BRITNEY SPEARS Cuts Deal in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

BRITNEY SPEARS Cuts Deal in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Britney Spears has struck a settlement with the former bodyguard who claimed the pop star was a genital-flashing sexual harasser during his time with the singer ... TMZ has learned. 

According to court documents, Britney and Fernando Flores agreed to end their 2-year legal war ... which started when Flores filed a lawsuit claiming she was a naked menace to work for. 

In his suit, Flores had alleged Britney would intentionally drop her cigarette lighter in Fernando's presence and then bend over to pick it up ... and "thereby exposed her uncovered genitals."

Flores also claimed Spears abused her children. 

Spears adamantly denies all of the allegations -- but sources tell TMZ she coughed up a modest financial settlement just to make the case go away. We're told the settlement was amicable ... but the money didn't even cover all of Flores' legal costs. 

Of course, Spears is still under a conservatorship so the settlement will have to be approved by a probate court before it becomes a done deal ... but that's just a formality and shouldn't stop the deal from going through.

Christina Aguilera Welcomes Britney Spears

Christina Aguilera Welcomes Britney Spears: 'She's Going to Give Great Advice' on 'X-Factor'

Christian Aguilera has nothing but love for former pop star rival Britney Spears.
This season, the two singing divas will compete for ratings on their shows "The X Factor" and "The Voice."
"I came up with Britney, we were very close," Aguilera told reporters during a recent press conference in California, according to VIBE. "Our paths have always crossed. They'll continue to cross. I welcome her to this family of fun and entertainment and finding new talent.
"Britney's a pro," Aguilera continued. "She's going to give great advice."
As a new judge on "The X Factor," Spears may feel a little pressure to bring her A-game.
Recently, RadarOnline.com reported that Spears seemed "robotic and out of it" during a two day long commericial shoot last week at the Queen May in Long Beach, Cali. She was shooting for her new fragrance.

"Britney didn't interact with the cast or crew at all during the two day shoot and she seemed to be just going through the motions when the camera was rolling, and seemed out of it," an eyewitness tells RadarOnline.com.
"Britney was almost robotic in her movements. Britney's fiance, Jason Trawick was along for the shoot and everyone thought at first he was her assistant because she spent so much time huddled up with him when not filming. Britney must have smoked at least a pack a day during the two day shoot and was always smoking when not filming. Security was very tight and Britney had more bodyguards than usual and was kept out of sight from visitors to the Queen Mary."
"Britney spent a lot of time in hair and make-up and nervously bit her fingernails and kept smoking throughout," the source says.
"She looked amazing though and her fans will love the commercial. Britney did was what asked of her and the end result worked, but the crew wondered why there was such a heightened presence of security. It was just a bit over the top and security even stayed after the shoot to make sure that no one took any pictures of Britney as she left," source added.
Spears' new Elizabeth Arden television commercial will premiere at the beginning of September.

 

Britney Spears makes surprise court appearance

Britney Spears makes surprise court appearance looking dazzling, but without engagement ring 

With her big "X Factor" premiere just four weeks away, Britney Spears made a surprise court cameo Wednesday looking dazzling - even without an engagement ring.
"She's great. She looked healthy, happy, great," Jeryll Cohen, a lawyer for her conservatorship, told the Daily News after the hour-long, closed-door hearing.
The pop princess wore a short peach-colored dress and matching pearls, but no sparkler on her left hand, TMZ.com reported.
Asked if the missing bling signaled a change in wedding plans for the betrothed bombshell, Cohen shook her head.
"Not to our knowledge," she said, "no, no."

From left to right, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set of The X Factor.

Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set.

