Whitney helped make Jordin’s film debut ‘Sparkle’

For her film debut Jordin Sparks, the youngest-ever “American Idol” winner, found a soul mate in the title character of “Sparkle.”

Like Sparks, Sparkle, a Detroit teenager in 1968, is an aspiring songwriter and singer.

Unlike Sparks, Sparkle is hampered by a controlling mother (Whitney Houston in her final film role) who is convinced she’ll lose her soul in the music business.

“Sparkle loves music and wants it so badly and it was her dream, and I definitely related to that. The difference between Sparkle and me was she was indecisive before stardom happened,” Sparks, 22, said.

“Mine came after everything, because it was too overwhelming. Music was what I wanted before ‘Idol.’ I’d made the decision early. Once I got involved — and it’s five years ago now since ‘Idol’ — there were times where I felt, ‘I didn’t sign up for all this.’

“So I’ve gotten to appreciate it.”

Houston was a producer as well as the “Sparkle” star.

“I met Whitney a couple of years ago when I went to my first Grammy festivities. She was surrounded by all these people, and I thought, ‘I have to say hi.’

“My manager at the time got me over to her and she went ‘Hi, it’s nice to meet you,’ and I completely froze.”

Sparks laughed, “I never got to ask if she remembered that.”

On “Sparkle,” Sparks remembers how “all of us had crazy schedules. Whitney, instead of going back to her trailer, she’d chill with us and was so down to earth.

“It goes to show, she would say, ‘You’re just one of the girls at the end of the day.’

“What I remember the most was the scene where I’m wearing this red dress. It was the end of filming, I was so exhausted and something had me start crying.

“I had to take a couple of minutes during filming and she was there, saying ‘Just breathe’ and ‘I know it’s crazy.’ She was there hugging me to feel better. I’ll never forget her.”

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Young & Restless' Greg Rikaart: "Chick-fil-A: What It's Really About!"

 

The media blitz surrounding Chick-fil-A isn't about chicken sandwiches or Dan Cathy's First Amendment right. Mr. Cathy's company has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which publicly denounces the "impure lifestyle" of the LGBT community.

This company donated money to the Family Research Council, which supports the criminalization of homosexuality and states on their website that they oppose efforts for homosexuals to have equal rights. Can you even imagine -- your neighbor, your friend, your sibling or your child being criminalized for being who they are?

I posted a tweet airing my disappointment in Melissa Reeves (Jennifer on Days of our Lives) for aligning herself with this company that financially supports the furthering of hatred and bigotry.

I did so because I have aligned myself with organizations like GLSEN (the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) and I have read too many stories of alienated LGBT kids taking their lives after relentless persecution.

Whether grown up bullies like Dan Cathy and Melissa Reeves realize it or not, they are directly or indirectly telling these vulnerable kids that there is something wrong with them, or they are somehow less than. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm certain of it.

I'd happily talk to Mrs. Reeves about this myself, but alas, she has not responded to me and has blocked me from having access to her twitter account.

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Missy Elliott Says She Has "No Clue" About A New Aaliyah Album

And the plot thickens!

The past few weeks in music have been fueled by rumors of an Aaliyah posthumous album being executive produced by Drake and his best friend/producer Noah "40" Shebib.

Over the past week, the following information has been confirmed by Barry Hankerson and his son Jomo Hankerson of Blackground Records:

1. There is an a posthumous Aaliyah album being made.
2. Noah "40" Shebib is heavily involved in Aaliyah's posthumous album and will serve as a co-producer.
3. Drake is also a co-producer of Aaliyah's new album.
4. Drake will have more than one record on Aaliyah's new project.
5. Aaliyah's brother allegedly posted on her Facebook that there isn't an Aaliyah posthumous album (which seems to be an old statement)
6. Aaliyah's new album will include about 16 tracks of unreleased tracks.
7. Missy Elliott and Timbaland will be involved on Aaliyah's new project.

The story behind Aaliyah's posthumous album has been a confusing one, and has actually gotten more mind-boggling.

Aaliyah's cousin and son of Barry Hankerson, Jomo Hankerson, confirmed in an exclusive interview with Billboard Biz that long time friends of Aaliyah, Timbaland and Missy Elliott, are on board with the new album, but according to Missy Elliott she has "no clue" about a new Aaliyah album.

Today, a fan tweeted Missy Elliott congratulating her on being involved on Aaliyah's new album, but then Missy hit everyone with a doozy- no one told her about an Aaliyah album.

WHAT?!

GlobalGrind has no idea what is going on, but rumor has it, that Blackground Records is falling off in the deep end and is using this Aaliyah project to get them back on the map.

Singer JoJo has been very vocal about her issues with her label, but it seems like she's in for the long run with Blackground.

GlobalGrind wouldn't have guessed that Aaliyah's posthumous album would be surrounded by so much drama, but we hope Aaliyah's uncle, Drake, 40, and anyone else who comes on board for the album does Aaliyah justice and maintains her honor.

Are you surprised that Missy Elliott doesn't know anything about a new Aaliyah album?

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Evander Holyfield Finalizes His Divorce

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is finally getting a divorce from his wife, Candi Holyfield. The divorce has been finalized, and comes in the middle of very serious financial problems for the fighter.  Evander has declared bankruptcy this year, had his mansion foreclosed upon and even sold his Olympic medal.

Candi filed for divorce in 2010 after putting out a restraining order on her husband.  She claimed that he hit her in the head, neck and back during a domestic dispute.
According to Candi, the alleged abuse was part of an on-going theme inside the marriage.
“In 2008 he choked me in front of our daughter and house keeper. In 2009 he has hit me in front of the children. He has grabbed me in front of the children. A couple of weeks ago he threw a bottle of water at me,” she said.
Maybe now, Evander can get the rest of his life together and try to get out of financial trouble.  If George Foreman can make a comeback, so can he.

