news archives

August 31, 2002 - Britney Spears and JC Chasez's former galpal Bobbee Thomas engaged in a little discussion about guys in the new issue of J-14 magazine. Britney talked about going out with a guy in high school named Mason and admitted, "I was so in love with him, sooo in love with him. I kissed him for the first time, and the next day, he didn't talk to me at all. Didn't say two words to me. I started thinking, 'Did I do something wrong?' I started analyzing myself. 'What did I do? I should have done this... I should have done that.' It's just the way it is. Ugh, you can't help it. Of course, I got over it, but you beat yourself up." Read more.

August 31, 2002 - WENN reports pop diva Britney Spears demanded sales advisers close the doors at Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue so she could shop in private. They complied but they likely weren't happy about it after the singer only spent $15 on a lipstick.

August 31, 2002 - Janel Maloney of the hit show 'The West Wing' gave fashion reviews on KTLA along with Sam Rubin of MTV's Video Music Awards on Thursday. Check out what they had to say on Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Enrique Iglesias, Outkast, and more here.

August 31, 2002 - The Sun reports "fading pop star" Britney Spears again snubbed her fans before entering the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday. Nicola Holdsworth, 15, from Barking, Essex, had made the journey to New York and waited in the rain commented, "She just ignored us. I feel cheated. I’m soaking wet. All we expected was a bit of recognition. She shouldn’t forget who put her where she is today. Her dress was awful as well, I don’t know where she dreamed that up." Read more.

August 31, 2002 - Triumph the Insult Comic Dog issued a statement to his fans on his official website Friday, following his near bust-up with Eminem at the Video Music Awards on Thursday. "I would like all of you to know that I am fine, that the scuffle at the MTV awards involving Eminem, Moby and Eminem's trusty friend who threw my pooping paper in the air did not result in permanent injury," He added, "The tone had been set for a lovely evening by Britney Spears, who is now hanging with Michael, thus ensuring she will remain a virgin indefinitely." Read more.

August 31, 2002 - Britney Spears let Good Morning America go behind the scenes with her at last night's MTV Video Music Awards, where she presented Michael Jackson with a birthday present. While wanting the media attention in this case, Spears admitted she had no idea wanting to escape the media glare with a six-month break would turn into the media blow-up that it did. "I wanted to take a break spiritually to be out of the press so much," she explained. "I was sick of seeing myself on TV and I said a break and now I have more press than ever … it's like, what's going on?" Read more.

August 31, 2002 - Jane Wells of CNBC continued the trend of "Britney’s career at its own crossroads" themed stories, speaking with music industry analyst Steve Wonsiewicz, who has a bright outlook on the singer. "I think she has got good odds of having a long career," he said. "She has been successful on her first two records. She is a good concert draw. She has the most talented people working with her to give her the best songs. People will want to work with Britney Spears and the odds are high she is going to go on and have a great career." Read more.

August 31, 2002 - Triumph The Insult Comic Dog on MTV.com joked about life for *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake following his split with longtime galpal Britney Spears. "Justin Timberlake looks good," Triumph said. "He has facial hair now. He looks really tough now that he's getting some tail. It's nice. After two years of just having to lick himself like the rest of us, it's good to see him up there. But Britney, I understand, you know, she's got her thing, she's saving herself. Yeah right, and I poop Godiva chocolate." Read more.

August 31, 2002 - Chris Kirkpatrick covered the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday night for CBS News and spoke with Britney Spears, Shakira, *NSYNC bandmates Joey Fatone and JC Chasez, and finally Justin Timberlake, who he joked had left the group to persue a solo career while guys like him were taking side jokes with CBS News. Watch the interview (right menu under multimedia) here.

August 31, 2002 - Tons of photos from last night's Video Music Awards are on the net today, including shots of *NSYNC, Enrique Iglesias with girlfriend Anna Kournikova, Avril Lavigne, Eminem, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Christina Milian, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Justin Guarini, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Willa Ford, and more. Check out photos from Yahoo, WireImagecom, GlobePhotos, GettyImages, and LFI (PressRoom, Arrivals1, Arrivals2, and Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs Party).

August 30, 2002 - Popdirt.com's latest poll asks which female pop star was best dressed at the MTV Video Music Awards. Vote for Britney here.

August 30, 2002 - Elysa Gardner of USA Today has yet another article on 'has Britney Spears peaked?', a popular subject since she announced she was going to take six months off. "Acts like Britney Spears are concocted to appeal to the teenagers in their audience as idealized reflections of themselves, and that has nothing to do with music at all," says media critic and author Mark Crispin Miller. "Britney is like a figure in an ad campaign pitched at young girls. In five years, no one will be listening to her records, unless they do so ironically." Read more.

August 29, 2002 - Damien chatted with Usher on MTV's Total Request Live on Wednesday before Thursday's big MTV Video Music Awards where Usher is nominated in three categories. Usher says when asked what is he looking to see at the awards, the breakup of *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears was on his mind. "I want to see Britney and Justin get into a scrap or something like that," he said. Read RNBDirt.com for a transcript.

August 29, 2002 - Britney Spears has been voted the world's worst-dressed celebrity by British readers of Prima magazine, beating out Madonna. Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue was judged best dressed. Marie Fahey, editor of Prima magazine, said: "It is interesting that in a year that Victoria Beckham has reverted to a more understated and classic look, she tops the poll as the best-dressed celeb. I am not surprised at all that Britney has been voted worst-dressed. Since she has outgrown the teen-girl look, she seems to have become confused about her style." Read more.

