Britney is a Star Again – So Why Can’t She Manage Her Own Life?
It’s been four years since Britney Spears’ infamous meltdown, but it doesn’t seem that there is an end in sight for the conservatorship that took away control of so much of the then-embattled singer’s life and affairs.
Issued by Los Angeles Judge Reva Goetz, the conservatorship gave Britney’s father Jaime Spears complete control over Britney’s personal life, finances, and her career. Now, at almost 31-years-old and the star of one of TV’s biggest hit shows in “The X-Factor,” you’d think the courts would allow her to take back her life and manage her money and children how she chooses. Heck, recently Forbes named her the second-highest-paid woman in Hollywood.
After years of constant headlines, Britney hasn’t had any issues in the past couple of years – so why does Jaime and her manager/soon-to-be husband Jason Trawick have to watch her every move?
ABC News has published a list of Britney’s expenditures, which include $2,595.80 on hair and makeup, $4,648.00 on massages, grooming and nails, and $54,292.12 on clothes – exorbitant of course, but for a diva-ish singer it’s just another day at the office. The list even includes such “normal” shopping trips as excursions to Toys R Us, Target and Sears. That, folks, is called being a mom.
So if she is mentally stable and making all the money by being Britney, when does the conservatorship end? Will her fiance take over everything once they are married? Or will her father continue to baby his first born? It seems that Jaime Lynn has handled her responsibilities as a mom well, so why can’t papa bear let Britney do the same?
Hopefully Spears will regain her independence soon. It remains to be seen how her children will turn out, having to deal with their mom’s life in the spotlight and limited abilities to parent them over the last few difficult years. But this much can be said with certainty – like her hair, Britney’s career seems to have fully regrown itself. Now, all she needs to do is get a judge to agree.
New Lady Gaga and Prince Music Rumored to Be Making “Gatsby” Great
Attention little monsters! Although it looks like while we won’t be getting the Christmas gift of Baz Luhrmann’s remake of “The Great Gatsby,” there is one more reason to bear the wait until the film’s release next May – and it’s enough to make you go Gaga.
According to our friends over at HitFix, cast member Adelaide Clemens recently broke some news, accidentally – that the soundtrack for the film could potentially include the likes of Lady Gaga and Prince.
“Some pretty huge artists have approached Baz and are writing songs for the film,” Clemens stated. “I don’t think Warner Bros. are going to turn down Prince and Lady Gaga knocking down your door.”
Doubtful indeed. It would be an interesting collaboration for the adaptation of the 1920s F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, but as anyone who is familiar with Baz Lurhmann’s previous work knows, he has a penchant for modernizing through music. From his first flick with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in 1996’s “Romeo + Juliet” to the beloved 2001 musical “Moulin Rouge,” Luhrmann has continuously surprised audiences with his use of current and classic hits (everything from Radiohead to Madonna) to ensnare audiences of all ages. To be honest, I’m still trying to get the image of a mustached and robust Jim Broadbent belting “Like a Virgin” out of my head.
Luhrmann seems to be following suit with “Gatsby,” as evidenced by the decadent and enticing first trailer released a few months ago set to the tunes of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild” and Jack White’s U2 cover of “Love is Blindness.”
Could it be this boundless attitude that has attracted Gaga and Prince to the project? While Prince is no stranger to successful soundtracks, having contributed to “Batman” in 1989 and “Happy Feet” in 2006, this would be Lady Gaga’s first outing in the original soundtrack world. But don’t worry, we’re thinking the current queen of originality won’t have too many problems.
Counterpoint: Could Psy, The Gangnam Style Guy, Be The Next Madonna?
His video has nearly 500 million YouTube views. Flash mobs around the world pay tribute to him. But amazingly, he’s being called the most detestable name an artist with a top-selling song could be labeled with.
One-hit wonder.
From what we’re seeing, Park Jae-Sang (a.k.a. Psy), the 34-year-old South Korean creator of the “Gangnam Style” phenomenon, has reached a critical juncture.
Psy could join artists like Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Chumbawumba or Right Said Fred, who soared to the top of the charts then never scored a second hit. Or maybe, just maybe – he could become an entertainer who thrills fans for decades.
What will it take to achieve the latter? There are only a handful who have sustained success across the last several decades, so let’s take a look at one of the most revered: Madonna.
