It could be a labor of love for Grammy-winner Christina Aguilera and her husband Jordan Bateman who are currently at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to deliver their first child. Aguilera checked in last night, as her C-section was scheduled to take place early this month.

The “Beautiful” pop-star—called “the voice of her generation” because of her 4-octive range—and the fact that she has sold over 30 million albums to date—has said she’s eager to enter into “mommyhood”. X-tina has been busy shopping and preparing the baby’s nursery in their home.

The couple have not announced if it’s a boy or girl—saying they want to be surprised. They may know any moment now!

And in late-breaking news…Nicole Richie is also at Cedars giving birth–accompanied by her baby’s daddy, Joel Madden. It’s going to be a busy weekend!

Congratulations and Good Luck!

 - Jan Lamback

Parents are pouting and shouting, “It’s a price hike pandemonium!” as tickets for Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana concert tour reach a record-breaking $3,000!

Fans of Miley Cyrus—star of Disney’ Channel’s Hannah Montana—are so desperate to attend her sold-out concert that greedy ticket scalpers are
charging—and getting upwards of $3,000 for one ticket. One parent expressed her frustration with a universal truth, “I feel like they are ripping off children.”

Cyrus’ sold-out “Best of Both Worlds Tour”, which began in October, showcases 14-year-old Miley singing as herself and as her TV alter ego, the “pop star” Hannah Montana.

But the exorbitant ticket prices aren’t the only challenge young tween parents have had to face; some devoted Dads went out on a limb for their little girls by dressing like Hannah—complete with wig and high heels— to win tickets in kooky shopping mall contests across the country.

Her concert venues have sold-out in as little as four minutes—that’s fodder for scalpers to demand getting four to five times the face value of the ticket itself.

Tour promoters who have capped prices at $65 are urging parents and fans to be patient! Don’t give in to inflated ticket prices—they will go down as tour dates approach. And if you miss the tour you can always catch Miley Cyrus on the big screen in the Hannah Montana: Live in Concert movie coming soon to theatres. (Source)
                                                           

 - Jan Lamback

I thought we’d take a break from Britney today and concentrate on a recording  pop star who is the complete opposite and is truly making a difference:

Say the name Shakira and what comes to mind? If you said a vibrantly beautiful girl with loose curls and loose hips—These Hips Don’t Lie!  Shakira—the name means grace or thankful in Arabic is a two-time Grammy award-winner, a seven-time Latin Grammy award-winner and the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time. But there is so much more to Shakira than meets the eye.

Shakira has been deeply devoted to humanitarian causes—particularly children—for years. Regarding her active involvement she has said, “It is as important as my musical career.”

Chosen to be the United Nations’ global representative, she is an official UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. “Shakira, like all our Goodwill Ambassadors, was chosen based on her compassion, her involvement in global issues, her deep commitment to helping children, and her appeal to young people around the world. We’re very pleased to have Shakira join the UNICEF family. I know she’ll help bring UNICEF’s mission to the audience who will have the most impact on our future—young people themselves”, said UNICEF’s Executive Director Carol Bellamy.

In 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation—a Colombian charity with special schools for poor children located all around Colombia—funded by Shakira and other international groups and individuals. The name of the foundation is taken from Shakira’s third album called Pies Descalzos.

When accepting an honor at the United Nations for creating the foundation, Shakira with determination reminded the attending audience, “Let’s not forget that at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America.”

On September 28, 2007 at the Clinton Global Initiative, it was revealed that Shakira’s newest charity, called the ALAS Foundation (America Latina en Accion Solidaria—Latin America for Solidarity), donated a massive $40 million to help the victims of natural disasters. An additional $5 million will be donated to four Latin American countries, to be spent on education and health.

In December of 2007, Shakira visited Bangladesh to appeal for the victims of Cyclone Sid. She spent three days with the victims and visited children affected by the disaster in schools built by UNICEF and participated in the distribution of family kits and warm clothes.

She pointed out that even though there was little left of the school she visited in the village of Mirzapur; it still provided an “oasis” for the children. “I am more convinced than ever that education is the key to so many of the difficulties that our children face in countries like mine or in developing countries like this one. It’s the key to a better and safer world,” she said eloquently. Amen to that! (Source)

   – Jan Lamback

Rumor has it Britney’s crazy meltdown— including speaking with a British accent in the hospital— may have been staged to up the ante on pics her paparazzi boyfriend and she are planning to sell; then split the money 50/50.

