Britney Spears’ memoir is a reminder of the stigma and potential damage of child stardom

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-oconnor-1483447">Jane O’Connor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/birmingham-city-university-920">Birmingham City University</a></em></p> <p>Britney Spears’ new memoir, The Woman in Me, illustrates once again the potential lifelong damage that can be caused by being a child star. Like many before her, including <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Judy-Garland">Judy Garland</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Jackson">Michael Jackson</a>, Spears was ushered into the dangerous terrain of childhood fame by the adults who were supposed to be protecting her, and was utterly unprepared to deal with the fallout.</p> <p>Spears’ <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53494405">father’s conservatorship</a>, controlling every aspect of her personal and professional life, was finally rescinded in 2021. She is now able to share the details of her extraordinary years in the limelight and beyond.</p> <p>From a sociological perspective, childhood is considered socially constructed. This means that there are specific ways of raising children which are socially and culturally defined. We discard these conventions surrounding the early years of life at our peril.</p> <p>The boundaries and rules around what is and is not acceptable during childhood, and the normal activities and institutions that shape the experience of being a child have developed over the centuries for a reason – to try and keep children safe from the harsh realities of the adult world.</p> <p>Being sexualised and valued for your appearance, being paid to work, having to deal with criticism and unwanted attention from strangers – these are all difficult aspects of growing up. Children and teens need careful support and guidance if they are to navigate safely into their adult lives and identities.</p> <p>The experience of childhood fame throws aside this social safety net for children in every possible way, and the consequences can be disastrous.</p> <h2>The price of child fame</h2> <p>From the earliest child stars of Hollywood’s golden age, through the television sitcoms and shows of the mid-20th century, the rise of the pop and film industries in the following decades and the burst in popularity of reality TV and talent shows of the early 21st century, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17482798.2011.584378">children have always featured</a>. Many have paid a heavy price for their often short period of fame.</p> <p>Sad stories of <a href="https://www.or-nc.com/why-do-child-stars-become-addicted-to-drugs/">drug and alcohol addiction</a>, <a href="https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/11/02/uncle-fester-star-jackie-coogans-tragic-life-child-fortune-to-horror-crash">family disputes</a>, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/child-actors-who-became-criminals/nathan-gibso">criminal activity</a> and <a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/us-showbiz/former-nickelodeon-star-drake-bells-29769568">toxic relationships</a> are frequently reported by the media. These reinforce the stereotypical “child star gone bad” and “too much too young” narratives that the wider public has come to expect.</p> <p>For example, stories abound of <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/11/macaulay-culkin-reveals-never-divorced-parents-emancipated-12222457/">Macaulay Culkin “divorcing” his controlling parents</a> and his difficulties transitioning into adult life, <a href="https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/why-it-was-not-a-wonderful-life-for-macaulay-culkin-after-he-found-fame-in-the-hit-christmas-film-home-alone/37620091.html">feeling trapped</a> in the image of boyhood innocence of his most famous character, Kevin in the Home Alone movies.</p> <p><a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kSJ8XjTw10kC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;redir_esc=y#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">In her autobiography</a> actor Drew Barrymore has written about her casual acceptance at Hollywood parties and consumption of alcohol at a very young age, following her role in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083866/">E.T.</a> (1982) aged five.</p> <p>There is also the tragic life and death of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/may/29/gary-coleman-obituary">Gary Coleman</a>, cute kid star of the American sitcom <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077003/">Diff'rent Strokes</a> (1978-1986).</p> <p>Coleman, who died at 42 following a history of <a href="https://nypost.com/2010/05/29/troubled-80s-child-star-gary-colemans-life-is-cut-short-at-42/#:%7E:text=In%202005%2C%20Coleman%20moved%20to,and%20%22wanted%20to%20die.%22">substance abuse</a> and <a href="https://www.salon.com/2010/05/28/gary_coleman_dies/">depression</a>, reported being <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/may/29/gary-coleman-obituary">deeply humiliated</a> by people asking: “Didn’t you used to be …?” when he was working as a security guard at a supermarket as an adult.</p> <h2>Other possibilities</h2> <p>It’s important to note, however, that a difficult trajectory is not the experience of all child stars and former child stars. The actors from the Harry Potter films, for example, seem <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/22/the-not-so-cursed-child-did-harry-potter-mark-the-end-of-troubled-young-actors">largely to have transitioned well</a> into adult lives and careers – some in the spotlight, others not.</p> <p>And the new generation of famous children and teens such as <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/stranger-things-millie-bobby-brown">Millie Bobby Brown</a>, star of the Netflix show <a href="https://theconversation.com/stranger-things-is-the-upside-down-to-disneys-cute-and-cuddly-universe-83417">Stranger Things</a> (2016-present), seem more prepared for fame than their predecessors, in control of their images and identities via their own social media platforms and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-44045291">potentially protected to some extent</a> from extreme sexualisation by the MeToo movement.</p> <p>Even so, Brown <a href="https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/news/millie-bobby-brown-birthday-instagram-post/">commented on her 16th birthday</a> that: “There are moments I get frustrated from the inaccuracy, inappropriate comments, sexualization, and unnecessary insults.”</p> <p>For Spears though, these were more than moments. She details in her memoir how the constant public scrutiny of her body and physical appearance, being valued for her sexuality and treated as a commodity have characterised her entire life.</p> <p>It is no wonder <a href="https://people.com/britney-spears-reveals-why-shaved-off-hair-in-2007-exclusive-8362494">she shaved her head</a> in 2007, a move interpreted by the media as her having “gone mad”, but in fact a powerful indication of her anger at being perceived as nothing more than a dancing sex-doll. As she writes in her memoir: "I knew a lot of guys thought long hair was hot. Shaving my head was a way of saying to the world: fuck you. You want me to be pretty for you? Fuck you. You want me to be good for you? Fuck you. You want me to be your dream girl? Fuck you."</p> <p>The sociologist Erving Goffman wrote about the stigma of having a “<a href="https://www.howcommunicationworks.com/blog/2020/12/16/what-is-stigma-explaining-goffmans-idea-of-spoiled-identity">spoiled identity</a>” whereby people carry with them the public shame of transgression or physical difference.</p> <p>Being a former child star can be stigmatising for many reasons, including being constantly compared to an ideal younger version of yourself and not having had a “normal” childhood or conventional family relationships.</p> <p>In this memoir, Britney attempts to face down that stigma and reclaim her identity and person-hood as an adult. In doing so, she demonstrates that it can be possible to leave the dangerous terrain of early fame behind – but the journey is a tough one.</p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-oconnor-1483447">Jane O’Connor</a>, Reader in Childhood Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/birmingham-city-university-920">Birmingham City University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram, </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/britney-spears-memoir-is-a-reminder-of-the-stigma-and-potential-damage-of-child-stardom-216545">original article</a>.</em></p>

