Super powers activated💪🏼,” artist Danny Galieote commented. Courtesy of Ryan Reynolds/Instagram  Heard posed with a sign after her shot in March 2021. “Did someone say ‘vaccine queen’?! 💉💉💉” she wrote. Courtesy of Amber Heard/Instagram  “It’s better than OK to get vaccinated because states are rapidly expanding eligibility,” the Mamma Mia star wrote via Instagram, showing off her Band-Aid with husband Thomas Sadoski in March 2021. “Schedule, get your name on a list (we did in Georgia), or contact your local Covid Angels as soon as you can. We’re gonna get to the end of this together!” Courtesy of Amanda Seyfried/Instagram  The comedian documented her trip to a New York vaccination site in March 2021, filming her drive alongside husband Chris Fischer. “This is my going to be the vaccine energy,” she said via an Instagram video while fist-pumping in the vehicle. The Trainwreck actress wore a sparkly minidress with a hole in the arm when getting her shot. “I want to thank all the brave people in the medical field. But more than them I want to give a shout-out to me,” she captioned her social media video. “I’m awesome I love the people of New York. Even the annoying ones. It’s nice to see all of them. I feel excited and hopeful. I hope you do too.” The comedian posted on her Story in July 2021, urging her followers to get vaccinated if they have not already. She wrote in the post, “Hi hello. If you follow me and you’re not getting vaxxed, I wanna gently throw this out there: Just consider the possibility that you could be making a mistake.” She continued, “U might feel like UR not. That’s fair. But it’s generally a good thing when you’re feeling really stubborn or scared to ask yourself ‘What if I’m wrong right now???’” Courtesy of Amy Schumer/Instagram  The Basic Instinct actress revealed that she got the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in March 2021. Stone snapped a pic at the vaccine site to share via Instagram. In it, she appeared to be smiling beneath a patterned black-and-white mask while the needle was being poked into her left arm. "Got my first vaccine," Stone captioned the image. Courtesy of Sharon Stone/Instagram  “In the words of @DollyParton... ‘don’t be such a chicken squat, get out there and get your shot!’ (**when it’s your turn**) 🩹💉,” the Pushing Daises alum wrote via Instagram in March 2021. “Feeling hopeful & grateful.” Courtesy Kristin Chenoweth/Instagram  After donating $1 million in April 2020 to COVID-19 research at Vanderbilt University, the country music icon posted a photo of herself receiving the vaccine. “Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine,” she captioned the Instagram pic in March 2021, tagging Vanderbilt Health. Parton told CNN in February 2021 why she initially wanted to wait to be vaccinated. “I'm going to get it, though,” she said at the time. “I didn't want to jump line. I didn't donate the money so I could be protected. I did it for everybody.” Courtesy Dolly Parton/Instagram  “I’m feeling OK, I worked out yesterday,” Fonda said during a February 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after getting her second vaccine dose. “I’m lucky I didn’t have any reaction to it.” The Grace and Frankie star added: “It certainly doesn’t hurt. I encourage everybody to get it who can get it, as soon as possible. But I still wear masks and I’m still doing social distancing. Things don’t go back to normal just because you have the vaccine. You can still spread it or pick it up.” Warner Bros.  After announcing in February 2021 that she was able to get a COVID-19 vaccine, the Talk cohost reacted to criticism regarding how she was eligible to do so. (Kloots lives in California, where only individuals who are 65 and older or employed as essential workers were eligible at the time it was administered to her.) “The post that I posted did get some shame. It got a lot of positivity, but [it] also got a lot of shame,” the fitness instructor — whose husband, Nick Cordero, died in July 2020 from the virus — said on the CBS daytime show. “And I’m not gonna even focus on that shame 'cause I don’t spend time in my life focusing on negativity, but this post got a lot of shame. The shame got press. That press turned into conversation. That conversation turned into awareness. And then that awareness created a positivity. That is how I roll and that is how I live my life.” She continued, “I received so many DMs from people saying, ‘I did not know that you could go wait to see if people didn’t show up for appointments to get this vaccine. I did not know that they throw out vaccines at the end of the day if people don’t show up for their appointment. I did not know that you could get on a waiting list and get possibly called if somebody didn’t show up for an appointment. I didn’t know that this vaccine has a shelf life, that it would be thrown in the trash if it isn’t used.’” Randee St. Nicholas/CBS  The Queer Eye star, who is HIV positive, rejoiced in