Spears' engagement to former agent Jason Trawick was not a topic of discussion during the "routine" chat with the judge, Cohen told The News.
Spears' conservatorship started in 2008 after a downward spiral marked by Spears shaving her head in public and paramedics strapping her to a gurney ahead of an involuntary psychiatric hold.
The "Oops!...I Did It Again" singer climbed back from the brink with dad Jamie Spears at the helm and recently signed a reported eight-figure contract to join the "X-Factor" judge's panel alongside Demi Lovato, L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell.
Trawick popped the question last December and became one of her co-conservators in April.
They are legally allowed to marry while Spears is under the conservatorship, a source told The News.
Cohen said there are no immediate plans to end the court-ordered supervision of her affairs.
Spears left the Wednesday hearing out a back door, declining to speak with reporters.
Her Sept. 12 "X Factor" debut marks the first opportunity for fans to watch her in a completely unscripted TV role since her comeback.
"I'm excited. I think everybody is going to like it," Cohen said. "She's very funny."

 

Healthy Hollywood

Healthy Hollywood: Try It On Tuesday – Star Secrets To Breakout-Free Skin! 

  

Caption Yep, it’s true, even celebrities can be breakout stars. Britney Spears, Rihanna and baby-faced actor Zac Efron have all been spotted with bad skin days.

And, the hot days of summer can be your complexion’s worst enemy.

“Hot weather, salt water, humidity and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months and because of this can disrupt the balance in the skin and may often result in breakouts on the face and body,” reveals celebrity esthetician, Renee Rouleau, who takes care of famous faces like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Access Hollywood Live favorite Lisa Rinna.

But, you don’t need a star salary to get rid of most breakouts. Renee, who also has the most amazing signature skincare line (Healthy Hollywood is a huge fan), shares a few basic tips.

“For those who suffer from back breakouts, avoid hair conditioner containing panthenol. Panthenol is well-known for its benefit for strengthening hair, but it’s also a potential pore clogger. It can cause breakouts on the back if hair conditioner is not rinsed out thoroughly. Exfoliate your back with a mild cleansing gel and exfoliating cloth three times a week and apply an anti-bacterial lotion to ensure a clear back all summer.”

Also, Renee suggests, “Blot, blot, blot: Although there is no miracle product to control the extra oil that you get during the summer months, there are ways to keep that shine under control. Oil blotting papers are great to use during the day to actually remove the oils off the skin to give you the feel of freshly washed skin. In a pinch? The Type of paper used for toilet seat covers in public restrooms is similar to expensive oil blotting papers.”

Who knew? Now, that’s what Healthy Hollywood calls a budget-friendly tip!

Renee shares with Healthy Hollywood a few more acne-fighting tips:

Skin Tip #1: Don’t over-dry your skin with harsh cleansers and alcohol-based toners. Most cleansers and toners, formulated for problem skin, are designed to dry out breakouts and so they contain strong detergents and alcohols. Drying out infected breakouts where active blemishes are present may be helpful for destroying acne-causing bacteria, but the harsh ingredients will dehydrate non-broken out areas resulting in dry skin cell buildup. This layer of dehydrated skin cells will trap oil and acne-causing bacteria under the skin, which will ultimately cause an increase in breakouts.

Skin Tip #2: Use oil-free moisturizers in the morning and at night. When breakouts occur we tend to avoid any and all moisturizing agents because moisturizers have a reputation of clogging pores. But did you know that NOT using a moisturizer can cause even more break outs? Bacteria breeds in oil so when moisturizer is avoided, the skin dehydrates and sets off a response to produce more oil. This newly produced oil accumulates on the skin, resulting in a breeding ground for bacteria, which makes existing breakouts last longer and leaves a hospitable environment for potential breakouts to form. The skin needs water not oil. Use an oil-free, water-soluble lotion to help keep your skin hydrated and balanced – with less blemishes.

Skin Tip #3: Use products containing Salicylic Acid. This ingredient is known for its ability to smooth the skin without causing irritation while it reduces acne-causing bacteria and oil. Salicylic acid helps to prevent blemishes and penetrates the pores to help clear out impurities. These properties not only help prevent acne, but salicylic acid is an excellent ingredient that also prevents blackheads after a deep pore cleansing facial. It’s a fabulous ingredient with proven results. During the summer months I recommend a cleanser that contains Salicylic Acid. Try, Renee Rouleau’s AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel. Treat skin during the day while preventing dirt and debris from getting into existing blemishes with a spot treatment like Daytime Blemish Gel.