August 28, 2002 - WENN reports Britney Spears was wearing the $150,000 diamond ring given to her by *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake to the Teen Choice Awards. Britney had originally discarded it after they split, but chose to wear it once more when she knew her ex-boyfriend would see it, as Justin was a presenter at the bash. Read more.

August 28, 2002 - Those are the words from Justin Timberlake in the new issue of Us Weekly, according to both Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. The *NSYNC star is set to open up about life after his split with Britney Spears. The issue hits newsstands on Friday.

August 28, 2002 - The latest Lynne Spears update had a very special guest typist on her daughter's official site... Britney Spears. She wrote, "Hey guys, I thought I’d steal the keyboard away from my momma to say what’s up! I had the best time at Camp this year – I got to spend time with the campers and even sing for them. The performance they put on was awesome! It’s always really cool to see people getting excited about the arts. It reminds me of why I always wanted to get into music and be a performer. I just want to say to all my fans that I think you’re the greatest! You’re the reason that I’m here and I will always remember that. Have a great last few days of summer!" Read more, including Lynne still upset about the press, here.

August 28, 2002 - Gideon Yago and Iann Robinson of MTV News spoke with Extra TV about this Thursday's MTV Video Music Awards to get their picks for who will walk home with a moon man. The two say Best Female Video will go to Shakira over Britney Spears, while Best Dance Video will go to Kylie Minogue. Watch the clip here.

August 28, 2002 - The new Lycos 50 is out today and Britney Spears retains her pop dominance in the #5 spot. 'American Idol' makes its top 10 debut at #8, Eminem jumps to #14, Avril Lavigne reverses her freefall to hit the #18 spot, Shakira holds at #25, and Jennifer Lopez got the #35 spot, jumping two spots. Read more.

August 27, 2002 - Britney Spears webmaster/analyst Ruben Garay shared his thoughts on the cover articles run in Us Weekly and People magazine on Britney. Ruben said both provided good information, while traveling on completely opposite roads, and talked about some sort of inside knowledge he had on Justin and Britney's other romances. Read more.

August 25, 2002 - Ben Rayner of the Toronto Star profiled the heavy burden that pop stars have to put up with, which has led to Mariah Carey's much-publicized meltdown, the ongoing collapse of the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears's recent decision to take a six-month break. Terry McBride, whose Vancouver-based Nettwerk Management is currently grooming Avril Lavigne for stardom said, "I think they worked Britney Spears too hard. It's been four years, and not only is she tired, people are tired of her. There's the saying: 'Burn the song, not the artist.' You can't be greedy. You have to know when to say enough." Read more.

August 25, 2002 - MSNBC spoke with Us Weekly and People following the two entertainment magazine's competing stories about Britney Spears, which People appears to be the winner, having gotten an interview with Britney. "We broke the Britney and Justin breakup story in March," says Us editor Bonnie Fuller, "and since then we’ve had a history of not having phone calls or e-mails returned by Britney Spears’s publicist." That publicist, Lisa Kasteler explained that they chose People because they've had better experience with the mag. "[People] seemed to want to do a story that was balanced. The Us magazine story is all conjecture and sources. It reads like a tabloid." Read more.

August 25, 2002 - Citysearch.com has a review listing of several celebrity owned restaurants including Britney Spears' Nyla and Jennifer Lopez's Madre's. Neither restaurant appears to be getting very good reader reviews, and Nyla seems to be fairing worst of all. One reviewer wrote, "We weren't served any bread/breadsticks while we waited for our meals. Fifteen minutes later our meals arrived and we were ready to dig in because we were hungry and everything looked so delicious. I cut into the chicken only to realize that it was completely RAW on the inside while the outside was golden!!!! I was HORRIFIED AND FILLED WITH DISGUST, FOLLOWED BY THE URGE TO GAG!!!!! Although the waiter and manager were extremely apologetic and willing to compensate me with a complimentary meal, MY EXPERIENCE WAS SO NAUSEATING, that I declined and left the premises." Read more.

August 25, 2002 - The Boston Herald reports Britney Spears visited her 'Britney Spears Camp for the Performing Arts' on Saturday to chat with the 125 kids that were at the camp to learn skills including hip-hop and jazz dance, writing, drama, blues and juggling. Britney revealed that instead of taking the six months off, she's reading three movie scripts and will begin working on a new film in October. Until then, she said she plans to decorate her new apartment in New York, "hang out, be a girl, eat hot dogs, go to dance class, whatever." Read more.

August 25, 2002 - BritneyZone.com has scans of the photos and text from Us Weekly's cover story on Britney Spears. The magazine didn't actually talk with Britney, but says that friends have alleged cheating and jealousy drove Britney and her *NSYNC boyfriend Justin Timberlake apart, leading to Britney's insistance on taking a six month break. Check it out here.

August 25, 2002 - Saturday Night Live's Jimmy Fallon tells Us Weekly that to this point, he doesn't have a date to the Video Music Awards. "Everybody keeps saying that I'm taking Britney Spears," the VMA host says. "I'll be so busy, I don't even think I'll have time to call my mother. But I wouldn't mind being her date - maybe that's my present for hosting?"