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Nene Leakes Considering Returning to Gregg Leakes

No one can forget how out in the open Nene and Gregg Leakes’ break up was on the reality show “Real Housewives of Atlanta”.  After the public watched the train wreck of a marriage go through its bumps and spirals, it finally crashed in divorce. Now, the divorced pair are reportedly going to give their marriage another try.
A few weeks ago, Nene tweeted that she was going on a date with a man she loved and it sounded suspiciously like the man she was talking about was her ex-husband Gregg.
An unnamed source close to the couple reportedly told Wetpaint that Gregg will be making regular appearances on the fifth season of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and it is possible that the couple will get back together.
Says the source,

 “Gregg has been taping regularly for season five. He’s not missing in action at all. He’s definitely part of the new season…I think this season will be make or break for them. They’re going to see if they’re better off apart or together. That will be a big part of NeNe’s story line on the show — whether or not she and Gregg get back together.”

Relationship guru, Tiy-E Muhammed, who also appeared on the reality show had a chat with S2S magazine and shared that she observed that Nene and Gregg’s marriage was very negatively affected by the show causing them to do things that they never thought they would do, overstepping each other’s boundaries.
One of Nene’s friends, Cynthia Bailey aslo had a chat with the magazine and said that she believed that the couple were still very connected. Said Bailey,

“I think NeNe and Gregg definitely have a comfort zone with each other. Anytime NeNe really wants to talk to someone that she really considers a true friend, she’s going to call Gregg, every single time.”

In the end, even if the couple end up staying in their separate corners, at least they can say they tried, not just once but also a second time for good measure.

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Jordin Sparks Talks Weightloss, Doesn’t Want to be Stick-thin

Jordin Sparks recently lost 50lbs following years of weight gain after she won American Idol in 2007.

The talented singer is the first to admit that her weight-loss journey has not been an easy one. The 22 year old spoke to Redbook magazine  as the cover-girl for their September issue, saying there are no short cuts to losing weight.

Said Sparks,

“My whole journey has been about self-acceptance. ‘There’s no quick or magical way to lose weight. You just have to do it the natural way— diet and exercise and stick to it— and be able to do it at your own pace. Everyone has their own thing.”

In her conversation with Redbook , the American Idol star talked about what it was like to work with Whitney Houston, who passed away earlier this year. She worked with the late songstress in the upcoming and highly anticipated  film ‘Sparkle,’ which will be in theaters next weekend.

Sparks shared that Houston was like a mother to her, saying.

“For me, she took on the mother role because my parents weren’t there [during filming] She was always asking: Did I feel comfortable? Did I need anything?”

Sparkle is a remake of the movie with the same title about a girl group’s experiences with drugs, fame and success.

Sparks certainly did not take her role in the film or working with the late Whitney Houston for granted saying,

“I get so overwhelmed because its my first film, and for my first film to be so deep and heavy… I got to work with one of my idols and sing with her, and she even played my mother…I don’t know if anything will ever be as good as this. Sometimes I ask myself, Why did I deserve to have a part in a film like this? ‘I don’t want this to come off crazy, but somebody said to me, ‘It’s like Whitney essentially passed the torch.’ And to hear that, it’s just nuts.”

Shape magazine recently featured the new and slimmer songstress on their cover looking great in a bikini.

Jordin who has has previously modelled plus-size clothing is loving her weight-loss but is quick to say,

“The stick-thin thing, I’m kind of just like, “Not gonna do it” and “I couldn’t.”‘

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Kanye West and Girlfriend Kim Kardashian Say No to Reality TV Deal

Rapper, Kanye West and his reality television star girlfriend, Kim Kardashian have reportedly said no to a reality TV deal. The couple claim that they are too busy to do a reality show, says a report by The Examiner.

Kris Jenner, Kim’s mother and manager, affirmed that her daughter and her beau are too busy at this time. She did not shut down the possibility of televising the couple’s wedding, insisting though, that it was all up to Kim to decide.

Kim is still technically still married to Kris Humphries although they are in the process of dissolving the marriage. Talking about televising Kanye and Kims’s wedding, Jenner said:

“Anything that makes Kim happy, I’m thrilled…You know what, I don’t even have an answer for that. That’s so crazy, I really don’t know. I think that as long as the kids are happy, I’m happy. Whatever floats their boat.”

Jenner did not miss the opportunity to share her delight about her new grand-baby, her granddaughter Penelope, saying,

“I’m so content right now. Kourtney’s such a great mom and we have such an amazing family. Penelope is such an amazing addition, so I’m thrilled.”

The power couple may not be partnering up for a reality show but reports say that the pair are working on a partnership in the shoe business. It is reported that Kanye and Kim have been meeting with business men like billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault who is married to actress Salma Hayek and owns Louis Vuitton.

An anonymous source reported that the meeting with the billionaire was positive but nothing has been solidified, saying: “Kim and Kanye had lunch with Francois the other day at the yacht club because they’re trying to negotiate a shoe deal with him.”

Louis Vuitton is owned by the “Francois’ company which Kim and Kanye both love. Although nothing has been confirmed, the couple is reportedly very excited about the prospect of a new footwear line.

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Tatyana Ali Clowns Shaunie O’neal and Basketball Wives

 

Tatyana Ali is throwing all the shade at reality show producers Mona Scott-Young and Shaunie O’Neal. Scott-Young is the force behind VH1′s “Love & Hip-Hop” and O’Neal is behind “Basketball Wives.”  Obviously, Tatyana is taking a major swipe at Shaunie O’neal, the ex-wife of Shaquille O’neal and producer of the TV show, “Basketball Wives.”

Ali stars in a spoof of the reality wives genre called “It’s My Show.” The episode, entitled, “The Producer” casts Ali as a reality show producer named Mona O’Neil. In it, she’s on set giving directions to the show’s cast members. She even takes a seat for a tight shot where she she talks directly to the camera– a common shot in both the shows.

