People: Having a happy mother’s day
Things might be starting to turn around for Britney Spears.
Spears was granted expanded visits with her sons – 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James – following a low-key child-custody hearing Tuesday.
It’s a “recognition of the progress that has been made, a progress in structure and stability,” said a lawyer for Spears’ ex-husband, Kevin Federline, who retains custody.
London’s Sun tabloid last week reported Federline again refers to Spears as his “lady,” and she regularly tells him she loves him.
Following a year’s worth of bizarre behavior – appearing in public without underwear, shaving her head, beating a car with an umbrella – Spears has kept a relatively low profile since her father legally took charge of her affairs in February.
Her main public appearance has been a guest spot on the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” a role she’ll reprise on Monday.
Meanwhile, several gossip outlets are reporting that Spears blew a cool $61 million during her out-of-control period, according to her father’s accounting.
Make that definitely, yes
Scarlett Johansson has been flashing her new diamond ring this week since confirming her engagement to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds.
Johansson, 23, and Reynolds, 31, reportedly have been seeing each other for more than a year. They have not yet set a wedding date, her publicist said,
Her latest credits include “The Other Boleyn Girl” and “The Nanny Diaries.” Reynolds, who was previously engaged to Alanis Morisette, recently starred in “Definitely, Maybe.”
Her stupid ex-stalker
To the surprise of no one – with the possible exception of himself – a lovesick former mental patient was convicted Tuesday of stalking and harassing Uma Thurman.
Jack Jordan allegedly followed the actress for more than two years, showing up on her doorstep and at a movie set and sending her a series of creepy love letters.
A psychiatric exam was ordered before his next court date on June 2.
Martha and the vandals
Motown star Martha Reeves says thieves broke into her childhood Detroit home over the weekend and stole some $1 million worth of recording equipment.
The 66-year-old singer, who had a string of ‘60s hits with her backing group the Vandellas, serves on the Detroit City Council.
Like godfather, like son?
A DNA test already has confirmed that James Brown fathered the son of a woman who claims to be the late singer’s wife, a lawyer for the boy says.
An attorney for James Brown II – the 6-year-old son of Tomi Rae Hynie, a former backup singer for the “Godfather of Soul” – said the boy was tested in April. A judge recently ordered a new paternity test.
The birthday bunch
Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 69. Actress Robin Strasser (“One Life to Live”) is 63. Singer Thelma Houston is 62. News correspondent Tim Russert is 58. Actor Michael E. Knight (“All My Children”) is 49. Actress Traci Lords is 39. Actor Breckin Meyer is 34.