Mel Gibson Tried To Set Britney Spears Up With One Of His Rehabbed Sons

The following italicized article is from www.celebitchy.com:

Mel Gibson has twin sons who turn 26 this year, Edward and Christian, who both have stints in rehab. Ed was out of rehab late last year for an alcohol and cocaine addiction, and Christian got a DUI in 2006 and checked into rehab in late January of this year. Mel, who has also has a well publicized DUI under his belt, has recently befriended pop singer Britney Spears, 26. Britney has spent time at Mel’s estate in Costa Rica and has been seen out to dinner with him and his family.

While some speculated that Mel wanted to help Britney with her personal problems, and others wondered if he was trying to convert her to his unique brand of Catholicism, Mel may have had another motivation for spending time with Britney. The National Enquirer reports that Mel tried to set Britney up with the less messed-up twin her age, Edward, but that Britney wasn’t having that. Mel’s son Edward is working his recovery program and the Enquirer says Mel believed he would be a good influence on her.

[Mel Gibson] believed his son Edward - who was in rehab last year for cocaine and alcohol addition - had turned his life around and could help Britney do the same, an insider told The Enquirer.

“Mel felt Ed would be a great influence on Brit, and if the relationship turned to romance, all the better,” said the insider.

So Gibson arranged a meeting between the pair at Britney’s home in the Hollywood Hills last March, said the source.

“He sincerely believed that his son could help Britney stay on the straight and narrow and that they might hit it off as a couple as well,” the insider explained.

But Britney, 26, gave the cold shoulder to Mel and Edward…

“She hid from them most of the night,” revealed the insider. “Mel and his son spent most of the evening talking to her bodyguards.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, July 7, 2008]

There must have been no hard feelings between Britney and Mel after she tried to avoid the set up with one of his sons. She was seen at his Costa Rican getaway in mid-May. Britney also brought along a man with whom she’s been romantically linked in the past, agent Jason Trawick. Maybe Britney and Jason were already dating at that point and she wasn’t open to meeting Mel’s son or maybe she just wasn’t interested in the guy. Can you imagine thinking it’s a good idea to set up Britney Spears with a member of your family, though? At that point it had only been two months since she had that big melt down and was hospitalized.

In related news, OK! Magazine reports that Britney and Kevin had a “secret meeting” with their lawyers over the custody of their two boys. It is thought they are working to avoid having to go to trial to hash out custody issues. The talks were said to be unsuccessful, though, with neither of them willing to compromise. Britney went back home and then had a massage at the Ritz Carlton.

Source: Celeb Itchy

MTV: Britney Could Return to VMAs

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

If Britney Spears is serious about making a comeback, she can prove herself this September at the Video Music Awards.

Despite last year's reviled, head-scratching, lip-synching performance the singer put forth, MTV claims it'll never say "no" to Britney Spears.

''Everyone deserves a second or third chance, right?'' Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music Group, says.

Don't get too excited though. Van admits that he was "sorta" kidding about welcoming Brit back with open arms.

"Who knows?" he adds.

Last September, a bikini-adorned, uncoordinated Britney opened the network's marquee award show with a lackluster performance of her new single, "Gimme More."

"She looked lost and confused," a VMA audience member told OK! at the time. "She was definitely not into it. People were shaking their heads and wondering what happened."

If the 26-year-old is invited back, she won't have to travel far to attend the ceremony. After stints in New York, Miami and Las Vegas last year, the VMAs are returning to Los Angeles this year.

Van says producers and crew members are already planning the show, but know they have their work cut out for them.

''I'm not sure how we top Britney opening the show,'' he says. ''We are working on it every minute of every day.''

Source: OK Magazine

K-Fed Attorney: Mediation With Brit "Positive" Step

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Kevin Federline wants Britney Spears to once again play a major role in their children's lives. Just not a bigger role than his.

K-Fed's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, spoke exclusively to E! News in the wake of Thursday's all-day mediation session, in which both sides were seeking to hash out a custody agreement in advance of an August trial.

"Kevin is seeking to maintain the sole legal and physical custody that he presently has," Kaplan said. "There's nothing magical about 50-50. There's nothing magical about 60-40. What's magical is that whatever order is in place, it's the order that best suits the best interest of the children."

Which, ideally, would give the 30-year-old Federline full custody, simply making permanent the present temporary order.

"Kevin has had sole legal custody since January. He wants that to become the permanent order at trial, and the visitation to be consistent with what the court expanded it to this week."

Namely, allowing Spears, 26, overnight visitation with sons Sean Preston and Jayden James, which will begin Saturday night. In addition to the sleepover, she is also allowed two day visits per week.