“I am Mona O’Neil, world renowned reality show producer,” she says. “It is my job to bring the excitement out of Bresha and Jameel– the hood if you will. Some people say ‘stereotypes.’ I say, ‘good television’. When I’m done with them, they’ll have more cultural relevance than the Cosbys’.”

And of course, she manages to get her Louis Vuitton bag in the shot.

She also delivers more cringe-worthy lines such as, “I need this to be more ethnic. The network won’t buy this.” and “This is so ratchet, so hood. The hood is good.”

The show makes an obvious play on the extreme criticism received by shows like “Basketball Wives.” The show is considered an abomination for the way it distorts the images of black women on television.  Much of the imagery relies on women who spend most of their time fighting, bullying and doing all the other things we tell our kids not to do.  There have been numerous petitions to take the show off the air.

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Tyra Banks Taps Tyler Perry for America’s Next Top Model

 

 “America’s Next Top Model” will soon be back on The CW Network as the hit reality modeling competition gears up for its 19th cycle. The new season premieres August 24. The show has been hot for years, but Tyra Banks is always working to keep it hot and regain the traction it had when it first began.

Long-time fans are probably wondering what Banks has in store for this season considering she just got rid of many of the show’s long time co-hosts, judges and photographers. The moves were a bit of a shock, since the ratings hadn’t declined nearly enough to lead to such a dramatic shift.

Cycle 19 is college-edition themed and will feature guests such as the Grammy award-winning Alicia Keys and the box-office wonder, Tyler Perry. We’re not sure what Perry has to do with modeling, but hey, he’s a celebrity.
“Tyler Perry comes on and gives the contestants an acting challenge,” Banks said in an interview with TV Guide. “The winner of that acting challenge is actually going to be in a Tyler Perry movie.”

ANTM will also welcome a new celebrity photographer.

“Shenae Grimes from 90210 is the photographer on one of the photo shoots and actually took some really beautiful pictures,” Banks said.

Nigel Barker, the show’s former photographer, was axed along with long-time judges and co-hosts, Miss J. Alexander, and Jay Manuel, as the show tried to go in a different direction.

The new format is also expected to include a social media correspondent and a new way to deliver Tyra Mail. It looks like the show is doing everything it can to stay relevant. Good for you Tyra.

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Nivea Fires Rihanna Saying She is Too Wild

 

Rihanna has reportedly been dropped as a spokesperson for the skin and body care  company, Nivea, because they think that she is too wild to represent their brandccording to WENN, Rihanna and Nivea partnered for her “Loud” world tour, last year, with Nivea being a co-sponsor and Rihanna appearing in a Nivea commercial. Stefan Heidenreich, the new head of Nivea’s parent firm, Beiersdorf, does not approve of the wild and free songbird’s image and thinks that she needs to tone it down.

Heidenreich reportedly did not approve of the advert starring Rihanna saying,

“The advert starring Rihanna was a no go. I do not understand how Nivea can be brought into association with Rihanna. Nivea is a company which stands for trust, family and reliability.”

Last year, Rihanna was the face of Nivea’s 100 Years Skincare for Life campaign and the skin care company released an image of the then red haired pop star posing nude, from the waist up.

Markus Pinger who was the brand’s representative at the time said,

“We are excited to have Rihanna supporting us in our celebration and building a new generation of fans. Over the past 100 years, Nivea has been an iconic skin-care brand across the world. Rihanna is a music icon and her digital footprint will help us bring our anniversary celebration to consumers wherever they are.”

Nivea also used Rihann’s song “California King Bed” in their international anniversary campaign and even gave their customers a chance to win concert tickets for one of Rihanna’s live shows. Nivea even threw the pop star a big party in Beverly Hills.

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Baby Luca "lifts his head" (congratulations?)

There is no denying Hilary Duff is a proud new mother.

And the Lizzie McGuire star was melting the hearts of her fans again after posting another adorable picture of her son Luca on Twitter.

The ambrosial youngster is developing well, and at just over a month old is already holding his head up while getting in a workout by lying flat on his stomach.

The 24-year-old is pleased as punch with the way her little soldier is coming along.
She told fans: 'Tummy time stud muffin, lifting his head like that.'


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Paris Readies to Dazzle ~✰

“Give me a chance to color my world and I will color it a sweet, pretty and playful pink! Dazzle is as brilliant and feminine as a coveted gem. This sensual fruity floral alluringly expresses a woman’s whimsical side, revealing her inner beauty, her special dazzle and her unique charm.” ~Paris Hilton.

Paris Hilton Dazzle will be available in three sizes, including 125 ml Eau de Parfum.

Paris' fragrances, Can Can and Paris Hilton, were among 2011's 5 top selling perfumes (Can Can #5, Paris Hilton #2).

purchase Paris' best selling & award winning fragrances

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Katy Perry, Chelsea Handler: Why Hasn't Jessica Simpson Given Birth Yet?!

C'mon, Jess!

It seems like Jessica Simpson has been pregnant for years -- and fellow stars Katy Perry and Chelsea Handler are really, really ready for the 31-year-old Fashion Star mentor to give birth to her daughter already.

"Has Jessica Simpson had that baby yet?! I'm getting anxious," singer Perry, 27, Tweeted on Thursday.

Comic Handler, 37, was thinking the same thing. "How has jessica simpson still not given birth to this baby? I'm getting frightened," she wrote.

Engaged to former NFL pro Eric Johnson since fall 2010, Simpson announced her pregnancy on Halloween 2011 and has famously documented her growing (and growing!) bump each step of the way with one eye-catching look after another -- not to mention a volley of outrageous quotes about her sex drive, body image and more.

The last time Simpson was photographed in public was last Friday, when she and her mom Tina grabbed takeout at a Chili's in Encino, Calif.

She Tweeted as recently as Friday afternoon -- cracking up over a store sign selling "Gessica Sinpson" clothing in a pic tweeted by a fan.

The baby-to-be -- a girl -- will be Simpson's first child.

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Chris Brown Under Fire From Animal-Rights Groups for Dog-Breeding Business

Chris Brown's career is going to the dogs—pit bulls, actually.

