Britney Spears sues Us Weekly for libel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 12-20-2005, 02:12 AM

Britney Spears sues Us Weekly for libel

6 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop star Britney Spears sued Us Weekly for libel on Monday, accusing the magazine of fabricating a story that she and her husband made a sexually explicit video together and worried it might be made public.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Spears and her spouse, dancer Kevin Federline, seeks $10 million in damages against the magazine over the story, which ran in the publication's "HOTstuff" column in October.

Us Weekly said it stood by its report.

"Us Weekly has a credible source, and we stand by our reporting," a spokeswoman for the magazine said late Monday.

According to the suit, the item was published with the headline: "Brit & Kev: Secret Sex Tape? New parents have a new worry: racy footage from 2004."

The magazine reported the couple telling their lawyers that "a member of their entourage had threatened to release raunchy footage of the two" and that Spears feared that "an X-rated tape starring the two may go public," the suit said.

The magazine also reported that the couple gave a copy of the tape to lawyers and watched it with them. The article appeared about a month after Spears, 24, gave birth to her first child. She and Federline, 27, married in September of last year.

Spears' complaint asserts that the entire story is false -- there is no such X-rated tape, no member of her entourage had threatened to release any such video and no such video was shown to the couple's lawyers.

The suit goes on to say that Us Weekly has refused to retract the article and "is instead maliciously standing by the bogus story."

A spokeswoman for Us Weekly had no immediate comment about the lawsuit.

Spears' lawyer, Martin Singer, was quoted telling Web site TMZ.com, which first reported news of the suit, that "Britney has finally decided to take a stand to put a stop to people fabricating these malicious lies about her."

Spears has sold more than 60 million albums since she shot to fame with her 1999 debut, "... Baby One More Time."

Earlier this year, UPN television network broadcast a reality-show mini-series about Spears' courtship and marriage to Federline, based largely on home videos shot by the singer herself.

Yahoo! News/Reuters-December 19, 2005

dawsongirl · 12-20-2005, 03:11 AM

$10 million?! A bit excessive, no. Kevin probably looks at this as a way to not have to work for another year.

Dean Winchester · 12-20-2005, 06:32 AM

I kinda feel sorry for Kevin, frankly, has the man done less than Paris Hilton (and no, 5 minutes running around screaming in a horror movie which people are rooting for your death scene doesn't really count as acting)? Has one person ever called Paris lazy? People are always going to hold EXISTANCE against Kevin. Britney was briefly linked to Colin Farrell, someone who also cheated around while a woman was pregnant with one of his kids. But Colin's a movie star and he's considered sexy, so people are quick to let him out of jail, yet the same people want Kevin to rot in hell.

dawsongirl · 12-20-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

Has one person ever called Paris lazy?

I have. I can't even begin to express my hatred for that no-talent...thing. She couldn't hold down a job as a Wal-Mart greeter. Same goes for all her impossibly ugly friends.

Dean Winchester · 12-20-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

I have. I can't even begin to express my hatred for that no-talent...thing. She couldn't hold down a job as a Wal-Mart greeter. Same goes for all her impossibly ugly friends.

I found it funny that VH1 had a special about what a great "makeover" Nicole Richie had. It's pretty sad that a healthy looking girl is labelled "fat" and it's supposed to be good that she's withered down to 70 lbs of skin and bones.

If the Hilton family suddenly lost all their money in a mad stock investment or something, I think everyone would laugh at Paris because she has flaunted herself as so much better than the rest of us "common folk".

Dr. Thong · 12-20-2005, 08:50 PM

This wasn't Britney's idea - she probably didn't know what libel meant until someone explained it to her. And even then, it probably didn't sink in right away.

The Chauffeur · 12-21-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

I kinda feel sorry for Kevin, frankly, has the man done less than Paris Hilton (and no, 5 minutes running around screaming in a horror movie which people are rooting for your death scene doesn't really count as acting)? Has one person ever called Paris lazy? People are always going to hold EXISTANCE against Kevin. Britney was briefly linked to Colin Farrell, someone who also cheated around while a woman was pregnant with one of his kids. But Colin's a movie star and he's considered sexy, so people are quick to let him out of jail, yet the same people want Kevin to rot in hell.

How is Paris NOT lazy? She's never really had to work for anything and has the world handed to her on a silver platter. I've heard people say that many times over. The problem I have with Kevin isn't just the fact that he cheated, it's the fact that it's OBVIOUS that he is using the relationship to his advantage. Would he have recorded an album without Britney? I highly doubt it. Would he have anything to do with a broadway play (Sweet Charity) without her? Doubt it.
Kevin has a film credit as well. "You Got Served", remember that? No speaking part, he just blended in the background. You would have missed him if you blinked. But by the time he and Britney had gotten together, they were saying he "starred" in the movie. He was no more than an extra.