August 25, 2002 - WorldofBritney.com has a clip of 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell talking on Fox's 'The Pulse' on Thursday (August 22). Simon said that he almost "stole" 'Baby One More Time' from Britney, right between when there were negotiations with TLC and they didn't accept the song. He says he had a talk with Max Martin telling him how he was interested in the song, but Max told him he had already given it to someone else, Simon then asked "Who?", and Max Martin told him "Britney Spears," and Simon responded, "Well, who the hell is Britney Spears?" This response has freaked out WoB's Ruben, who basically said "how dare you." Download it and read more of Ruben's rant here.

August 24, 2002 - The Sun's Dominic Mohan says Britney Spears' life is at a crossroads, but he says Spears can make the moves to ensure she doesn't end up like Debbie Gibson or Tiffany. "She must rejuvenate herself," Mohan said. "Find another 'Baby One More Time' and truly decide whether she wants to try to oust Madonna as Queen Of Pop. The demons of Justin must finally be put to rest, fitness regained and the partying restricted. The entourage must be dumped and the fans’ love rekindled." Read more.

August 24, 2002 - Reuters reports Canadian comics posing as Celine Dion persuaded Britney Spears to sing a duet with golfer Tiger Woods called 'Let's Make a Hole in One' for a bogus charity event. The clip is on the internet, but unfortunately costs $199 and is designed to sell to radio stations (though you can listen to about 30 seconds of it here). At one point Spears asked how Celine's son was, where the phoney Dion responded, "Rene-Charles is exactly like his father, he has no hair. He really is a great baby. Having a baby change a woman a lot." Britney's response -- "Right, right. I would totally love that." Read more.

August 24, 2002 - Well despite appearing on 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' with Melissa Joan Hart and doing the 'Crazy' video together, Melissa tells Carson Daly of MTV's Total Request Live that the two don't stay in touch. "She's a busy girl," Melissa explained. When Carson informed her Spears was taking six months off, she responded, "Is she? Maybe she'll call." The comment drew laughter and 'awwes'. Then she talked about Britney and Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC breaking up, drawing boos. "It is true," Melissa said. "It's not like we broke news or anything. It's happening -- a while ago, get over it."

August 24, 2002 - Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow spoke with Bill McCuddy of Fox News and admitted she has an interest in pop music. "Bad music is my guilty pleasure," she said. "You know, like because I listen to a lot of like, Indie rock and British rock and stuff like that and good girl singers, but then, you know, sometimes I've got to slip in a little. I can't say no because I'll hurt their feelings, but you know like sort of cheesy pop 40 pop music." She did clarify, "Not the teenage thing, don't get that at all." Britney? "No, no, not that." Boy bands? "No, it's not gone that far."

August 24, 2002 - Todd Gold from People magazine was on Fox News earlier today where he got in a big diss against rival entertainment magazine Us Weekly. When asked by Lynda Vester if the two mags were at each other's throats in relation to their competing Britney Spears stories, Gold said, "Well, we aren't at each other's throats, they're more at our knees. You know, Britney's been in the news lately and we both covered the same sort of territory. We cover celebrity landscapes there's a huge difference. You know, and I'll tell you because it's really an interesting media story. The example is Britney talked to us -- Britney talked to People magazine and she talked to me exclusively, we spent a lot of time together. She did not talk to Us. Their story doesn't deliver what they promise and if you want another really good example, I asked her a couple weeks ago Us reported she was in a dance off at a club with Justin that made worldwide news. I asked Britney about that and she denied it ever happened. She said she'd never even been called to fact check that report. It is amazing to me that something like that happens. On the other hand we go to great lengths to fact check." That he said was the reason she decided to talk with People, and not Us.

August 23, 2002 - People Magazine's big interview with Britney Spears has been posted online. In it, Britney talks about her split with *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake, her parents split, stalking Brad Pitt's mansion, her eroding good girl image, and more. On the subject of weaker album sales with her latest album 'Britney', the singer said, "Selling 5 million records is still good. I don't want to get jaded thinking I have to sell 10 million every time. It's not about that." Read more.

August 23, 2002 - The New York Post reports hard partying Christina Aguilera shot an angry glare at a DJ at Flow a few Saturdays ago when he cued up a Britney Spears song and gave X-Tina a nod. Later, Aguilera and was spotted arguing with a waitress about staying in her VIP perch past 4 a.m. when the waitress told her that after-hours was against the rules. Christina and her drinking buddies left in a huff.

August 23, 2002 - With news of the WB running a new reality series tentatively titled 'The Surreal World' that will have eight one-time pop culture stars into a San Fernando Valley home to live together à la MTV's 'The Real World,' Liane Bonin of Entertainment Weekly has a list of A-list superstars who could use a publicity boost. Included are their thoughts on a room filled with Britney Spears, Billy Bob Thornton, Martha Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jackson, Calista Flockhart, Tom Green, and The Backstreet Boys. Read more.

August 23, 2002 - Fox News has more details on Britney Spears' interview with People magazine. Talking about the claims of her drinking or not being a virgin, Britney said, "Smoking, drinking, sex -- why is it such a big deal with me? As you get to 20, you grow up, you experiment. You feel more comfortable in your skin." Meanwhile, Worldofbritney.com webmaster Ruben Garay again got to give his 'expert' opinion on the news despite his own personal flip-flop on the singer and allegations of stalking the singer by saying, "Some of them are disappointed. They're not understanding why she's doing it, but most fans understand that she is just fed up with everything. The reason why all these things are happening is that she just needs a break." Read more.