The Queen of Reinvention has rarely sat still since her self-titled debut album produced hits like “Lucky Star.” Her looks have ranged from vagabond to Vogue cover girl. The onetime dancer, who would go on to become the best-selling female rock artist of the 20th century, has done it by experimenting with a wide range of musical styles. She’s kept everyone guessing while making movies, selling books, embracing Kabbalah, and courting controversy again and again.
So, we’d advise Psy to embrace change. Don’t even attempt to create “Gangnam Style II,” or else you’ll go the way of the Baja Men. Start by taking stock: Think about the business you’re really in – and the special contribution you’re capable of making.
From shots of adoring fans, we know Psy is already a beloved figure in the Korean-American community. With around 1.7 million members, that’s a serious base. Decades ago, Hawaiian singer Don Ho produced a top 10 single – but always had a loyal fan base to fall back on at home. His success spanned five decades.
Now, the key is taking that popularity back home and showing the rest of the world what makes him so appealing. It’s difficult, sure – but in 2012, in a world where globalism is spreading more each day, it’s also never been easier.
This past summer Psy told CNNGo: “I just wanted to make something that was purely comedic – something that could make people laugh like crazy even in the midst of all this global economic slowdown.” Clearly an entertainer who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
As he has shown on “Ellen,” “Saturday Night Live” and “The Today Show” among others, Park Jae-Sang is a likeable guy. And if he seizes this dare-to-be-great opportunity and builds a winning strategy, we just may see a lot more of him in the years to come.
“Super” Jack Osbourne Gets Hitched, Saves Drowning Woman
Jack Osbourne was basking in the glow of newlywed bliss, when he saw a woman that needed help. Now, he’s not only a married man – but a married hero.
Two days after his nuptials to Lisa Stelly (on October 7), Jack and a friend were relaxing at the Four Seasons Hualalai in Hawaii when a woman had a heart attack and drowned right in front of them. Osbourne and his friend sprang into action. According to US Magazine, the men resuscitated the woman until the ambulance came. And apparently the woman is doing just fine.
Stelly tweets “We just found out she’s in a stable condition! Awesome!” What a hero! Luckily for the woman, Ozzy’s son was there at the right time. And what a way to follow up your wedding! That’s some honeymoon!
Osbourne (host of “Jack Osbourne: Adrenaline Junkie”) and Stelly have a daughter, Pearl, 6 months. It’s been a hard year for Osbourne. The ex-reality star was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But the wedding and now saving this woman is putting a fresh spin on Jack’s life. Says a source, “This is such a happy ending.” For Jack and for the woman!
Hawaii was an obvious choice for the nuptials, as it turns out. Osbourne’s parents, Sharon and legendary rocker Ozzy, got married on Maui 30 years ago. Osbourne has spent many Christmas and summer vacations there with his family.
Jack wanted to keep his wedding under wraps, so the “official reason” the family was on the island was Sharon’s 60th birthday. And while it was her birthday, she celebrated it at the wedding. And her present was a new daughter-in-law! The press was completely fooled.
Here’s to Jack and Lisa as they begin their lives as husband and wife. Every weekend might not be as thrilling the one they spent in Hawaii, but here’s hoping they have plenty of nice, normal, paramedic-free weekends ahead of them.
Robin Roberts, Home From the Hospital: “This Too Shall Pass”
Milestones and small victories. We’re pleased to report that “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts is home from the hospital after a month-long stay in the hospital for a bone marrow transplant – treating MDS, a rare blood disorder.
She recently posted a lengthy blog entry telling of her thoughts of being home, recuperating, and showing pictures of her leaving the hospital and looking comfy on her couch. “Home Sweet Home. That has never had quite so much meaning before,” the anchor wrote.
The doctors transplanted bone marrow, which was donated by Robert’s sister, Sally-Ann. Even though she is understandably happy to be at home, she is aware that her battle isn’t finished.
“This doesn’t mean that my journey is over. Far from it. I am considered 21 days old. That’s how long it has been since my transplant…My doctors will be monitoring me closely and I will still be at the hospital regularly to make sure we’re on the right track…”
In the meantime, she is taking a hiatus from GMA until she is given “the all clear.”
She goes on to thank her doctors and her viewers for all their well-wishes.
“Most of all, I know it is your prayers and warm thoughts that have gotten me this far. I truly feel them each and every day. I humbly ask that you please continue to send them until you see me back at the GMA anchor desk and I promise to send them right back at ya.”
She ends her entry with a positive message and optimistic thoughts.
“Each day I get stronger and stronger. I am fond of saying ‘This Too Shall Pass.’ And even in some dark moments, of which there are still a few, I now see that light at the end of the tunnel. This too really shall pass.
