NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS
Spears’ self-styled manager testifies
LOS ANGELES
Britney Spears’ self-styled manager took the stand in his defamation lawsuit against her parents Tuesday, claiming he acted to protect her from papa-razzi and others during a critical period in her life.
Sam Lutfi told jurors how he met Spears at a nightclub in May 2007 and said she struck up a conversation by asking him if she could have his hat.
He said he told her no. “We hung out and became friends,” he said.
Lutfi described the singer at that time as being “in crisis mode.” He said she also had drug problems.
The witness, whose testimony was interrupted frequently by objections by lawyers for Spears’ parents Jamie and Lynne Spears, was asked by his attorney if he took steps to control the press mob that was following her constantly.
Lutfi said he alleviated the problem with photographers by texting them where Spears would be going so they could follow her at a safe distance.
Munch’s ‘The Scream’ on view at museum
NEW YORK
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is presenting a special six- month exhibition of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” which sold for nearly $120 million at auction.
The exhibition opens today and ends April 29.
The painting is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. It was purchased by an anonymous private collector at Sotheby’s in May.
Munch created four versions of “The Scream” between 1893 and 1910. This is the only one in private hands. The others are in Norwegian museums.
Vindicator wire reports