Jamie Spears withstood a fierce challenge by ex-wife Lynne Spears in the conservatorship battle over Britney ... TMZ has learned.
Sources with knowledge of Wednesday's court hearing tell TMZ, Lynne wanted Jamie out as conservator, but the judge rejected her claims. Lynne felt Jamie had done a poor job ... something she's been saying since the Free Britney movement last spring.
The judge decided Jamie should continue on as conservator of Britney's estate, meaning all of her business affairs. As we reported, Jamie has temporarily bowed out of handing the other part of the conservatorship -- taking care of Britney, her medical needs and so on. The case manager Jamie hired -- Jodi Montgomery -- has been appointed conservator until January, and that's when Jamie will retake the reins. He is still taking care of all of her business affairs.
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Jamie has said he's temporarily stepping down because of medical issues, but we know another reason is that there's currently a restraining order that prohibits him from having any contact with Britney's kids -- this after he allegedly put his hands on 14-year-old Sean.
There are a few complications. We're told Britney hasn't spoken to Jamie since last month when the incident went down between him and Sean. Several sources say they actually weren't speaking even before that.
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And, there's this. Several sources say Britney is not doing well. As one source put it, "She goes through cycles, and hopefully we're at the bottom now." We posted this video Friday of Britney at an awards ceremony for boyfriend Sam, and she was so uncomfortable she beelined it for the car before even walking into the event.
One more thing about Jamie ... people who have been around him and Britney are almost unanimous -- were it not for Jamie stepping in 12 years ago, Britney probably would not have survived.
After 6ix9ine's testimony in the case of two accused Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang members earlier this week, which includes making statements about the alleged gang status of rappers like Trippie Redd, Casanova, Jim Jones and Cardi B, protective custody on some secret outpost on Mars might be a smart option for the rapper who will no doubt be the target of animosity for assisting authorities. However, T.I. thinks Tekashi will be welcomed with open arms when he gets released.
Tip recently sat down for an interview with Big Boy of Real 92.3, which was published on Friday (Sept. 20), when the topic of the disgraced Brooklyn rhymer came up. "He can't go back to the hood after snitching," the co-host asserted.
"Yes he can," Tip countered around the 54 minute mark. "It's a bunch of rats walking 'round right now. And that's the thing that really hurts. They riding 'round with somebody they know done told in they hood right now, because, 'Well, he didn't tell on me.' This cat can come home and throw parties and the parties be popping. It be full. If muthafuckas don't fuck with rats, how the hell is this party so packed? And everybody know how cous' came home. Everybody know what happened."
Tekashi has had the internet going nuts as he took the stand multiple times this week and testified against former associates Aljermiah "Nuke" Mack and Anthony "Harv" Ellison as part of his plea agreement in a racketeering case. On top of that, he mentioned seemingly unrelated rappers' ties to alleged crimes as well. It is yet to be determined what type of reduced sentencing he will receive for his cooperation.
Gentility and peak TV won the day at the box office Friday, and should command the weekend as well.
Julian Fellowes’ delightful “Downton Abbey” transfer to the big screen knocked out both Brad Pitt’s “Ad Astra” and Sylvester Stallone’s “Rambo: First Blood” last night. Including Thursday previews, the Crawley family and their friends are the big box office winners today.
This means that Focus Features, the literary end of Universal Pictures, will have its biggest opening weekend ever with $31 million. This is quite an achievement. It’s due to Universal being under the same roof as NBC, which also owns Carnival Productions, the company that made the hit TV series broadcast here on PBS. Imagine if NBC had broadcast “Downton.”
On Thursday night, “Downton” easily took “Ad Astra” and “Rambo” in previews. This isn’t to say anything negative about “As Astra,” a gorgeous film with a sensitive lead performance from Pitt.
But “Downton” has its huge, devoted fan base as a foundation. And then, it’s really a lovely film, so well written, directed, and acted, you’re ready to see it again. And I’m pretty sure fans will do exactly that. Word of mouth should be excellent.
As Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) and I joked at the splendid premiere this past week at the Plaza Hotel, “Downton Abbey” could become like the “Avengers” series, with 11 episodes! But really, we can expect a sequel or two definitely. Smartly, Fellowes has left the door open for Maggie Smith to return as the Dowager Countess even though she suggests that this is her last rodeo.
It should be noted too that “Downton Abbey” had the lowest theater count of the three movies in competition.
Friday numbers including Thursday previews: “Downton” $13.8 million, “Ad Astra” $7 million, “Rambo”–$7.1 million. The latter two are basically tied.
Kevin Hart and the 2 people in his car that crashed Sept. 1 have all lawyered up, TMZ has learned, and everyone's expecting a big lawsuit.
Sources with direct knowledge tell us, the driver, who sustained serious back and chest injuries has an attorney, as does the passenger in the backseat, who sustained only minor injuries. Kevin has a lawyer as well.
We're told Kevin is in the crosshairs of the other 2 people in the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda because the car did not have safety harnesses or airbags. The argument is ... Kevin should have worried less about keeping the car authentic and more about safety -- and not doing so constitutes negligence.