Skin Tip #4: Avoid picking at the skin. While this tip may seem obvious, it is imperative that we understand that although breakouts cannot always be avoided, you CAN control what happens once you get the breakout. The truth of the matter is, a blemish usually lasts 5-7 days, but the red or dark scar from picking at the blemish, can linger for weeks—or even months.

 

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell talk X Factor

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell talk 'X Factor' 

X Factor's overhauled judges panel met the press to talk up the Fox talent show's new season.

Just hours after Simon Cowell's former show, American Idol, named Mariah Carey its newest judge, Cowell, L.A. Reid and newcomers Britney Spears and Demi Lovato appeared via satellite from Miami, where they're taping "boot camp" rounds, to answer questions from TV critics.
Spears says she and Cowell share a makeup artist. She also says being a reality-show judge "made sense" for her career. "I adore Simon and it was something I really wanted to do."
Cowell likes her too. "I was fascinated with her as a person, as a pop star, and there's something intriguing about her. And she's a really good judge," he says -- whereas, he notes, "Demi is a brat. But there's something likable about her." Later he adds, "Britney's quite mean, as you'll discover."
What makes Lovato, 19, a former Disney Channel star, qualified to be a judge? "I'm listening to the radio right now and I know what a lot of my friends like. It's a really interesting thing when you bring a younger demographic to the competition, I think we know what's missing in the industry and what's needed," she says.
Asked if quick fame exacerbates such personal issues as the eating disorder that briefly sidelined her career, Lovato says that while it can add pressure, "Fame doesn''t have a lot to do with it. I had been struggling with those issues before."
A clip of audition footage provided evidence of some new fireworks. "Can you let me finish?" Lovato tells Cowell, then explains to the would-be contestant: "He's old and impatient."
The only thing missing from X is a host to replace Steve Jones, which Cowell expects by mid-August. "Ideally I would like someone who hasn't done this before," he says.
The show will make other tweaks, Cowell says. "There's an awful lot of competition we've got to fight against this year, so we're going to evolve."
And what does Cowell think about Idol's newest star? "I'm happy for her, I like Mariah," he says. But he wonders if she will have the fortitude to reject aspiring singers. "I think she's going to find it difficult to say no."

 

New 'X Factor' Video Shows Britney Spears' Critical Side 

 

If fans of "The X Factor" are wondering just who will be the meanest judge this season, a new promo released by Fox has the answer: It's Britney, bitch!
 In an "X Factor" first-look clip released by the network, Britney Spears shoots down a vocalist with one cutting comment: "I don't know who let you on stage."
 Ouch!
 Not to be outdone, Simon Cowell is seemingly back in rare form, cutting a contestant to the quick with one of his classic putdowns.
"You perform like a dog trying to lay an egg," he sneers in the promo.
The rest of the sneak peak, which repeats the mantra, "Are you ready?," is equally entertaining. Spears tells a singer that he's "hot," while Cowell delights in embarrassing fellow judge Demi Lovato by divulging her dating status as "single." It also appears several would-be superstars end up in the emergency room (shades of "American Idol's" Season 11 mishaps, which included a vocalist plummeting off the stage as well as other medical drama in the audition stages).
In other "X Factor" news, the reality show crossover continues as reports are swirling that Tarralyn Ramsey, a rejected singer from "The Voice," wowed the judges in Greensboro, Ky. Additionally, Shelby Lynn Tweten, famously featured in the "American Idol" Aspen, Colo., auditions (she suffered from bipolar disorder) showed up in Kentucky for another shot.
"The X Factor" debuts at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13 on Fox.
Below, watch a backstage interview with the judges that sheds some light about a contestant that was so awful, they had to vacate the set. Also, Lovato's asserts that she is no pushover in the judging department, either.

 

Simon Cowell vs Britney Spears

Simon Cowell: Britney Spears Is "Not Unstable"

Simon Cowell has leapt to Britney Spears' defence following reports that she was "coming undone" during filming on The X Factor USA, instead praising the pop princess.
Britney's reps previously slammed the "pathetic" rumours which first appeared in US Weekly, where the 30-year old was accused of being "extremely nervous and anxious."
An insider added to the publication: "X Factor may lead her back into meltdown territory. This is a lot of change at once for Britney. She's coming undone."