The "Look at Me Now" singer is stirring controversy for breeding the canines and selling them for profit, drawing heat from animal-rights activists who want him to promote pound puppy adoptions instead.

The brouhaha got started on Monday after the 22-year-old Brown's manager-mother, Joyce Hawkins, posted a link on her Twitter page to CB Breeds, a website featuring a cutesy photo of her son holding up an adorable newborn pup and offering seven fullly vaccinated American pit bull terrier pups for $1,000 a pop.

"CHRIS BROWN PUPPIES FOR SALE," she tweeted.

Needless to say, the R&B star's puppy mill drew howls of protest from several animal welfare organizations, among them the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which issued a statement condemning the side business.

"There is no such thing as a responsible breeder while wonderful dogs are being put down in animal shelters across the country for lack of a good home. This is a moneymaking scheme, and Brown will count the suckers who fall for it as he counts the money on the way to the bank," PETA told E! News in a statement. "Shelters will count the bodies in the barrel. As Justin Bieber, Kellan Lutz and Rocsi Diaz say, "Adopt, never buy."

The Los Angeles chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, meanwhile, decried what it called his "backyard breeding."

"There is no reason to breed and produce more pit bull puppies when there are pit puppies waiting for homes in every shelter in America," said spcaLA president Madeline Bernstein in a statement. "Furthermore, as some of these dogs suffer from and are victims of their owner's misuse, they can be even harder to place."

The group suggested those looking for a pooch instead adopt a shelter dog, which are much cheaper and often come fully trained, and also encouraged Brown to halt his breeding business and put his celebrity to better use by encouraging the same.

"The $1000 price tag for a Chris Brown puppy could be better spent money saving the lives of shelter animals," added Bernstein.

A publicist for the F.A.M.E.crooner denied to E! News that Brown is breeding, noting instead that the puppies were part of a litter birthed by his family's dogs back home in Virginia and were being sold to make sure they get good homes.

"He loves animals, especially dogs," said the rep.

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Did Taylor Swift Get a Boob Job??

We did a double take when Taylor stepped out in Beverly Hills on April 23 wearing a tight, striped dress! Did the blonde beauty go under the knife? Find out why three plastic surgeons say yes!

Taylor Swift has always impressed us with her easy-breezy style and down-to-earth attitude, but it seems the Hollywood lifestyle may finally be rubbing off on the country cutie. Recent photos of the 22-year-old singer suggest she may have undergone breast augmentation — and experts agree!
“The country star appears to be following in the footsteps of another female country singer, Dolly Parton, and enhanced her breasts,” plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn tells HollywoodLife.com.
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Fleming arees, adding, “I think it’s pretty obvious that’s she’s had breast enhancement. It looks very nice and proportional.”
Dr. Youn believes Taylor increased her cup size from a small A to a striking C.
“There is definitely a significant difference in the appearance of the breasts between the two photos,” says NYC-based plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Schaffner.
What do YOU think of Taylor’s new look? Do you think it’s all in the clothes, or did she go under the knife?

Receipts:




Source: http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2012/04/25/taylor-swift-breast-implants-before-after-pics/?v02



Also slightly more recent photos than the "before" pic from above. These were taken when she was in Perth last month:






UPDATE:  E! News reports that "a source close to the singer" denies that she got a boob job:
Read More:  http://www.eonline.com/news/true_false_did_taylor_swift_get_boob_job/311879?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

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What does Amber Rose think of KimYe?

Plus shots of her signing autographs (since she's important and shit), a zoom in on her ass, and Wiz Khalifa

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The View discusses Zimmerman's apology

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Kristen Stewart to star in thriller 'Cali'

"Snow White and the Huntsman" star Kristen Stewart is set to topline "Cali," a gritty action pic set in Los Angeles that will be produced by Voltage Productions and New School Media.

Michael Diliberti ("30 Minutes or Less") wrote the script, which follows Mya (Stewart) and Chris, a pair of San Fernando Valley lovebirds with a penchant for bad choices and dangerous behavior. After selling a fake snuff film featuring Mya, they ride off into the sunset with a bundle of cash. Years later, Mya must "return from the dead" to save the younger sister she left behind in Cali, where the young couple contends with angry former business partners, homicidal porn stars, stoner vet techs, an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat and their own contentious relationship.

Craig J. Flores ("300") and Zev Foreman ("Killer Joe") will produce for Voltage, while Diliberti will also produce. His manager, Brian Levy of New School Media, will exec produce with Voltage topper Nicolas Chartier ("The Hurt Locker") and Stewart, who will pick up her first producing credit on the project.

Diliberti developed the script on spec before it was acquired by Voltage, which attached Stewart. Producers are currently out to directors and they're anticipating a late summer start date.

"Kristen is a talented and dynamic actor, with a proven box office draw," said Flores. "Her role in 'Cali' will be edgy and sexy. It will no doubt push the envelope on the public's view of Kristen's wide-ranging abilities. Voltage is thrilled to have her as a partner on this fantastic film."

"Cali" marks a return to indie fare for Stewart, who has balanced the "Twilight" franchise pics like "Welcome to the Rileys," "The Runaways" and Walter Salles' upcoming adaptation of "On the Road." Thesp next stars in Universal's "Snow White and the Huntsman" and the final installment in "The Twilight Saga," which Summit will release on Nov. 16.

Diliberti is coming off the seven-figure spec sale to GK Films of comedy "Little White Corvette," which has Emma Stone attached to star. Scribe is also writing a Fox 2000 project for "Crazy, Stupid, Love" helmers John Requa and Glenn Ficarra that Simon Kinberg is producing, a Sony pic for Seth Gordon that Matt Tolmach is producing and a Warner Bros. movie for Todd Phillips with his Green Hat Films banner producing.

Voltage, which produced Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar winner "The Hurt Locker," is currently in pre-production on Shia LaBeouf-starrer "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman" and post-production on Robert Redford's political action-thriller "The Company You Keep," which also stars LaBeouf.