Music

"Buddy is the star": Jamie Oliver's son scores his own show

<p>Buddy Oliver is a chip off the old block after landing his own cooking show for the <em>BBC</em>, according to reports. </p> <p>The 12-year-old has already made a name for himself with his YouTube channel <em>Cooking Buddies, </em>where he creates cooking tutorials with his famous dad, the iconic Jamie Oliver, in their family home. </p> <p>With an impressive fanbase of over 133,000 subscribers, Buddy's skills have been recognised and he is now reportedly set to appear on the small screen. </p> <p>"Buddy has taken all of his dad's experience on board and is about to put it into play with his own cookery show," a source told <em>The Sun</em>. </p> <p>The budding cook will reportedly be joined by other kids on the show, who will learn tips from him on how to get started on cooking. </p> <p>"Jamie's fans have long been asking for his son to have his own show for their kids to enjoy," the source added, claiming that Buddy will be the star of the show. </p> <p>"Buddy is the star of the show. Jamie is keen for his son to prove himself to telly audiences, not just live off the family name.</p> <p>"So Buddy's got to showcase his technical skills and presenting ability. But if his YouTube work is anything to go by, it'll be natural for him," the source said. </p> <p>Buddy is the second youngest of Jamie's children with his wife Jools. </p> <p>He has three older sisters  Poppy, 21, Daisy Boo, 20, and Petal, 14, and a younger brother seven-year-old River Rocket. </p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Food & Wine

Jamie Foxx hospitalised

<p>Corinne Foxx, eldest daughter of American actor Jamie Foxx, has shared the news of her father’s hospitalisation.</p> <p>Taking to social media with a post on behalf of the entire Foxx family, Corinne revealed that Jamie “experienced a medical complication”, and that thanks to “quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery.” </p> <p>The 29-year-old actress went on to add that the family were grateful from the thoughts and prayers of Jamie’s followers, and that they were requesting privacy during their difficult time. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq9NCSnu3gq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq9NCSnu3gq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Corinne Foxx (@corinnefoxx)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A source informed <em>TMZ</em> that Jamie’s condition had been so serious that members of the actor’s family had raced in from out of town to see him in hospital, but that “he’s communicating now, and that’s good news.” </p> <p>The scare comes just weeks after Jamie returned to the set of his film <em>Back in Action</em>, in the wake of reports breaking that the star had fired multiple people working on the project - an executive producer and two directors. </p> <p>“There have been some issues on set and Jamie has had a major ‘meltdown’ over it all,” a source told<em> The Sun</em> at the time. “He demanded the problems be sorted immediately and sacked four of the production staff, as if that would magically improve the situation.</p> <p>“Some people working on it are totally fed up with how this has played out and Jamie has become pretty unpopular.”</p> <p>It remains unclear whether or not Jamie’s illness will impact the filming schedule for <em>Back in Action</em>. As recently as days before his incident, Jamie had been seen recording scenes with co-star Cameron Diaz in England. </p> <p>Cameron had previously announced her retirement from acting, but credited Jamie with getting her back on board when she signed up to star alongside him - in their third film project together - when she declared on social media that “only you [Jamie Foxx] could get me back in action. I can’t frickin’ wait it’s gonna be a blast!”</p> <p>And while rumours have swirled that Cameron intended to resume her retirement following the reported on set ‘drama’, a source stressed to<em> Page Six </em>that this was not the case. </p> <p>“When you are in a position of authority, sometimes you have to make decisions to let people go who do not share the same vision as you,” the source said, before explaining that they would be surprised to learn of any lingering tensions between the film’s two stars.  </p> <p>“Cameron is a businessperson and understands that this is necessary at times and, honestly, Jamie is the only reason that she is doing this film and they are still very close.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Jamie Oliver shares sweet family update

<p>Renowned celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has renewed his wedding vows with his wife Jools after 23 years of marriage.</p> <p>The longtime couple took part in a touching ceremony with their children at the luxury resort Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.</p> <p>“Morning all, me and @joolsoliver got married again! Yep After 23 years together, we thought it would be a special moment to celebrate renewing our wedding vows before the kids all start leaving the nest,” the restaurateur wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>“It was really special, funny and romantic with the words in the ceremony making more sense having come this far together.</p> <p>“It seems like a blink since the first wedding which we kept very private apart from the paparazzi at the village church.</p> <p>“We thought it would be a happy and joyful moment to share with you all this Easter.</p> <p>“We’ve always dreamed of going to the Maldives and it was just as you would have dreamed, simply amazing!</p> <p>“A massive thank you to all the team at @discoversoneva for blowing our minds and making this moment so special and memorable big love guys Jamie O xxxxxxxxx.”</p> <p>Oliver also shared 10 photos from the special day, including sweet snaps of all their five children, Honey, 20, Daisy Boo, 19, Petal Blossom, 13, Buddy Bear, 11 and River Rocket, five.</p> <p>Friends and followers flooded the comments to congratulate the happy couple.</p> <p>“Fantastic. Wonderful. Lotsa Fun. Congratulations whānau Oliver 🔥,” fellow chef Peter Gordon said.</p> <p>“Awwww congratulations love birds,” singer Gary Barlow wrote.</p> <p>“I couldn’t love this more ❤️❤️ Congratulations you beautiful bunch xxxx,” radio host Emma Wilson said.</p> <p>Jools took to Instagram also, writing that their first wedding was “so wonderful... we did it again”.</p> <p>“What an incredible memory to treasure so happy, emotional, romantic and beautiful. Seeing the children’s little faces made the whole experience so special,” she wrote.</p> <p>The vow renewal comes after Oliver opened up about his wife’s “deeply scary” experience with long COVID.</p> <p>Since contracting the virus over two years ago, Jools is still battling with ill symptoms.</p> <p>In August 2022, Oliver shared that doctors still could not find a cure.</p> <p>“She’s had bad COVID and long COVID, so she’s been really affected by it, sadly,” he told <em>Mail Plus</em>.</p> <p>“She’s OK, but still not what she wants to be.”</p> <p>“It’s been two years. She finds it deeply scary.”</p> <p>The lovebirds initially tied the knot in 2000 following eight years of dating.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Dazzling looks, memorable moments, and award sweeps: The best of the 2023 Oscars