The driver could also be on the hook for Kevin and the backseat passenger, but it's a little premature since the CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash.
The big issue ... we're told the company that customized the car could be looking at a lawsuit. The argument goes like this ... the company is the expert and even if Kevin wanted a custom job without safety harnesses, the company should have refused the job because it wasn't safe ... especially with a powerful, 720 horsepower engine.
We contacted 10 custom car companies around the country and asked if Kevin's crash has opened their eyes and changed their minds about customizing classic cars without installing safety harnesses. 8 out of the 10 said they would if that's what the customer wanted. Only 2 said they would not.
It's interesting because it opens these companies up to a lawsuit, especially if there are passengers in the car who get injured.
Our law enforcement sources tell us ... the CHP may lobby the California State Legislature to prohibit custom car companies from rolling out products without harnesses ... whether the customer wants them or not.
Joe Giudice just got shot down by a judge in his immigration case -- he's been ordered to stay locked up while his deportation case plays out.
Joe petitioned the court earlier this month -- where he appeared via video conference -- asking to be released pending his appeal of his deportation. Now the judge has ruled, and it's not in his favor.
He will remain locked up in the ICE detention facility he's been a resident of since his release from prison in March -- the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
The Giudice family attorney, James Leonard Jr., tells TMZ, "We are absolutely devastated. Our system of justice has failed this family. We are now at the mercy of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. God willing they will return this man home to his four daughters."
TMZ broke the story ... Joe's homesick and tired of being kept behind bars and he feels he should be let out from ICE custody while he's appealing. Joe says the least the judge can do is let him see his family, especially if he's in danger of getting deported soon anyway.
As we've previously reported ... Joe was immediately transferred to ICE custody when a judge ordered his deportation to his native Italy. This after serving a 41-month sentence for conspiracy to commit wire and bankruptcy fraud.
Joe appealed that decision and lost. But, he appealed again to a higher court ... and that's where we're at now. Joe wanted to be home in New Jersey with his family as he awaits the judge's final ruling.
Joe has the opportunity to appeal this bond decision within the next 30 days, but Leonard says that's off the table, and they are just holding tight to see how the deportation appeal plays out.
The royal life may look glamorous on the outside, but it is actually a lot more difficult than it seems. If you are a member of the royal family, there are certain expectations that you are required to meet. For the ones who are born into the family, it is not that hard. However, if you marry into the family, you not only have your in-laws judging your every move, but the entire world is also watching you: The pressure of being a royal can be very overwhelming at times.
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has become a pro at navigating royal life. More so than Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. But many people believe that when it comes to joining the royal family, Middleton had a pretty big advantage over Markle.
Kate Middleton makes royal life look effortless
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle | Stephen Pond/Getty Images
Duchess Kate seemed to be a natural when it came to royal outings. She always seems confident and in control.
All of the royals are also expected to support a few different charities. This is where Middleton really seemed to shine. The Duchess of Cambridge always looks as if she genuinely cares about the work that she is doing. So, how was she able to fit into her new role so naturally?
Middleton grew up in near Berkshire, England. Her parents both worked at an airline before becoming self-made millionaires by selling party supplies. Even though the duchess grew up in the upper-class, she was still considered a “just a commoner.” However, it was her commoner life that may have helped her to be able to better connect with her fans and other people that she works with within her charities.
Was Kate Middleton better prepared for her new life?
Middleton and Prince William started dating in 2003. They first met while they were both attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They were just friends for the first couple of years, but soon, things took a romantic turn between the two, and soon, the two were vacationing together at a lavish ski resort. The couple married in 2011, which was about 10 years after they had first met each other.
According to Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, because Middleton had already spent so much time with the royal family before marrying Prince William, she was had a better understanding of what was expected of her after becoming an official member of the family.
“She knew enough, She’d seen enough and she’d experienced enough, so she was very well aware of what the responsibilities and demands were going to be,” said Smith.
Did Kate Middleton have an advantage over Meghan Markle?
Middleton and Prince William had taken their time to get married. Because they were both still young when they met, their relationship had moved a much slower pace than Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s relationship.
Prince Harry and Markle had been dating for about two years when they had announced that they were engaged. They got married a year after that and welcomed their son, Archie, the next year.
Although Markle and Prince Harry had dated for two years, she didn’t spend that much time with Prince Harry’s family. At the time that Markle and Prince Harry had met, she was at the height of her career. She had spent most of the time on the other side of the pond, filming the popular TV show Suits.
Because she is from America, she also didn’t have the same basic knowledge of the royal family that most people from the U.K. do. We are sure that she knew some stuff about them, but we are guessing it was still a bit of a culture shock to become a member of a family where you are expected to sit a certain way, talk a certain way, act poised and proper every minute of the day.
When it comes to being prepared for the royal family, Middleton may have had a slight advantage over Markle. However, because Duchess Meghan had been an actress for several years, she was no stranger to the spotlight and dealing with the public. And now that she has had some time to get accustomed to the royal life, she seems to fit right in with the rest of the family.
