Ryan Seacrest Interviews Britney

Larry Rudolph's Interview with MTV

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Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video: The Key Scene

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

On Thursday night, Britney Spears launched a new phase in her storied career as a music video superstar. She premiered the sleek, dark video for "Hold It Against Me." The Jonas Åklerlund-directed clip will certainly have fans talking for quite some time about its metaphorical images about the trials and tribulations of pop superstardom, funky fashions and an over-the-top fight scene against herself.

With lyrics about flirting with a cute guy in a club, the song's video could have been just a straightforward narrative, but instead Spears and Åkerlund gave an insider look at celebrity, abstractly hinting at a tale about a pop star who fell from space in a fiery red comment, to find fame here on Earth. Midway through the video, our pop star character becomes overwhelmed by the pressures of fame and, emitting neon paint from her hands, she breaks down. The scene of an exhausted Spears, lying face down, her huge white gown covered in paint, might be one of the most beautiful and artistic in this entire piece.

Perhaps hooking up with the "Telephone" director prompted Spears to delve into this newer territory. As her manager Larry Rudolph explained to MTV News on premiere night, the collaboration between the pair was years in the making. "Jonas is someone we've always wanted to work with," Rudolph explained. "She's always wanted to work with him. You know, Jonas did 'Ray of Light' for Madonna, and that's when she became a fan of his."

Source: MTV

We Just Spoke To Britney Spears' Managers And….

Perez just got off the phone with both of Britney Spears' managers, Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber, after a very long conversation about the pop star and her future plans.

While we can't reveal everything that was discussed, we CAN exclusively confirm that….

Britney will be doing promo for her upcoming album! And there will be some announcements made about that soon.

Spears WILL be performing on television! She WILL be doing magazine covers and interviews. And much more!

We are relieved to hear that!

Oh, and as for those rumors of her using a dance double in the Hold It Against Me video, Team Britney says: "Not true!"

We can reveal exclusively that there is one scene in the video where Britney is fighting against herself and a lookalike had to be used for that scene to film the fighting. But Spears did ALL of her own dancing in the video - and we can't wait to see it!

Brit's managers promise that you're going to be seeing A LOT of Britney - and everywhere.

It can't come quickly enough!

Source: Perez Hilton

Rep: Britney’s ‘Hold It Against Me’ Video Not Dropping After Super Bowl

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

Britney Spears fans will have to wait a little bit longer than Super Bowl Sunday before they see the video for her new single, “Hold It Against Me.”

Despite an online report claming the pop star will debut the video in between the game and a special Sunday episode of “Glee,” Britney’s manager, Larry Rudolph, told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush that this is not true.

“Definitely not premiering Super Bowl Sunday!” Larry told Billy on Wednesday morning.

The latest Britney rumor comes on the heels of another online report that the pop princess was scheduled to perform at the upcoming Grammy Awards, which her rep also shot down.

According to Britney’s Twitter, the video is still in the works.

“I’m so excited to see the 1st cut of the #HIAM video next week. I asked for more pics to send to you guys. Hopefully tmw…. – Brit,” she Tweeted on Tuesday.

Source: Access Hollywood

Britney Spears' Sporty Studio Stop, Rite Aid Run

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

Kicking off another work week with a studio visit, Britney Spears was spotted in Studio City, California on Monday afternoon (January 17).

Looking sporty in a colorful sleeveless top with black gym shorts, the pop princess was at first shielded by an umbrella-toting staffer before making a mad dash from a pack of ensuing paparazzi.

Once finished up with her musical efforts, Brit Brit, boyfriend Jason Trawick and Larry Rudolph then headed off to Rite Aid for a few personal needs before continuing along on their way.

As previously reported by GossipCenter, Miss Spears has been diligently working at the studio for the past couple weeks as she prepares a new album for her fans.

Already seeing success, Billboard "is projecting that Britney‘s new single 'Hold It Against Me' will likely become the 18th song to debut at No. 1 since their Hot 100 chart began keeping track in 1958," according to EWMusicMix.