<p dir="ltr">Actors, producers, and creative souls from all over arrived at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre to strut their sparkle down the 2023 Oscars’ champagne carpet. </p> <p dir="ltr">The event, otherwise known as Hollywood’s night of nights, was always set to break records and draw attention from film fanatics across the globe - hopefully for all the right reasons - with the likes of <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>, <em>Elvis</em>, <em>The Banshees of Inisherin</em>, and <em>Top Gun: Maverick </em>up for Best Picture. </p> <p dir="ltr">In fact, <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once </em>was nominated for 11 awards by itself, with <em>All Quiet on the Western Front</em> and <em>The Banshees of Inisherin </em>following right behind with an astounding nine nominations each. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Everything Everywhere All at Once </em>snagged a staggering seven awards in the end - most notably, the cast and crew secured the top honour of Best Picture for all of their hard work.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the Hollywood comeback of the decade, Best Actor went to Brendan Fraser for his part in<em> The Whale</em>, and Best Actress to the multi-talented Michelle Yeoh for her performance in <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>, who took the opportunity to remind women everywhere that “you are never past your prime”. Michelle also made history with her win as both the first Best Actress nominee and winner to openly identify as Asian. </p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, their supporting award counterparts went to <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>’s Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. </p> <p dir="ltr">There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Ke Huy Quan accepted his award - and made history as the first Vietnam-born actor to ever do so. He began by thanking his 84-year-old mother, who was watching from the comfort of home, saying “my journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp, and somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I can’t believe it’s happening to me - this is the American dream.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert snagged Best Director for <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once</em>. And for those with a great appreciation for the songs that make moments come to life, MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose were awarded Best Song for the catchy hit ‘Naatu Naatu’ in <em>RRR</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The ceremony also saw special guest appearances from <em>The Banshees of Inisherin</em>’s Jenny the Donkey, a fuzzy bear presenter, and appearances from a whole host of stars - as well as an emotional tribute to those Hollywood had lost over the past year, with John Travolta’s emotional words for the late Olivia Newton-John, to whom he remains “hopelessly devoted”. </p> <p dir="ltr">But, of course, the Oscars aren’t only about who goes home with the coveted golden statues, and the stars paraded down the champagne carpet - formerly the red carpet - in typical fashion in a shower of shoulder pads, sparkle, and swagger. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out 2023’s best dressed and top moments below, and the <a href="https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023">full list of winners here</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Movies

Jamie Lee Curtis on ageing in Hollywood

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis has taken a swipe at society’s emphasis on youth, no more apparent than in her own industry.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The 59-year-old, visiting Sydney to promote new movie Halloween, the sequel to the 1978 horror classic of the same name, spoke of her dislike of the term “anti-ageing”.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“The term anti-ageing makes me crazy, the amount of marketing towards anti-ageing and making it a pejorative,” Curtis told <em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/actor-jamie-lee-curtis-on-why-the-term-antiageing-makes-her-angry/news-story/eec877ecef45fbb08670b1d872d2f8d5">The Daily Telegraph</a></em>.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“(Ageing) cannot be the pejorative because it happens to everybody. It is like everything else, it is an evolution,” said the actor.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Curtis’ comments come at an apt time in her career. She has reprised her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who took on serial killer Michael Myers 40 years ago on Halloween. Decades on, her character, now a grandmother, is still deeply affected by their battle but is as strong as ever and more than ready for the next round.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The actress too, seems at the top of her game. The sequel is raking it in at the US box office, and not only is she a formidable performer in the film, but it was really Curtis doing many of the fight scenes too.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“I am sitting here in my very nice red suit but this movie was obviously not a glamorous job and I am grateful that I get that opportunity,” she admitted to the publication. “Every fight is me.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“I am fit but I am not a gym rat. It is just what we do. It is the nature of the beast — it is physical and it is painful. I cracked a rib, that is what happens.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">But Curtis, the daughter of Janet Leigh – who memorably starred in another iconic horror Psycho – and matinee idol Tony Curtis, has previously acknowledged her “struggle with my own self-esteem” when it comes to her body. She says she’s found a way to deal with it.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“So I have a big secret: I don’t look in the mirror,” Curtis told <em><a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a22993869/jamie-lee-curtis-confidence-secrets/">Good Housekeeping</a></em> in a recent interview.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“I’m a 60-year-old woman. I am not going to look the same as I used to, and I don’t want to be confronted by that every day! When I get out of the shower, I have a choice: I can dry myself off looking in the mirror, or I can dry myself off with my back to it. I turn my back to the mirror and I feel great!”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The actress, who also counts children’s author, entrepreneur and budding screenwriter on her resume, has an inspiring message about chasing and realising creative passions saying she has “no time to waste”.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“On the very clear passage of 50s to 60s, I have no time to waste,” said Curtis. “None. If you have creative ideas and you don’t bring them out into the world in some way before you go, that is a tragedy.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><em><span class="s1">Images: Getty</span></em></p>

