LeAnn Rimes Sues for Invasion of Privacy
Just days after admitting herself into rehab for stress management, LeAnn Rimes has filed a lawsuit with the L.A. County Superior Court against Kimberly and Lexi Smiley, two woman who allegedly recorded a conversation with Rimes in an effort to create a smear campaign against the singer.
According to TMZ, the two ladies secretly -- and illegally -- recorded a conversation with Rimes, uploading out-of-context excerpts onto the internet to paint the Texas native in a "false and negative light." The suspects, who refer to singer as "crazy and delusional," are thought to be supporters of Brandi Glanville, ex-wife of Rimes' current husband, actor Eddie Cibrian.
Rimes is suing for invasion of privacy, with the singer's lawyer, Larry Stein, telling the Hollywood news outlet that she plans to press charges to ensure the people responsible for the recording are prosecuted.
As we reported yesterday, Rimes voluntarily checked into a rehab facility this week, the day after her 30th birthday (Aug. 28), citing the need to "cope with anxiety and stress" as the reason behind the 30-day stint. The singer has been granted the ability to leave the grounds of the unnamed facility on the weekends in order to fulfill tour dates scheduled prior to her admission.
“This is just a time for me to emotionally check out for a second and take care of myself and come back in 30 days as the best 30-year-old woman I can be,” Rimes tells People in a statement released Thursday morning.
“All the things in my life will be there when I get out, but you know what? I’m hoping they’re not going to affect me as much,” she says. “I’ll have the tools to know how to deal with them.”
Despite her personal setbacks, Rimes is moving full speed ahead creatively. The singer recently wrapped production on her new studio album, 'Spitfire,' which is expected to be released next spring. The project's first single, 'What Have I Done,' will feature Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski (of Union Square). The single is expected to be released to country radio and iTunes on Dec. 10.