Hairdresser: Spears ‘scared’ of ex-manager

Los Angeles — Britney Spears’ hairdresser testified Wednesday that the pop superstar told her she was scared of her former manager and friend, Osama “Sam” Lutfi.

The testimony came as lawyers for Spears’ father seek lengthy restraining orders against Spears’ ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, attorney Jon Eardley and Lutfi. A judge on Wednesday extended temporary restraining orders against the men and plans to hear further testimony April 1.

Hairdresser Roberta Romero said Spears’ comments came after Lutfi repeatedly sent her text messages in late December. She said Lutfi was trying to get her to convey messages to the singer, including that he was making efforts to “free” her.

Romero, who has worked as Spears’ stylist for more than a year, said the singer told her to tell Lutfi to leave them alone. Romero and Spears notified the singer’s security staff about Lutfi’s text messages.

Romero said she only spoke to Lutfi once, weeks before Spears’ security became involved. She said he was not threatening over the phone, but that the singer told her to avoid her former friend.

“She told me she’s scared of him and not to talk to him,” Romero said.

Eastwood gets special top Cannes award

Paris — Clint Eastwood received a special top Cannes film festival honor Wednesday — three months before this year’s festival opens on the Riviera.

Festival President Gilles Jacob presented Eastwood with the special Palme d’Or, or Golden Palm, at a private ceremony at the chic Parisian restaurant Le Fouquet’s.

The privilege honored what a festival statement said was “the talent of a grand master at the summit of his craft.” Jacob said it also was a “testimony of my admiration and a quarter-century of complicity.”

“I’m very flattered,” said Eastwood, who was surrounded by his family.

He praised the support of French filmmakers who “encouraged me to go on” when he made his directorial debut in 1970.

Eastwood, who is 78, was in Paris to promote his latest movie, “Gran Torino,” which he directed and in which he stars.

Schwarzenegger to play himself in Stallone film

Sacramento, Calif. — Art will imitate life when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spends a few hours playing himself later this year in a movie by Sylvester Stallone.

Sheryl Main, production publicist for Stallone’s new movie, revealed more details Tuesday of Schwarzenegger’s rare big-screen appearance. The governor said he has done just three cameos for friends since becoming governor in 2003.

Shooting on the film, “The Expendables,” will begin March 28 in Brazil and move to New Orleans for two months. Main says the governor will shoot his scene in Los Angeles.

His role will be a familiar one: California governor.

Stallone writes, directs and stars in the movie, a film about a group of mercenaries trying to overthrow a South American dictator. It also stars Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke and Forest Whitaker.

Singer-guitarist leaves Barenaked Ladies

Toronto — Singer-guitarist Steven Page has left the Barenaked Ladies.

The news comes several months after drug charges against Page were dropped in the U.S. His arrest came after the band, known for its clean-cut image and whimsical lyrics, released an album of children’s songs titled “Snacktime.”

The band’s Web site said Wednesday that Page will pursue solo projects, including theatrical opportunities.

Page, his girlfriend and her roommate were charged with drug possession in July after police found cocaine at an apartment in New York state. In late October, all three secured a deal to have charges dropped if they stayed out of trouble for six months.

The other members will return to the studio in April and will tour in the fall.

Woman in Freeman crash: Not his mistress

Los Angeles — The woman who was with Morgan Freeman the night of a car crash that injured both of them insists she was never romantically linked to Freeman and is suing the actor for negligence.

Demaris Meyer and her lawyer, Gloria Allred, put on a news conference Wednesday announcing that Meyer has filed a lawsuit against the 71-year-old Academy Award winner.

“I have been labeled as the other woman and have been accused of having caused the breakup of Mr. Freeman’s marriage,” Meyer said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I had hoped and prayed that Mr. Freeman or his representatives would have set the record straight and cleared my name, but they have not done so and that is why I have chosen to come forward to tell the truth about our relationship.”

In the days after the accident last August, Freeman’s lawyer, Bill Luckett, told media outlets that Freeman and his wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee, had been separated since December 2007 and were getting a divorce. Several media outlets reported that the 48-year-old Meyer was Freeman’s mistress.

Meyer said Wednesday she met Freeman the night of the accident at a dinner party. Meyer said Freeman had agreed to let her stay at one of three houses on his property.