For his part, Kaplan said Federline is more than happy to give the stabilized Spears not only more custody rights but the ability to be "involved in their lives in a very substantial and meaningful way," and credits the conservatorship with her recent turnaround.

"He wants to have an order...that takes into account a certain stability and structure for the kids...regardless of whose house they happen to be in at any given moment.

"When the conservatorship was imposed, it brought a certain sense of structure and stability to an environment that seemed to be continually in flux. And in flux is not a description of what you want for a child's environment."

But while Thursday's mediation didn't result in any brokered accords—it would have been surprising if it had—it did get both parties started on the right path to like-mindedness.

"The mediation didn't result in an agreement that would avoid the trial set in August...The mood was comfortable, positive and it was a mood that was consistent with opening at least a great dialogue, which is necessary."

As for what would call off this summer's planned court date...

"The trial in August is going to determine two primary issues," Kaplan said. "Custody and visitation, and attorneys' fees...In order to avoid the trial in all respects, there would have to be an agreement between the parties to resolve the attorneys' fees, and to put in place a custody arrangement that would carry forward...an expansion of the visitation.

"If the existing arrangement was acceptable to both parties, we would have an agreement and we wouldn't have to go to trial...But that didn't happen."

Source: E! Online

K-Fed's Lawyer: Meeting Was a "Positive" Step

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's top-secret meeting on Thursday was a "positive" step towards a custody agreement, Kevin's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan tells E!."

The mediation didn't result in an agreement that would avoid the trial set in August," he says. "The mood was comfortable, positive and it was a mood that was consistent with opening at least a great dialogue, which is necessary."

Although the meeting went well, Mark is quick to point out that neither party budged when it came to the custody status, as OK! has reported. Kevin still intends to maintain legal and physical custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, with Britney have visitation, which now includes overnights.

"Kevin has had sole legal custody since January," Kapan tells E! "He wants that to become the permanent order at trial, and the visitation to be consistent with what the court expanded it to this week."

He continues, "There's nothing magical about 50-50. There's nothing magical about 60-40. What's magical is that whatever order is in place, it's the order that best suits the best interest of the children."

The August trial date will iron out the two outstanding issues: custody and visitation and attorneys' fees. Because Thursday's meeting reached a stalemate, Mark expects the trial to take place.

"If the existing arrangement was acceptable to both parties, we would have an agreement, and we wouldn't have to go to trial... but that didn't happen."

Source: OK Magazine

Britney and Kevin Headed for Custody Trial

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline appear to be headed for a custody trial in August, after an attempt Thursday to settle out of court failed.

After a day of talks with a mediator, Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told E!, "The mediation didn't result in an agreement that would avoid the trial set in August ... The mood was comfortable, positive and it was a mood that was consistent with opening at least a great dialogue, which is necessary."

Kaplan added that his client is seeking sole physical and legal custody of sons Preston, 2 1/2, and Jayden, 1 1/2, and wants Spears to continue her current visitation terms.

The singer has been spending three days a week with the boys and was recently granted overnight privileges.

"If the existing arrangement was acceptable to both parties ... we wouldn't have to go to trial," Kaplan said. "But that didn't happen."

The trial, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 25, would result in a final custody ruling, which can remain in place for years – unless one parent successfully convinces the court to modify it.

"It's very likely both Britney and Kevin will testify in a trial," says L.A. family lawyer Lynn Soodik, who's not involved with the case. "Britney has to show the court that she's improved as a mother. If she loses, the gut-wrenching part is that she could miss out on a significant portion of her kids' childhoods.

"However, since she's under conservatorship, it's unlikely she'll win any legal custody," Soodik adds. "If she can't make decisions for herself, how can she decide things like which doctors, schools and religion, if any, are best for the kids?"

Still, says Soodik, "It's possible that both sides can settle at any time."

Calls to lawyers for Federline and Spears were not returned. Their next hearing is set for July 15.

Source: People

Confirmed Producers Of Britney’s New Album

Bloodshy & Avant (”Toxic”, “Piece Of Me”, “Do Somethin’”)
Sean Garrett (”Toy Soldier”)
JR Rotem (”Everybody”)
Guy Sigworth (”Everytime”, “Someday (I Will Understand)”, “Over To You”)
Danja (”Gimme More,” “Break The Ice”, “Get Back”, “Perfect Lover”, “Outta This World”)
Jim Beanz (”Gimme More,” “Break The Ice”)
Dallas Austin
Fredwreck
Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins (”Overprotected Darkchild Remix”)

Source: Break The Ice

Darkchild Working On Britney’s New Album

Producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins has confirmed to news blog Rap-up.com that he is working with Britney on her new album. The first part of his interview has been published on the site, where he talks about working on Beyoncé’s new album, and the second part will be posted next week, when he reveals all about working with Britney.