August 22, 2002 - After wild partying, drinking, and smoking, Britney Spears was given an earful by mother Lynne and has decided to ditch the lifestyle in favor of a more health-conscious one like her idol Madonna. Britney had turned to booze to cope with the ended relationship with *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake. "Britney has realized that whatever she does she is still going to miss Justin," said a friend of Spears. "She knows now that partying isn’t the answer and that even if she tries to escape the reality by going out with friends, she will inevitably bump into him or some of their mutual pals. All it does is remind her about what she has lost — and what she needs most right now is to forget about him. Justin has moved on and now must Britney. It’s taken a while but now she’s ready to start afresh. Britney did have a wild period but we are all hoping it’s behind her now." Read more.

August 22, 2002 - People Magazine's Todd Gold spoke with Britney Spears who cleared things up about her break-up with *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake as well as the split between her parents. On the Timberlake split, Gold tells Access Hollywood, "Britney reveals for the first time that this breakup was a saga. First, Justin broke up with her and then they tried to reconcile. Then she broke up with him. She said that was the hardest part, making that decision, making that declaration to Justin that this was not going to be any longer." As for her parents divorce, Gold said, "She is pleased it's happening and it's official, that her parents fought when she was little and they are much better off apart." Read more, including news on Britney's admission to stalking the home of Brad Pitt recently, here.

August 21, 2002 - This weeks Lycos 50 is out and Britney Spears #5 holds off Elvis Presley #6 whose fans celebrated the King's death 25 years ago at a gathering in Graceland last week. Another tumble for Avril Lavigne who fell 8 spots #24 and is now even behind Eminem #19 and just one spot ahead of Latin superstar Shakira #25. Other music stars to land on the list Jennifer Lopez at #37 and Nelly at #44. Read more.

August 20, 2002 - Brian Hiatt of Entertainment Weekly is offering advice to Britney Spears in a hope to get her career going in the right direction again. Hiatt suggests that Spears choose movie projects carefully, lose the Neptunes' phone number (ie. 'Boys'), watch her image, and stick to her six-month plan to stay out of the spotlight. Read more.

August 20, 2002 - New York Magazine reports that while on her six month break, Britney Spears plans to hit New York for Fashion Week. Her stylist Kurt revealed, "She is taking a break, so that's why she could go to the shows. Every time we tried before, she was too busy... She'd also love to do the Europe thing too. Hit Versace and Roberto Cavalli, all those designers who have been so good to her." Read more.

August 19, 2002 - Tom Russo of the Boston Globe advises *NSYNC star Lance Bass to pack 3 DVD's on his trip to outer space. Russo shares his comments on the Britney Spears starring 'Crossroads', the Mandy Moore starring 'A Walk To Remember', and Lance's own 'On The Line', none of them very positive thoughts, with the worst comments saved for Lance's movie. "The movie is easily the most lightweight - and patience-testing - of this bunch," he commented. Read more.

August 18, 2002 - Star magazine reports Britney Spears has an obsession with Nickelodeon cartoon sensation SpongeBob SquarePants. It has become such a strong draw to Britney that stops music rehearsals and has even kept appointments waiting to watch the program. Still, nobody in the Spears' camp seems to mind, as SpongeBob makes her laugh and helps to wipe away her tears following the split to her former *NSYNC boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

August 18, 2002 - Joshua Ostroff of the Toronto Eye caught up with the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.'s Chad Hugo who defended working with the likes of *NSYNC and Britney Spears. "Our concerns were just to make something hot that we would like," Hugo says. "Some people might wonder why would I do Britney Spears, she's so bubble gum. Ultimately, do a hot joint and if you like it, you can't deny -- no matter who's doing it." Read more.

August 18, 2002 - Shockyourmind.org has photos of Britney Spears and her cousin and best pal Laura Lynn Covington shopping in Beverly Hills. Check them out here.

August 17, 2002 - Steve Cuozzo of the New York Post gave an awful review of the food at the Britney Spears partnered restaurant Nyla. Cuozzo said, "Most everything seems pre-prepped and slapped together." He added, "Grilled salmon tasted more of grill marks than of fish, but you've had worse for $17. A respectable loin pork chop ($17) seemed artificially fastened to the bone. Moist, tender braised beef short ribs ($20) can fill two." Read more.

August 17, 2002 - The Vancouver Province has photos of Britney Spears and lil' sister Jamie Lynn Spears in Burnaby, BC on Sunday (August 11) where Jamie Lynn was filming a commercial. Brad Josling, Vancouver rep for Spears' label Zomba Records, wasn't even aware the two were in town, "Honestly, I didn't know she was here. We've been so busy with the Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter solo albums, Britney hasn't been on the recent agendas." Josling had no comment on recent rumours that Jamie Lynn is starting a singing career. Read more and check out the photos here.

August 17, 2002 - Stuart Derdeyn of The Vancouver Province spoke with 11-year-old Skaad Gaa Naay Elementary student Carsen Gray who made her Vancouver club debut at Rossini's in Gastown on Tuesday (August 13). Seventy-year-old local music legend Bobby Taylor said her performance was reminded of a talented kid he discovered in the '60s: Michael Jackson. "Like him, she's got the talent to go all the way," he said. "Her voice is exceptional, she never misses a note." Carsen called Britney Spears is a great dancer who then started to sing. "I don't like her because she lip-syncs," she said. "Oh, that sounds like I hate her. I don't, really." Read more.