See more pics here!

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Ryan Seacrest Reviews HIAM & Reveals New Song Title

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

It’s been over two years since Britney Spears released her sixth studio album Circus, and with the welcoming of 2011, the reigning princess of pop is set to take back the music scene. Tuesday, Spears is set to release her first single “Hold It Against Me” from her forthcoming album slated to hit stores and iTunes in March.

Spears’ managers Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber gave Ryan a first listen to the high-energy single on Thursday, which blew away the demo that leaked online earlier this morning. Leber played the song off of his trusted iPod Classic in Ryan’s radio studio. Britney’s managing team also played a second song for Ryan, “I I I Wanna Go” another powerhouse single from the new album.

Rudolph and Leber explained to Ryan that the creative process for “Hold It Against Me” music video is well underway and are nothing short of spectacular. Spears has been rehearsing choreography for the video for a month now, and will shoot in two weeks.

Check back to RyanSeacrest.com Tuesday for the premiere of “Hold It Against Me”!

Source: Ryan Seacrest

Britney Manager: "There Will 100% Be a Lawsuit"

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

Britney Spears put abuse rumors to rest when she visited beau Jason Trawick at work in L.A. Wednesday.

Earlier that afternoon, the Spears' reps denied that Trawick, 38, beat the singer, calling reports by tabloid Star and RadarOnline "laughable" and "utterly false."

With her hair tucked under a fedora, Spears, 29, joined Trawick at the William Morris Endeavor Entertainment offices for a special screening of The Secretariat on behalf of Hathaway Sycamores, the largest provider for children's mental health services in L.A. County.

"They were both very upbeat. They were smiling and seemed very happy to be there," Rob Myers, executive vice president of development at Hathaway-Sycamores, tells UsMagazine.com.

After the couple greeted the families and introduced the film, "the buzz in the room was fantastic," Myers says. "The look on the children's faces was just priceless."

And despite the allegations against him, Trawick showed little signs of worry during Spears' surprise appearance.

"Jason was obviously having a tough day, but he kept his commitment to bring Britney in to the screening," a source tells Us. "He acted professional at all times despite the false story."

"It's amazing that Star continues to try to defend their story by putting out more and more pieces of a fraudulent recording. Everyone knows it is not her," Spears' manager Larry Rudolph tells Us. "The more they put out, the more ridiculous they look. The lawyers are drawing up the legal papers right now; there will 100 percent be a lawsuit. We are suing."

Source: US Weekly

Britney Spears Lookin’ Fab On The Set Of Her New Candie’s Commercial

Earlier today we saw a photo of Britney Spears with her manager Larry Rudolph on the SoCal set of the new commercial she is working on for Candie’s. Here are a few more photos of Britney lookin’ totally faboo yesterday afternoon on that Candie’s commercial set:
That’s my girl, she always cleans up nicely. I’m not certain but I believe this shoot was for a video commercial but I wouldn’t be surprised if we also got to see promo photos as well. Candie’s chose well when they decided to hire Britney Spears to promote their clothing and accessories for two years in a row. I can’t wait to see what they come up with together for this new phase of the campaign.

Source: Pink Is The New Blog

Britney Spears: Queen of the Desert

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

Britney Spears gave her fans a big surprise this weekend.

The pop princess made an unscheduled appearance at the closing event of the White Party, Jeffrey Sanker's annual weekend-long gay festival in Palm Springs, Calif. I'm told she was there because she and one of yesterday's performers, Agnes, share the same manager, Larry Rudolph.

Spears was treated like royalty…

I'm told she held court over the party from a $20,000 viewing platform that was built just for her. She was protected by at least a dozen security guys who did their best to shoo away any overzealous fans trying to snap pics (sorry, Brit, but photos hit the web as soon as you hit the party).

"At the White Party in Palm Springs," Spears tweeted. "Sooooo fun!!! About to check out Agnes."

No word on what Spears thought of another performer on the bill—Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak.

