Court papers outline Britney Spears’ former drug, mental problems
Planet Hollywood Resort headliner Britney Spears is facing a deposition soon amid revelations in California court documents that detail her mental issues and drug use.
TMZ.com reported Tuesday that the details were in new documents filed by Spears’ legal team in response to the deposition sought by former manager Sam Lutfi. The information surfaced in a 2015 decision by the appeals court that includes the depth of her struggles in 2007-2008.
Spears’ reps filed to keep Lutfi out of the deposition venue. He’s seeking millions, alleging he served as her manager during that period.
According to the documents, Lutfi advised Spears on “the importance of getting clean.” Spears’ family contends Lutfi provided her with drugs.
Her erratic behavior sent her to a psychiatric ward and jeopardized her career. At one point in 2007 she shaved her head during a custody fight for her two sons.
The day she lost the custody battle, she ended up sleeping in a parking lot, according to the court documents.
MYSTERY MONEY
Mystery still surrounds Lionel Richie’s wildest payday.
It happened in 1978, when the Commodores were hitting their peak, reaching No. 1 with “Three Times a Lady.”
Back then, “A million dollars was retirement,” Richie said.
An intermediary contacted the group and said he wanted Diana Ross and the Commodores to play at a wedding.
The conversation went like this, said Richie, who opens his first Las Vegas headliner residency tonightWednesday nightApril 27 at the Axis theater inside Planet Hollywood Resort.
“Who’s it for?”
“We can’t tell you.”
“Where is it?”
“We can’t tell you. But because he’s such a high profile person we’ll send a 747 to pick you up” — or whatever they had back then, as far as big planes, Richie added.
Ross and her group were to be picked up in New York, the Commodores in Atlanta.
“It will take you where you have to go,” said the intermediary.
“Great. How much will you pay?”
“One and a half million dollars.”
“Get this,” Richie told me.
“We got a phone call: ‘Because of security concerns we have to cancel the show. But not to inconvenience you we will leave the money in your bank account.”
“We never knew who it was or where it came from,” said Richie. “It was deposited in our account in New York City and we never left home.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Local restaurateur and leading national restaurant consultant Elizabeth Blau will be on “CBS This Morning: The Dish” on Saturday. She and her chef-husband Kim Canteenwalla own and operate Andiron, Honey Salt and Made LV and are partners in Buddy V’s. Blau will be showcasing her peach pie and talking about her career path.
ON THIS DAY
April 27, 1998: The Aladdin, whose checkered history included bankruptcies, mob connections, financial scandals, gambling license troubles, an owner’s death in a motorcycle crash — and Elvis Presley’s wedding — is imploded. The new Aladdin built on the site also goes bust and is now Planet Hollywood Resort.
SIGHTINGS
Red carpet invitees for Friday’s opening of Intrigue nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas include: Kate Hudson, Ne-Yo, Giada De Laurentiis, Vanessa Hudgens, models Charlotte McKinney and Rachel Hilbert, Lauren Conrad and Peter Facinelli.
THE PUNCH LINE
“On Saturday, Beyonce released a surprise album called “Lemonade” where she directs some of her anger at her husband, Jay Z. Yeah, an entire album where she yells at her husband. Or in other words — looks like Hillary’s found her running mate!” — Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