August 17, 2002 - The latest blind item from E! Online's Ted Casablanca has many wondering if the answer is Britney Spears, mother Lynne, and sister Jamie Lynn. InStyle magazine recently did a feature from Spears mansion in Kentwood, and the blind item, which talks about a famous celeb who shares a bed with her mom and sis, says "the trendy rag just didn't think this sleeping slip-up was fit for their prim pages. So, the elegant (and flack-fearing) editors held onto the titillating tidbit." Read more.

August 16, 2002 - The New York Daily News reports Britney Spears has wooed spats-wearing impresario John Damon to help revamp her restaurant Nyla. Spears plans to throw her 21st birthday bash there in December.

August 16, 2002 - Nikki Tranter of PopMatters caught up with Henry Rollins from Australia on whether Australian audiences are just as enthusiastic as American audiences. "Australians don't really care if you're a celebrity, if you're like Eric Clapton or something or Cher. Australians don't care," Rollins explained. "Like if Britney Spears comes into a room; people freak out, where there'd be young Australians hitting on her. They're like [in a pretty good Australian accent] 'yeah, she's hot, yeah' They don't even care that she's like the eight billion-dollar baby. They just think, they like blondes. I love that unpretentious thing that seems to be a real common thing among Australians." Read more.

August 16, 2002 - Syndicated columnist Froma Harrop weighed in on the 'Britney Effect' ahead of back-to-school clothes shopping. Harrop writes, "Critics have unfairly likened Britney's dance routines to kiddie porn. Anyone who has seen pictures of Britney thrusting her semi-naked pelvis toward audiences in London can plainly see that she's no beginner. For some reason, American parents give their daughters money to buy Britney CDs, dolls and other endorsed products. Hence, the parents now have the 'Britney effect' to counter." Read more.

August 16, 2002 - According to Justin Timberlake's grandmother Sadie Bomar, the family is happy the *NSYNC star is no longer dating Britney Spears. "We are delighted they aren’t dating any more," Bomar said. "The break-up has been good for him. He has been able to do a lot of song writing. Britney was a distraction." Read more.

August 15, 2002 - Jay Leno joked during his Tonight Show monologue on Wednesday, "According to the tabloids, Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC has been complaining to his friends that Janet Jackson has just been using him for sex. [Audience aws] He's complaining about this? [Laughter] Isn't this the guy who was with Britney Spears for like four years? His last girlfriend wouldn't give him any, this one is giving him too much. Shut up! There is no pleasing this guy."

August 14, 2002 - TeenHollywood.com reports Shakira is surprised to hear comparisons to Britney Spears in American and Britain, something that hasn't happened to her in Columbia. "My Latin people understand me little by little with each album. They don't compare me to Britney, you know," she said. "They'd be like, 'What? Britney?' Nothing wrong with Britney, she's a great artist and very beautiful, but I was pretty surprised to be compared to her." Read more.

August 14, 2002 - Associated Press reports Ronan Keating has compassion for Britney Spears, who he sees as a victim of the media. "I never liked being famous," he explained. "People are making downright chivvies on Pop-Stars. And, right now, it's Britney Spears's turn. I'm really sorry for her." Now that he's reduced his own public profile from his Boyzone days, Ronan says, "I'm actually pretty happy about it." Read more.

August 14, 2002 - Anonymous writes "Avril Lavigne and Britney Spears have been battling each other on the Lycos Top 50, and finally someone fell. Britney stayed at the #4 position, while Avril who was #6 last week, fell to #16. Anna Nicole Smith is Britney's only threat. Read more."

August 14, 2002 - Peoplenews.com reports that according to U.S. tabloid reports (ie. Globe, Star or Enquirer), Britney Spears may have stopped performing at her show in Mexico City because of an accident involving laxatives. "When the laxatives kicked in after the fourth song, Britney was stuck between a rock and a very embarrassing place," revealed a source. "She had to abandon the concert and run to the bathroom." Another insider on Britney's tour explained, "She has taken laxatives before and often jokes about surprise bathroom attacks causing unplanned costume changes."

August 14, 2002 - Conan O'Brien had an 'If They Mated' segment on Late Night on Tuesday, with one example being a coupling of 'Austin Powers' stars Britney Spears and Fat Bastard. The resulting child --- Anna Nicole Smith.

August 13, 2002 - The New York Post caught up with residents of Kentwood, Louisiana who are happy that Britney Spears plans to spend the next several months in her home town. "We're extremely happy she's come back," says Mitch Hembre, a manager at the Applebee's that Britney frequents. "She'll probably stop by pretty soon. She tries to be anonymous, but it never works that way." Read more.

August 13, 2002 - WorldOfBritney.com webmaster Ruben Garay responded to some idiot who alleged that he was arrested for attempting to stalk Britney Spears. '3At @ NylA' ended up being banned for the bit of fiction and Ruben said in response, "Is there really people believing this? Me stalking Britney? I could care LESS about visiting her house, it's private property." Read more.

