News and gossip about Britney Spears

The name of Swedish songwriter Jorgen Elofsson may not be well known (in the U.S.), but anyone who has turned on a radio or television nearly anywhere in the world has heard his music. He has penned global hits for Britney Spears (“Sometimes” and “You Drive Me Crazy”), Kelly Clarkson (“A Moment Like This”), U.K. sensation Westlife, and he contributed two songs to Simon Cowell’s pop-opera creation, Il Divo.
Hit songwriter Jorgen Elofsson (left) and music producer & American Idol star, Simon Cowell.

As he celebrates 10 years with BMG Publishing and sales of 100 million units, Elofsson discusses the craft of songwriting, and how he began working with Cowell and writing for many of the Pop Idol artists around the world.

Growing up by the sea in southern Sweden, Elofsson recalls that his interest in music began around age 16. “I sat down with a friend’s electric guitar, and just sort of fell in love with the whole thing. It was then that I found the key to where I was going to go - there was never any doubt.”

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The likes of Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and Heather Mills are demonised by the media because of their sex, according to a female academic.

Kirsty Fairclough of the University of Salford is to argue at a conference on June 25th that female image has been devalued through tabloid journalism and paparazzi photography.

And citing the likes of Winehouse and Spears, whose troubled lives have been heavily publicised in the media, she will argue that female celebrities are “routinely condemned for their perceived excessive lifestyles and their disregard for the apparent rules of femininity through extreme diets or weight gain, drug abuse, supposed lack of fashion sense, and an ‘unfeminine’ need for fame and attention”.

According to Ms Fairclough, there is a “paradox” in society’s views of women in the limelight.

“On one hand female celebrities crave freedom, but on the other hand they still pander to conservative ideas of sexuality through what’s been called ‘raunch culture’,” she said.

“Women are routinely condemned for their behaviour in the media but this isn’t just misogyny – the bitching culture tends to be about women against women. It’s a real step backwards.”

Ms Fairclough’s arguments will be made at a conference at the University of East Anglia entitled ‘Going Cheap?: Female Celebrity in the Tabloid, Reality and Scandal Genres’.

“The media circus may have reached saturation point with Britney Spears, but I predict it will get worse with other celebrities before it gets better,” she added.

Katherine Heigl dropped out of the Emmy race today, saying that she doesn’t think the writing for her character on Grey’s Anatomy is worthy of an award and did not want to take away the opportunity from other actresses. I’m sorry, has the woman forgotten that she’s working in television - the vehicle responsible for keeping Hulk Hogan and Tila Tequila in the public eye? She gets one hit movie and all of a sudden she’s Meryl Streep? I have three words for you, Mrs. Heigl: Bride of Chucky.

That’s why I was actually pleased to hear that Britney has been put on the official Emmy ballot for her guest star stint on How I Met Your Mother. Now don’t get too excited. There are 40 other actresses being recommended for a nomination. Still, you don’t see Brit-Brit stepping aside for fear that Alyssa Milano or Mary-Kate Olsen (also in her category) don’t get their proper due. And thank God! Britney may not be the best actress (or dancer or dresser) we’ve got but there would be such a satisfying ironical moment in store for yours truly if she actually won. And can you imagine the look on Katherine’s face? Oh, if only the world were really like that.

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Lynne Spears, mother of Britney Spears and Jamie Lynn Spears, has always been known for her deep desire to cash in commitment to strong parenting.

Her memoir - yes, her fucking memoir - which was delayed last winter amid Jamie Lynn getting knocked up at 16, will be now released this fall.

Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World is the title. We’re serious. Sorry, we’re a little thrown off by this.

The book will chronicle Lynne Spears’ pimping out raising of Britney, 26, and Jamie Lynn, 17, and how she ruined their lives for the sake of money groomed them into stars while coming from small-town Louisiana.

“When Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant, the book was put on hold,” a representative for Spears’ publisher, Thomas Nelson Inc., said.

“But Lynne never stopped working on it because she wants to express her love for CA$H her children and tell their stories through her eyes.”

“[It] will not be a parenting book,” the rep said of the book, which was originally set to be titled simply Pop Culture Mom.

“It’s [Lynne Spears] telling her story of what it was like being a mom and raising two very famous people. It’s a memoir.”

This book should come with a noose - if you buy it, there’s really no point in going on. At least the weather’s warm where Lynne’s going.

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Britney, who spent a weekend with Mel Gibson and his wife, Robyn Moore, at their 400 acre $26 million ranch in Costa Rica in May met with her mentor on Tuesday, June 10 at House of Cigars.

The singer and the actor-filmmaker met in what was considered more of an ongoing guidance session than a business meeting, sources say.

Mel Gibson and his wife Robin have taken Britney Spears under their wing since her meltdowns earlier this year, meeting with her regularly.

At the posh Havana Club, a tired-looking Spears arrived with her personal assistant, Brett and a bodyguard to meet Mel around 7:30.

Earlier in the day, she shopped at Lisa Kline boutique in Beverly Hills where she bought a pair of shades.