Breakups

Spears can be seen at the table, wiping away tears and talking to a man who appears to be her bodyguard. Britney then shows the man a new red dress with a tag on it, leaves the table and returns in the dress!

As TMZ first reported, whatshisname didn't know that Spears was filing for divorce. According to court papers filed yesterday, Spears is asking for both legal and physical custody of one-year old Sean Preston and two-month old Jayden James, with Federline getting reasonable visitation rights. Er, when he shows up, of course.

• Britney/K-Fed Divorce -- Nasty Turn
• Britney Spears Files for Divorce

Brit's manager Larry Rudolph helped the blonde pop tart stay upright, while hordes of amazed tourists took pictures and watched the teen idol skate. Once Britney got her balance, she was twirling and putting on quite a show -- just two hours after news of her split was scooped by TMZ.

Just before skating, she did some damage at a local Gap store to pick up an outfit for the rink. She looked fine in her slick black pants, plunging neckline and white hat (the good guys always wear a white hat).

She had been seen earlier leaving her hotel, and dining at Italian bistro Baldoria, protected by dark glasses and a large bodyguard.

You go Brit!

TMZ obtained the legal papers, filed today in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing "irreconcilable differences." In her petition, Spears asks for both legal and physical custody of the couple's two children, one-year old Sean Preston and two-month old Jayden James, with Federline getting reasonable visitation rights.

As for money, sources tell TMZ the couple, who married in Oct. 2004, has an iron-clad prenup. Not surprisingly, Spears is waiving her right to spousal support. She's also asking the judge to make each party pay their own attorney's fees.

Spears gives the date of separation as yesterday, the same day she flaunted her incredible revamped physique during a surprise appearance on David Letterman's show. Sources tell TMZ there was no single reason for Britney pulling the plug, rather, it was "a string of events."

Spears has hired powerhouse celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who has repped a number of celebs, including Angelina Jolie, Nick Lachey and Kiefer Sutherland. We're told Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe asked Wasser to rep both of them in their split, but Wasser declined for personal reasons.

Significantly, Britney lists the date of her marriage as October 6, 2004. There was an uproar around the time of the wedding because the highly publicized "secret" ceremony was held on Sept. 18th, leading many to question the validity of the ceremony. Now the divorce documents indicate that the lavish ceremony was not the official wedding.

Click to read the petition for divorce documents.

Spears and Federline celebrated what many thought was their wedding day on Sept. 18th, 2004 at the Studio City home of wedding planner Alyson Fox. Roughly 25 close friends and family members reportedly attended, including Spears' mother and sister.

However, according to the divorce papers filed by Spears, her marraige to K-Fed didn't occur until Oct 6th -- nearly three weeks after the "secret" nuptials went down.

Us Weekly obtained what they claimed were authentic legal documents signed by Spears and Federline and their attorneys. The documents, published on thesmokinggun.com state that the event that happened on Sept. 18 was a "faux ceremony," and also state that the pop duet had to work out a prenup before tying the knot for real.

Britney's rep fired back at the reports, telling Us Weekly at the time, "This is all ludicrous. They are happily married, and I have no reason to believe otherwise." Yeah, right.

Now, with the official date on the record books, we know that they got hitched after the blitz. With Brit reportedly worth $32 million at the time of the wedding, the former Mouseketeer was smart to ink a deal before signing her marriage license!

In the last eight years, six Academy Award-winning actresses have lost their B-list men on the heels of their Oscar wins. Whether it's a symptom of living in the shadows of their celebrated spouses, or just a wacky coincidence, their fellas can't seem to deal with Oscar being the other man.

For your consideration, TMZ takes a look inside the so-called "Oscar Curse."

Julia Roberts

Just three months after winning her 2001 Best Actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich," Julia Roberts ended her relationship with sexy boyfriend Benjamin Bratt. The couple split amid rumors that Ben wanted Julia to work less and settle down. Apparently, that didn't fly with Roberts, but love didn't elude the "Pretty Woman" for very long. A year later, she married cameraman Danny Moder, with whom she had twins.

TMZ has learned that Chris Rock has begun divorce proceedings against his wife of nearly 10 years, Malaak Compton-Rock. TMZ is told that the comedian has hired a high-powered divorce attorney to represent him.

The couple, married in November of 1996, has two daughters -- 4 year-old Lola and 2 year-old Zahra. Malaak is the Founder and Executive Director of StyleWORKS; a non-profit, full-service salon that provides free services for women leaving welfare and entering the workforce.

When contacted, Rock's rep would only say "I cannot comment at this time."

