Britney Spears’ lawyer says new documentary offers more reasons why Jamie Spears must go

Britney Spears’ lawyer says new documentary offers more reasons why Jamie Spears must go
Britney Spears’ lawyer says new documentary offers more reasons why Jamie Spears must go

Britney Spears‘ lawyer Matthew Rosengart has already filed paperwork with the court explaining why Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, should be removed immediately as her conservator at a court hearing due to take place on September 29.  But he’s now filed yet another document, obtained by ABC News, citing information in a new documentary that he asserts is further evidence that it’s imperative to get rid of Jamie.

The New York Times reported the claim — also featured in the new FX/Hulu/New York Times documentary Controlling Britney Spears — that Mr. Spears and a security firm he hired secretly bugged Britney’s bedroom and recorded her conversations with her boyfriend, her kids and her former lawyer, and also monitored her phone, email and text conversations.

The New York Times noted, and Rosengart also mentions, that in the state of California, recording conversations in a private place like a bedroom and “mirroring” texts without both parties’ consent could be illegal. 

In his filing, Rosengart calls the alleged monitoring “horrifying and unconscionable,” and notes that attorney/client communications in particular are “a sacrosanct part of the legal system.”

“Regardless of the outcome of the allegations, what cannot be genuinely disputed is how deeply upsetting they are to Ms. Spears,” Rosengart adds, pointing out that the only issue the court may consider is whether booting Jamie Spears is in the “best interests” of Britney Spears, which he says it clearly is.

In a statement to ABC News, Rosengart says that the alleged monitoring is a “striking example of the deprivation of [Britney’s] civil liberties,” and adds that if her bedroom was indeed bugged, it “corroborates so much of her compelling, poignant testimony.”

“Mr. Spears,” says Rosengart, “has crossed unfathomable lines.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dream Theater postpones fall tour dates until 2022

Dream Theater postpones fall tour dates until 2022
Dream Theater postpones fall tour dates until 2022
Jordi Vidal/Redferns

Dream Theater‘s upcoming fall U.S. tour has been postponed because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was an extraordinarily challenging decision to make but needed to be done after taking into consideration the varying local mandates across North America,” the prog metallers write in a statement. “In an effort to present the absolute most complete and engaging Dream Theater experience that our fans around the globe have come to expect, we feel we are all best served to postpone all touring activities to early 2022.”

The tour, which was originally scheduled to launch at the end of October, is now expected to kick off in February of next year, although the exact new dates have yet to be announced.

Dream Theater is set to release a new album called A View from the Top of the World on October 22.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Weeknd and Angelina Jolie spotted out to dinner together again

The Weeknd and Angelina Jolie spotted out to dinner together again
The Weeknd and Angelina Jolie spotted out to dinner together again
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

The Weeknd and Angelina Jolie were spotted out having dinner together again over the weekend.

In photos obtained by British tabloid The Daily Mail, the two were seen Saturday at Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica, California. They reportedly spent over two hours in a private section of the restaurant, before leaving together in the same vehicle.

It’s not the first time the 31-year-old singer and the 46-year-old actress have enjoyed each other’s company. They were previously seen grabbing dinner together at the same restaurant back in June, and attending the same concert in July.

Their outings have sparked questions about the nature of their relationship — are they dating, just friends or working on a project together?

The Weeknd has been getting into more TV and film projects as of late, and sources speculate that he and Jolie could be meeting for business, not pleasure. But if you’ll remember, The Weeknd also once referenced Angelina in his song “Party Monster,” with the lyrics describing a beautiful woman as having “lips like Angelina.”

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Bob Dylan announces 2021 US tour in support of latest album, ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’

Bob Dylan announces 2021 US tour in support of latest album, ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’
Bob Dylan announces 2021 US tour in support of latest album, ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for ABA

Bob Dylan has scheduled his first tour dates since the start of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The folk-rock legend, who turned 80 this past May, has unveiled a series of fall 2021 U.S. concerts kicking off November 2 in Milwaukee and running through a December 2 show in Washington, D.C.

Tickets for most of the dates will go on sale to the general public starting this Friday, October 1. Pre-sale tickets also will be available; visit BobDylan.com for more details.

According to Dylan’s website, the U.S. leg will mark the start of a worldwide tour in support of Bob’s most recent studio album, 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways, that will run until 2024.