August 13, 2002 - IMDB.com (WENN) reports Britney Spears is denying reports that she is planning on taking two years off from the music scene in an effort to avoid a breakdown. "Forget those stories," she said. "I'm exhausted from seven months of touring so I just wanna do nothing for a few months. I'll be back."

August 13, 2002 - The 'American Idol' judges stopped by to critique the artists on MTV"s Total Request Live on Monday. As for Britney Spears and her 'Boys' remix, Simon blasted, "Okay. That was, uhm, Britney Spears with an absolutely apalling song. Britney, go back to the school uniform. Go back to Max Martin and write some decent songs 'cause that song is terrible. Terrible!"

August 12, 2002 - Dean Goodman of Reuters reports Aerosmith is hitting the road with Run-D.M.C. and Kid Rock which should help their fans forget the group performing a family-friendly version of 'Walk This Way' at last year's Super Bowl along with Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Nelly and Mary J. Blige. Lead guitarist Joe Perry called the Super Bowl gig "another event in a long line of amazing events ... But it's not like we're out doing records with her (Spears), or I'm playing guitar on (*NSYNC star) Justin Timberlake's record or anything like that." Read more.

August 11, 2002 - Lynne Spears posted a new message for fans on her daughter Britney Spears' official website. "Britney's six month vacation is here! Yay! She loves to be able to wake up when she wants and decide what she chooses to do each day," Lynne said. "There's no hair and make-up to sit through. Instead of catering, she has home cooking. Fame and fortune hasn't blemished Britney. She still enjoys the same simple pleasures with the same family and friends. However, Britney no longer sees the world through rose-colored glasses. She's had too many glimpses of the vices of humanity, mostly in the press. We wonder what they will come up with next!" Read more.

August 10, 2002 - If you remember all the photos of Britney Spears during her stay in London earlier this year, one of those scenes where she entered her SUV after walking out of the hotel can bee seen at PAPhotos.com. Check it out under 'Showbiz Footage' here.

August 10, 2002 - US Weekly reports Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears ran into each other on August 1st for the first time since their March split, and the meeting ended in an argument and dance-off at the Lounge in Los Angeles. Britney walked into the club only to see her ex *NSYNC boyfriend dancing with girlfriend Jenna Dewan. Britney "watched them like crazy," says a spy. Britney confronted Timberlake when he got up to get drinks. When Spears asked him if the two could talk, Justin said, "'If it's about us getting back together, forget it." Britney then started complaining about how Timberlake has been "using different women for media attention." Justin fired back about "'her cheating, and they got into a huge argument." When the dust settled, the two went to the dance floor "and started a dance-off." The drama lasted about 90 minutes until Justin left at 2 a.m... without Britney.

August 10, 2002 - The recent *NSYNC Challenge For The Children weekend had Joey Fatone sporting a shirt that took a dig at the longtime girlfriend of his bandmate Justin Timberlake. Joey's t-shirt read, "Carton of eggs... $3. Ski mask... $14. Tickets to a Britney concert... $54. Egging the crap out of America's Pop Princess... Priceless." For his party, Justin took part in the weekend's basketball game wearing a jersey that said 'Me' on the back, a departure from last year when he wore a shirt saying 'Stinky' and then girlfriend Britney wore one saying 'Pinky', both pet names for each other. Check out Joey's shirt here.

August 9, 2002 - Sum 41 guitarist Dave Baksh gave a run-down of several women on a 1 to 10 scale. On Britney Spears, he commented "Great ass," but only gave her a 6. Kelly Osbourne rated an 8, while Mandy Moore ("Really gorgeous just too wholesome") also rated an 8. Read more.

August 9, 2002 - Florida's Sun-Herald spoke with the parents of Britney Spears' 'Crossroads' co-star Anson Mount, who praised the singer for her call to ill 8-year-old Emily Barone. "She was just delightful," Nancy said after meeting Britney at the 'Crossroads' premiere, "a fine young lady. She's a very caring person and does a lot of work with children. I was impressed by her. She didn't hesitate when Anson asked her to call Emily." Read more.

August 9, 2002 - Former Britney Spears dancer Brandon Henschel took part in a live chat with fans on WorldOfBritney.com on Tuesday (August 6). When asked if he had any sweet stories about Britney Spears and her former *NSYNC boyfriend Justin Timberlake, Brandon revealed, "One really sweet thing I remember that Justin did for Brit was; Her and Justin hadn't seen each other in a really long time. Brit was in her hotel room doing a costume fitting. Justin calls her up and the two of them talk, you know like love birds. "I miss you, when will I see you again?" etc. Then all of the sudden Brit gets a knock on her hotel room door. She opens it and there is Justin with the cell phone standing outside. And the two had a nice little reunion. It was sweet." Read the entire transcript here.

August 9, 2002 - AFP reports German Culture Minister Julian Nida-Ruemelin says Britney Spears should start taking the place of Beethoven and Bach in German schools. "You cannot get most adolescents interested in the culture of music with classical music," Nida-Ruemelin said at a visit Tuesday to the future Rock and Pop Museum in this western town. Read more.

August 9, 2002 - Reuters reports Britney Spears is taking a six month break, but her publicist on Thursday denied rumors she was so exhausted and broken-hearted that she was "running home to mom." Lisa Kasteler insisted, "She is taking six months off. She has been working for four years straight and she is taking a break. The girl works harder than anyone in the business and she is taking a break." As for the report in the New York Post, Kasteler said Britney "is fine, she's happy. It has nothing to do with the things that have been reported." Read more.

