Dependable stunt-cast object Britney Spears recent triumph on How I Met Your Mother has apparently kick-started a new lease on life for the singer, having been photographed recently looking thinner and in full command of a local gym's cardio equipment. Also on the menu: a trip to a Beverly Hills hair salon, en route to which she stopped to pick up a shirtless individual the tabloids were quick to describe as "reminiscent of that which attracted Britney to her ex-husband." X17 caught up with this betanktopped figure of mystery, who was quick to clear up any misconceptions: He was the friend of Brett, Britney's assistant, and was eager to catch up with his old pal by diving into the back of the Most Photographed White Diamond Escalade on Earth. The man with the perilously high sperm-count's frank assessment of Spears? "She's cool. She's really cool...She's a good girl."

[Video: X17Online.com]