Check out the first part of the interview here!

Source: Britney Spy

Britney At The Ritz-Carlton

The paps caught up with Britney Thursday afternoon, as she was making her way over to the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. Once there, the photogs were able to get a few quick glimpses of her before capturing her getting into the van to leave.

Source: X17 Video

OK! Exclusive: Brit & K-Fed's Secret Meeting

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Despite their differences over the last year, Britney Spears and her ex-hubby Kevin Federline have one thing in common — they'd both like to avoid going to trial this summer over the custody of their two young sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

On Thursday, the pop singer, her father Jamie Spears and K-Fed managed to sneak away to a secret location where they and their attorneys began to try and hammer out an out-of-court custody deal ordered by commissioner Scott Gordon.

However, the all-day meeting (rumored to have been at a 5-star hotel) ultimately resulted in nothing. Both Brit and K-Fed refused to give an inch beyond the current custody status: K-Fed has temporary physical custody and Britney has visitation, which now inlcudes one overnight visit per week.

The long, drawn-out conference seemed to take its toll on the recovering pop star. An eyewitness tells OK! that following the meeting, Brit went directly back to her Studio City home at The Summit and then headed to the Ritz Carlton Hotel where she promptly booked a massage and sauna session.

Looks like the August trial date is still on — for now!

Source: OK Magazine

First Overnight visit LAST NIGHT!

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

Here’s some good news to start your morning - our cameramen report that Britney Spears had her first court-allowed overnight visit with her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James last night!

Our photographers spotted Kevin Federline’s bodyguard dropping the boys off at 6 PM last night. We believe that Kevin’s on his way for a celebrity golf tournament today.

Sean and Jayden weren’t Britney’s only visitors yesterday, though - her manager Larry Rudolph stopped by around 1 PM. In fact, our guys never saw Brit leave her house all day!

This is great news - we may have been thrilled by Britney’s good day on Monday, but this is even better!

Source: X17

Celebrate With Shoes

After winning back over-night visitation of her young sons Sean Preston and Jayden James in LA Family Court yesterday, Britney Spears did what any person in a celebratory mood would do … she got her ass to shoe shopping. Here are a few pics of Brit Brit causing a ruckus as she made her exit out of the Fred Segal boutique in West Hollywood, CA yesterday afternoon: Unfortch it looks like Britters is gonna hafta deal with the crush of on-lookers no matter how uncrazy she becomes but at least she’s getting followed around doing nice and normal things rather than insane and trashy things (remember the days of yore when Brit would make routine visits to various public restrooms barefoot?). I say, if Britney Spears wants to pick up some new shoes after winning in court than she should be allowed to do so! The woman deserves anything she wants now that she’s no longer a walking trainwreck. Enjoy your shoes, Brit, you’ve earned them.

Source: Pink Is The New Blog

EXCLUSIVE: Britney Spears Has the Police to Her Home

The following italicized article is from www.hollywood.tv:

Hollywood.TV's cameras were wondering who called the cops when they spotted Britney Spears in this exclusive clip.

The Oops I did It Again singer had a pair of black and whites with flashing lights on her driveway as she drove past and out into the growing twilight. What's going on? We recently heard that the police had to be called after an over zealous photographer scaled a wall for a bit of a peek. Has it happened again?

Source: Hollywood.tv

Britney Goes Topless!

The following italicized article is from www.x17online.com:

No, not like that! We caught a calm and chipper Brit out and about yesterday, first shopping at Fred Segal, and then cruising around in her white Mercedes with the top down.

Yesterday Britney was granted one overnight visit per week with her little boys, a source revealed to X17online. A court-appointed monitor will be required to stay overnight when the children are with the pop star, and Federline’s bodyguard can also spend the night.

Additionally, K-Fed and Brit are supposed to meet in a neutral location today to sort out more custody details...stay tuned for the latest scoop!

Do you think K-Fed and Britney might get back together?

See them all here!

Source: X17

Britney Driving Around In Los Angeles

Check out Britney cruising around town in her white Mercedes convertible yesterday with a bodyguard. I love when you can just roll down the windows, blast the music, and cruise down the streets like you're the shit.

See them all here!