August 9, 2002 - Jamie Lynn Spears has been making herself more visible in the press lately than her big sister Britney Spears. Getty Images has a shot of her attending the Hollywood Radio and Television Society Newsmakers Luncheon on Wednesday (August 7), while LFI has several photos of her with Bryan Hearne at the HRTS Kids Day 2002 the same day at Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

August 9, 2002 - E! Online's Ted Casablanca was on hand at the party at Playboy mansion in Los Angeles last weekend, where he witnessed Britney Spears smoking and the on-screen 'American Idol' enemies Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell chumming it up like they are best pals. Also in the column is more from Simon from the Teen Choice Awards and a Britney Spears and family sighting at an 'Austin Powers in Goldmember' showing at Beverly Center Cinema. Read more.

August 8, 2002 - Britney Spears was throwing cold water on the New York Post report that said she was going to take a two year break. Entertainment Tonight reports after working hard touring the world, spears will take it easy for now. In 2003, record a new album and make another movie, according to her spokesperson. Then Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell played more of her interview with Britney where she revealed her future plans on her six month hiatus. "Oh, take dancing class, go boxing, go get a hot dog when I want a hot dog -- just silly things like that," she said. The show adds that besides her possible European vacation, Britney will visit her performing arts camp for kids in a couple of weeks, take a trip home to Louisiana to spend time with her family and will also be reading scripts and writing new music.

August 8, 2002 - Carson Daly had David Bowie on Last Call on Wednesday and mentioned, "I've seen you at, like, the MTV Video Music Awards, and I think last year I remember sitting there when like, you know, *NSYNC or Britney Spears was on, and I remember just looking over at you and just thinking, like, 'What does David Bowie think of this right now?'" Bowie responded, "It's too easy, isn't it?" Read more.

August 8, 2002 - Lynne Spears left a new message for fans last Wednesday and addressed the Mexico City concert incident that had her daughter Britney Spears exiting early. "There were 50,000 screaming fans in the outdoor arena. Britney almost slipped 3 times during the first 5 songs," she explained. "Lightning was hitting the stage. In the end, Mother Nature won - Brit couldn't finish the show because of safety concerns for herself, the dancers, the crew and the audience. She flew home an hour earlier than planned." Read more.

August 8, 2002 - TeenMusic.com (WENN) reports designer Barbara Horowitz is crediting Britney Spears for making her three-way T-shirts a huge success. "I had a roommate working as a stylist on 'Crossroads' and she showed Britney my T-shirts. I made a bunch of them and she took them on the set and Britney Spears purchased the first three tees that I ever made." Read more.

August 8, 2002 - Jay Leno targetted a trio of pop stars in his Tonight Show monologue on Wednesday. Jay cracked, "Britney Spears is reportedly going to take two years off from work. Yeah. They say she has millions of dollars, but most of it is in her IRA, which she legally can't touch because she's not a girl, not yet a woman. They're very touchy about those things. Not a girl, not yet a woman."

August 7, 2002 - The New York Post reports that Britney Spears is "exhausted" and wants to quit the music scene for two years while she reclaims her life in Louisiana, according to music industry sources. "Britney's lost it. She was really upset after she was booed in London and Mexico, and she's saying she is going to pack it in for two years," blabbed a spy. "She's planning on moving back to Louisiana and living with her mother. She's tired of being under constant pressure to perform, and is exhausted and is still broken up about Justin." Spears rep insisted she's only taking six months off. Read more.

August 7, 2002 - Mike Myers was full of kind words on his 'Goldmember' co-star Britney Spears in a recent AOL chat. Asked how it was working with Britney on the 'Boys' remix video, Myers said, "It felt nice. She's really cool, Britney. She's nice. She likes to laugh. She's very silly. When you work with people that are so incredibly famous, it's very strange, like your in a video with the Eiffel Tower or something. You know, you just can't, you keep looking, you can't believe it's actually Britney Spears. Having said that, within 5 seconds of talking to her, you realize she's just nice and down to earth, she's got a nice personality, she's lovely."

August 7, 2002 - The new Lycos 50 came out today and Avril Lavigne continued her march up towards longtime most searched for celebrity Britney Spears. Avril jumped two spots to #6 while Britney jumped a notch to #4.

August 6, 2002 - RexFeatures, LFI (page1 / page2), and WireImage.com all have photos from Sunday night's Teen Choice Awards. Amongst the stars in attendance were BBMak, Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jack and Kelly Osbourne, Mandy Moore, Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, and American Idol finalists, judges, and hosts. The show airs on Monday, August 19th at 8 PM EST on Fox. Read more.

August 6, 2002 - Metal-Sludge.com has a great and candid 20 questions with MTV's Iann Robinson. Asked about Britney Spears, he commented, "In her videos she's hot as the sun, but in person, she's not that pretty." Read the entire 20 questions here.

August 6, 2002 - Britney Spears continued her chat with Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell where she revealed she had a crush on Tom Cruise. Britney also talked about her cameo in the celebrity packed 'Austin Powers in Goldmember.' Read on for a transcript.