Light love power presence… and blessings to you all, XO”
On behalf of all of us at Nicerazzi who love you: Welcome back, Robin!
Justin Bieber “Personal Footage” Finally Leaks! Was it Worth the Hype?
After days of hype and blog-fueling controversy, the mystery of Justin Bieber’s stolen footage has been solved. As it turns out, it was all about…a music video?
As we reported yesterday morning, the superstar tweeted during this past week that his computer and camera had been stolen, saying that “I had a lot of personal footage on that computer.”
It didn’t take long for the media to take “personal footage” to mean “nude photos” or even “sex tape,” and as the “scandal” grew, fans and other folk began to wonder whether something would soon surface that could tarnish the image of the 18-year-old singer.
On Thursday afternoon, a Twitter user named @gexwy suddenly appeared. He had no avatar and all the markings of someone who had just joined the site, and shot back at Bieber with comments like:
“@justinbieber haha. that is what u think. we will see tomorrow at NOON. last chance.”
“and the rest of u can just shutup. u have no idea what i have and when u see tomorrow u will feel different.”
And finally: “TOMORROW PUNK! @justinbieber”
Soon after, Bieber appeared to be getting downright emotional about his predicament: “THIS IS WHAT I DO IT FOR!! THE MUSIC AND THE FANS! MY BELIEBERS!! THAT’S WHAT MATTERS! OUR ALBUM, OUR TOUR, OUR MUSIC, OUR MEMORIES! LOVE U!”
Then, sometime this morning, Bieber’s account appeared to be hacked. His 29 million followers were inundated with tweets calling out popular entertainment sites with the hashtag warning #noon over and over.
At 20 minutes before noon, Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) tweeted: “I’d be by a computer in 20 mins if i were u…”
Then at noon, all was finally revealed. “Since i was 14 i have had a lot of things said about me, from dying, to taking hormones, to dying again, to stuff about my family,” Bieber explained. “to saying i had a baby with a woman i never even met. nude pics, drugs, my family, my character…but today…today i get to be in on it…”
And then, as fans had begun to expect, he posted a link to “Beauty and a Beat,” his new music video featuring Minaj. Simultaneously, @gexwy tweeted “HERE IT IS @JUSTINBIEBER!!!” and posted the same link.
The video begins with a “Blair Witch” like intro explaining: “In October of 2012 three hours of personal footage was stolen from musician Justin Bieber. The following footage was illegally uploaded by an anonymous blogger.”
What follows is crudely-edited footage of Bieber playing ping-pong and partying, and then more slickly-edited shots of Bieber singing the song to a handheld camera. As if any doubt remained, at one point he walks past a table with the words “Beauty and a Beat – written, directed and shot by Justin Bieber” written on it. Yeah, once you’ve bragged that you’re the director and photographer of a video, it’s kinda hard to pretend some “anonymous blogger” is behind it.
Anyway, here it is if you want to take a look for yourself:
Of course, we here at Nicerazzi would never say “Told you so.” But let the record show that yesterday while talking about the leaked footage we warned: “We’d never say Biebs is complicit in this – only that educated pop culture fans shouldn’t always believe everything they read.”
As it turns out, he was indeed complicit. So, what do you think of Biebs’ deception of his 29 million Twitter followers? Will @gexwy be forever infamously remembered as his Chris Gaines? Or has the Biebs engineered a brilliant feat of modern-day marketing? Weigh in with your thoughts below!
Will Homeless Erin Moran Ever Find “Happy Days” Again?
A sad story has been playing itself out all over the gossip news lately involving former “Happy Days” star Erin Moran, and it’s enough to make her infamously-awful spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi” look like those were the good days.
Moran, who once upon a time played adorable, All-American little sister Joanie Cunningham, is now broke and homeless after being kicked out of a trailer park in Indiana. As reported by numerous news sites, the out-of-work actress and her husband Steve Fleischmann moved in to Steve’s mother’s trailer park home in Indiana after the couple was evicted from their house in Los Angeles. Further reports state that Erin and her husband were later kicked out of the trailer park home following a huge fight between Erin and her mother-in-law about Erin’s excessive drinking and partying. The couple is now reportedly roaming the streets of Indiana living out of hotels with their two dogs.
Most recently, a New York Post report said that she had a nasty run-in with her mother-in-law and was “desperate and quickly running out of options.”