Source: Untouchable Britney

Britney Spears Splashed Out $600 On Baby Accessories

The following italicized article is from www.makeushot.com:

Britney Spears has ordered a customised six-foot tall bunny from a Los Angeles store. The mother-of-two - who became an auntie for the first time last week after her teenage sister Jamie Lynn gave birth to a baby girl, Maddie Briann - splashed out $600 on baby accessories at exclusive boutique Petit Tresor, including several ‘Bunsies’ by Bunnies by the Bay.

As she left the store, Britney is believed to have requested a special one-off rabbit toy, but refused to elaborate on who it was for. Earlier this year, it was claimed Britney had ordered a six-foot tall elephant for Jamie Lynn’s nursery. The troubled singer - who has two sons, Sean Preston, two, and 21-month-old Jayden James with ex-husband Kevin Federline - reportedly spent more than $30,000 on her future niece.

A source close to the star said: “Petit Tresor is designing the nursery for Jamie Lynn’s baby. Britney is picking up the tab. She also ordered a custom made, six-foot tall elephant with a blue bow which she wants to sit in the middle of the nursery.”

Source: Makeushot

Britney At Ritz-Carlton Gym In Marina Del Ray

Yesterday was a long day for Britney! Later the day she was seen at Ritz-Carlton gym in Marina Del Ray.

See them all here!

Source: Untouchable Britney

Britney’s Big Win

The following italicized article is from www.justjared.com:

Britney Spears carries a water bottle as she leaves Fred Segal in West Hollywood with her bodyguards on Tuesday.

Brit-Brit, 26, celebrated the court’s ruling to allow her overnight visitation rights with her sons Jayden James and Sean Preston. Sean is now 2 1/2 and Jayden is 20 months. Britney lost the right to have her children overnight since her hospitalization on Jan. 3rd of this year.

Britney and ex-husband Kevin Federline are due in court on July 15th to further discuss the situation.

Source: Just Jared

Hurricane Britney Strikes Fred Segal

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney celebrated getting overnights with her kids by going on a wild shopping trip for herself.

With L.A.'s finest at her service, it was a total clusterf**k outside of Fred Segal as Brit Brit made her way out. The scene was crazy -- and it was all for nothin', it doesn't even look like girl bought anything.

Source: TMZ

OK! Exclusive: Brit & K-Fed to Discuss Settlement

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Could there finally be an end to the Britney Spears and Kevin Federline custody case? If family court commissioner Scott Gordon has anything to say about it, the answer would be a resounding "yes."

Only hours after today's decision to allow Britney to have one overnight visit per week with her boys, OK! has learned that the court has ordered both sides of the dispute over little Sean Preston and Jayden James to meet tomorrow at a neutral, non-court location to make an attempt at coming to terms on a permanent settlement.

These talks would be very similar to the closed-door mediation sessions that took place during the former couple's divorce — even more so now that Laura Wasser, Brit's original attorney in her feud with Federline, has been brought back on the team.

However, the case insiders warn OK! that these discussions may be all for naught, and that it's likely the case will move ahead with a full trial.

Source: OK Magazine

Britney Shopping At Fred Segal After Hearing

Britney, dressed in a white blouse and khaki capris, went shopping at Fred Segal with her assistant this afternoon after her custody hearing. What a relief!

See them all here!

Source: Breathe Heavy

Britney Granted Overnights With Her Boys

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Britney Spears has made a subtle change for the better—and, it follows, so too have her custody rights.

This morning's court session, attended by both Spears and Kevin Federline, resulted in "a change of visitation status" for the new aunt, Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini told reporters at a brief posthearing press conference. "Both sides have been very cooperative the past couple of weeks."

While Parachini wasn't spilling the beans, sources told E! News that Court Commissioner Scott Gordon did in fact modify the custody agreement and grant Spears overnight-visitation rights with sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

Sources say the inaugural mother-son sleepover could take place as soon as this Saturday night.

The modification has been a long time coming for the singer, whose attorneys have been hammering out a new custody agreement with K-Fed's legal team for the past several weeks.

The terms were finally agreed upon and approved by the court this morning.

"She's doing so much better and things are heading in the right direction," a source told E! News.

Federline, for his part, retains primary custody of the boys.

The outcome seemed to sit well with both parties.

When leaving the courtroom, Spears, 26, told reporters she was happy with today's decision, and Federline, 30, made his way through the media scrum with a smile on his face.

Parachini also verified that the singer's on-off attorney Laura Wasser was in fact back on Team Spears, and that the entertainer's parenting coach made comments.