February 2021 as he revealed that he was able to get a COVID-19 vaccination with his preexisting health condition. “In NY, where I’m working the vaccine program expanded to include people w pre-existing conditions, being HIV+ is one of the conditions that allows folks to be vaccinated,” he captioned an Instagram pic of the vaccine being administered to him. “So, if you’re HIV+ please check your states guidelines to see if you're eligible and get vaccinated against COVID-19! There was a list of other conditions that allows for vaccination so wherever you are check the lists and see if you can get in line.” He added, “Some places like Cali will give leftover doses but just see what’s happening in your area. Had I not been looking online everyday I wouldn’t have seen, so def get involved with your search. This was my first shot and other than minor soreness in my arm had no side effects and will get my second shot in a few weeks.” Courtesy of Jonathan Van Ness/Instagram  The When Harry Met Sally star detailed his experience receiving his first dose of the Moderna vaccine during an interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in January 2021. "I got the injection and a free scarf," he joked of his trip to Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. "I was glad to get this first step toward hugging my kids and my grandchildren again. And I do have a pre-existing, underlying condition — which is terror. So, that was good that I got that [vaccine]." Shutterstock  In January 2021, the actor posted a photo of himself receiving the vaccine. "I’m a lucky man. Lucky to work alongside the @LAFD & our great frontline @CoreResponse staff, our partners at Carbon Health, USC, & Curative Lab,” he tweeted. “We test & vaccinate thousands per day. We need your support to get more people lucky. Text CORE to 707070 to donate.” Courtesy of Sean Penn/Twitter  The movie mogul revealed that he received both doses of the vaccine during an interview with Gayle King on CBS This Morning in January 2021. He also went into detail about his BET docu-special, COVID-19 Vaccine And The Black Community: A Tyler Perry Special. "If you look at our history in this country, the Tuskegee experiment, Henrietta Lacks, it raises flags for us as African American people. So I understand why there's a healthy skepticism about the vaccine,” he said. "I didn't really feel like I could trust it. … But once I got all of the information, found out the researchers, I was very, very happy.” CBS  In January 2021, the former California governor took to Instagram to share his experience after getting vaccinated. “All right, I just got my vaccine, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone,” he said in a video, which he concluded by saying his iconic Terminator line, “Come with me if you want to live.” Courtesy Arnold Schwarzenegger/Instagram  “Good news: I just got vaccinated! Bad news: I got it because I’m 75. Ha!” the Cheaper by the Dozen actor wrote via Twitter in January 2021. “Thank you all and thank you science.” Shutterstock  “Well, I bundled up and Peggy Jean and I rolled out of Hurricane Mills so I could get this vaccine,” the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer wrote via Instagram in January 2021. “I’m sure glad to get it and am sure ready to put Covid in the rear-view mirror! And I enjoyed the mom daughter time, too! #winning #sickofcovid #stayhealthy #besafe #getyours.” Courtesy Loretta Lynn/Instagram (2)  “Get your shot! Take care of yourself and others. #slowthespreadofcovid19,” the country crooner wrote via Facebook in January 2021, alongside a series of photos of him getting the shot in his car. Shutterstock  “I was vaccinated today in a designated vaccine pod near the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Downtown,” Stewart wrote via Instagram in January 2021. “The doctors told me 10,000 applications were received by Mount Sinai right after the state released this batch of vaccines. Here’s to the advancement of science and a heartfelt thanks to those working on the vaccines.” Courtesy of Martha Stewart/Instagram  “Delighted to get @astrazeneca @ouhospitals #vaccine yesterday morning at the @nhsenglandldn Bloomsbury surgery,” the Dynasty alum wrote via Instagram in January 2021. “Thank you Mr. @rajgill2585 and @dr_ammarahughes for a painless and seamless procedure! Same day as our Queen! #honoured.” PPE/SIPA/Shutterstock  The former U.S. senator got her first dose of the vaccine on TV in December 2020. "That was easy. I barely felt it,” Harris said after the shot, according to The Washington Post. "I want to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. It is relatively painless, it happens really quickly, it is safe.” Shutterstock  Biden thanked scientists and frontline and clinical workers when getting his first shot in December 2020. "Just amazing,” he told reporters at the time. “We owe you big. We really do." The former vice president received his second dose in January 2021, which cameras also documented. Shutterstock  “I feel very lucky to have had the vaccine,” the Lord of the Rings actor tweeted in December 2020. “I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.” Courtesy Ian McKellen/Instagram |
