Las Vegas Weekly

August 25, 2008 · 11:06 AM

Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Fergie give Vegas boosts to Britney’s comeback

By Robin Leach

Newly slimmed-down pop princess Britney Spears is readying for three possible Vegas events all planned for the year-end relaunch of her career -- and she just may have former beau Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Black Eyed Peas star Fergie to thank for the comeback coup.

Luxe Life has learned that Britney could team up with her former boyfriend during Justin’s charity concert planned at Planet Hollywood resort and casino in October. (Click here for our breaking Luxe Life news story last week with ticket information). Even if she’s not quite ready to say "yes" to his invitation to appear on stage, there's been constant chatter in recent days that Britney and Justin will finally record a duet on her new album that will be released at the end of the year to tie in with her comeback. Producer titan Timbaland was said to be juggling dates with the two once-upon-a-time lovers to set the session.

Come Nov. 8 and 9, when pop-queen Madonna brings her Sticky & Sweet Hard Candy spectacular to MGM Grand’s Garden Arena, Britney will be seen on Her Majesty’s giant video screens. Britney, dressed in a hooded top and dark sunglasses, will be seen "trying to escape from a stalled elevator" as Madonna sings "Human Nature." Madonna will go silent to let Britney whisper the lines "express yourself, don’t repress yourself" before she lies on the floor. Madonna will wear a white top hat and play guitar to accompany the Britney video, which will end with Brit escaping, taking off her glasses and smiling as Madonna says “It's Britney, bitch." (Related coverage of Madonna kicking off her tour)

Finally, positive talks are underway and ongoing for Britney to headline possibly with Fergie on a New Year's Eve live television spectacular being planned for the Strip. Sources inside the Britney camp tell me she wants to eradicate both the memories of her New Year's Eve nightmare two years ago at the Pure nightclub when she collapsed and began a six-month downward spiral of troubles -- and the disastrous sluggish performance she gave at the VH1 music awards show telecast live from the Palms last fall.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Britney Spears at Pure.

Meantime, Britney has dropped a whopping 12 pounds as part of her comeback campaign strategy -- and she plans to keep toning her body until she’s dropped a total of 21 pounds. She’s regained her lean physique, thanks to a tough gym regimen of cardio and weights five days a week. The 26-year-old superstar posed for the new issue of OK magazine, saying, "I’m the healthiest I’ve been all my life. My diet has a lot to do with getting into shape and being a healthy role model for my two young boys. No sugar, no fruit or even fruit juice because of the sugar. I try to do just 1,200 calories a day -- chicken, salmon, egg whites, turkey burgers, avocados."

Britney’s re-united manager Larry Rudolph, who is an investor in the Sunset Tan salon at George Maloof’s Palms Place condo-tel here, has told Luxe Life previously: “Britney’s comeback when she’s absolutely ready will be the biggest showbiz story ever. She will go right to the top all over again.”

Share This