Movies

Jamie Lee Curtis looks back on some of her most iconic roles

<p>Whether you know her from her <em>Halloween </em>‘scream queen’ roots or her comedic prowess in the body swap <em>Freaky Friday</em>, Jamie Lee Curtis is an actress who needs no introduction. </p> <p>The star - who had been credited in an astounding 80 projects before her first ever Academy Awards nomination in 2023 for her role in <em>Everything Everywhere All at Once </em>- has seen and done it all. Beginning her career at the age of 19, Curtis has spent the years since adding success after success to her resume, and proving her doubters wrong at almost every turn. </p> <p>And in a candid interview with <em>Yahoo Entertainment</em>, the actress opened up about some of the most memorable roles that have steered her journey in Hollywood. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Laurie Strode, <em>Halloween </em>(1978)</strong></li> </ul> <p>Curtis made her film debut on the set of John Carpenter’s cult classic <em>Halloween</em>, and though the film (and its entire franchise) is considered to be one of the most influential horror films of all time, the then-19-year-old Curtis found nothing to be scared of while filming. </p> <p>The reason? Nick Castle, who played the film’s main antagonist Michael Myers, was too much of a delight to instill real terror in Curtis. </p> <p>“Here's the problem,” she explained. “He's played by Nick Castle, who was one of John's best friends. He had two little kids, his wife was around, and he's this funny guy. And he's also a very talented director and he's a musician. So I cannot lie to you and tell you I was so frightened." </p> <ul> <li><strong>Tess Coleman, <em>Freaky Friday</em> (2003)</strong></li> </ul> <p>Curtis was actually a last minute replacement for Annette Bening in the 2003 body swap comedy <em>Freaky Friday</em>, but that certainly didn’t put a damper on her experience. </p> <p>The actress became fast friends with Lindsay Lohan while playing the mother-daughter duo, and the pair have remained in contact ever since. In a fun friendship anecdote, Curtis shared how she has a test in place to find out whether or not it is Lohan texting her, or some sneaky stranger. </p> <p>"There's a song called 'Like I Love You' by Justin Timberlake. Lindsay and I were doing a scene in a car, and there was a lot of time in between takes, and there's a rap in the middle of that song by Clipse. She and I were trying to learn the words, and we were, like, sitting there with a pad,” she said. </p> <p>“We were writing them down,” Curtis continued. “And then we would do the scene, and then we'd play the song and try to lip-sync the few words that we knew. I'm telling you, we laughed. And that is my secret code with her. 'What was the song we were lip-syncing to in the car?'”</p> <p>She then confessed that while she may have given away their secret code, she wasn’t worried - the two have a second one, just in case. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Helen, <em>True Lies </em>(1994)</strong></li> </ul> <p>Although Curtis has said that the 1994 James Cameron blockbuster tops the list of her favourite filming experiences, featuring everything from a striptease to an intense helicopter stunt scene, she almost didn’t star at all, with co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger hesitant about signing her on to play his wife in the action packed project.</p> <p>When explaining why, Curtis noted that Arnold knew her “as Tony’s daughter”. Her father, Tony Curtis, had starred in the only film Schwarzenegger had directed, the 1992 <em>Christmas in Connecticut</em>. </p> <p>"He only knew me as Tony's daughter,” she said. “He loved Tony Curtis, so I'm sure Arnold just looked at me like it'd be like kissing your niece or something ... I guarantee, in fact, he did not want me to be in that movie. I think he just thought it would be weird. We knew each other a little bit socially. I just don't think he thought of me as his leading lady, I think he thought of me as Tony's little girl. And it was Jim who said, 'no, I've written this for her. She's the one to do this with you’.”</p> <p>Schwarzenegger, of course, eventually came around on the idea. And the rest, as they say, is history. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Movies

Jamie Oliver shares details about wife's "deeply scary" health condition

<p>Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has opened up about his wife’s “deeply scary” experience with long Covid, as the illness remains uncharted territory with fresh data still being uncovered.</p> <p>Jools Oliver has been fighting the illness for the past two years.</p> <p>“She’s had bad COVID and long COVID, so she’s been really affected by it, sadly,” Oliver, 47, shared.</p> <p>“She’s OK, but still not what she wants to be.”</p> <p>“It’s been two years. She finds it deeply scary.”</p> <p>Her condition has left doctors stumped, with long Covid affecting 10-20% of people with ongoing Covid symptoms, according to the World Health Organisation.</p> <p>The popular chef explained they had seen specialist medical professionals but have been unable to cure her symptoms as the condition is still being learnt about.</p> <p>“We’re all over Harley Street like a rash, but no one really knows anything,” Oliver went on, referring to the street in London, known for being home to a large amount of private medical specialists.</p> <p>Despite her condition, Oliver says his wife continues to remain positive and keep her spirits up. The couple share five children together and have been married for 22 years.</p> <p>Oliver's new cookbook is being released on September 1 and, of course, is dedicated to his wife Jools. </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CftLf9LDs7P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CftLf9LDs7P/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Britney Spears makes musical comeback with Elton John

<p dir="ltr">Britney Spears is set to make her long-awaited return to the music scene by collaborating with Elton John on a new song. </p> <p dir="ltr">While rumours of the collaborations have been circulating for several weeks, a spokesperson confirmed the news to the PA news agency earlier this week.</p> <p dir="ltr">Britney and Elton’s collaboration project will be a track titled <em>Hold Me Closer</em>, which is rumoured to be an updated version of John’s 1971 single <em>Tiny Dancer</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Elton hinted at the collaboration on Instagram as he posted an image of a rose and rocket emoji alongside the title of the song. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAf5zxj2y2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAf5zxj2y2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The return to the music industry for Britney comes as she continues to battle her father, Jamie Spears, in court over alleged misconduct during her conservatorship of nearly 14 years which controlled aspects of her finances and personal life.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spears' conservatorship was set up in 2008 after the US pop star, known for hits like <em>Oops I Did It Again!</em> and <em>Toxic</em>, faced a public mental health crisis. </p> <p dir="ltr">For Elton, the highly-anticipated news of the collaboration track comes as he continues his global Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