| Britney Spears' 13-Year Conservatorship Is Officially Over Posted: 12 Nov 2021 02:24 PM PST  Stronger than yesterday! Britney Spears‘ conservatorship is officially over after a Friday, November 12, hearing. “The record is clear, the time is clear,” her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, said after Judge Brenda Penny announced that “the conservatorship of the person and estate” has been terminated. During the hearing on Friday, Rosengart made many powerful arguments, noting that the singer, 39, “was allowed to hire counsel, she had the capacity to make her own decisions, hire other people around her” in September. He later added, “We have disputes with Mr. [Jamie] Spears‘ counsel but we agree with their status report on October 20 to terminate the conservatorship immediately.” After the announcement, cheers erupted from the crowd gathered outside the courtroom in Los Angeles. The pop star has been unable to make major personal or financial decisions on her own since 2008, when her conservatorship was put in place following a series of public struggles and her divorce from Kevin Federline. For many years, her father was in control as the conservator of her estate. Caretaker Jodi Montgomery took over as the conservator of Britney’s person in September 2019. Earlier this year, the “Gimme More” singer publicly broke her silence about her journey during an emotional court hearing, claiming in June that Jamie, 69, and others involved in her conservatorship team should be “in jail.” Britney said at the time, “I just want my life back. It’s been 13 years, and it’s enough. It’s been a long time since I’ve owned my money. And it’s my wish and my dream for all of this to end without being tested. … I would honestly like to sue my family, to be totally honest with you. I also would like to be able to share my story with the world, and what they did to me, instead of it being a hush-hush secret to benefit all of them.” The Glee alum appeared virtually during the hearing, telling the judge that she cries “every day” and feels “traumatized” by the situation. “I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry. It’s insane. And I’m depressed,” she added. At the time, Britney alleged that her conservators “won’t let me go to the doctor to take [my IUD] out because they don’t want me to have any more children.” (The Grammy winner shares sons Preston, 16, and Jayden, 15, with Federline, 43, and is currently engaged to Sam Asghari.)  Since her bombshell claims made headlines, there have been several developments in her case, most notably the stepping down of her father from his role in the conservatorship. Us Weekly confirmed in September that Jamie filed paperwork to end his tenure, which Britney’s attorney Mathew called “a massive legal victory” for his client. Jamie’s removal was made permanent later that month, with John Zabel briefly taking over until December. In November, the Louisiana native argued that his daughter’s conservatorship should “immediately” end, according to court docs obtained by Us. “Jamie unconditionally loves and supports his daughter. Full stop,” the filing read. “As he has done for her entire life, Jamie will do everything he can to protect and care for her. For the last 13 years, that included serving as her Conservator. Now, it means ending her Conservatorship. So it is said in no uncertain terms, Jamie believes that the Conservatorship should end, immediately.” While he previously believed that the agreement “was necessary” for Britney following her public breakdown, Jamie noted, “Britney has been able to return to a path towards stability in all of these phases of her life. The mission has been successful and it is now time for Britney to re-take control of her life. Not tomorrow or next week, now.” |
| 'Proud!' Aaron Rodgers’ Estranged Dad Defends Him Amid Vaccine Controversy Posted: 12 Nov 2021 02:10 PM PST In his corner. Aaron Rodgers' estranged dad is showing support for his son amid the controversy over the NFL quarterback's COVID-19 vaccination status. On Thursday, November 11, Ed Rodgers, 66, told USA Today that he was "proud" of his 36-year-old son and supported his decision to seek alternative forms of treatment for the coronavirus instead of getting vaccinated. “I think he tried to probably treat himself naturally, like a lot of folks do," Ed told the newspaper. "And there’s a lot of great natural things out there, which help mitigate the virus. So I’m proud of him. I’m proud that he went that route." While Ed said he has not spoken to Aaron about his recent troubles, he revealed that "things are progressing" in their strained relationship. “The main thing [is] I just support him," he added. "I’m proud of him. I