Did Britney Belt K-Fed?

Kevin Federline let his old ol' lady beat him up, y'all!

So says an "insider" who tells Life & Style that K-Fed was hit by Brit "several times during their marriage," and that her allegedly punchy ways were the reason he asked the judge to order her not to use corporal punishment on Sean and Jayden. (And not just because she shouldn't anyway?)

Someone in Brit's camp beats back the rumor, saying, "This is just another attempt to make Britney look like a bad mom."

Usher had a lot riding on his new album, which was supposed to drop next month, but it looks like his new wife -- and baby mama -- Tameka Foster has put the kibosh on that.

That's according to Page Six, which reports that the R&B star "only listens to Tameka now, and she wants all Usher's focus to be on her and the baby." The problem is, several other business ventures, like a new fragrance launch, were pegged to the new album. "The album had been in the works for over a year ... now it looks like it's never going to happen."

Usher's people didn't return calls for comment.

Esquire magazine has released its "Sexiest Woman Alive" for this year, and the blonde goddess-ness that is Charlize Theron has gotten the honor previously held by Jessica Biel, Angelina Jolie, and Scarlett Johansson. ... Speaking of stunning blondes, Sarah Wynter -- late of "24" -- is starring in "The Rise of Dorothy Hale" on Broadway, and we're told that John Travolta and Kelly Preston loved it so much, they decided to go backstage and rave to Wynter, who is pregnant with her first child.