Music

Britney Spears shares texts sent from mental health facility

<p dir="ltr">Britney Spears has shared - and quickly deleted - a series of screenshots of messages she sent her mother, childhood friend and former lawyer during a 2019 stay in a mental health facility she alleges she was forced into.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-be7e98ca-7fff-540d-2be6-a1f8b2823146">“It’s a little different with proof,” Spears captioned the now-deleted post on Instagram on Monday, per <em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/07/25/britney-spears-shares-texts-she-sent-from-mental-health-facility/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a></em>.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/brit-text2.jpg" alt="" width="1279" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Britney Spears claimed her messages went unanswered in a now-deleted post on social media. Image: Page Six</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The first screenshot shows texts the Toxic singer sent to her mum, Lynne Spears, which she claimed Lynne didn’t respond to.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was saying he wants to UP the seraquil [sic] and I’m like whoaaaaaaa horsey go f**k yourslwf [sic],” the first text reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is unclear whether the pop star was referring to a doctor at the facility or her dad, Jamie Spears, who controlled her medical care as her conservator.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Seraquil I thought was a sleep aid but it’s for bipolar and is WAAAAAY Stronger than lithium,” she continued in the text messages.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I literally feel alll [sic] the sick medicine in my stomach.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel like he’s trying to kill me. I swear to god I do.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4718/seroquel-oral/details" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WedMD</a>, Seroquel, also known as quetiapine, is an antipsychotic medication used to treat mood disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spears claimed that she got “no response” from Lynne at the time, but heard from her when she checked out of the facility.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f1897ebd-7fff-94cf-c771-221c384f61e5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Her words were, ‘You should have let me visit you and give you a hug’,” Spears wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/brit-texts1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Britney Spears shared screenshots of texts sent to her mother (left) and her childhood friend Jensen Fitzgerald (right) which she claims went unanswered. Images: Page Six</em></p> <p dir="ltr">In the second screenshot, Spears messaged her friend Jansen Fitzgerald to help her find a new lawyer, having been appointed a lawyer to represent her when her conservatorship began in 2008 and not having the right to hire her own counsel until 2021.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I need John bells [sic] number please,” the text to Fitzgerald reads. “When u can.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to ask her friend about lithium, the mood-stabilising drug Spears said made her feel “drunk” after her medication was changed without her say.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have a feeling well you will say OK but it still doesn’t make sense,” Spears wrote, adding in the caption that she “never heard back” from Fitzgeral either.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, her friend took to social media on Monday afternoon and insisted she “did respond”, speculating that “some of [her] messages were deleted” from Spears’ phone, which Jaime allegedly monitored.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When she left the facility my phone number was blocked from her and we have never spoken again,” Fitzgerald added. “I have tried to reach her through every possible outlet and always failed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lynee shared Fitzgerald’s response on her own Instagram pagel and that she has “all the ‘whole conversations as well”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the final screenshot, Spears can be seen messaging her court-appointed lawyer, Samuel D Ingham III, telling him she wanted to change after she was released from the facility.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want to talk about going to court when this is done and getting my medical rights,” she wrote..</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7cd90e57-7fff-3652-6652-6663af93272d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“When this program is over I don’t want to work at all … I want to live for me and have an adventurous life,” Britney told Ingham.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/brit-texts2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>A screenshot of messages between Britney Spears and her court-appointed lawyer were also shared in the since-deleted post. Image: Page Six</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Ingham went on to resign in 2021, being replaced by former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart.</p> <p dir="ltr">In her caption, Spears also claimed her sister, Jaimie Lynn Spears, texted her the message: “They’re not gonna let you go so why are you fighting it”.</p> <p dir="ltr">During her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/i-am-traumatised-britney-spears-speaks-out-against-dad-for-the-first-time-ever" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first-ever public court speech</a> last year, Spears claimed her father sent her to a mental health facility against her will after a disagreement over her Las Vegas residency.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship – and my management, who played a huge role in punishing me when I said no – ma’am, they should be in jail,” she told the judge at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-712814d6-7fff-9700-f41b-eae8f7f15fe4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @britneyspears (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

Return of the dream team: Cameron Diaz’s huge announcement

<p dir="ltr">Beloved Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz is set for a massive comeback to our screens after retiring in 2014. </p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Charlie’s Angels</em> star will star alongside Jamie Foxx in a Netflix movie called <em>Back in Action</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Foxx announced the exciting news on Twitter in the form of a three-way phone call between himself, Diaz and NFL player Tom Brady.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brady, who earlier in the year announced his retirement from the game but retracted it a few weeks later, was advising an “anxious” Diaz on how to come back into the spotlight. </p> <p dir="ltr">Foxx and Diaz have a quick chat where he is asking how she’s feeling, trying to calm her nerves before surprising her with Brady on the other line. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was talking to Jamie and he told me you need a few tips on how to un-retire. I’m relatively successful at un-retiring,” Brady says to a laughing Diaz.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Honestly, exactly what I needed,” Diaz responds.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cameron I hope you aren’t mad I recorded this, but no turning back now. Had to call in the GOAT to bring back another GOAT. <a href="https://twitter.com/CameronDiaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CameronDiaz</a> and I are BACK IN ACTION - our new movie with <a href="https://twitter.com/NetflixFilm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NetflixFilm</a>. Production starting later this year!! 🦊🐐 <a href="https://t.co/vyaGrUmbWb">pic.twitter.com/vyaGrUmbWb</a></p> <p>— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjamiefoxx/status/1542190656386236416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Foxx then jumps in to say he will leave them to it before the line ends. </p> <p dir="ltr">There is not much yet known about the movie, but it is expected that comedian and fellow actor Seth Rogan will be directing it. </p> <p dir="ltr">This also won’t be the first time Diaz and Foxx appeared alongside each other with the pair starring in <em>Annie</em> (2014) and <em>Any Given Sunday</em> (1999).</p> <p dir="ltr">Diaz took a break from acting in 2014, a year before marrying rocker Benji Madden of Good Charlotte.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple have one child together, Raddix Madden who was born in December 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">After becoming a mother, Diaz did a small number of interviews speaking about whether or not she could get back into acting. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Will I ever make a movie again? I’m not looking to, but will I? I don’t know. I have no idea,” Diaz previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Maybe, never say never, but I couldn’t imagine being a mum now where I’m at as a mother with my child at her first year to have to be on a movie set that takes 14 hours, 16 hours of my day away from my child.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty </em></p>

Movies

First ever official portrait of Will and Kate released

<p dir="ltr">A gorgeous official portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge has finally been released. </p> <p dir="ltr">Prince William and Kate Middleton were visiting Cambridge where the portrait by award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Coreth was being unveiled at University of Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Duke and Duchess appeared all smiles when the portrait was unveiled with Prince William describing it as “big” and “amazing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Artist Coreth said it was a “privilege” to be able to paint the photo of the Duke and Duchess which will remain at the museum for three years.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to evoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives."</p> <p dir="ltr">In 2023, the portrait will be loaned to the National Portrait Gallery, of which the Duchess is Patron, to help mark the gallery's reopening.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Jamie Coreth/Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