The reality star "sang" her dance single, "Tardy for the Party," in what appeared to be a black skirt and bustier inspired by 1980s Madonna. She was joined onstage by her collaborator and fellow Housewife Kandi Burruss and a gaggle of hot, muscled go-go boys.

Source: E! Online

How Britney Spears' 'Stronger' Video Made Her A Diva

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

Up until the release of "Stronger," Britney Spears had not yet truly made the leap from teen pop star to femme fatale. Most — if not all — of her videos were glossy, pastel-colored romps about falling in and out of love. It wasn't until she worked with Joseph Kahn on "Stronger," from her 2000 Oops! ... I Did It Again LP, that Spears began to emerge as a darker, more dangerous version of sexy.

"For 'Stronger,' she said, 'I would like to dance in a chair and drive in a car and break up with [my] boyfriend,' " Kahn told MTV News. " 'Those are your three elements.' And then, as a director, you go, 'OK, well, how do I make that cool?'

"I think this video is interesting because it's got a very sophisticated, adult look to it," Kahn (who has helmed dozens of music videos, including Brit's "Womanizer" and Chris Brown's "Crawl") continued. "It's definitely a departure from the sort of candy-colored videos she was doing before, so I always thought this was the transition between Britney the teenage pop star and Britney the sort of diva she became."

Kahn ended up taking those elements and creating a semi-futuristic world in which Spears walks into a club, breaks up with her cheating boyfriend and triumphantly walks in the rain, knowing her life is better off without him. But it was the pivotal dance sequences with the metal chair that defined the aesthetic for the video.

"She pitched it to me as an original concept by herself, but the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the chair sequence, in terms of how it applies to music videos, was Janet Jackson's 'Pleasure Principle' — the iconic chair sequence in that." Kahn recalled.

Like Jackson, Spears wasn't afraid to get sexy in the clip, even if her handlers were a bit nervous that she was going too far. "There's a shot here where I'm tracking with her, and her legs are spread, and Larry [Rudolph], the manager, was like, 'Don't do that.' " Kahn said. "And she was like, 'Yes, definitely do that.' "

Oddly enough, one aspect of the video that Kahn was insistent upon was Spears' eye shadow. "One of the big things I wanted to do here, that I was just obsessed with ... I know it sounds really strange, but I wanted her to have gray eye shadow," he said. "And I think it looks really good. I remember when I was looking at the close-ups, Britney goes, 'You're really obsessed with this gray eye shadow!' and I go, 'Yes, absolutely.' But if you look at it, it just makes her eyes pop like crazy."

Source: MTV

Britney Leaves A Record Studio

Britney is pictured here leaving a recording studio where she spent the entire day with Max Martin and both of her managers laying down tracks for a rumored Greatest Hits album.

Source: Untouchable Britney

Britney Presented With Platinum Plaque

Jive Records presented Britney with a plaque yesterday to certify 1 million units sold! Circus was certified Platinum by the RIAA! Congratulations Brit!

Britney and manager, Larry Rudolph, met with Barry Weiss, Chairman of BMG Label Group, Tom Carrabba, Peter Thea and Teresa LaBabera- Whites, to celebrate the great news.

See more pics here!

Source: BritneySpears.com

Britney Spears Kicks Off Circus Tour

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

Making her much awaited debut on the Circus tour, Britney Spears took to the stage at the New Orleans Arena on Tuesday night (March 3).

The “Gimme More” singer dazzled with fresh dance routines and displays as she performed songs off her latest album, as well as some of her classics.

“This is a full-out, full-blown Britney Spears show,” her manager Larry Rudolph tells. “It is everything everybody would expect from her and more.”

Talking about how Britney looked as she prepped for the stage, Baton Rouge DJ Libby Davis said, “Her body is definitely back. We could see her arm and leg muscles from where we were sitting. In typical Britney fashion, the costumes were pretty scanty. It was Cirque du Soleil meets Moulin Rouge.”

See more pics here!