Chris, best known for his stand-up comedy as well as for a controversial turn as the host of the 2005 Oscar telecast, once told NBC's Stone Phillips that marriage was "beautiful" but added, "If you're a guy, [your individual self] is dead. Get rid of you. Take yourself to the door and wave. Hey, see you later. It sounds horrible. I'm happier than I've ever been now that I've shot myself in the head."

Rock is currently in post-production for the film "I Think I Love My Wife."

Using its own Quick Compatibility Report through Tarot.com, the gurus at AOL Horoscopes think that the relationship might be salvaged if the pair could work together for a charitable cause -- the pair are well known for their devotion to such good works. But an overall assessment of their situation isn't terribly rosy. Reese, an Aries, is determined to make her dreams a reality, while Virgo Ryan is a "perfectionist." Though the Aries might convince herself that the Virgo will make her a better person, the Aries doesn't actually want to change and the Virgo can be overly critical.

Patrick Dempsey's first wife admits she lied when she accused the actor of brutality, but claims the National Enquirer knew it was a lie but published the story anyway.

The Enquirer published an article citing divorce documents filed in 1992, in which Rochelle Parker alleged Dempsey attacked her on a movie set and broke her finger by slamming it in a car door. Parker was 47-years-old back in 1987 when she married Dempsey, who was 21. Dempsey left Parker in 1992 for another woman.

Parker recently recanted her allegations after learning the Enquirer was about to publish its story. Parker now claims the allegations were made "in the heat of a divorce" and "false." Parker says she was played by the Enquirer: "I never confirmed to the Enquirer that the story ... is true. To the contrary, I have previously stated that such allegations are untrue. In fact, the Enquirer offered to pay me money to confirm such allegations, which offer I refused."

TMZ contacted the Enquirer. Editor in Chief David Perel says, "When we went to Dempsey for comment, his people were desperate to stop the story and they realized they couldn't. One of the things they tried is to elicit a statement from her (Parker) saying he did not beat her." Perel says his paper offered money for wedding photos, but that's it.

Prior to the red carpets and acting accolades, Kate tells Parade magazine she grew up being called "blubber" and sought comfort in the arms of her first love Stephen Tredre.

Regarding Tredre, Winslet says, "He was the most important person in my life. My life revolved around him." In 1994, Tredre was diagnosed with bone cancer and Kate rushed to his side.

In late '97, the same week that the movie that would make her a household name, "Titanic", opened, Tredre died. Kate says it was "unbelievably heartbreaking."

Winslet managed to pick up the pieces and, after a failed marriage to James Threapleton which produced her daughter Mia, eventually fell in love with Mendes. In 2003, the NY-based couple had a son, Joe.

With her career and personal life now at the top of their game, Kate's life couldn't be better. "I love being married to Sam and I love motherhood more than anything."

TMZ has learned that Reese Witherspoon's fortune is fair game as her marriage to Ryan Phillippe comes to an end-- specifically, there is no prenup.

The financial consequences are enormous. Witherspoon now commands $20 million a movie. In 2005, Witherspoon raked in a total of $30 million for two movies, "Just Like Heaven" and "Walk the Line."

Phillippe has been commanding around $2.5 million a film, making him bankable, but clearly not in his estranged wife's league.

Under California law, without a prenup, earnings during a marriage are divided up 50/50.

Connected sources also tell TMZ on a scale of one to ten, one being a peaceful breakup and ten being Hasselhoff, the Witherspoon/Phillippe split is a three. And, we're told, it will almost certainly stay peaceful, partly because of the children and partly because of the couple's personalities.

We're told there is no talk of reconciliation and that divorce papers are merely a matter of time.

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe have separated. The couple's rep released a statement to TMZ Monday morning that says "We are saddened to announce that Reese & Ryan have decided to formally separate. They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time."

Sources tell TMZ Witherspoon has contacted celebrity divorce lawyer Robert Kaufman, who has represented Jennifer Aniston, Roseanne and Lisa Marie Presley.

Sources say Witherspoon spoke with Kaufman about divorcing Ryan Phillippe, her husband of seven years. The couple has two children. They met at Witherspoon's 21st birthday party.

As for why Witherspoon contacted Kaufman, we're told it was not triggered by one event. Rather, one connected source says it was "cumulative."

Divorce papers have not yet been filed.

Divorce looks good on Whitney Houston.

In the midst of a split from hubby Bobby Brown, all eyes were on the pop diva as she stepped back into the spotlight on Sunday night. Houston was stunning in Armani as she walked the Carousel of Hope pink carpet arm-in-arm with music mogul Clive Davis.

This was Whitney's first night in the public eye since she filed for divorce in September, while her estranged hubby has been spotted out in LA with a number of different women.

Though Whitney didn't stop to talk to press, Clive let it slip that they're working on her comeback album and are currently looking for material.