“Wife is sweet!“: Inside Jamie Lee Curtis’ daughter’s wedding

<p>Jamie Lee Curtis has shared a series of sweet snaps of her daughter Ruby's wedding to her partner Kynthia. </p> <p>The women married in an outdoor World of Warcraft-themed ceremony, in which all the guests arrived in various pop culture cosplays (short for costume play).</p> <p>The colourful ceremony was held in Jamie Lee Curtis' backyard, with the 63-year-old actress even officiating the nuptials. </p> <p>The proud mother gushed about the newlyweds online, sharing a photo with the couple which she captioned, "WIFE IS SWEET! Ruby and Kynthia 5/29/2022."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJ3xnlhJIN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJ3xnlhJIN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@curtisleejamie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She also uploaded a snap of the couple embracing in their elaborate costumes, which also boasted the colourful setting they chose to tie the knot. </p> <p>The post was flooded with well wishes from celebrity friends, wishing the newlyweds congratulations on their big day.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJ4ApSB50-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJ4ApSB50-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@curtisleejamie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jamie Lee Curtis' last post from the loved up day paid tribute to her iconic role in the film <em>Halloween</em>, as she posed with a knife that was "the only thing left over at the end of this entire beautiful wedding".</p> <p>In the post, she is wearing a homemade t-shirt with her daughter and new daughter-in-law on it in cartoon version, with their names and date of their wedding. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeKd6NLl0fs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeKd6NLl0fs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@curtisleejamie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She then added the release date for the next film in the <em>Halloween</em> film franchise, <em>Halloween Ends</em>, which hits theatres on October 14th 2022. </p> <p>Earlier this year, Curtis appeared on <em>Jimmy Kimmel Live!</em> and told the talk show host of the themed nuptials, adding that her costume was chosen especially by her daughter and her fiancé.</p> <p>“Her name is Jaina Proudmoore,” she explained at the time. “It’s from … it’s a game. She’s an admiral.”</p> <p>The actor continued, “It’s really exciting. We’re going to have a beautiful picnic in the backyard. I’m really excited both of my children will have been married in my backyard, which brings me to tears.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Baring it all: Britney Spears and Hilary Duff spark debate on how we react to nudity

<p dir="ltr">Taking part in a nude photo shoot has been an easy way for celebrities to go viral for years now, but the latest risque photoshoot of <em>Lizzie Mcguire</em> star Hilary Duff has raised some questions about how our reactions can differ depending on who the subject is.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5a98dc54-7fff-7d65-163e-b4111461ebe4">Duff, who starred on the hit Disney show when she was just 14, recently went viral for her Women’s Health magazine cover shoot, which was accompanied by a candid interview where she discussed body positivity and acceptance, and opened up about her eating disorder and the pressure she felt to look a certain way.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdYgFl3LKs-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdYgFl3LKs-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Because of my career path, I can’t help but be like, ‘I am on camera and actresses are skinny’,” she told the magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m proud of my body. I’m proud that it’s produced three children for me. I’ve gotten to a place of being peaceful with the changes my body has gone through.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I also want people to know a makeup artist was there putting glow all over my body and someone put me in the most flattering position.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 34-year-old actress received a flood of praise for her “liberating” shoot and for being a “badass gorgeous woman”, with one person describing it as a “perfect example of how a childhood star can actually grow up to be a well-adjusted, loving, ‘normal’, strong and fantastic example of a working woman and human in entertainment and beyond”.</p> <p dir="ltr">But the praise has come in stark contrast to the reactions other stars have received for sharing similar images, with pop icon Britney Spears being a prime example.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1dd1dae4-7fff-a1a0-cbee-11d3a8c062c0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Spears has been posting minimally censored photos of herself on Instagram for the past few months and has previously explained she was doing so in a bid to reclaim her body after feeling constrained under her 13-year conservatorship.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca0b3kjPBRF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca0b3kjPBRF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">However, the slew of images she’s self-shared on social media have attracted more of a negative response in comparison to Duff, with some critics calling the photos “disturbing” and “embarrassing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a now-deleted Instagram caption on a post from earlier this year, Spears defended her images, writing: “Alrightyyy then folks… showing my bod in French Polynesia as a rebel and free WOMAN!!!!!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-86a760f8-7fff-c652-efc8-b06bde07c271"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I WILL DO BIG LETTERS CAUSE I THINK THAT MEANS IT’S IMPORTANT AND I DON’T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Spot the difference.</p> <p>You just love to criticize Britney Spears for everything she does. Jus admit it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/britneyspears?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#britneyspears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hilaryduff?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hilaryduff</a> <a href="https://t.co/U3eUsz2ti1">pic.twitter.com/U3eUsz2ti1</a></p> <p>— Dolly Arthur (@DollyArthur_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DollyArthur_/status/1524107226549469185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Fans have begun questioning the difference between reactions to Spears’ and Duff’s photos, with some noting that the difference in image quality - Duff’s glamorous magazine shoot versus Spears’ low-quality photos seemingly taken with a mobile phone - may be part of the reason.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I adore Hilary and she looks incredible, but the difference in comments on her post compared to Britney doing the same thing is astounding,” one popular tweet reads.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-55b14785-7fff-df25-441a-161c2e75b7d8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“People are so brainwashed by social media that they think nudity is wrong unless you’ve hired a photographer,” they added.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I adore Hilary and she looks incredible, but the difference in comments on her post compared to Britney doing the same thing is astounding.</p> <p>People are so brainwashed by social media that they think nudity is wrong unless you've hired a photographer and glam team. <a href="https://t.co/QCII2KSfAp">pic.twitter.com/QCII2KSfAp</a></p> <p>— Fan Account (@breatheonmiley) <a href="https://twitter.com/breatheonmiley/status/1524089441899397122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Both Britney Spears and Hilary Duff look amazing. Just because one was professionally photographed shouldn’t make a difference,” someone else tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another user shared a screenshot of their Twitter feed, showing a headline about the mixed reaction to Spears’ nudity above one from TMZ that reads: “You NEED to see these photos of Hilary Duff in the buff!”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stop policing women’s bodies… except Britney Spears!” they captioned the image.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hilary Duff posts a nuded photoshoot and everyone praises her, Britney Spears posts her own nudes from her phone and she’s shamed. Can someone explain the difference?” another person tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Britney Spears and Hilary Duff trending today in a ‘you painted a naked woman because you enjoyed looking at her’ vs ‘put a mirror in her hand and you called the painting “vanity”, morally condemning the woman whose nakedness you had depicted for your own pleasure’ kind of way,” a third said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1962d61-7fff-ff49-1cf8-43fe37da2f87"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The debate around this double standard comes amid a wider debate about how female celebrities have been held to particular standards in the past, such as former Disney star Miley Cyrus who was forced to publicly apologise for a 2008 Vanity Fair photoshoot that was deemed too risque by Disney.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">IM NOT SORRY</p> <p>Fuck YOU <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/10yearsago?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#10yearsago</a> <a href="https://t.co/YTJmPHKwLX">pic.twitter.com/YTJmPHKwLX</a></p> <p>— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileyCyrus/status/990682726440226817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2018</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The singer and actress later retracted the apology, sharing a photo of a New York Post newspaper from 2008 with the headline “Miley’s Shame” to Twitter in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’M NOT SORRY. F***K YOU,” she captioned the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the praise for Duff and other celebrities - such as 78-year-old model <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/lauren-hutton-poses-topless" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lauren Hutton</a> - who engage in topless or nude photoshoots is a good thing and a sign that the times might be changing, the reactions the likes of Spears receive for similar images shows that we still have a problem with female nudity - and that there is plenty of work left to be done.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-89ee2454-7fff-19fd-16c6-d66fd5cf7b24"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @britneyspears (Instagram) / @hilaryduff (Instagram) / @harpersbazaaraus (Instagram)</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Britney Spears shares devastating personal news

