Britney says she was "so lost"

Is God a man or a woman? That is just one of many questions facing Britney Spears these days, as the embattled pop star posted a lengthy, emotional letter to her fans on her Web site this week. In vague, general terms, the note explains some of her bizarre behavior during the past few months, which includes her decision to go on a partying binge with soon-to-be jailbird Paris Hilton, shave her head, and check into rehab.

"Recently, I was sent to a very humbling place called rehab," wrote Spears, who recently completed a short club tour during which she danced and lip-synced along to a handful of her hits. "I truly hit rock bottom. Till this day I don't think that it was alcohol or depression. I was like a bad kid running around with ADD. I had a manager from a long time ago come in and try to direct me and my life after I got my divorce. I was so overwhelmed I think that I was in a little shock too. I didn't know who to go to. I realized how much energy and love I had put into my past relationship when it was gone because I genuinely did not know what to do with myself, and it made me so sad. I confess, I was so lost."

Spears stressed that the letter is not an attempt to blame anyone for her troubles, even if she does see the world "with a completely different set of eyes now. Being in that vulnerable state and taken to dinners and parties with friends and finding out later you paid for everything was a huge learning lesson for me. I think the whole problem was letting too many people into my life. You never know another person's intentions or what another person wants. I feel I was too open and looking for answers when I had it all to begin with. I have had to cut so many people out of my life."

Spears also lambasted the role of the press in her struggles, saying "At some point we all do really care what other people think or we wouldn't be here." But mostly she blames some of the people around her for blowing her troubles out of proportion.

"I also feel like they knew I was beginning to use my brain for a change and cut some ties, so they wanted to be in more control of my life than me," she said. "I think it is actually normal for a young girl to go out after a huge divorce. I think it was a bigger issue because I had not gone out in such a long time. I am 25 and I do still have a lot to learn, and I am going to make mistakes every day, and I am sure every mistake I make will probably be on CNN or 'Good Morning America.' I am only human, people, and I love you for still loving me."

Manson talks about aborted Eminem collaboration

They both blew up around the same time in the late 1990s, but Marilyn Manson now says that Eminem was even too "over the top" for him to collaborate with him back then. "The song he asked me to sing was--and this may sound strange--too misogynistic," Manson told Spin in the magazine's June issue. "It was the one about killing his girlfriend and putting her in a trunk. It was too over-the-top for me to associate with. First of all, I don't drive. And I wouldn't put a girl in a trunk; that's where I keep other stuff. That's my dry, deadpan humor kicking in."

But one person who is interested in working with the Detroit rapper is Andrew Lloyd Webber. The composer told Heat magazine that he'd love to sit down with Eminem to work on some music, saying that Eminem writes great lyrics that are way ahead. "I don't know him well, but I have met him and think he's very intelligent. I would think he'd probably want to do his own thing [though]."

Timberlake launches label

Justin Timberlake is launching his own record label, a joint venture with Interscope Records, Chairman Jimmy Iovine said this week. Timberlake will be chairman and CEO of Tennman Records, distributed by Interscope Geffen A&M.

"We are all excited about the talent we have to offer already on our roster, and I cannot wait to introduce the world to my new discoveries," Timberlake said in a statement. Tennman's first signings will be announced in the coming weeks.

McCartney to hawk album on shopping channel

Paul McCartney's bold move to Starbucks' Hear Music record label and away from Capitol Records after more than 30 years there left many industry insiders scratching their heads. Now the legendary artist is set to hawk his forthcoming album, Memory Almost Full, which hits stores June 4, on the Home Shopping Network.

McCartney will appear on the channel tomorrow, with a special version of the record available for purchase before the official release date. The 30-minute broadcast "will feature cuts from the new CD, lively discussions with McCartney fans, and video segments from Paul McCartney as he shares the inspiration behind his latest work."

Diddley recovering from stroke

Bo Diddley continues to recover from a stroke he suffered earlier this month and has been moved from a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, to a facility near his home in Gainesville, Florida. Margo Lewis, Diddley's longtime manager, told Reuters this week that Diddley has received speech and occupational therapy and has been humming and listening to country music on the radio in hopeful signs of a recovery.

"He loves country and western music, so he listens to the country and western station [in his hospital room]," Lewis said. The 78-year-old Diddley, suffered a stroke on May 13 but sustained no physical disability. "He does, however, have impaired speech and speech recognition," Lewis said.