Dispatches from our Chicagoan in Hollywood Liz Crokin on Britney Spears’ year and problems in marital woes for Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett
Britney: She’s not coming back!
Britney Spears made her big debut as an “X Factor” judge this year, and it looks like her first season also may be her last.
“She’s not returning as a judge next season,” an insider tells this column. “She wasn’t extended the invitation to come back.”
The source says that one of the reasons Britney will not return to the show is low ratings. Simon Cowell thought that Britney’s celebrity appeal would bring in more viewers.
“Britney didn’t bring in the ratings that Simon had hoped for,” the source said.
The poor ratings weren’t the only issue. Britney struggled with live television, especially since she’s got a history of unstable behavior and is rumored to be very medicated. There are even rumors that her manager had to feed her “zingers” to say on the live show as critiques for the contestants’ performances.
“There were whispers on the set that she had a microphone in her ear and her manager told her what to say, at least in the beginning of the season,” the source said. “She still is escorted everywhere she goes — even to the bathroom.”
Britney isn’t sweating the news. She’s happy to focus on her family and children.
“Her priorities in life have changed,” another source close to the pop star said. “She has kids. She’d rather be at home with her children than working. She’s not disappointed at all. She’s content staying at home and being a mom.”
As far as her wedding to her fiancé, Jason Trawick, Britney recently said that the wedding planning is still in the beginning stages (even though she got engaged a year ago!). Word on the street in Hollywood is that a Britney wedding is about as likely as a return to “X Factor.”
Kendra and Hank cooling off
Kendra Wilkinson and hubby Hank Baskett recently spread holiday cheer at a Toys for Tots charity event — hosted by Playboy’s Jessica Hall at the W Hotel in Hollywood — just not with each other. The couple has been fighting off cheating and divorce rumors throughout their marriage, and their behavior at the event certainly didn’t help.
“They were ice cold to each other,” an eyewitness said. “They spent the entire night on opposite ends of the room. No one even realized they were together. Kendra sat on a couch with her girlfriends, meanwhile Hank worked the room chatting up the ladies and talking to his buddies.”
The only time the couple acknowledged each other was with an occasional icy stare, but they did leave together at the end of the night.
“They’ve been fighting a lot,” a source said. “This is nothing new for them. They’re always hot and cold.”
They may not be happy with each other this holiday season, but they did help generate 700 toys for grateful children at the event, so there’s the silver lining!
