Spears asks to address the court
Britney Spears has asked to address the court to talk about the conservatorship that has controlled her life and finances for 13 years, her attorney said Tuesday, and a judge scheduled a June date to hear from her.
Spears’ court-appointed attorney, Samuel Ingham III, said in a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court that she had asked to speak to the court soon, and agreed with Judge Brenda Penny on a June 23 date. He did not say what she would specifically like to say.
It would be the first known time in more than two years that the 39-yearold pop star has spoken in court. The last time, on May 10, 2019, the courtroom was sealed. None of what she said became public.
The judge may also close the June hearing to the media and public. But Spears, through Ingham, has been pushing for more transparency in the court proceedings and documents of the conservatorship.
Spears did not take part in Tuesday’s hearing, and she rarely attends them.
As with nearly every Spears hearing, about 50 fans from the so-called #FreeBritney movement picketed outside the downtown courthouse.
Spears herself has said in court documents and on social media that she welcomes the support for her and scrutiny of her circumstances that have come from fans.
Through Ingham, she has been pushing in court to incrementally exercise more control over her life and finances. But she has yet to request that the court end the conservatorship.
Jones to host MTV awards show:
The MTV Movie & TV Awards has found its leading lady.
Leslie Jones will host the award show out of Los Angeles on May 16, organizers announced Wednesday.
“Get ready for some fun, y’all!” Jones tweeted shortly after the announcement.
Jones is also nominated at the ceremony for best comedic performance for “Coming 2 America,” in which she plays the mother of Prince Akeem’s long-lost son.
The comedian, 53, starred on “Saturday Night Live” from 2014 to 2019.
The Marvel superhero series “WandaVision” led all projects with five nominations, including nods for best show, best performance in a show for Elizabeth Olsen, best hero for Teyonah Parris, and best villain for Kathryn Hahn.
‘Great Gatsby’ the musical:
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel “The Great Gatsby” is being adapted into a stage musical, with Florence Welch in tow.
The Florence + the Machine frontwoman will serve as the show’s lyricist and composer, writing the music with Thomas Bartlett (also known as Doveman). The two collaborated on the “Game of Thrones” song “Jenny of Oldstones.”
“This book has haunted me for a large part of my life,” Welch said in a statement. “It contains some of my favorite lines in literature. Musicals were my first love, and I feel a deep connection to Fitzgerald’s broken romanticism. It is an honor to have been offered the chance to re-create this book in song.”
April 29 birthdays:
Country singer Duane Allen is 78. Singer Tommy James is 74. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 67. Actor Leslie Jordan is 66. Actor Kate Mulgrew is 66. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is 64. Actor Michelle Pfeiffer is 63. Actor Uma Thurman is 51. Rapper Master P is 51. Actor Darby Stanchfield is 50. Singer Erica Campbell is 49. Actor Megan Boone is 38.