A spokesperson for Spears later told GossipCop.com that there was no truth in the allegations, stating: "[It's] a pathetic attempt at creating a story."
SiCo has now commented on the reports, insisting to X17 Online: "No she's not unstable, I'm the one who's unstable!
"She's working out great, I mean, all these reports that we've fallen out, it's nonsense. She's doing a great job."
When asked if he's enjoying working alongside Britney on the panel, he stated: "Do you know what? Like I said, she's been amazing. She's really taking time to learn how to do this. She's got her confidence up.
"Once people give her a chance, I think people are really going to get her. She's gonna be a big surprise. She's a tough judge."
Louis Walsh - who stood in for Cowell at the Kansas City auditions earlier this week after the music mogul was struck with bronchitis - also recently told the press that he "loved" Britney on the show, adding: "She is such a star. She's really bright, really brilliant, she has it totally sussed."

Britney Spears demanded higher 'X Factor' salary

Britney Spears demanded higher 'X Factor' salary than Jennifer Lopez?

Britney Spears reportedly demanded that her X Factor salary be higher than American Idol's Jennifer Lopez before signing on for the series.

Spears apparently initially instructed her legal team not to accept a deal less than $20m (£12.7m), which is the sum Lopez made for her second season of American Idol.

© Fox / Ray Mickshaw

© Fox

The X Factor and Spears eventually settled on $15m (£9.6m). That sum is thought to be more than Lopez made for her initial American Idol season in 2011.

Spears's representatives did not comment directly to TMZ on the salary report.

Fellow X Factor judge Demi Lovato apparently reached a considerably smaller deal for $1m (£637,592) to join the series.

© Fox / Ray Mickshaw

Lovato, Spears, Simon Cowell and LA Reid kicked off their first The X Factor open auditions in Austin, TX late last week.

Britney Spears rep blasts

Britney Spears rep blasts "pathetic" 'X Factor' USA meltdown reports

A representative for Britney Spears has slammed "pathetic" reports that the star is being driven to a meltdown by her X Factor USA role.

The 'Hold It Against Me' singer was said by US Weekly to be "coming undone" while judging the second season of the contest alongside Simon Cowell, LA Reid and fellow newcomer Demi Lovato.

© Fox / Ray Mickshaw

Spears was accused of getting "extremely nervous and anxious" during auditions, with a source saying: "X Factor may lead her back into meltdown territory."

The insider added: "This is a lot of change at once for Britney. She's coming undone."

However, a member of Spears's team has since told Gossip Cop that there is no truth to US Weekly's article, claiming that the publication still chose to run the report when they were informed of this.

© Fox / Ray Mickshaw

"[It's] a pathetic attempt at creating a story," the representative commented.

The 'Toxic' star came under fire recently when it was claimed that she walked out of her first X Factor auditions session in Texas, though this has been denied by both Spears and Cowell.

Spears is also alleged to have demanded a higher salary than American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez.

Britney Spears 'walks off' X Factor set

 

Britney Spears left the set of her new show The X Factor after reportedly being irked by a contestant's performance.
The pop songstress experienced her first day as judge on Simon Cowell's US TV talent programme Thursday.
TMZ reports that Britney, who co-judges with Simon, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid, didn't appreciate one performer's rendition of her song Hold It Against Me.
When the unidentified crooner belted out her tune, Britney quickly left the judging panel. Audience members report that Britney was visibly upset.
A source close to production informed the website that Britney wasn't angered, the star simply "needed a break."
Britney took her time on her much needed respite, as four contestants performed to three judges and an empty chair.
Britney took to Twitter to express her thoughts on her first day on the job.
"Texas has a lot of talent - seriously! Loving @TheXFactorUSA auditions so far... (at X Factor)," she tweeted Thursday.
The star is still the subject of a conservatorship order following her 2008 meltdown, which means her personal and professional decisions are overseen by her father Jamie and some others - including her fiancé Jason Trawick.