The stateside trek features multiple-nights stands at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on November 19, 20 and 21, Port Chester New York’s Capitol Theatre on November 23 and 24 and Philadelphia’s The Met on November 29 and 30.

Dylan’s most recent trek ended in December 2019. This past July, a new livestreamed performance by Bob and his longtime backing band, called Shadow Kingdom, was made available via the Veeps.com platform.

Earlier this month, Dylan released a new installment of his Bootleg Series of archival collections. Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 16 (1980-1985) focuses on the sessions for three of Bob’s albums — 1981’s Shot of Love, 1983’s Infidels and 1985’s Empire Burlesque.

In conjunction with the compilation’s release, Dylan premiered a video on YouTube capturing an in-studio performance of the Infidels track “Don’t Fall Apart on Me Tonight,” featuring Bob accompanied by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler and ex-Rolling Stones member Mick Taylor on guitars, as well as Dire Straits keyboardist Alan Clark, legendary reggae drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Will Smith discusses his open marriage with Jada Pinkett-Smith: “Jada never believed in conventional marriage”

Will Smith discusses his open marriage with Jada Pinkett-Smith: “Jada never believed in conventional marriage”
Will Smith discusses his open marriage with Jada Pinkett-Smith: “Jada never believed in conventional marriage”
Credit: Renell Medrano/GQ

Will Smith is speaking candidly about his unconventional marriage with wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.

In a new GQ magazine cover story, which includes excerpts from Smith’s upcoming memoir, Will, Smith reveals that he and Pinkett-Smith didn’t always practice monogamy in their marriage.

“Jada never believed in conventional marriage…Jada had family members that had an unconventional relationship,” Will says of his wife of 23 years. “So she grew up in a way that was very different than how I grew up. There were significant endless discussions about, what is relational perfection? What is the perfect way to interact as a couple? And for the large part of our relationship, monogamy was what we chose, not thinking of monogamy as the only relational perfection.”

Smith, who shares son Jaden, 23, and daughter Willow, 20, with Jada, says he and his wife decided to do a Red Table Talk about their relationship as a way to protect themselves from “public scrutiny” following singer August Alsina‘s comments that he and Jada had an affair.

“The pursuit of truth is the only way to be happy in this lifetime,” Will shares. “And we sort of came to the agreement that authenticity was the release from the shackles of fame…”

Smith believes that their openness has allowed for “trust and freedom.”

“Marriage for us can’t be a prison,” Smith says. “And I don’t suggest our road for anybody. But the experiences that the freedoms that we’ve given one another and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love.”

During the interview, Smith also admits that he’s been working with an intimacy coach and that one of his greatest fantasies was to have a harem of girlfriends — which included Misty Copeland and Halle Berry.

Smith says he eventually realized, “That would be horrific.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Take me out to the ball game: Thomas Rhett throws first pitch at Chicago Cubs game

Take me out to the ball game: Thomas Rhett throws first pitch at Chicago Cubs game
Take me out to the ball game: Thomas Rhett throws first pitch at Chicago Cubs game
Connie Chronuk/ABC

Thomas Rhett had the special opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. 

Before headlining Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in the Windy City, the country star took the mound at Wrigley Field Sunday to throw out the symbolic first pitch at the Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals game. 

A series of photos from the event shows Thomas running onto the field with a ball and glove in hand, embracing player #48, Rex Brothers, before striking an impressive pitcher’s stance on the mound. He also shared a snap of he and wife Lauren Akins, who is pregnant with their fourth daughter, in their Cubs jerseys and ball caps on the field. 

“One for the books!! Thank you @cubs for letting me throw the first pitch today. Love this city so much,” Thomas shares in the caption. 

Thomas continues on his Center Point Road Tour through October 9.

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Kelly Clarkson unloads Encino, CA “farmhouse” for $8.24 million

Kelly Clarkson unloads Encino, CA “farmhouse” for .24 million
Kelly Clarkson unloads Encino, CA “farmhouse” for .24 million
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

She took a loss on it, but Kelly Clarkson has finally managed to unload the Encino, California home she shared with her soon-to-be-ex-husband after first listing it in May of 2020.

Realtor.com reports that after splitting with husband Brandon Blackstock, who will officially become her ex-husband on January 7, 2022, she listed the mansion, described as a “modern farmhouse,” for just under $10 million. She then slashed the price twice before closing the deal this month for $8.24 million; it cost $8.5 million in 2018.