August 6, 2002 - WENN reports Britney Spears was heartbroken on Sunday night after learning her beloved aunt Sandra Covington, mother to her best friend Laura Lynne, has only days to live following a cancer battle. A close family friend says, "She could die any time. It's just a matter of waiting." Britney has flown Laura to her Los Angeles mansion to comfort her, and they are on stand-by to go to Houston to be at Sandra's bedside for her final hours. "It's been so difficult for Laura Lynne and devastating for the family," said a friend.

August 6, 2002 - The Sun reports there was no contact between *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake and former girlfriend Britney Spears at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday night. An insider said, "They were both booked well in advance so there was no getting out of it."

August 6, 2002 - You Cant Own Me on the JJB message board was at the Teen Choice Awards last night and submitted her review. On the subject of the awards being a reunion of sorts for *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, she commented, "ET made it seem like they were going to be sitting soooo far apart when actually they were only a few rows away and had a perfect view of each other. It was nice to see that they were being civil adults, and at least PRETENDING to be friends because I [like everyone else who was watching their every move] saw Justin mouth something to her, and she mouthed something back, he smiled, she laughed, he laughed .. but people, it don't mean they are back together. Don't be that [naive] But it was still cool to see that they were friends." Read more.

August 6, 2002 - Entertainment Tonight caught up with *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake at the "2002 Teen Choice Awards" celebration Sunday night where he addressed rumors that linked him to Janet Jackson. "Rumors are rumors and that's why they're out there. They make things interesting," he said. Justin watched the show from the opposite side of the auditorium from his ex Britney Spears. Read more.

August 5, 2002 - Popdirt.com's latest poll asks which female pop star do you think would be the toughest fighter? Vote for Britney Spears here.

August 5, 2002 - The Sunday Express reports *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears arrived separately at a West Hollywood club wearing the same type of pork pie hat, fuelling speculation that they are back together. Read more and check out photos here.

August 5, 2002 - Well yesterday's blind item in the Mirror hinted at it, but the Sunday People reports Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and N.E.R.D. has been bragging about going on dates (the Mirror's blind item mentioned much more than just 'dates') with Britney Spears, even though most assumed he was still dating Destiny's Child star Beyonce Knowles. A friend of Pharrell said: "He has been bragging about going out on dates with Britney. We were all really shocked, because everyone thought he was seeing Beyonce at the time. Both are pretty determined women who won't give him up easily - so there could be some fireworks between the two of them." Read more.

August 5, 2002 - Chaunce Hayden of Steppin' Out magazine caught up with Paulina Rubio and asked her about some musical peers. On Britney Spears, she said, "I think she's beautiful and she has a great mother, like mine." Read more.

August 5, 2002 - Access Hollywood has additional footage of Britney Spears on the show Friday on their website. Britney explained what really happened that caused the Mexico City show to be cancelled the second night as well as the flipping off of reporters. Check out the video clip here.

August 5, 2002 - Britney Spears' mother Lynne and little sister Jamie Lynne Spears was amongst those at the 2002 Teen Choice Awards - Backstage Talent Retreat in Universal City, California on Saturday. Joining Mini-B were BBMak as well as 'American Idol' judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. Check out all the photos here.

August 4, 2002 - CNN "Music Room" host Sasha Rionda caught up with Britney Spears for a one-on-one interview. When asked if she admires any of the other young female artists out at the moment, Britney said, "I really love Shakira. I think she is amazing. I like how she's very rocker-oriented. She can move, she can dance and she's beautiful. I like her." Check out the entire interview here.

August 4, 2002 - Catherine Donaldson-Evans of FoxNews.com profiled the recent controversial actions of Britney Spears that has many wondering if the good-girl teen idol has gone bad. "Some of [Britney's fans] are disappointed. They're not understanding why she's doing it," said Ruben Garay, 20, who runs Worldofbritney.com. "But most fans understand that she is just fed up with everything. The reason why all these things are happening is that she just needs a break." Read more.

August 4, 2002 - Avril Lavigne is continuing her badmouthing of Britney Spears, this time with Elle Girl magazine. "I won't wear skanky clothes that show my booty, my belly or my boobs," she said. "I could be Britney. I could be better than Britney."

August 4, 2002 - ShockYourMind.org has photos of Britney Spears along with her mother Lynne, sister Jamie Lynn, and a pal of Jamie's on the beach in Los Angeles as Britney removes her bikini top while wearing an extremely cropped tank top. Check out the pictures here.

August 4, 2002 - A blind item in The Mirror asks, "Which pop pin-up is wasting no time getting over her ex-boyfriend. The singer-turned-actress has recently been getting jiggy with one of the producers on her latest album. Unfortunately for her, the music whizz isn't very discreet and on a recent trip to London he told anyone who'd listen how totally un-virginal she is."

August 2, 2002 - ShockYourMind.org has a video stream of Britney Spears on Access Hollywood Thursday, where she addressed the two controversial moments in Mexico City where she flipped off the press upon arrival and the abruptly ended second show at the Forum. Watch the clip, read a transcript, and check out video captures here.

August 1, 2002 - jimmyp writes "Britney Spears is going to talk about all t controversey she (more like the media) created in Mexico last week tomorrow on Access Hollywood. Check your local listings."

August 1, 2002 - MSNBC's Jeannette Walls reports Justin Timberlake's spokesman says an interview that appeared in the Scottish Daily Record is "complete made-up garbage." The paper had quoted Timberlake saying in regards to Britney Spears, "Of course, I still love her and she still loves me, but we need a break from each other." Read more.

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