.
As far as Colin Farrell goes, I honestly think he just doesn't sell papers. That's why he gets a free pass.

Dean Winchester · 12-21-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chauffeur

How is Paris NOT lazy? She's never really had to work for anything and has the world handed to her on a silver platter. I've heard people say that many times over. The problem I have with Kevin isn't just the fact that he cheated, it's the fact that it's OBVIOUS that he is using the relationship to his advantage. Would he have recorded an album without Britney? I highly doubt it. Would he have anything to do with a broadway play (Sweet Charity) without her? Doubt it.
Kevin has a film credit as well. "You Got Served", remember that? No speaking part, he just blended in the background. You would have missed him if you blinked. But by the time he and Britney had gotten together, they were saying he "starred" in the movie. He was no more than an extra.

.
As far as Colin Farrell goes, I honestly think he just doesn't sell papers. That's why he gets a free pass.

well, Kevin also appeared in one of Justin's videos quite awhile ago.

I think part of the thing is that Britney is a woman whose been linked to Justin Timberlake and Colin Farrell among others, and even her 36 hour husband was a cutie... Kevin, not so cute. J. Lo was married to a backup dancer briefly, but the difference between Kevin and Cris Judd was that Cris was gorgeous... a step up from Marc Anthony and Puff Daddy, and arguably a lot of people thought he's better looking than Affleck (Affleck was cute when he first came out and then he went all guido), so a lot of people felt sorry for Cris when she dumped him, as opposed to thinking he was beneath her because he wasn't a star on his own. If Kevin was a 10 in the looks dept, everyone would think Britney lucked out, but he's more like a 4, and they know she could do better.

The Chauffeur · 12-21-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

well, Kevin also appeared in one of Justin's videos quite awhile ago.

I think part of the thing is that Britney is a woman whose been linked to Justin Timberlake and Colin Farrell among others, and even her 36 hour husband was a cutie... Kevin, not so cute. J. Lo was married to a backup dancer briefly, but the difference between Kevin and Cris Judd was that Cris was gorgeous... a step up from Marc Anthony and Puff Daddy, and arguably a lot of people thought he's better looking than Affleck (Affleck was cute when he first came out and then he went all guido), so a lot of people felt sorry for Cris when she dumped him, as opposed to thinking he was beneath her because he wasn't a star on his own. If Kevin was a 10 in the looks dept, everyone would think Britney lucked out, but he's more like a 4, and they know she could do better.

I dunno, I don't think looks is really the problem. I mean he's not drop dead gorgeous, but he's not a bad looking guy either. The thing with him is he gives of a bottom feeder vibe. All you ever hear about anymore is how he goes around blowing her money. It was all over the place when they came close to splitting up a few weeks ago, he chases her to Las Vegas begging for a second chance and she wasn't giving in. So when he sees she's not giving him a chance, he starts begging her to give him back the $200, 000 car she bought him? ......*sigh* I dunno, I don't know why I care

I don't like either him or Britney , truth be told, it's all tabloid junk. But the one think I can't stand is an oprtunist. I just hope for his sake that all the reports are bunk, because Karma can be one mean mother for those who deserve it.

dawsongirl · 12-21-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chauffeur

How is Paris NOT lazy? She's never really had to work for anything and has the world handed to her on a silver platter. I've heard people say that many times over. The problem I have with Kevin isn't just the fact that he cheated, it's the fact that it's OBVIOUS that he is using the relationship to his advantage. Would he have recorded an album without Britney? I highly doubt it. Would he have anything to do with a broadway play (Sweet Charity) without her? Doubt it.
Kevin has a film credit as well. "You Got Served", remember that? No speaking part, he just blended in the background. You would have missed him if you blinked. But by the time he and Britney had gotten together, they were saying he "starred" in the movie. He was no more than an extra.

.
As far as Colin Farrell goes, I honestly think he just doesn't sell papers. That's why he gets a free pass.

Yeah...I don't like him because he just strikes me as a leech. He hooked up with Shar Jackson, probably because she was a celebrity. Well, then he found a BIGGER, RICHER celeb and went to her. It's a little hard to go up from Britney, but I bet he'll find a way.