Although Sara Evans and her estranged husband Craig Schleske have called a truce to the mud slinging in their high-profile divorce, the couple's former nanny, Alison Clinton, is still waiting for her apology.

Evans has claimed in legal papers that the nanny had an affair with Schleske. Now, the nanny's friends are fighting back. They've started a website, pleaseapologizesaraevans.com, to help clear Clinton's name.

Last week, Clinton passed a lie detector test that seems to back up her claim that she never had an affair with Schleske.

There's a demand on the site for an apology from Evans, because "No one should smear innocent people like Alison Clinton with false allegations."

According to the website, Clinton was especially shocked since "Sara had even asked Alison to be a back-up singer and dancer on her upcoming tour just weeks before."

Besides being the estranged couple's former nanny, Clinton was also Evans' personal assistant and co-president of the singer's fan club. Evans also served as Clinton's matron of honor at her July 2006 wedding to Chris Lee.

After hurling wild allegations and slinging mud every which way, Sara Evans and her estranged husband Craig Schelske have agreed to play nice -- but there is still a chill in the air.

Both parties showed up in a Nashville court to hash out some of the terms of their nasty split. When asked if he still loved Evans, Schelske replied, "Yes, I do." When Evans was asked if she shared the same feeling, the country diva said nothing.

Inside the courtroom, Sara and Craig both agreed not to air their dirty laundry in the press. They also agreed to take psychological exams, which could become a factor in the custody case -- the couple has three children.

They also agreed not to physically or verbally abuse each other. And, in a blow to Johnnie Walker, they agreed not to use "excessive" alcohol. Schelske also agreed to find a new place to live. For now, Sara will have primary custody of their kids and Craig will have visitation rights.

Sara Evans' Nanny Fights Back

Each has accused the other of having affairs. Evans has also claimed Schelske is addicted to porn.

Sara Evans' husband says his wife cheated on him and he found out the day before she filed for divorce.

In court documents obtained by TMZ, Craig Schelske claims the day before Sara filed divorce papers, he "discovered Wife's intimate relationship with another man not her husband and an argument ensued between the parties."

Sources connected with the case tell TMZ that while they were together Schelske accused his wife of having an affair with Tony Dovolani, her "Dancing with the Stars" partner. Evans and Dovolani have both said the claim is bogus.

In his legal papers, Schelske also denies having a penchant for porn. He says, however, that on one occasion, both he and his wife "were watching adult entertainment together when their oldest child, whom they believed to be secure and asleep, entered their room...."

Schelske denies Evans' allegation that he was unfaithful during the marriage and denies there were "any sexual photographs of himself with any other women as there are no authentic photographs of husband unclothed with any sexual partner or alone except as taken by Wife or with Wife on the single occasion in which both parties participated." Schelske says he "regrets the incident but would state and show that Husband and Wife were acting as two consenting adults..."

Schelske seems to be answering Evans' claim that there are nude pictures of him in a state of arousal. Schelske appears to be conceding photos do indeed exist, but the photographer is Evans herself.

Schelske's allegations come exactly one week after Evans filed explosive divorce papers accusing him of having an affair with the couple's nanny. Evans also claims Schelske had photos of himself having sex with other women and had at least 100 nude photos of himself in a state of arousal.

A London newspaper claims a divorce document filed by Heather Mills, Paul McCartney's estranged wife, alleges that the former Beatle attacked her during their marriage. The legal papers also allegedly say McCartney was often drunk or high on drugs during the four-year union.

The Evening Standard reports Mills filed a 13-page petition with the court in London, alleging, among other things, that McCartney "would not let her have an antique bedpan under their bed to save her crawling to the bathroom at night." The newspaper reports Mills also alleges that Sir Paul forced her to cook dinner for him every night, even when she was "on crutches with a broken pelvic plate."

The Evening Standard cites an allegation that McCartney "stabbed her with a wine bottle." Geoff Baker, McCartney's former publicist, responded to the allegations by saying "Heather Mills is a complete fantasist and I would not believe her if she told me the sun set in the West."

The Daily Mail reports that Mills claims in the documents that McCartney attacked her four times during their four-year marriage. The Daily Mail cites an allegation that McCartney allegedly choked Mills, "forbade her from having an operation because it clashed with his holiday plans and called her an 'ungrateful bitch'."

Mills' London law firm Mishcon de Reya tells TMZ in a statement that it would not comment on "leaked or allegedly leaked documents" but that it "can confirm that Lady Heather Mills McCartney stands by everything that has been filed at Court on her behalf and intends to prove its truth in due course." The office of Sir Paul's lawyer Fiona Shackleton said that they had not decided whether a statement would be forthcoming as of 4:00 pm London time.