Stewart is repped by Gersh and McKuin, Frankel and Whitehead, while WME and New School Media reps Diliberti.

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Iconic 'Ring/Ringu' film series character Sadako Tosses 1st Pitch at Ballgame (Creepy Post!)

The Japanese entertainment news website Movie Collection began streaming a video of the Ring horror films' character Sadako throwing the opening pitch at a baseball game on Wednesday. To promote her Sadako 3D film, which will open in Japan on May 12, Sadako appeared as part of the season-opening ceremony before a game between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Chiba Lotte Marines teams of Japan's Pacific League.




In the video, Sadako shakes her head a few times and finally decides on a pitch that the catcher apparently signs to her. She then moves closer to home plate, throws the ball so that it doesn't bounce, and collapses after the pitch. The Fighters' mascot Brisky the Bear and an official escort her back to the dugout.









The ghost character appeared this month as "Sadako Keroro" in a Sadako 3D and Sgt. Frog (Keroro Gunsō) crossover promotion. "Sadako 3D x Hello Kitty" products will also be sold when the film opens.

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Gabourey Sidibe: Joan Cusack Told Me To Quit Show Business

Gabourey Sidibe may have been nominated for an Academy Award for her title role in 2009's "Precious," but that doesn't mean everyone in Hollywood knows who she is just yet. In fact, on Wednesday's "Watch What Happens Live," the actress revealed a major diss she received from actress Joan Cusack, albeit before she made it big.

In the show's "Plead the Fifth" segment, host Andy Cohen asked Sidibe, "What celebrity were you most disappointed by when you finally met them?"

Sidibe said it was none other than Cusack, who didn't know who Sidibe was and even told her to quit her job!

"What celebrity was I disappointed by? Oh, and it's not in a mean way, because I know that she meant well. I met Joan Cusack, who is my favorite favorite -- I love her -- but, it was before I became [famous] or whatever. I was at some industry party, and she says, 'Are you an actress?' And I said, 'Yeah!' And she says, 'Oh honey, you should really quit the business, it's so image-conscious.'"
Sidibe assured everyone that Cusack meant the comment in a positive way, but it was still disappointing.


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PREGNANT MAN: My Abusive Wife Punched Me ... IN THE CROTCH

The Pregnant Man claims his estranged wife is a violent alcoholic ... who once hit him in the "crotch" during a heated argument in front of their kids ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ.

Thomas Beatie -- a transgender man -- has officially filed divorce papers in an effort to end things with his wife of 9 years Nancy Beatie. In the docs, Thomas says he's been physically attacked by Nancy on multiple occasions.

In the papers, filed in Arizona, Thomas claims in February 2012 he tried to stop his "visibly intoxicated" wife from driving their 3 kids to daycare ... when she began to cuss him out and shoved him.

In the docs, Thomas says he called 911 ... but Nancy continued to be violent ...claiming, "She hit me in the crotch."


Thomas says it wasn't the first time Nancy attacked him -- he claims on January 17, 2012 Nancy woke him up at 2:00 AM by punching him in the face for no reason. Thomas explains, "This night, like every night, [Nancy] hovers over me, threatening me with physical and emotional abuse."

Nancy eventually filed court docs of her own ... denying Thomas' allegations ... and claiming it's THOMAS who's been physically and emotionally abusing her.

A hearing took place earlier this month, in which Thomas testified in open court. As a result, the judge issued a restraining order against Nancy -- barring her from going near or contacting Thomas or the kids ... outside of 3 supervised visits per week.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 7 ... when the judge is expected to make further rulings on child support, spousal support and custody.

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Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga to Play Aliens in MIB3

Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Frank the Pug, make room for Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

Men in Black III director Barry Sonnenfeld recently confirmed that both pop stars will have small roles in the upcoming summer blockbuster.

In an interview with Collider, Sonnenfeld revealed that Bieber and Gaga would play aliens alongside director Tim Burton.

"In this [installment] there are a few people that you'll see up on the surveillance board, including Lady Gaga, Tim Burton, who probably knows more about aliens than I do, and let's see who else... Justin Bieber," Sonnenfeld said. "The challenge is getting celebrities that are famous, will give you permission and won't be like 'Who's that guy?' in 10 years."

Of course, J.B. and Gaga aren't the first pop icons to participate in the Men in Black films. In 2002's Men in Black II, Michael Jackson played Agent M.

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Snooki: Pregnancy has made me more mature.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi may be best known for her carefree, club-hopping ways, but the Jersey Shore star – who recently confirmed that she and fiancé Jionni LaValle are expecting their first child – says that having a baby on the way has changed her.

"I guess [pregnancy] just made me more mature,” Polizzi, 24, told reporters while promoting her new MTV show Snooki & JWoww Thursday in New York City.

Joined by Jenni "JWoww" Farley and Jersey Shore cast mate DJ Pauly D, the reality star explained just how much her behavior has been altered.

"It's different because now I'm not drinking," Polizzi notes. "I'm usually partying and going to clubs but pregnancy made me grow up a lot."

Her best friend agrees: "[Nicole] really came into her own being pregnant. Looking at your best friend and seeing that you feel proud,” said Farley, 26.

Premiering June 21 on MTV, Snooki & JWoww follows Polizzi during her first trimester – during which she barely suffered from morning sickness. "I hardly threw up," she notes. "I was just very tired and cranky."

But she's done with her signature "Whaaa" whine. "My baby will take over that sound," she says. "I can't wait!”

Polizzi said her beloved pickles are a thing of the past, as well. The petite star's newest cravings are "a lot of fruits and Italian icies … no pickles.”

Lastly, she’s given up the glow. Known for her signature bronze complexion, Polizzi admits, "I haven't tanned since August."

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Kim Zolciak And Wendy Williams Rip On NeNe Leakes!!!