Dean Winchester · 12-21-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Yeah...I don't like him because he just strikes me as a leech. He hooked up with Shar Jackson, probably because she was a celebrity. Well, then he found a BIGGER, RICHER celeb and went to her. It's a little hard to go up from Britney, but I bet he'll find a way.

he's probably crossing his fingers that Julia Roberts or Madonna file for divorce, lol

dawsongirl · 12-21-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

he's probably crossing his fingers that Julia Roberts or Madonna file for divorce, lol

Dean Winchester · 12-22-2005, 05:40 AM

I just thought of something, does anyone else think K. Fed and Paris belong together? they are both nobodies who live off other peoples money (remember, Paris is an heir, she's spending daddy's money, not HERS... yet) that media have turned into pseudo-celebrities... they're really two peas in a pod and are meant for each other, lol

Dr. Thong · 12-22-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

I just thought of something, does anyone else think K. Fed and Paris belong together? they are both nobodies who live off other peoples money (remember, Paris is an heir, she's spending daddy's money, not HERS... yet) that media have turned into pseudo-celebrities... they're really two peas in a pod and are meant for each other, lol

Okay, I don't believe this: But I'm going to play devil's advocate here: Yes, Paris is leeching off Daddy's money - however, she is a blood heir. Kevin Federline is just white trash that won the lottery.

Basically, however, I agree with you.

dawsongirl · 12-23-2005, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

I just thought of something, does anyone else think K. Fed and Paris belong together? they are both nobodies who live off other peoples money (remember, Paris is an heir, she's spending daddy's money, not HERS... yet) that media have turned into pseudo-celebrities... they're really two peas in a pod and are meant for each other, lol

And they both seem to love to party all the time...so you're right! It's kismet.

12-20-2005, 02:12 AM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Britney Spears sues Us Weekly for libel Britney Spears sues Us Weekly for libel 6 minutes ago LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop star Britney Spears sued Us Weekly for libel on Monday, accusing the magazine of fabricating a story that she and her husband made a sexually explicit video together and worried it might be made public. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Spears and her spouse, dancer Kevin Federline, seeks $10 million in damages against the magazine over the story, which ran in the publication's "HOTstuff" column in October. Us Weekly said it stood by its report. "Us Weekly has a credible source, and we stand by our reporting," a spokeswoman for the magazine said late Monday. According to the suit, the item was published with the headline: "Brit & Kev: Secret Sex Tape? New parents have a new worry: racy footage from 2004." The magazine reported the couple telling their lawyers that "a member of their entourage had threatened to release raunchy footage of the two" and that Spears feared that "an X-rated tape starring the two may go public," the suit said. The magazine also reported that the couple gave a copy of the tape to lawyers and watched it with them. The article appeared about a month after Spears, 24, gave birth to her first child. She and Federline, 27, married in September of last year. Spears' complaint asserts that the entire story is false -- there is no such X-rated tape, no member of her entourage had threatened to release any such video and no such video was shown to the couple's lawyers. The suit goes on to say that Us Weekly has refused to retract the article and "is instead maliciously standing by the bogus story." A spokeswoman for Us Weekly had no immediate comment about the lawsuit. Spears' lawyer, Martin Singer, was quoted telling Web site TMZ.com, which first reported news of the suit, that "Britney has finally decided to take a stand to put a stop to people fabricating these malicious lies about her." Spears has sold more than 60 million albums since she shot to fame with her 1999 debut, "... Baby One More Time." Earlier this year, UPN television network broadcast a reality-show mini-series about Spears' courtship and marriage to Federline, based largely on home videos shot by the singer herself. Yahoo! News/Reuters-December 19, 2005
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12-20-2005, 08:50 PM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	This wasn't Britney's idea - she probably didn't know what libel meant until someone explained it to her. And even then, it probably didn't sink in right away.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

12-20-2005, 03:11 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	$10 million?! A bit excessive, no. Kevin probably looks at this as a way to not have to work for another year.

12-20-2005, 06:32 AM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I kinda feel sorry for Kevin, frankly, has the man done less than Paris Hilton (and no, 5 minutes running around screaming in a horror movie which people are rooting for your death scene doesn't really count as acting)? Has one person ever called Paris lazy? People are always going to hold EXISTANCE against Kevin. Britney was briefly linked to Colin Farrell, someone who also cheated around while a woman was pregnant with one of his kids. But Colin's a movie star and he's considered sexy, so people are quick to let him out of jail, yet the same people want Kevin to rot in hell.

12-22-2005, 05:40 AM	#13
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I just thought of something, does anyone else think K. Fed and Paris belong together? they are both nobodies who live off other peoples money (remember, Paris is an heir, she's spending daddy's money, not HERS... yet) that media have turned into pseudo-celebrities... they're really two peas in a pod and are meant for each other, lol