Britney Spears is to perform at the 53rd Grammy Awards

The ‘Womanizer‘ hitmaker – who is to release her as yet untitled seventh studio album in March – is to open the prestigious awards ceremony on February 13 with her new number one hit single ‘Hold It Against Me‘.

According to gossip website Bloginity.com, while the 29-year-old singer has been the subject of rumours surrounding the upcoming event for some weeks, this is the first time an official Grammys source has been able to confirm that she will be opening the ceremony.

The troubled star – who won the 2005 Best Dance Recording Grammy for ‘Toxic’ – released ‘Hold It Against Me’ earlier than initially planned on MP3 downloading service iTunes earlier in the month, and thanked fans for their support in sending it straight to the top of the charts.

She tweeted: “Don’t #HOLDITAGAINSTME for coming out early. I couldn’t wait any longer. Hope you don’t mind. Seriously, I have the best fans ever. I love you all so much!! Everything I do is for you! xoxo Brit (sic).”

Britney joins the likes of rapper Eminem – who leads this year’s nominations with ten nods in ten categories – Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and indie group Arcade Fire, who have all confirmed they will also be performing at the event.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Toxic’ singer has learned to relax and focus on her own interests since her much-publicised breakdown in 2007.

She said: “I’m learning to take better care of myself and not get stressed or down about things for nothing. I’m taking my time these days and not letting myself get under any pressure other than to just feel happy about myself and to work on my music.

“I want to show people I am a strong woman. I have a lot of great things ahead of me that I want to accomplish.

“I feel positive and much happier, things are looking good again. I’m learning to relax and not place so much pressure on myself.”

The ‘Womanizer’ star says working on her recent album ‘Circus’ was key to helping her move forward with her life.

She added: “I’ve been through a lot and I’m really excited by my album. I’m very proud of it. I really enjoyed the process of putting the album together and it’s been kind of therapeutic for me. Music is such a huge part of me.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Gravity’ singer – who is also in Australia promoting his latest album – blasted fans who had called for a refund after the ‘Womanizer’ star’s show in Perth after she sparked outrage by not singing live for her whole performance.

John wrote on his twitter blog: “If you’re shocked that Britney was lip-syncing at her concert and want your money back, life may continue to be hard for you.”

Britney, 27, was said to have hid in her hotel room on Saturday (07.11.09) following her performance on Friday night (06.11.09).

A representative for the star said: “Britney is aware of all this and she’s extremely upset by it.”

In response to the show fans protested about the high ticket prices and “impersonal” nature of the show.

Concertgoer Wendy Di Renzo, 36, said: “It was so impersonal. She did not interact with her audience. There were no big TV screens projecting the action, so if you didn’t know Britney, you might have even doubted it was her.”

Complaints against the ‘Gimme More’ singer also included that she never referred to Perth by name, instead giving a generic welcome to fans, saying: “What’s up Australia?”

Another fan, who left the show early, said: “I want my money back or I want her to sing properly. The ticket cost me $200 and she lip-synched the whole thing.”

Politicians in three Australian states – Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales – have now called for new laws to force music promoters to disclose whether a concert will be live or lip-synched beforehand.

Britney will next perform in Melbourne on November 11.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker was astonished by the attention she attracted after she was abused by her then-boyfriend in February, likening it to that of which the ‘Womanizer’ singer received following her well-publicised breakdown in 2007.

She said: “I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day.”

Despite the horrific attack and subsequent publicity it generated, the 21-year-old singer is trying to remain positive and wants to be a role model for other women experiencing similar ordeals.

She added: “The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that.

“I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard.

“Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight.

“Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbour know that you fight.

“It’s one of the things women will hide, because it’s embarrassing. My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery.”

Chris attacked Rihanna in his car as they left a pre-Grammy Awards party in February, repeatedly punching her in the face and biting her arms.

He pleaded guilty to assault and in August was sentenced to six months of community service, 12 months of domestic violence counselling and five years probation.

The judge also issued a restraining order which requires him to stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for five years.

Source: BANG Showbiz