A status conference on the terms of the duo's visitation is scheduled to take place July 15. A trial date for the ongoing custody battle is still scheduled for August.

Source: E! Online

Britney Spears Wins Overnight Visitation With Her Kids

Earlier today Britney Spears, armed with her once-estranged lawyer Laura Wasser, faced off with Kevin Federline, armed with his lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan, in family court seeking a change in visitation rights with her children. Spears showed up in court to ask Commissioner Gordon to grant her overnight visitation with her sons Sean Preston and and Jayden James … and she won! Altho, US Weekly (who managed to get a quote from Britney as she exited the courthouse) reports that Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini was not “at liberty” to discuss the change, TMZ is reporting that Britney won her overnight visits:

Britney Spears was granted a change in her visitation schedule with her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James at a hearing Tuesday. “There was a change in visitation status that was ordered by Commissioner Gordon this morning,” Los Angeles Superior Court spokesperson Alan Parachini confirmed after the hearing, which both Kevin Federline and her father (and co-conservator) Jamie Spears attended. (Britney and Kevin did not address each other during the hearing.) The details of her visitation, however, are unclear. “I’m not at liberty to answer any questions about the nature of that change,” Parachini said … Asked by Us if she were happy with the court outcome, Spears (clutching an Ed Hardy purse) smiled and told Us, “Yes.” Next up: A status hearing set for July 15.

But according to TMZ: Sources tell us Brit Brit, who has been slowly gaining visitation back inch by inch, has made such progress the Commish agreed in court today she’s ready to have sons Jayden James and Sean Preston with her overnight. We hear Britney’s parenting coach Lisa Hacker was at the hearing today, and answered several questions from the Commish. Britney, who was all business in the courtroom, smiled as she left the courthouse.

Woot! Clearly, Laura Wasser is worth her weight in gold. She is an amazing attorney so this win for Britney is not a surprise to me. I’m happy that Brit has made such great strides in proving to the court that she is capable of caring for her children again. Her life is well back on track … it won’t be long until she’s 100% back to her good ol’ self again. Biggest comeback in history, it’s gonna happen.

Source: Pink Is The New Blog

Britney Can Tuck the Kids in at Night!

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

TMZ has learned the Commish has awarded Britney overnight visitation with her boo boos. Break out the Star Wars pjs!

Sources tell us Brit Brit, who has been slowly gaining visitation back inch by inch, has made such progress the Commish agreed in court today she's ready to have sons Jayden James and Sean Preston with her overnight.

We hear Britney's parenting coach Lisa Hacker was at the hearing today, and answered several questions from the Commish. Britney, who was all business in the courtroom, smiled as she left the courthouse.

They'll be back in court again July 15th.

Source: TMZ

Change Made in Britney Visitation Status

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

Things are finally looking up for Britney Spears! It was just announced that there has been a change in her visitation status with her two young sons. While it has yet to be made public what exactly that change is, insiders tell OK! that the pop star went into court today to ask for once-weekly overnight visits with the boys, and it's believed she may have gotten her wish granted.

When she left the court after meeting with commissioner Scott Gordon and lawyers for her and ex-husband Kevin Federline, Brit's eyes appeared to be bloodshot, as if she'd been crying. However, when asked if she was happy, she replied, "yes," so hopefully those were tears of joy.

A rep for the court confirmed that, while it was not strictly considered as testimony, Gordon did ask Britney a number of questions during their closed-door hearing. Also speaking to the court today was Lisa Hacker, the court-appointed parenting coach for the pop star.

As for her demeanor in the courtroom today, the court spokesperson described Britney as being "very businesslike," and confirmed that there were no words of any kind exchanged between Brit and K-Fed.

It was also confirmed after the hearing that Brit's most-recent attorney, Stacy Phillips, "has exited the case," and that her one-time lawyer, Laura Wasser, has returned to represent the singer.

The next hearing date is scheduled for July 15, and the court confirms that a trial date is still tentatively set for August, though the spokesperson did say that this will continue, "for as long as it takes to resolve this case."

Source: OK Magazine

Brit's Hearing Produces Ch-Ch-Changes to Custody

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

There has been a change in the visitation agreement between Britney Spears and Kevin Federline -- but neither side is giving out specifics.

We're told Britney was looking for overnight visits, but details were not released -- nor will they be.

Britney and Kevin both left court in good spirits, with Britney smiling and engaging with reporters as she left.

As TMZ first reported, Laura Wasser is now Britney's attorney in the custody case. Wasser was Brit's attorney earlier in the case, but dropped Brit as a client after Spears repeatedly ignored her advice.

Source: TMZ