This is extremely depressing for those of us who remember when Fonzie and “Happy Days” ruled the airwaves for a decade, consistently among the top-rated shows on TV. How does someone go from top-rated TV show to such dire straits? It would be the equivalent of Jon Cryer ending up homeless a decade from now – except, we’re guessing that Cryer has negotiated his “2 and a Half Men” contract a little bit better.
Reports say that Moran has been living off a $65,000 settlement with CBS that she and her fellow “Happy Days” cast members each received over a licensing and merchandising lawsuit last July. But those funds have rapidly dwindled.
Well, this just breaks my heart. I grew up watching “Happy Days” and remember having a crush on Erin’s character. Our hearts go out to you, Erin. Reading this news I am reminded that the effects of the economy’s crash in the last few years has affected not just the poor. It doesn’t matter your history or your resume; everyone can fall.
When you hear a story like this, the easy way out is to just make a bunch of lame jokes. The harder thing is to put yourself in that person’s shoes and think, when you have a famous face, suddenly it’s gone from your blessing to your curse. Because unlike you or I, someone like Erin Moran can’t just go get a job at McDonalds or Starbucks:
“Hello, welcome to Starbucks, may I take your order?”
“Hey, aren’t you Joanie from “Happy Days?”
“Yes, what would you like to drink?”
“OMG! I can’t believe it! I loved that show! – What happened?”
Oh, the humility. Since the 1980’s, Moran has appeared on small walk-on roles in series like “The Love Boat” and “Murder, She Wrote” but that was decades ago, so acting gigs have clearly become few and far-between.
Most recently, she appeared on “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2008, and those kinds of shows usually prove to be the last stop on the kinda-famous train before people stop pointing cameras at you altogether. Although that show gave an up-close look at her struggle with alcohol and desperation to rebuild her life and career, Moran is now like millions of other Americans – out of work and getting desperate.
It’s ironic, because like the show “Happy Days” sought to portray, there was a time when life was much more simple. Today, the American dream has backfired for many and left them empty and deflated. Rather than pointing fingers and judging people for their faults and failures, maybe we should sit back and remember a time when life was more “happy” and like the Cunninghams, we had some compassion for our fellow neighbors.
Erin, we here at Nicerazzi remember how much laughter and fun you brought into our lives. Whatever your current issues, we’re rooting for you to straighten things out. Hang in there!
How do you feel about Erin’s predicament? Post your words of encouragement below!
Jennifer Lawrence Named New Face of Dior, Embraces Casual Fashion
There is little doubt that “Hunger Games” sensation Jennifer Lawrence is one of the hottest rising stars in Hollywood today. At 22 years old, she already has an Oscar nomination (“Winter’s Bone”) under her belt, a blockbuster comic book franchise (“X-Men”) at her disposal, and a highly-anticipated trilogy to finish as Katniss Everdeen. In a way, it seems like things can’t get any better.
Or maybe they can.
According to various sources, it looks like the Kentucky-born beauty will be adding another title to her ever-expanding resume: Miss Dior.
Yup, it’s official. Lawrence has been named the new celebrity face of Christian Dior, and will be the star in the 2013 ad campaign for Miss Dior handbags. Her opinion of it all?
It’s such a dream to represent an iconic brand that is synonymous with high fashion,” the actress said in a statement. “I’m so excited to be working with the fashion house and wear the new creations by Raf Simons. His most recent haute couture and ready-to-wear collections glamorously capture the modern era at Dior.”
Recently shown gracing the cover of Vogue UK, we’re not surprised in the least. Already a global superstar and recently named one of People’s Ten Best Dressed of 2012 and no-stranger-to-Dior-herself, Marion Cotillard.
“Like everyone else, I first discovered Jennifer Lawrence in the roles she played in action movies,” Belgian fashion designer and Dior head creative director Simons said in the statement. “I was, of course, struck by her incredible on-screen presence in these blockbuster films, but also impressed by her powerful interpretations of subtler, more rounded characters. Her youth and her classic beauty, but also her force of character and the complexity she’s capable of embodying at such a young age, are, for me, both unique and very moving.”
“It’s impossible to be in the industry without getting even the slightest introduction to fashion,” the young actress told Women’s Wear Daily when speaking about her fashion sense. “I hate being overdressed, so I normally find a way to ‘casualize’ anything too showy. If I have a red-carpet event, I definitely want a couple hours to get ready. But for my every-day life, I’m normally ready in 15 minutes.”
I always love watching her on the red carpet, and I’m supportive of her new endeavors – of course, as long as she keeps wielding that bow and kicking butt!