It's no secret that neither Kim Zolciak or Wendy Williams are members of the NeNe Leakes fan club. Zolciak has spent several seasons of "The Real Housewives Of Atlanta" feuding with Leakes, and Wendy has been watching the developments closely and taking notes. Thursday on "The Wendy Williams Show" they unloaded on the polarizing reality star.

The gossip session started when Wendy asked Zolciak why Leakes wasn't invited to her wedding. "She's really changed, and she's not funny to me anywhere," Zolciak said. "She used to be really funny."

"She's not funny to many of us either, it's more like mean-spirited," Williams agreed, before implying that Leakes' reality TV fame had gone to her head.

Zolciak then detailed the specific reason why reconciling with Leakes seems unlikely to happen. "I think the problem with NeNe honestly is that Nene doesn't have the tools to communicate effectively. And if NeNe could really sit there and talk to me and communicate ... Like, people get in arguments with my girlfriends and you disagree, but you can't get loud and violent, that's a problem.

If she had the tools to communicate effectively and kind of work through things, then there's a possibility that I'd sit down and have a conversation."

 

Mrs. Kroy Biermann tells The Hollywood Reporter about what viewers can expect from the Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding.

During the interview, Sweetie’s former sugar cookie go-getter dispatcher took a jab at thug misses Marlo Hampton for casting doubt on her Atlanta Falcons-signed hubby’s finances during the reunion special.

THR: Speaking of Kroy, how do you feel about Marlo Hampton casting doubt on his finances during the reunion?

Zolciak: Let’s be honest, Marlo is known for being an escort, like she’s known for that… It’s common knowledge in Atlanta. If you want to spread your legs and make money, then so be it, but don’t comment on somebody that had a full on four-and-a-half year relationship with somebody, and is now married, expecting a second child with her husband, and bring up some nonsense, or ever imply that my husband would use Big Poppa’s ring to purchase this one.

I was on Twitter this morning going off on people saying Kroy makes $550,000 dollars or whatever, whether Kroy made that or not is really irrelevant. Kroy made a hell of lot more than that, but that’s nobody’s business. Kroy designed my ring, spent a ton of money on my ring. It was really important to Kroy that I have a beautiful ring, and I was surprised by my ring. But to ever insult Kroy like that, it’s just gross. She’s just gross.

THR: With this spinoff, do you see it going for more seasons like Bethenny Ever After?

Zolciak: I would love to, I really had a lot of fun doing the spinoff. It was really a totally different spiel. I think people get to really see me for me. I share the 45 minutes that Housewives is on every week with five other people, so that three minutes or five minutes that you see of me or maybe sometimes 10, 15 minutes, you don’t get to see the real me. You can make an assumption off of what you see, but I think with the spinoff, you get the chance to kind of see me in a different light. You see my girls, Kroy’s family, and I really had a lot of fun doing it, even though it was very stressful planning a wedding in a short amount of time, and also having cameras there to capture it. I would love to, though.

THR: Have you thought about how many more seasons of reality shows you have in you, or is there a point where you would like to step away from that?

Zolciak: Yeah, I mean let’s be honest, this isn’t going to last forever, but I’m going to ride it as long as I can.

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TLC's T-Boz and Chilli Remember Left Eye

It’s hard to refute the indelible mark that '90s R&B girl group TLC left behind. In fact, numbers prove the trio to be one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. This year, surviving members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas will celebrate TLC’s 20th anniversary while simultaneously remembering the tragic loss of their band-mate Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who passed away 10 years ago today in a car crash in Honduras.



To add to TLC’s 20th anniversary celebration, VH1 is preparing to go into production for a scripted biopic on the group. T-Boz and Chilli recently spoke with ESSENCE.com about the tragic loss of Left Eye, who they want to play them in their biopic, and a 20th anniversary TLC tour.

ESSENCE.com: Today marks 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a tragic car accident. What do you remember about that day?

T-BOZ: She died a day before my birthday. I remember everything. I was with security in my Porsche and I said to them, "I feel like I’m going to get in a wreck and I want to go home." The driver said: "Well, that’s on the other side of town." I didn’t care; I wanted to go home. I just felt something was going to happen to me, but it wasn’t me — it was Lisa. I was sitting in a rocking chair in my daughter’s room after putting her down when I got a call from Chilli. She was screaming. I had just gotten out the hospital from fighting sickle cell so I had to be careful about getting upset. Everybody was trying to keep me calm.

I remember staying up all night and Patti Labelle and Missy Elliot calling me. Whitney Houston was at Lisa’s funeral. She sat behind me and rubbed my shoulders for two hours, while telling me, "It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be all right." Right before that, I remember Lisa played a trick where she went missing and nobody knew where she was. This was the one time I wish she was joking and doing one of her stunts, but she wasn’t.

ESSENCE.com: People playfully identified her as the crazy one in the group because of the notable fire in 1994, among other things. What’s the biggest misconception about Left Eye?

T-BOZ: That’s the part that sucked. The fire could’ve even been stopped if they stopped acting like little girls and put the fire out. That really could’ve been settled differently. I just really wish people would’ve known her for the sweet passionate person she really was. She was very creative, too. I remember I was in the hospital for four months and she sent me a clock that she made and the clock read: “Take all the time you need.” She really put thought into things.

CHILLI: People didn’t understand how much of a heart she really had and how passionate and giving she was. She might have come across as someone who wanted to start trouble all the time, but that wasn’t it; she just had a lot to say. Sometimes when you speak what’s on your mind — I’m talking everything on your mind, and people can get a misconception of you. So because she spoke her mind, all of the time, it caused people to misjudge her.



ESSENCE.com: A lot of people believe TLC was feuding when Left Eye passed. What was your relationship like at the time?

CHILLI: It was actually very good; we had started working on the last album. We all had solo deals. I was just like, “We have to do another record” — I was willing to put everything on hold. That was the last time we got to spend quality time together before she passed. The relationship was good; she was acting silly again, playing pranks on people. Her death was very devastating for us, but I can look back and say I was happy about what our relationship was like, at that time.