trust his judgment and decisions. I think that’s what I would’ve done." In a 2017 interview, Ed insinuated that Aaron's celebrity had caused a rift between him and his family, including his younger brother, Bachelorette alum Jordan Rodgers. “Fame can change things,” he told The New York Times at the time, describing his relationship with the football player as "complicated." Aaron reportedly hasn't spoken to his family since the end of 2014, though it has never been clear exactly why the rift began. At the time, a source told Us Weekly that his relationship with then-girlfriend Olivia Munn played a role in the estrangement. "The family says Aaron stopped talking to them," an insider said in January 2017. "While Aaron says they don't talk because his family doesn't like Olivia."  The quarterback’s dad's comments came one day after he was fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols after he tested positive for the coronavirus, and it was subsequently revealed that he was unvaccinated. Earlier this year, the former Jeopardy! guest host said that he was "immunized," but he has since admitted that he didn't take any of the three available vaccines. "I didn't lie in the initial press conference," he claimed on The Pat McAfee Show on November 5. In that same interview, the 2020 MVP revealed that he underwent his own methods to "stimulate my immune system to create a defense against COVID" following his personal "research" into the COVID-19 vaccine after learning he was allergic to an ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna shots. The University of California, Berkeley alum cited blood clot concerns for his reason for not getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. (The J&J shot was briefly pulled due to extremely rare side effects involving blood clots in adult women younger than 50 years old. It was reevaluated and deemed safe.) Aaron, who is engaged to Shailene Woodley, also stated that he worried the vaccine would cause fertility issues. The FDA and CDC have both repeatedly stated that there is absolutely no evidence that any of the vaccines cause fertility issues. After quarantining, Aaron is expected to be cleared to play on Saturday, November 13 — but the athlete warned that he may have to sit out depending on how fast his body recovers from his bout of COVID-19. "There's a health hurdle that I have to [clear]," he told McAfee on November 9. "As far as movement, sweating, getting into it, making sure that my body, especially [my] heart is fine with physical exertion." |
| Tayshia Adams Apologizes for 'Scaring' Fans After Brief Hospitalization Posted: 12 Nov 2021 01:48 PM PST  On the mend! Tayshia Adams is on the road to recovery after revealing that she was hospitalized earlier this week. “Hiii- thank you all so much for your loving messages. I’m home & resting up. Sorry for scaring so many of you. Gonna nap & I’ll follow up with y’all soon! Xo,” Adams, 31, captioned a photo of herself via Instagram on Friday, November 12. The update comes one day after the former Bachelorette shared a video of herself in the hospital, writing, "Welp, I've been here since 9:30 a.m. What a day At the time, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that Adams checked herself in on Thursday, November 11, noting, “Details are unknown at this time but it is likely related to her marathon recovery.” Ahead of her health scare, Adams recently celebrated her participation in the New York City Marathon alongside her fiancé, Zac Clark. The couple, who got engaged during the December 2020 season 16 finale of The Bachelorette, finished the 26.2-mile marathon on Sunday, November 7. They both finished with a time of 4:40:24.  The California native, who was running in support of World Vision, previously reflected on preparing herself for the strenuous athletic event. “I will admit, training for this has been tough and far from what I imagined, but that's life, right? All excuses aside I'm still proud of myself for showing up when I could,” she wrote via Instagram earlier this month. “Whether it would be running bright n early or late at night, right after getting off an 8 hr flight, in the rain, on a hotel treadmill while traveling for work, or after filming all night long! No matter the condition or situation, I was committed to getting it done however or wherever I could, and because of that I can go into Sunday's race with pride.” The reality star noted that although she wasn’t expecting her final result to be “groundbreaking,” the hard work was all about contributing to something bigger. “It's been such a special experience sharing this journey with so many of you. YOU are part of the reason that I am motivated and inspired to work harder, keep showing up, and cross that finish line!” she added. “It's an honor running for team World Vision. Every step, every mile on Sunday, will be a representation of a higher purpose! For every child, life in all its fullness. Thank you for changing the world with me! Xo, Tayshia |