Kelly’s “farmhouse” is more than 10,000 square feet, and includes eight bedrooms, nine full bathrooms, two half-baths, a home theater, a fitness center, a game room, a wine cellar, a three-car garage, a multi-level pool, fire pit, outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and a two-bedroom guesthouse. 

Some of the neighbors she’s leaving include Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez.

This past summer, Kelly also sold her home in Hendersonville, TN for just over $6 million, and bought a five-bedroom house in Toluca Lake for a mere $5.45 million.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Jon and more to perform on the BET Hip Hop Awards

Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Jon and more to perform on the BET Hip Hop Awards
Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Jon and more to perform on the BET Hip Hop Awards
BET

Young Thug, Gunna, Bia, Lil Jon, Baby Keem and Isaiah Rashad will be among the stars performing at the BET Hip Hop Awards on October 5 In Atlanta. Big Daddy Kane will pay special tribute to the late Biz Markie, who passed away July 16 in New York City at the age of 57.

Trina, ​Remy Ma, Jermaine Dupri and Tank will also appear as presenters. As previously reported, Nelly will be honored with the I Am Hip Hop Award for career achievement.

Cardi B, Lil Durk and Megan Thee Stallion lead all artists with nine nominations each, followed by Drake, with eight nods.

DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean from the 85 South digital comedy show will host for the second year in a row.

The 16th annual BET Hip Hop Awards will air Tuesday, October 5 at 9 p.m. on BET

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Drugging allegations at Northwestern frat houses spark protests

Drugging allegations at Northwestern frat houses spark protests
Drugging allegations at Northwestern frat houses spark protests
BSPollard/ iStock

(EVANSTON, Ill.) — Northwestern University says it is investigating two fraternity houses after students say they were non-consensually drugged during gatherings at the Evanston, Illinois, campus locations. There is also now a criminal investigation into the incidents by local police.

The university has yet to determine how many students were allegedly involved.

On Saturday, school officials halted social events and chapter-sponsored recruitment activities at some campus fraternities. The suspension will last until Oct. 17, at the earliest.

The university is encouraging students to seek on-campus counseling and other health services as needed as student protests erupt at the two locations where the incidents allegedly took place.

“I am here because multiple survivors have come forward stating the harm that they experienced in this frat and others,” one student told the ABC Chicago station. “This is not a unique instance.”

School officials said in a statement that they have been in communication with the Interfraternity Council, the governing body of many fraternities, and it “understand[s] the seriousness of these reports and the importance of the investigations.”

The IFC also passed a resolution to institute a ban on all social activities inclusive of recruitment events during this time frame.

“This decision was made to help ensure the safety of our students,” a university representative told ABC News. “As we said in our message to the Northwestern community, the health, safety and well-being of our students is our top priority.”

The university has since reminded students of the policy against alcohol in on-campus fraternity and sorority houses.

Northwestern University Police is urging people with information on these reports to call 847-491-3456.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Machine Gun Kelly dubbed “Squirt Gun Smelly” by Trivium’s Matt Heafy

Machine Gun Kelly dubbed “Squirt Gun Smelly” by Trivium’s Matt Heafy
Machine Gun Kelly dubbed “Squirt Gun Smelly” by Trivium’s Matt Heafy
Scott Legato/WireImage

When Machine Gun Kelly recently dissed Slipknot as “50 years old, wearing a f***ing weird mask on a f***ing stage,” he angered a lot of the beloved metal outfit’s fans, including Trivium frontman Matt Heafy.

In a tweet over the weekend, Heafy wrote, “I’d like to formally diss Machine Gun Kelly for ‘being 31 years old wearing a f***ing 16 year old pop punk cosplay identity on a f***ing stage.'”

If that didn’t adequately get his point across, Heafy provided MGK with a new nickname: “Squirt Gun Smelly.”

“I never thought about [Kelly] till he took a shot at Slipknot — who are a band who’s paved the way for bands like mine. Thousands of bands like mine,” Heafy added. “Squirt Gun is a clout chaser. And even though it’s all a PR stunt, a shot at SK needs an addressing.”

In addition to the online criticism, Kelly also learned how metal fans felt about him in person during his set at the Louder than Life festival over the weekend, which was met with a roar of boos from the crowd.

Kelly first slung his diss at Slipknot during his performance at Riot Fest earlier this month. Bad blood between him and Knot frontman Corey Taylor apparently stems from a scrapped collaboration between the two that was planned for Kelly’s 2020 album, Tickets to My Downfall.

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