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Fan: Britney's Rehearsal Show Was Amazing

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

One of the few fans to see Britney Spears's dress rehearsal of her Circus show at the New Orleans Arena Monday night tells PEOPLE that the pop star did not disappoint.

"She really delivered," said Libby Davis, 27, of Baton Rouge radio station WFMF, which gave away tickets to the late-night rehearsal. "There were only 150 people there, but she put on a great show."

As for how Spears looks, Davis says, "Her body is definitely back. We could see her arm and leg muscles from where we were sitting. In typical Britney fashion, the costumes were pretty scanty. It was Cirque du Soleil meets Moulin Rouge."

Davis's group waited through the first dress rehearsal for family and friends, which they could hear but not see. Once inside, "Everybody was chanting, 'Britney, Britney, Britney,' screaming, 'We support you, Britney,' " says Davis. "She put on the entire show as if it were a full house. She catered to us," adds Davis. "She even stopped during 'Womanizer' because she realized we couldn't see her. She said, 'Let's do it over.' "

Manager Weighs In

Spears's manager, Larry Rudolph, told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Tuesday that fans should have high expectations for the tour, which is sponsored by Virgin Mobile.

"This is a full-out, full-blown Britney Spears show," he says. "It is everything everybody would expect from her and more."

In terms of how her life on the road has changed with motherhood, Rudolph says Spears benefits from having sons Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2, with her. "[They] give her amazing inspiration and amazing strength."

Leading up to Tuesday's kick off concert Rudolph says Spears will sleep late, have breakfast in the early afternoon and arrive at the Arena about 4 p.m. where she'll get into hair and makeup. "And then, the performance," he says.

Davis feels lucky to have been able to see the intimate preview – even though the show happened so late that she didn't get home until 3:30 Tuesday morning.

"It was insane," she says. "But it was worth it."

Source: People

Britney Spears Is The Comeback Queen

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

Britney Spears spends a fun filled afternoon with her boys, Jayden Federline and Sean Federline on Sunday (March 1) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The 27-year-old singer flew to New Orleans with her children for the start of her comeback world tour. Britney arrived in a tour bus from her Kentwood, Louisiana home, and was accompanied by her father Jamie Spears, manager Larry Rudolph, and an entourage of bodyguards and security, who covered her with umbrellas when she arrived at her hotel.

Kevin Federline joined his son, Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2, after negotiations that allowed Britney to bring her sons on tour with her.

See more pics here!

Source: Just Jared

Britney Heads to Big Easy for High-Stakes Comeback

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

The elaborate costumes are packed. The 16 semis filled with magic props and big-top sets are on the road.

When Britney Spears takes the stage at the New Orleans Arena on March 3 – the opening night of her Circus tour – the stakes will never be higher.

After more than two years of personal drama, the tour will either make or break the professional comeback she began last fall.

According to sources, Spears, 27, who left Friday for Louisiana, has been hard at work preparing for the show, which will feature her signature sexy dance moves, a stage filled with three circus rings, and magic tricks.

"She's pretty determined," a friend tells PEOPLE. "She missed singing and performing and the freedom of that. It gives her an escape and it's what she loves to do, so she's definitely thankful to be doing that again."

Redeeming Herself

Though the pop star seemed to be back in old Britney form when she sang "Womanizer" on Good Morning America in December, the concert will be her biggest performance since her disastrous, out-of-shape appearance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

"I've got to believe she's ready and will do a professional show," Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of the concert trade magazine Pollstar, says. "If she doesn't, it's over."

Spears's last tour, in 2004, was canceled after the singer injured her knee during a video shoot. (She spent her newfound free time with then-boyfriend Kevin Federline; they were engaged that summer.) So far, the buzz for the upcoming 31-city outing is strong.

"In general, the tickets have sold very well. Some shows are already sold out," Bongiovanni says. "Obviously, it means there is significant fan interest in seeing her do her live show. That fact that she's been off the scene for a while helps with the pent-up demand."

