ENGAGEMENTS
She performed at last September's MTV Video Music Awards in a
wedding gown. Then came January's drive-by Vegas nuptials with
childhood friend Jason Alexander. We're getting the picture:
Britney Spears, 22, has clearly been itching to get hitched (and,
as the gossip columns are speculating, she's on the way to
mommyhood). On June 25, the pop princess announced she'll wed
backup dancer (himself soon to be a father for the second time)
Kevin Federline, 26, later this year. -- MK
WEDDINGS
Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino, 36, exchanged vows
with actor Christopher Backus, 22, on June 11 in Santa Barbara.
It is the first marriage for both.
EXPECTING
Actress Liv Tyler, 26, and her husband, former Spacehog
frontman Royston Langdon, 32, will welcome their first child this
winter.... Actor William Baldwin, 41, and wife Chynna Phillips,
36, will greet their third child this December. The tot will join
sister Jameson, 4, and brother Vance, 2.
PREMIERE
What has ''The Notebook'''s sweetheart Rachel McAdams done for love?
''I sort of stalked someone once, but in a good way,'' she
confessed on the red carpet June 21. ''Now that I said that, I'm
not sure people will believe there's a good version of stalking!''
CONTROVERSIES
Illinois Republican Jack Ryan, 44, ex-husband of ''Star Trek:
Voyager'''s Jeri Ryan, 36, dropped his senatorial bid on June 25
after a California judge unsealed court papers from the couple's
1999 divorce. The papers include Ryan's statements that her
ex-husband frequently asked her, among other salacious requests,
to have sex in public places. Ryan said he withdrew to avoid ''a
brutal campaign.''
STRIKES
On June 27, negotiations between the Actors' Equity Association
and the League of American Theatres and Producers broke down one
hour before a contract deadline. In a statement released by
Actors' Equity, the union instructs its members, which include
the casts of most Broadway shows, to report to work until further
notice.
COURTS
On June 10, actress Kim Basinger, 50, and ex-husband Alec
Baldwin, 46, reached an out-of-court settlement in their
long-running custody dispute over daughter Ireland, 8. The pair
will have joint legal and physical custody, with Basinger having
primary physical custody.... Arthur Rosenblatt, a collector of
criminal artifacts, sued Korn singer Jonathan Davis, 33, on June
22 in L.A. for breach of contract. He claims that Davis failed to
follow through on a deal to open the Museum of Justice and
Odditorium, which was to deal in part with serial killers. Davis'
rep says, ''There were discussions but never a deal between the
two parties.''
ARRESTS
Hendersonville, Tenn., police stopped country singer Marty
Stuart, 45, on June 23 and charged him with three misdemeanor
counts, including suspicion of driving under the influence of
alcohol. Stuart, who in 2002 lost his license for a year after
refusing to take a blood-alcohol test, was unavailable for
comment.... On June 24, rapper DMX (ne Earl Simmons), 33, and a
friend were arrested at JFK Airport on charges of criminal
possession of a weapon (a billy club) and crack cocaine. Police
say they picked up the pair after they crashed their car through
a parking lot exit gate. Simmons, who is out on $15,000 bail,
will plead not guilty.