Now if that isn’t crazy—what is? If this is true, then Britney should be held accountable for such a Machiavellian ruse.

Closer to home, Britney’s shenanigans are no longer tolerated by the elegant Four Seasons Hotel. Last night after going for a drive without her lights on, stopping by a drug store and then getting a flat tire, Britney jumped into one of the cars of the waiting paparazzi who took her home.

She then headed for the Four Seasons Hotel to check in and was promptly, but politely refused and escorted out.

Not to be deterred, Britney made her way to the less impressive, Peninsula Hotel where she easily checked-in. One still wonders why she stays at hotels when her mansion is nearby? This seems to be a daily routine with Britney. What do you think is going on with that?

  – Jan Lamback

Britney Spears tested free of illegal drugs and alcohol during her two-night stay at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “She’s as clean as clean can be,” a reliable source reported to People.com, “… and has been for some time.”

This gives even more credence to the fact that Britney may have been suffering from postpartum depression for the past year.

Spears was released Saturday from Cedars-Sinai—less than 72 hours after being admitted for observation—when her evaluation was completed and it was determined she was not a danger to herself.

However, two separate sources have disclosed that the singer’s breakdown was caused by an undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Another source confirmed Spears has “suffered from a psychological disease for years.”

Currently “on the lam”, Britney has since been spotted getting lots of TLC from her current paparazzi companion, Adnan Ghalib—holding hands, kissing and stopping for Spears usual fix of Starbucks.

Apparently while her family—including TV personality psychologist and family friend, Dr. Phil— are still freaked out over her meltdown, it seems Britney has once again gained control of the situation and is dealing with it “her way”, chilling out with Ghalib as if her breakdown never happened.

Meanwhile Spears ex-husband, Kevin Federline has been granted sole legal and physical custody of their boys, and is said to be quietly laying low with them in his home in Tarzana. (Source)
                                                                

 - Jan Lamback

If you had any hopes that Britney Spears would get her act together for the New Year, you’re about to be disappointed.  In true form, it’s only day three into the New Year and already there’s drama, drama, drama.

The 26-year-old pop star was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she is listed as a “special-needs patient” (harmful to herself and others), after the police were called to her house to help end an embittered custody standoff involving her young sons. Officer Jason Lee of the Los Angeles Police Department told City News Service that Spears appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance—intoxicated.

Earlier in the evening police assisted in diffusing a custody dispute between her ex-husband Kevin Federline and Spears over their sons, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James when it was time to release the tots to Federline.

Increasingly spinning out of control, Spears had appeared 90 minutes late for a deposition, Thursday afternoon—showing up for just 14 minutes of the process— only after her attorneys from the firm Trope and Trope “fired her” filing a court motion asking to be relieved of Britney due to a ”breakdown” in communication with their client. The pop star has missed five depositions in the past and this is the second time lawyers for her have quit.

In light of her unstable behavior, it’ easy to see why Trope wants out from their client from hell. The pop wreck has been photographed without underwear and appeared to be drunk and out-of-control—in constant party mode.  In 2007 alone, she shaved her head, beat a car with an umbrella and spent a month in rehab along with a handful of fender benders.

A source told USMagazine.com that Britney was completely psycho having “a total psychotic breakdown”, when paramedics took her out of her home in a gurney. Several police cars escorted the ambulance out of the neighborhood, followed by dozens of paparazzi. Britney needs our compassion, prayers and tough love from those around her. Send your comments and good wishes. (Source)

- Jan Lamback
 

Fresh-face actress Anne Hathaway will be the new face of Lancôme for 2008, the cosmetics company announced Wednesday.

Anne’s sophisticated but “age-appropriate” approach to fashion; lady-like manners and intelligent style make her the ideal representative for a cosmetic company that exudes confidence, femininity and romance.

Often compared to Audrey Hepburn, the dignified actress has quietly become a role model against a debauchery of headline-seeking celebutants—mainly known for “what-not-to-do”.

Anne’s first prominent role was in Disney’s 2001 family comedy The Princess Diaries which established her career. She continued to appear in family films over the next three years—Ella Enchanted and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Up until her breakaway, starring role in The Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway always embraced lesser-known starring and supporting roles—such as Laurren Newsome—the haunting beauty in Brokeback Mountain.