| La La Anthony: I Had ‘Terrifying’ Emergency Heart Surgery 5 Months Ago Posted: 12 Nov 2021 01:05 PM PST Sharing her story. La La Anthony opened up about a scary moment in her life — when she underwent emergency surgery for an abnormal heartbeat in June. The 39-year-old star detailed the experience during an interview with Self for its November cover story, published on Friday, November 12. Anthony noted that a doctor initially grew concerned of her heart issues in 2019. At the time, Anthony recalled the doctor asking about her PVCs or premature ventricular contractions, which are extra heartbeats that disrupt one's normal heart rhythm. "I felt my heart racing all the time, but because it's all I ever really knew, I didn't even know that it was necessarily something wrong," the former Total Request Live VJ explained of her initial reaction to the physician's concerns. "I just thought, 'Oh, you just feel your heart racing sometimes because you're working too much, you haven't slept, you're stressed.' You know, we, especially Black people, like to self-diagnose. We got all the answers." Anthony opted not to go to the emergency room for further testing while in Vancouver — she was in town shooting BH90210 — and instead, waited until she returned to New York. Once she was home, she got an EKG test done on her heart, which presented alarming results.  "They were very, very concerned," she explained. "Within a 24-hour period, they said, my heart was beating 30,000 extra beats more than the average person. It was going fast constantly … Your heart is a muscle. If a muscle is working so hard all the time, eventually the muscle will get weak and cause heart attack, stroke, death, whatever it is." Anthony was prescribed a medication in hopes that it would help restore a normal heart rhythm, but it wasn't long before she stopped taking it. "It really makes you so tired and out of it," she said of the drug. "I'm on set. I'm reading scripts. I'm filming. There's no way I could just be that tired. I was literally head-bobbing mid-conversation." The Power alum began self-regulating and managing her stress in order to put off having to undergo surgery. On June 1, however, Anthony was rushed to the hospital after her heart issues took a turn for the worse. "I never felt anything like that before," the BMF star told the outlet, noting that her heart was racing. She was also sweating, and her face became pale. Anthony had a cardiac ablation procedure, which uses radiofrequency heat or extreme cold to destroy the part of the heart creating an abnormal heartbeat. The surgery, which often requires inserting a catheter into the heart, lasted two hours and included "a lot of scary moments" for the star. "They would wake me up during the procedure and say, 'We're going to speed your heart up now. Just take deep breaths,'" she explained of the procedure, part of which she was woken up for in order to make sure it was working. "Those doctors were just so incredible. But it was a terrifying experience." Anthony, who filed for divorce from Carmelo Anthony in June after 11 years of marriage, chose to share her story after her 14-year-old son, Kiyan, pointed out that it could be good for others to learn about. "The more I thought about it and actually talked to my son, he was just like, 'Mom, like, it can actually help people out there to become aware of listening to their bodies,'" she said. "I can turn it into something that can actually help people out there and also make people understand, I'm human. I go through s–t … it's life." |
| BFFs! Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian Sat Together at Paris Hilton’s Wedding Posted: 12 Nov 2021 12:27 PM PST Star-studded affair! Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian were among the celebrities in attendance at Paris Hilton and Carter Reum's wedding — and they both stunned in black dresses. The House of Harlow designer, 40, and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum, 41, sat side by side during the reception on Thursday, November 11. Both women chose black ensembles for the elegant evening, per a photo published by the Daily Mail on Friday, November 12. Kardashian, for her part, donned a Balenciaga ballgown with a deep-V neckline. Richie has been friends with the bride, 40, for decades, having starred alongside her on The Simple Life from 2003 to 2006. The pals grew up together in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles before appearing on the reality TV show. The designer and the "Stars Are Blind" singer have had their ups and downs over the years, with Richie revealing in 2014 that her friendship with Hilton doesn't depend on seeing each other nonstop. "The short answer to this is, I haven't spoken to her in a while, but we are very good friends," the Great News alum said during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen at the time. "I love her and I love her family. I have a lot of respect for her." Four years later, the twosome reunited at the Daily Front Row Awards, giving fans hope for a Simple Life reboot down the line. While a reality show revival hasn't happened yet, Hilton gushed over her longtime friend during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in June 2019. "Nicole is the most hilarious person in the world," the Cooking With Paris star said at the time. "I love her House of Harlow Line. It's so chic and she has great style and she's always been that way."  