Rumor is that Britney Spears and her father have accepted an invitation to join Mel Gibson and his family during their vacation to their Costa Rican home.

The Toxic singer and her father Jamie are reported to be heading to Central America with former neighbors Gibson and his wife Robyn.

Madonna has stepped in to defend troubled pop star Britney Spears.

Madonna claims that Britney is struggling to cope with adulthood because she was never given the chance to grow up. She also thinks that the fact that Spears lived her teens in the spotlight of the entire world robbed her of the chance to have a normal childhood.

Britney Spears needs her father's permission to return to her hometown. The troubled singer, who went to Kentwood, Louisiana, recently for her younger sister Jamie Lynn's baby shower, had to ask her dad Jamie if she was allowed to make the trip.

A friend of the star said: "He has to give her permission to travel, and the money to do it. It's not that he doesn't want her there for her little sister. It's just that he thinks it's best to keep Britney close to home right now."

MTV's "Rock The Cradle" had one surprise appearance at the show's finale Thursday. Controversial Britney Spears showed up in the audience while the winner was being crowned.

Spears showed up at the final episode of the contest but not to perform. She stayed in the audience and probably cheered on the three finalists: Jess Blaze Snider (Dee Snider's son), Chloe Lattanzi (Olivia Newton-John's daughter), and Crosby Loggins (Kenny Loggin's son).

Jamie Lynn Spears is waiting for the birth of her first child, and also for a baby shower present from her big sister, Britney Spears. The older Spears flew to Louisiana last weekend for Jamie Lynn's baby shower, but still hasn't given her little sis her present.

Jamie Lynn, 17, told OK! Magazine about her baby shower and the visit with her sister. Jamie Lynn is expecting a girl in June.

Britney Spears is reportedly considering buying a $5.96 million mansion in Encino, Los Angeles.

The troubled singer - who was recently given back some of her visitation rights to her two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline - viewed the five-bedroom, six-bathroom property yesterday afternoon.