Have any thoughts? Tell me in the comment section below!
Justin Bieber Nude Photos! Are They Real? Should You Be Suspicious?
Everybody stop the presses! One of the world’s most popular celebrities may or may not have nude photos of himself being leaked all over the Internet! But, should you look at them with lust in your eyes, concern for where our culture is headed, or skepticism towards such photos in general?
Here’s how it all went down: Bieber had his laptop and camera stolen during a stop on his “Believe” tour Tuesday night in Washington. Biebs himself tweeted: “Yesterday during the show me and my tour manager josh had some stuff stolen. really sucks. people should respect other’s property…i had a lot of personal footage on that computer.”
Naturally, the media seized on that “personal footage” snippet immediately, and it didn’t take long for headlines to morph into the 4 Golden Search Engine Words:
JUSTIN. BIEBER. NUDE. PHOTOS.
As you read this, those words are popping up everywhere. But, as is usually the case with a celebrity, nobody knows what’s real and what’s not. Google search any name + “nude photos” and you’ll find an endless supply of Photoshopped porn stars with Jessica Biel or Channing Tatum or Betty White’s head attached to their bodies.
So what we have now is a bunch of amateur Sherlocks pouring over pictures of 18-year-old boys manipulating their own…um, manliness. That’s healthy.
Meanwhile, Bieber himself has no reason to confirm or deny any naked photo is actually him. These stars never do, because the more quiet they keep about it, the more everyone talks – and ultimately, talk equals buzz which equals money.
Another thing that no one has considered yet – and, obviously, this is speculative – is that the timing seems oddly perfect for these “photos” to be “stolen.” Bieber has lots of things to currently promote. Meanwhile, now that he’s 18, the clock has begun ticking on how long the “teen heartthrob” label can keep working for him. If he wants to become Justin Timberlake and not Jonathan Taylor Thomas, it’s time to establish himself as a dangerous, sexy adult with an edge. Of course, we’d never say Biebs is complicit in this – only that educated pop culture fans shouldn’t always believe everything they read.
So, are those actual photos of Bieber in the buff? At a time when unemployment hovers around 8 percent, 870 million people in the world are undernourished and the autism birth rate has risen 78 percent in the past decade, don’t we as a society have more important things to worry about?
Then again, bad news like that is the reason why people want to escape into conversations about such things. So, if it helps, knock yourself out – go ahead and Google those 4 Golden Search Engine Words and enjoy the ride. Just make sure you’re not at work, okay?
Matthew McConaughey is Scary Skinny – Should We Be Concerned?
Heartthrob actor Matthew McConaughey has been spotted looking especially thin and sickly recently, and some shocking new pictures have fans concerned. But don’t worry, that’s what he’s going for.
McConaughey’s extreme dieting is actually preparation for a new movie role he’s working on, playing a sickly AIDS victim in a drama called “The Dallas Buyer’s Club.” Back in July he told Larry King “I’ve got a role coming up in the middle of September. I’ve lost about 15 pounds, I’ve gotta lose about 15 more,” adding, “I should not look healthy by the time I’m doing this.”
Ultimately, the usually-chiseled actor lost 30 pounds to play Ron Woodruff in the true story of a heterosexual, homophobic electrician diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. In real life, Woodruff was told to “go home and die,” but instead underwent experimental drug treatment in a desperate attempt to save his life.
The scary skinny look is a stark contrast from his recent role as a buff and brawny male stripper in “Magic Mike.” According to People Magazine, in order to prep for his role as a stripper in that film, the self-admitted “sweat junkie” constantly hit the gym and enjoyed 5 meals of straight protein a day.
Nowadays, McConaughey is sipping tea and calling it a spiritual and mental cleanse. But whatever the actor is doing is significantly more than a cleanse, because McConaughey is a shadow of his former self. As he told King, the first ten days were the hardest because “It takes a while for your body to understand that it has to feed off of itself.” Now that sounds like dedication!
Landing the role of Woodruff was no easy feat for the Texas born actor. On The Red Carpet revealed that McConaughey had to beat out Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling for the role. McConaughey seems to have embarked on an intentional crossover from romantic comedy hunk to a more dramatic actor, putting things like “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” and “Failure to Launch” in the rearview while concentrating instead on grittier roles like his recent turn as a criminal defense attorney in “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
What do you say ladies? Will you be as eager to fork over your money for a performance in which we’re all hoping Matthew keeps his shirt on for once? Tell us below!