Kardashian, for her part, formed a friendship with Hilton in the early 2000s. The Skims founder first met the heiress when she had a closet organizing business and later served as her assistant. The KKW Beauty founder credited Hilton with launching her career, revealing on 2019's E! True Hollywood Story that she is a "huge, huge reason for my success." The BFFs proved that their relationship was still going strong when Kardashian appeared in Hilton's 2019 music video for "Best Friend's Ass." When it came to her big day, Kardashian was once again there to help out her pal. In fact, the former E! personality fluffed Hilton's veil before she walked down the aisle on Thursday, per photos published by Page Six. Hilton wore an Oscar de la Renta gown and veil for her ceremony, later changing into three different reception looks. Kardashian was later seen partying Kimora Lee Simmons, who was also a guest at the lavish wedding. |
| Kanye West: I’m Trying to ‘Keep My Family Together’ Amid Kim K. Divorce Posted: 12 Nov 2021 12:03 PM PST Still worth discussing. Kanye West has not remained mum about his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian, since their split. Us Weekly confirmed in February 2021 that the Skims founder filed for divorce from the rapper after six years of marriage and months of rumors about an impending separation. A source revealed that the pair "had a big fight" in December 2020 that pushed her to her breaking point. Kardashian hinted at the reasons behind the split during a June 2021 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. "I just think he deserves someone who will support his every move and go follow him all over the place and move to Wyoming. I can't do that," she explained. "He should have a wife that supports his every move and travels with him and does everything, and I can't. I feel like a f–king failure. It's my third f–king marriage. Yeah, I feel like a f–king loser. But I can't even think about that. I want to be happy." The reality star elaborated on how West's relocation to Wyoming affected their marriage during an episode that aired later that month. "After turning 40 this year, I realized like, 'No, I don't want a husband that lives in a completely different state,'" she noted. "To me, I thought, 'Oh, my God, that's when we're getting along the best,' but then that is sad to me and that's not what I want. I want someone that we have the same shows in common. I want someone who wants to work out with me. … I have all the big things. I have the extravagant everything you can possibly imagine and no one will ever do it like that — I know that, and I'm grateful for those experiences — but I think I'm ready for the smaller experiences that I think will mean a lot." The KKW Beauty founder insisted during the June 2021 Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion special that there was not "one specific thing that happened on either part" to cause the breakup. Instead, "a general difference of opinions on a few things" led to the decision. Kardashian and West — who share daughters North and Chicago and sons Saint and Psalm — remained friends after their split. They reunited publicly on multiple occasions: He advised her on her 2021 Met Gala ensemble and her Saturday Night Live hosting debut in October 2021 (during which she joked about their divorce) and she agreed to recreate their wedding at one of his Donda listening parties in August 2021. "They have more of a friendship and working relationship as they coparent," an insider told Us in October 2021, adding that she "will be involved with Kanye's work ventures and he will be involved with hers." Scroll through the gallery below to revisit everything West has said about Kardashian since their split.  