Lingering Issues

Of course, some interest may stem from the sideshow that has been her personal life. On Wednesday, her father, Jamie, was granted an extension on a restraining order against his daughter's ex-manager Sam Lutfi. (Jamie holds indefinite legal control over her life following her two forced hospitalizations in January 2008.)

In a hearing on Monday, Jamie testified that prior to his stepping in, Britney's life "was pretty well a disaster. She had nothing going on, just mostly [being] in the tabloids. [But now] weight-wise she's eating properly, she's very stable, making her meetings, taking care of her babies [Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2], doing things she's supposed to do," he said.

Jamie also testified that during her breakdown, Britney was "kind of wild" and "just very messed up."

Britney's current manager, Larry Rudolph, told PEOPLE in November that dancing and singing is what helped the singer get her life back on track. "She identifies with her career in a lot of ways and getting her career back is a great therapeutic thing for her," he explained.

Seconds the pal, "She's better when she puts her energy into that."

Still, legal experts say her father could remain in control for months or even years. She'll only regain her independence once she proves to the court – backed by doctors' opinions – that she can handle her own affairs.

Is She Ready?

The pop star's friend worries the tour may be too much for the singer to handle, but notes that "it's what her team thought was best."

What will make the trip easier is that Federline is taking the couple's kids on the road so they can keep up their regular visitation schedule with Mom.

"Having the boys with her is going to make all the difference," says a source. "They are the reason she can do this."

Source: People

Britney To Make $100 Million Of 'Circus' Tour

The following italicized article is from www.dailystar.co.uk:

BRITNEY Spears will spend a mind-blowing $7.2million on staff this year.

But the pop babe will make $100million with her biggest tour in seven years.

Figures for the star show she pays dad Jamie a $200,000 salary.

He has run her finances since her 2007 meltdown.

Britney also pays $180,000 to her mum Lynne. Her manager Larry Rudolph, fired when she hit the skids then re-hired last year, gets the biggest slice of her income – up to $1.5million a year.

And eight bodyguards who work in shifts round the clock each earn $150,000, adding up to a personal security bill of $1.2million.

Britney pays ex-husband Kevin Federline $480,000 a year, made up of $20,000 per month in “spousal support” and $15,000 a month on nannies for their sons Preston, three, and Jayden, two.

Federline, 30, will also get a $5,000-a-week “bonus” for letting the kids join Britney, 27, on legs of her Circus tour which kicks off in New Orleans on March 3. When the massive show hits the road, Britney’s staff wage bill will soar to $616,000 a month.

At the height of her problems her income fell to $737,000 per month.

She blew $60million in her 18 months of turmoil and it’s believed her crew on tour now includes a psychiatrist.

Another constant companion will be $100,000-a-year assistant Brett Miller.

But gone will be the hangers-on including “lifestyle guru” Sam Lutfi and paparazzo ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, both of whom are the subjects of court restraining orders.

A member of her entourage said of Brit’s past problems: “She was literally throwing money away…unscrupulous people used her as a cash cow.”

Source: Daily Star

New Message From Larry

Source: BritneySpears.com

Luckiest Britney Fans In The World

Talk about the ideal Christmas present! These two Australian Britney fans, Laura and Kleo, entered a contest to win the chance to meet Britney. All they had to do was explain in 25 words or less why they deserved the chance to meet Brit (easier said then done when you're competing with a world full of fans)... but they won!

The two gorgeous girls flew in to Japan from Australia, all expenses paid. They got to meet Britney and talk with her (video coming soon) and also met Larry, Wade, Amanda, the make up peeps and stylist and all the dancers before Britney's performance on NTV's Best Artist 2008.

They took some pics on red carpet and got to watch Britney's performance up close.

Oh, and we've been getting a lot of emails asking for the dancers' names, so since it's Christmas, and the time for giving.... the dancers' names from left to right are... Anthony, Frances, Jose, Brooke, Alex and JP. :) Happy Xmas!

See more pics here!

Source: BritneySpears.com

I'm not amused. That should have been me standing next to Britney!