<p>Britney Spears has shared some devastating personal news, announcing in a joint statement that she has suffered a miscarriage.</p> <p>The 40-year-old mother of two had announced she was expecting her third child last month.</p> <p>“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that we have lost our miracle baby early in the pregnancy,” the statement read.</p> <p>“This is a devastating time for any parent. Perhaps we should have waited to announce until we were further along. However we were overly excited to share the good news.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdjQLP6vzCW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdjQLP6vzCW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple added that their love for each other is their “strength” right now.</p> <p>“We will continue trying to expand our beautiful family. We are grateful for all of your support. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult moment.”</p> <p>The couple have thanked fans for their support, writing: “We are grateful for what we have in the process of expanding our beautiful family. Thank you for your support.”</p> <p>Britney had kept fans regularly updated on her pregnancy since announcing she was expecting last month. Her baby news came after she was released from a 13-year conservatorship in which decisions about her life, career and even fertility were made for her.</p> <p>Spears is mother to two sons, 15-year-old Jaden and 16-year-old Sean, with ex-husband Kevin Federline. During her conservatorship hearings last year, she repeatedly expressed her desire to be able to start a family with Asghari. She had revealed last month that she had fallen pregnant after the couple’s recent holiday in Hawaii.</p> <p>She continued: “I am having a baby... It’s growing! If two are in there I might just lose it.”</p> <p>“It’s hard because when I was pregnant I had perinatal depression. I have to say it is absolutely horrible. Women didn’t talk about it back then … but now women talk about it every day!”</p> <p>Britney concluded: “… This time I will be doing yoga every day! Spreading lots of joy and love.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty </em></p>

Caring

Britney Spears is pregnant!

<p>Pop princess Britney Spears has announced she is expecting her first child with fiancé Sam Asghari. </p> <p>Britney made the announcement on Instagram in a lengthy caption, as she refers to Sam as her husband and reveals how she found out she is pregnant. </p> <p>She wrote, "I lost so much weight to go on my Maui trip only to gain it back 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ … I thought 'Geez … what happened to my stomach ???' My husband said 'No you're food pregnant silly 🤪 !!!' So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby 👶🏼 …"</p> <p>"4 days later I got a little more food pregnant 🤰🏼🙈🙈🙈 It's growing !!! If 2 are in there … I might just loose it 😬😬😬😬😬😬 …" she continued.</p> <p>Britney said she would "obviously" be away from the public eye during her pregnancy due to paparazzi trying to get their "money shot of [her]," and referenced experiencing perinatal depression in her previous pregnancies.</p> <p>Britney shares two children, 16-year-old Sean Preston Federline and 15-year-old Jayden James Federline, with her ex-husband Kevin Federline.</p> <p>The news of the pregnancy delighted fans around the globe, as the singer was forced to be on birth control during the duration of her 13-year conservatorship, which ended in November 2021. </p> <p>Sam proposed to Britney in September last year after four years of dating, after the pair met on the set of Britney's music video for the 2016 track <em>Slumber Party</em>. </p> <p>Spears has been vocal about her love for Asghari, particularly in how he supported her through the end of her strict conservatorship.</p> <p>The couple reportedly have been excited to start a family for a while now, with a source telling <a title="US Weekly" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/britney-spears-engaged-boyfriend-sam-asghari/e803b380-c566-4790-80da-3dac3252bf0f" target="" rel="">US Weekly</a> last July, "Sam would love to start a family with Britney."</p> <p>The source continued, "Sam also sees marriage in his and Britney's future when the time is right and they are able to wed without the restraints of her conservatorship."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @samasghari</em></p>

Family & Pets

John Travolta's son adopts puppy from the Oscars ceremony

<p>Mac n Cheese, the adorable rescue pup who stole hearts worldwide during an Oscars tribute segment for actress Betty White, has been rescued by none other than John Travolta’s son, Ben.</p> <p>The adorable little man was cradled by actress Jamie Lee Curtis in the 'In Memoriam' segment on Monday's ceremony when she spoke lovingly about the late Golden Girl star's love for animals.</p> <p>In her speech, Curtis said White's fans can honour her legacy by adopting a rescue dog like Mac N Cheese.</p> <p>Curtis didn't have to tell the Travolta family twice, as their home was already open to the little pooch, who they rescued from Paw Works: a nonprofit rescue organisation in Thousand Oaks, California.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbqosEVpIGj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbqosEVpIGj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Ben adopted this dog from last night's Oscar tribute to Betty White. Thank you @curtisleejamie &amp; @pawworks," the actor captioned a happy snap of 11-year-old Ben cuddling their new family member.</p> <p>Travolta and Curtis are long time friends.They starred alongside each other in the 1984 romantic comedy Perfect, and on Monday they reconnected backstage.</p> <p>"A MAGICAL ending to the story from last night," Curtis posted on Instagram as she shared Travolta's photo. "At the Oscars I reconnected with my friend, John Travolta. @johntravolta We starred together in the movie PERFECT back in 1984. I had already left the Dolby theater last night after honoring Betty White and was on my way home when someone texted me a photo of John holding little mac &amp; cheese in the green room before his presentation of the best actor Oscar."</p> <p>"I thought it was so beautiful to see him with her and then today I found out that he and his son, Ben have adopted beautiful little mac &amp; cheese and are taking her home today," Curtis concluded. "It is an emotional end and a perfect tribute to Betty White."</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