T-BOZ: No matter what, everyone will go through a disagreement — that’s what makes us all different. So it’s unrealistic to tell anybody that we all agreed with everything that everyone did or said. That doesn’t happen in a real relationship. At the time, she just didn’t agree with what the record company was doing with the project, so she felt strong about standing up about it. It had nothing personal to do with the group members. I didn’t have a problem with that.

ESSENCE.com: Tell us about the VH1 biopic. Are you looking to have someone in Hollywood play you guys, or all new unknown actresses?

T-BOZ: It’s going to have to be new kids; I can’t think of anybody that can play us. It’s not just about looking like me or dressing like me, you have to have the attitude, the dance moves. The writer of the biopic, Kate Lanier, is amazing. She did the movies Set It Off and What’s Love Got to Do With It. Hopefully the movie will be out before the end of the year.

CHILLI: It’s going to be like a movie-of-the-week on VH1. You know how the Jackson Five have the movie The Jackson Five: An American Dream? It would be like that. I love how they still show the Jackson Five movie now; they will show that for the next 40 years. [Laughs] I’m really excited about it; this was a dream of mine. I knew that we would have a movie about us one day. I want to go for someone unknown to play us. I really would prefer to reach out and find someone that resembles us and who really has the acting chops and who can dance.


ESSENCE.com: When you think of TLC’s legacy, what are you most proud of?

T-BOZ: You know how now it’s easy for Black people to make it on pop radio... Back then it was hard. Michael Jackson was probably one of the first Black people to get on MTV and VH1 and then TLC “Waterfalls” was probably the second, it was so hard. I remember getting flowers for making it on MTV and then a special gift for making it on VH1 — that was like a big deal! We had to bust our butts to get on a show. When I say we broke records and I worked for mines, I worked for mine! We had to work for every last single thing.

CHILLI: From the beginning to the middle and we’re not at the end yet but I loved that we never compromised our values when it came to the subject matter and what we talked about in our songs and how we represented ourselves as women. Starting out as young women, we didn’t care that people thought that we were a fad or if people thought we didn’t dress girly enough — we were just like, “Whatever.” We were able to accomplish that with three totally different girls, in a group.

ESSENCE.com: Are we going to get another TLC album or a 20th anniversary tour?

T-BOZ: Yes, we’re going on tour; we are in negotiations now with LA. Reid, so we’ll see what happens. A lot of cool things are coming up.

CHILLI: Another TLC album? Yes, that’s for sure! We’ll have new music right after the movie drops. We have everybody that was there with us from the beginning on board. We’ll definitely have a tour; I just don’t know what we’ll call it yet.

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In "HUH?" News: Kim K to Attend White House Correspondents Dinner

Fox News will be bring Kim Kardashian to Saturday's White House Correspondents Dinner. Her mother, Kris Jenner, will also be sitting with the news network

Fox News Channel will be bringing a smattering of reality TV stars, actors and an athlete too, to Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner. We hear that Kim Kardashian will be making a repeat appearance at the dinner (she previously attended with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren), with her momager Kris Jenner in tow. "Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Caroline and Al Manzo are coming this year.

Returning favorites like "Gossip Girl's" Chace Crawford, along with his sister Candice Romo and her hubby, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, are on the list. "J. Edgar" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black is scheduled to attend, along with "X-Men" director Bryan Singer.

Fox News' supporting cast will consist of "Glee's" Matthew Morrison, "True Blood's" Ryan Kwanten, "House's" Omar Epps, "Breaking Bad's" Giancarlo Esposito, "ER's" Gloria Reuben, "The Social Network's" Joe Mazzello, "Luck's" Richard Kindand up and coming actress Danielle Panabaker

Those attending from the network will include "The Five's" Bob Beckel, Eric Bolling, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Andrea Tantaros and Greg Gutfield (also of "Red Eye"), along with weekend anchors Jamie Colby and Alisyn Camerota and Fox Business Network's Liz Claman and Charlie Gasparino.

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Wiz Khalifa Busted for Weed ... at a Holiday Inn

"Black and Yellow" rapper Wiz Khalifa tried to hide a bag of weed in his room at a Holiday Inn in Nashville ... this according to law enforcement.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Metro Nashville Police responded to Wiz's room on April 21 after someone complained about a strong odor of marijuana.

When officers arrived to the scene, Wiz -- real name Cameron Jibril Thomaz -- allegedly tossed a "marijuana cigarette" out of the window.

Cops say the recovered the item ... saying, "inside the rolling paper was a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana."

According to the report, Wiz eventually admitted the joint was his and said he had 3.7 grams of weed in his pocket.

Wiz -- who's VERY open about his marijuana use -- was hit with a citation ... and probably smoked more weed after the officers left.

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Brandy on teenage eating disorder: 'I was the unhappiest girl'

Brandy has revealed that she suffered from multiple eating disorders as a teen.

The 'It All Belongs To Me' singer confessed that the pressure of her success at such a young age caused her to become obsessed with staying thin, a problem that escalated into a serious illness.

Appearing on VH1's Behind the Music, Brandy recalled: "I wanted to be so thin. That was my main thing. So I started not taking care of myself - not eating properly, not eating at all, diet pills, regurgitating and all of these things that girls do.

"People don't understand that being the hottest star or making the most money does not mean anything. I'm here to tell you I was making so much money - I was omnipresent - and I was the unhappiest teenager probably in the world."

Brandy released her self-titled debut album in 1994 at the age of 15. She also starred in the popular sitcom Moesha from 1996 to 2001.

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Deion Sanders Cited For Assault, As Wife Is Released From Jail!!!

Deion was cited on Tuesday night for misdemeanor simple assault, just one day after his estranged wife was arrested for misdemeanor family violence.

The latest chapter came after police in Prosper, Texas, decided that further investigation into the domestic violence claims stemming from an incident on Monday justified charges being filed against the former Dallas Cowboys player, although he wasn’t arrested like Pilar Sanders had been the night before.