The Grammy winner seemingly admitted to cheating on the TV personality during their marriage in his August 2021 song “Hurricane.” The lyrics read, “Here I go actin’ too rich / Here I go with a new chick / And I know what the truth is / Still playin’ after two kids / It’s a lot to digest when your life always movin’.” A source told Us the following month that the track was “a testimony from Kanye about everything that went wrong [in his relationship with Kardashian] and him taking accountability,” noting that the “lyrics really speak for themselves.” Another insider revealed that Kardashian was warned about the song’s content. “She wasn’t blindsided, but it is what it is,” the source said. “She’s known her whole marriage/life with Kanye that he’s an open book and there’s nothing she could ever do to stop him from saying whatever he wants. But she had a heads-up.” Shutterstock (2)  Kardashian’s black Balenciaga bodysuit caused a stir at the Met Gala in September 2021, but West showed his support by posting photos of the ensemble — which he helped create — via Instagram. His friend Fonzworth Bentley added in the comments section, “’Look at what my kim did’ – @kanyewest.” Matt Baron/Shutterstock  The musician teased a possible reconciliation with Kardashian in November 2021. “SNL making my wife say ‘I divorced him’ on TV because they just wanted to get that bar off and I never have seen the papers. We’re not even divorced,” he claimed during part one of his Revolt’s “Drink Champs” appearance. “So how we — because [it’s] no joke to me, my kids want their parents to stay together. I want their parents — I want us to be together.” Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  West claimed in November 2021 that people around the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum are sabotaging her attempts to become an attorney. “I feel like there’s people who might not want Kim Kardashian to become a lawyer,” he alleged during part two of his “Drink Champs” appearance. “Because you know what happens if Kim Kardashian becomes a lawyer? That shirt gets a little bit higher, that cleavage gets a little bit more covered up.” Courtesy of Kim Kardashian/Instagram  The “Heartless” rapper once again hinted at a reunion with Kardashian during part two of his “Drink Champs” appearance. “But at the end of the day, I ain’t got the paperwork yet, so I’m [going to] come on this joint and try to save my family and keep my family together,” he said. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP/Shutterstock |
| John Mulaney Hires 3 Lawyers in Anna Marie Tendler Divorce: What to Know Posted: 12 Nov 2021 11:31 AM PST Going their separate ways. John Mulaney initially filed for divorce from estranged wife Anna Marie Tendler in July 2021, two months after their split sent fans reeling. Us Weekly confirmed in May 2021 that the pair were going their separate ways after nearly seven years of marriage. "I am heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage," Tendler said in a statement at the time, acknowledging Mulaney's struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. "I wish him support and success as he continues his recovery." The Saturday Night Live alum returned from an in-patient treatment facility three months prior. Regarding the split, Mulaney's spokesperson told Us in May 2021, "John will not have any further comment as he continues to focus on his recovery and getting back to work." Six months later, records obtained by Us revealed that the comedian hired a trio of new lawyers, filing to change his representation to John Teitler, Paul Getzels and Elizabeth White of the firm Teitler & Teitler LLP. Mulaney and the Pin It! author began dating in 2010 before tying the knot in July 2014 in the Catskill Mountains in New York. The Big Mouth star was sober for over a decade before relapsing amid the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. When he went to a 60-day rehab program that December, Tendler supported the choice to get help. "It was a relief to his wife and family that he checked in," a source exclusively told Us at the time. "It was John's decision. Plain and simple, John had too much downtime [in quarantine]. He had too much time in his own head." Amid his divorce and recovery, Mulaney began dating actress Olivia Munn. The Chicago native confirmed the Newsroom alum's pregnancy in September 2021. "I packed a lot into this [year]," he said on Late Night With Seth Meyers. "I went to rehab in September, I got out in October, I moved out of my home from my ex-wife. Then in the spring I went to Los Angeles and met and started to date a wonderful woman named Olivia. … And we're having a baby together. I was nervous when I was about to say the news! Olivia and this baby have helped save me from myself in this early journey out of recovery." Tendler, for her part, remained focused on her thriving art career and supportive friendships as Mulaney's new romance made headlines. "Thank you to my beautiful friends who showed up at exactly the right time to unexpectedly help me when my booth became overwhelming," the makeup artist wrote via Instagram Story in September 2021. Scroll below for everything we know about Mulaney and Tendler's divorce so far:  The duo confirmed their split in May 2021 with Tendler noting in a statement at the time that she was “heartbroken” by the decision. Greg Allen/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  The Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse actor continued working on his sobriety after going to a rehab facility in December 2020. Tendler noted her continued support of his journey while addressing their separation in May 2021. Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock  Mulaney officially filed for divorce from his estranged wife in July 2021, shortly after Us confirmed his romance with Munn. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock  In September 2021, Tendler returned to work and praised her friends’ support via social media during her appearance at the Other Art Fair exhibition in Los Angeles. Courtesy of Anna Marie Tendler/Instagram  Mulaney announced in September 2021 that he and the Predator actress were expecting a child together. While the pair continued gushing over their coming arrival in various interviews, a source exclusively told Us in October 2021 that their romance has been “imperfect” from the start, adding that their family and friends weren’t sure whether “they’re going to [raise their baby] together or apart.” Michael Simon/Shutterstock  Us confirmed in November 2021 that the Oh, Hello star filed to swap his legal representation to Teitler & Teitler, LLP, a New York-based “litigation boutique with over 50 years of experience counseling clients in navigating complex and high-stakes disputes and crisis management situations,” per the firm’s website. Their attorneys have advised and represented clients in “difficult and important cases in state and federal courts.” Gregory Pace/Shutterstock |
| 'Obsessed!' Kourtney Kardashian Approves of Travis Barker's Vegan Snacks Posted: 12 Nov 2021 11:24 AM PST  Engaged and obsessed! Nearly one month after Travis Barker popped the question to Kourtney Kardashian, the couple has remained as deeply in love as ever before. The Barker Wellness founder, 45, posted an Instagram gallery of photos of himself on Thursday, November 11, posing inside a gas station while munching on potato chips. In response, Poosh founder, 42, chimed in, approving of her fiancé's snack choices as she replied, "Obsessed with you and all your vegan stuff The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum, who follows a primarily vegan-friendly diet herself, lauded her beau for adhering to their nutritional goals while on the road. In the snaps, the drummer was shown holding a bag of Lay's Classic chips — which are counted as vegan-friendly snacks since their ingredients are not derived from animal products. The former Dash owner previously opened up her own "95 percent" vegan diet during a May blog post for Poosh. "As you've probably noticed from Kourt's Instagram, she's gone (mostly) vegan when it comes to her diet," the article explained at the time. "From keto to intermittent fasting, she's no stranger to adjusting her meals to live a healthier lifestyle. She's been easing into it for the past six to seven months with no meat (and the occasional butter and honey)." In the post, the reality TV personality also noted her focus on a plant-based diet further ties into her passions about the "environmental impacts that eating less meat has on the planet." The mom of three — she shares Mason, 11, Penelope, 9, and Reign, 6, with ex Scott Disick — admitted at that the time that she "couldn't resist" a baked crab handroll for the first few weeks after swapping her diet. "It's all about balance and finding how and when you're comfortable with incorporating the changes into your lifestyle," she continued in her blog post. The Blink-182 musician, for his part, has also been conscious about his animal-friendly diet. Barker first became a vegetarian at age 13 before transitioning to veganism after surviving a 2008 plane crash. “I had a conversation with one of my friends about how it was hard to find vegan options, and he said 'Why don't you make your own?'" he admitted to GQ in March, before telling the outlet some of his favorite dishes to whip up in the kitchen. "I love vegan pizza, I'll also have vegan sushi, Vietnamese vegan food, a dear friend of mine owns this spot called Au Lac which is just so good," Barker added at the time. "The other day we got Craig's Vegan ice cream, so whenever that's in the freezer it's definitely tempting. … On that note, I've come to learn that if you don't want to eat that stuff, you just don't keep it in the house. That's it. Some days, my dessert will just be a spoonful of almond butter." Much like Kardashian’s sweet Instagram comment on Thursday, the couple is no stranger to sharing their love via social media or through PDA. The "All the Small Things" performer proposed last month after less than one year of dating. Us Weekly confirmed on October 17 that Barker got down on bended knee at the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara, California. "The engagement was filmed for the new Hulu series, it's going to look amazing," a source told Us at the time. "Travis spent forever getting the details right. Kourtney was very surprised at the timing. They both have talked about their wedding and engagement before but Kourtney was very surprised." |
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