Britney Spears to offload "spectacular" home

<p dir="ltr">Popstar Britney Spears has <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/britney-spears-selling-her-long-time-californian-home-1121004/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> she is selling the Californian mansion she has called home for seven years, and that she’s ready for a change.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old music icon took to Instagram to share the news with her 39.7 million followers, along with a picturesque view from her bedroom balcony at sunset.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So this is the view from my room .. it’s pretty spectacular!!” she captioned the two clips.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve lived in this house for 7 years and I’m in the process of buying a new home … it’s time for change !!!!!</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-676890a8-7fff-c829-5c47-149ccf5bdac6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve been pretty modest about the home I live in now,” she continued. “I know you guys have seen me dancing in my living room … but honestly I have 3 living rooms.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaTQYjpptML/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaTQYjpptML/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She even dangled the prospect of giving her fans a tour of her lavish digs, “but until then here’s the pink sky!!!”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Toxic </em>singer’s home, located within the exclusive White Stallion Estates community in Ventura County, boasts more than just three living rooms too, with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms also found in the Italian-style villa.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other ‘standard’ mansion features are also included, such as the large pool and spa, wood-panelled library, chef’s kitchen, home theatre, and wine cellar with room for 3500 bottles.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, the thing that takes the cake is the extensive use of marble throughout the home, which spills out into a motor court outside the entrance and expertly designed and manicured gardens.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Spears picked up the sprawling estate in <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2300-White-Stallion-Rd_Thousand-Oaks_CA_91361_M21619-07582?row=1#photo16" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015</a> for about $10 million, and news of its potential sale comes after she signed a $20 million book deal to write a tell-all memoir, and several months after she successfully appealed to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/we-ain-t-done-what-happens-now-britney-spears-is-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">end</a> her 13-year-long conservatorship.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b859c72-7fff-0bab-e98c-7d59bdadbb80"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @britneyspears (Instagram), Realtor.com</em></p>

Real Estate

“We ain’t done”: What happens now Britney Spears is free

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a landmark decision, Britney Spears has been freed from her conservatorship after almost 14 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated,” Judge Brenda Penny said after the hearing on Friday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Spears appeared at the hearing virtually, and later shared a clip of her fans celebrating outside the courthouse.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWMXjAMp-aJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWMXjAMp-aJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The decision comes two months after her father Jamie Spears stepped down as her conservator.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The singer’s lengthy legal battle began gaining traction on social media in 2020, with a group of fans called the #FreeBritney movement being behind most of the growing attention.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Outside of their full-time jobs, fans began investigating the details of Ms Spear’s conservatorship, looking for clues on her social media pages, examining court documents, and holding demonstrations outside court hearings and concerts to raise awareness of the situation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that she’s free, some of her fans have begun teaming up with disability rights advocates to increase awareness of the estimated 1.3 million Americans living under conservatorships.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking to a small gathering of the movement near the White House in October, disability rights campaigner and lawyer Jonathan Martinis called for the movement to expand beyond freeing Britney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We ain’t done,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-14/britney-spears-shines-light-on-america-conservatorship-laws/100605612" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “And we ain’t going anywhere until Free Britney becomes Free the People.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jasmine Harris, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said Ms Spears would likely still be under the control of her conservator had she not been able to speak out in open court.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845646/britney5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b37d5cc810ee444ea429f0da369ee9e6" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">#FreeBritney protestors celebrate outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse following Friday’s hearing. Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also said the #FreeBritney movement has raised awareness about how these kinds of arrangements trap people with disabilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This affects young people with disabilities across the country. And so this deserves our sustained attention,” she told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/14/freebritney-movement-britney-spears-conservatorship" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Guardian</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Judy Mark, the cofounder and president of Disability Voices United, which worked with the movement, agreed that Ms Spears’ freedom could be attributed to the movement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That never would have happened a year ago,” she said. “All of this changed the day Britney Spears got on the phone and spoke to the judge about how bad things are and the only way that happened is because of the #FreeBritney movement.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Mark said the fight for those still under conservatorships needed to happen, while people still remembered what happened to Britney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We realise this is a moment in time that we must take advantage of,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The moment may not come again.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Relationships

“The court was wrong”: James Spears speaks out on conservatorship decision

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After his immediate suspension from conservatorship of his daughter, Britney Spears, Jamie Spears has since issued a statement via his attorney, Vivan Thoreen on Thursday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Mr Spears loves his daughter Britney unconditionally,” the statement said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“For thirteen years, he has tried to do what is in her best interests, whether as a conservator or her father. THis started with agreeing to serve as her conservator when she voluntarily entered into the conservatorship. This included helping her revive her career and re-establish a relationship with her children.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“For anyone who has tried to help a family member dealing with mental health issues, they can appreciate the tremendous amount of daily worry and work this required. For Mr Spears, this also meant biting his tongue and not responding to all the false, speculative, and unsubstantiated attacks on him by certain members of the public, media, or more recently, Britney’s own attorney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These facts make the outcome of yesterday’s hearing all the more disappointing, and frankly, a loss for Britney.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The statement goes on to point out that Mr Spears “took the initiative” in petitioning to terminate the conservatorship and claims that the court was wrong to suspend him and replace him with “a stranger”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Judge Brenda Penny ruled that Mr Spears would no longer serve as the conservator of his daughter’s estate and immediately removed him from control of her finances.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I believe that the suspension is in the best interest of the conservatee,” Penny said. “The current situation is untenable.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUbMCJKsRbJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUbMCJKsRbJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the days following the court’s decision, Ms Spears and her fiance Sam Asghari shared pictures from their celebratory trip to a tropical paradise.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A hearing has been set for November 12 to determine whether the conservatorship will be ended.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: britneyspears / Instagram</span></em></p>

Relationships