In 2006 she portrayed one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen, on screen in the romantic Becoming Jane.

“Anne Hathaway is a radiant young woman who perfectly embodies modern femininity,” Lancôme said in a statement. “We know she will portray all the passion and excitement of our new fragrance, to be launched throughout the world in September 2008.”

 - Jan Lamback

Hitting the newsstands today is OK! Magazine’s cover story…16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears—the star of Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101—is pregnant!

When most celebrities keep “mum”—no pun intended—about their “pregnancy” status, the mother of all dysfunctional families contacts OK! Magazine immediately to make the announcement, apparently against Jamie Lynn’s father, James Spears’ better judgment, who accused Lynne Spears of “profiting off of his children.”

Who’s the baby-daddy?  Get this… Jamie Lynn’s live-in boyfriend, 19-year-old Casey Aldridge! Do 16-year olds have live–in boyfriends? Apparently they do in Tennessee!

Do 16-year-olds with live–in boyfriends get pregnant? They absolutely do!
Under the circumstances these set-new-lows-for-dysfunctional-parents shouldn’t feign surprise.

Never mind the physical and emotional repercussions of giving birth at that age, what about her career responsibilities as star of a show that caters to impressionable tweens?

Nickelodeon, which carries her TV show Zoey 101, made this statement:

“We respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn’s well being.”

Meanwhile there’s been a rash of communications from concerned parents to the network regarding representing this young lady as a role model.

Zoey 101 is in its third season and is one of Nickelodeon’s highest-rated shows. It’s anyone’s guess whether they’ll pull the show all together or simply replace her.

Mmmm…Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse with the Spears, this happens! Can you say, “… rock bottom?” Stay tuned.

 - By Jan Lamback

Pop poster girls for “What Not To Do”, Pamela Anderson and Britney Spears have once again toyed with the institution of marriage to find it’s not a game.

The announcement that after two months of marriage Pamela Anderson has filed for divorce from Rick Solomon—the guy, who made the “1 Night In Paris” video with Paris Hilton, is a surprise to no one. Anderson has filed a claim for dissolution of the marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

This is the second time in less than two years that a quickie marriage was dissolved by Pam. Her tacky bikini-wearing nuptials with Kid Rock met with the same ending. Anderson married Salomon after he agreed to pay off a $200k gambling debt in exchange for sexual favors.

But don’t throw the divorce rice just yet…word has it the divorce proceedings— as of this hour are on hold today after Pam posted a  blog on her website saying, “P.S. We’re working things out…”

And in other matrimonial madness, it seems Britney is headed to the altar with her sometime bff Sam Lufti in Las Vegas. According to Star Magazine, the pop wreck will wed the man who has as many aliases as Brit has lattés. In addition, Lufti has several restraining orders against him.

Inside Britney’s camp—where her best friends and advisors come and go via a revolving door—many feel that, Lufti, in Svengali-like fashion, has attached himself to Britney and is now trying to attach himself to her bank account.

No stranger to quickie Vegas weddings, Britney once married her high school sweetheart in 2004 then terminated the marriage after a sobering 55 hours, so it’s a bit of déjà-vu y’all!  Stay tuned for more of this wacky and scary development!

 - Jan Lamback

Britney’s bizarre antics are stirring up the rumor mills. The attention-getting-fame-addict has everyone speculating why someone with two homes in Los Angeles would frequently stay at hotels.

The pop-wreck was spotted with her favorite gaudy pink wig on again entering the Four Seasons Hotel on Monday in the unflattering, short black outfit she had on when she swiped the cigarette lighter over the weekend.

Spears was more than happy to pose for photographers—this time panty-less, flashing her rear at the paparazzi.

These antics—posing as a woman of the night (that’s the polite way of saying it) —are very disturbing. And could her frequent stays at hotels be to play out her fantasy or pick up drugs—or both?

Britney needs serious psychiatric help. This is a mother of two small children. Can you see Jennifer Garner or Katie Holmes carrying on like Spears?
Perhaps the legal disposition she’s just been handed will open the doors to the critical treatment the mentally ill Ms. Spears desperately needs. Stay tuned.

 - Jan Lamback