The drama began on Monday night with a bizarre tweet from Deion claiming, “Pray for me and my kids now! They just witnessed their mother and a friend jump me in my room.

She’s going to jail n I’m pressing charges!”.

In the latest incident, Pilar was charged with misdemeanor assault and held overnight in the Collin County Jail with bond set at $264. She was released Tuesday and ordered to stay away from their mansion for 60 days.

“I understand that I have very little chance at beating a Hall of Fame, two-sport man that everyone seems to love and adore,” said Pilar. “I’m a full-time mom, 100 percent for my children. And I just haven’t been given a fair shake.”

The domestic drama has gotten increasingly antagonistic over recent months, with Pilar accusing Deion of cheating on her with entertainment producer Tracey Edmonds. In February, she filed a suit against her husband and his aunt, Laura Jones, in which she claimed the aunt attacked her in their home while Sanders watched.

 
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Adam Levine "Blindsided" By Anne V Breakup

Adam Levine is, well, in misery.

After his Sports Illustrated swimsuit model girlfriend of two years, Anne Vyalitsyna, dumped him, she announced it to the world April 2 without giving him a heads-up.

"It was a cheap shot," a pal tells the new issue of Us Weekly (out now). "Anne didn't want it to look like he broke up with her."

The Maroon 5 frontman and Voice mentor, 33 -- who was home in L.A. when Vyalitsyna broke up with him from NYC -- "was blindsided," says a Levine pal. "Adam's heartbroken. He wasn't even fully sure they were really broken up."

Though Levine didn't predict a split, friends of the couple saw it coming. "Anne said he didn't pay her enough attention," a friend of the model, 26, tells Us.

Another gripe: Levine wasn't planning to propose anytime soon. "As a woman, you get to a point where you want to get married," an insider explains. "Adam wasn't ready to take that step."

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Jennifer Lawrence: "Screw PETA!"

PETA is ticked off at Katniss Everdeen.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence opens up about her gross-out, squirrel-skinning scene from Winter's Bone, the gritty 2010 flick which earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination. According to Lawrence, 21, that moment wasn't faked in the slightest.

"I should say it wasn't real, for PETA," Lawrence told the mag. "But screw PETA."
Needless to say, PETA didn't take too kindly to Lawrence's joking remark.

"She's young and the plight of animals somehow hasn't yet touched her heart. As Henry David Thoreau said, 'The squirrel you kill in jest, dies in earnest," the organization's president, Ingrid Newkirk, told Gothamist Tuesday morning. "When people kill animals, it is the animals who are 'screwed,' not PETA, and one day I hope she will try to make up for any pain she might cause any animal who did nothing but try to eke out a humble existence in nature."

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Lana Del Rey wants to collaborate with Tyler, The Creator

Del Rey then later replied and told the rapper he was "Number 1" in her eyes.


Earlier this week, Odd Future kicked off their current UK and Ireland tour with gigs at O2 Academy Birmingham (March 28) and London's O2 Academy Brixton. The jaunt continues tonight (31) in Manchester, before moving on to Glasgow tomorrow (1) and concluding in Dublin on Monday (2).

The band also opened their latest pop up shop on the capital's Brick Lane, where they met fans and sold their merchandise. To read a full behind-the-scenes report from the opening - including an exclusive interview with Tyler and other members of the group - pick up next week's issue of NME, which is on UK newsstands and available digitally from next Wednesday (April 4).

Meanwhile, in another odd hook-up, Del Rey was recently photographed with Marilyn Manson and Barry Manilow after the Echo Awards in Germany, leading to speculation that she is dating the self-styled God Of Fuck.

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OctoMom: I Feel Ashamed For Taking Food Stamps And I Will Never Do Porn!

Nadya "Octo-Mom" Suleman said she’s “ashamed” of having to rely on public assistance to take care of her 14 children -- but will never sink so low as to perform porn films for a quick buck.

"I still am working as hard as I possibly can to support them,’ Suleman told the Today show Thursday, adding she made her decision to go on public assistance “reluctantly.”

Suleman said she was not just humbled -- but afraid -- as she received numerous death threats after looking to public coffers for help with her kids (to the tune of $2,000 a month).

"I feel ashamed, but who cares how I feel? It's 100 percent about my children,” Suleman asked and answered, noting she hopes to get off public assistance as soon as she can. “They deserve everything, they deserve the best.”

Acknowledging her topless spread for a UK magazine recently, Suleman said she wouldn’t do full-on porn -- even if the offer was $100 million.

“I won’t touch other human flesh,’ she said. “The only flesh I’m touching is my own. I would never, never accept anything. I will not lose my grip of my deeply indoctrinated morals and values."

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Britney Spears and Co-Conservator: 'Will Probably Get Married Later This Year

Although Britney Spears now calls longtime boyfriend Jason Trawick her fiance, according to Radar Online, the diva is not planning a walk down the aisle anytime soon. But the pair is making things official when it comes to Spears's conservatorship.

On April 25, Trawick will take over Spears's financial and business dealings as co-conservator -- a title that, for the past four years, the singer's father, Jamie Spears, has held. The pop star's father took control of her financial affairs after his daughter's 2007 meltdown, during which the blond beauty infamously shaved her head. Spears's lawyer, Andrew Wallet, will continue to serve as co-conservator with Trawick.

At Spears's latest conservatorship hearing, she received glowing reviews from judge Reva Goetz -- a clear indication for herself and family members that Spears is moving in the right direction when it comes to getting her life back on track.

"Britney's medical doctors think it's a good idea to see how Jason will do as her co-conservator as he is planning on marrying Britney," a source tells Radar. "The two will probably get married later this year, and not anytime sooner."

The couple announced their engagement in mid-Decemeber 2011, with Spears tweeting, "OMG. Last night Jason surprised me with the one gift I've been waiting for. Can't wait to show you! SO SO SO excited!!!! Xxo."

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