MICROSKIRTS
629
viewsPlease Leave Brit Brit Alone
By DebSellers, Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 5 commentsI never thought I would utter those words. After all, she got herself in this mess; sold her soul to the devil and once it was vacant, abandoned all self respect by giving us peep shots of her va-jay-jay, along with other parts of her anatomy.
Her past has been dominated by the ups and downs, all considered the norm for pop princesses of an era in which the media covets the girl, while at the same time, enjoys trashing her and watching her crash and burn, much like a train wreck, after each drunken episode, each manic moment, each dirty-haired and makeup-less visit to the local Starbucks. We all participate in it. We tune in to the TV shows which propel this crap. We view the headlines, albeit passively, in the checkout lines at the grocery store and, once we are fed, we spread the gossip about these young girls as if it were ours to share. We may not be as bad as the paparazzo who preys upon the icon, nor as despicable as the cheesy celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who clearly was the little effeminate portly boy who was cast out of any social circle as a teenager and has found fame in defaming (karma at its best, right?). No, we aren’t the firestarters, but we definitely stoke the flame and, after a recent encounter with the circus that is Britney Spears life, I have to say I feel a bit differently.
Last week, my girlfriend Megan and I met for lunch at The Commons in Calabasas. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this So Cal spot, it is a sleepy, rich little suburb of LA which has recently gained notoriety for being the home of the Kardashians’ clothing store Dash as well as the home of several high profile celebrities. There really isn’t much to the town apart from a dozen or so exclusive, gated communities, a handful of upscale retail stores and a kick-ass cantina (called the Sagebrush Cantina) which plays host to a variety of characters and happens to be where I worked during high school and on summer breaks during college (a whole different blog best saved for another time).
Leaving the restaurant, Megan and I nearly got mowed over in the parking lot by a guy who was nondescript, apart from his camera in hand. Barely stopping his car (and leaving it running as well as blocking the lane), he dashed in front of us and headed toward the restaurant. Ready to take cover and totally unaware what the hell was going on, Megan and I noticed that it wasn’t just this guy, but like ten guys, just like him, running with cameras. We looked over and there she was. Miss Britney Spears, along with a guy that looked more like a buddy than a bodyguard. The paparazzi swarmed in, much like vultures do when descending upon a rabbit carcass. Once their prey got within feet of the Starbucks, they pulled back en masse and she entered without disruption.
Living in LA all of my life, I have seen many celebrities. Heck, I had dinner last week next to Pierce Brosnan in Malibu. I have stood behind Robert Downey Jr. at a coffee shop. Duane “The Rock” Johnson used to work out at the same Gold’s Gym as me and I would see him almost every time I was there (much to my husband’s dismay). Sometimes you see them with a bodyguard. Sometimes they are alone. But I have never witnessed the craziness that is afforded to a celebrity like Britney Spears.
Because Megan and I are not paparazzi, yet we feed on this stuff, we made a u-turn and got some coffee. Miss Spears was in the bathroom. She stayed in there until her coffee was made. When she reappeared, that is when I saw it. This young girl looked so very sad. Her face was vacant. She wore an expression that looked more like a deer in the headlights than the best selling female artist of this past decade. Suddenly, my desire to gobble up potential gossip was engulfed by a maternal need to nurture this poor girl. I just felt plain sad for her. It made me wonder if she even has one true friend. If she can ever just go somewhere and just “be”? I’m sure that from being in show business since childhood, she is somewhat immune to the spectacle that surrounds her, but I have to think that this attention has had to have worn thin.
She grabs her Frappuccino and heads out the door with her bodyguard. Her face displays anguish. The vultures descend once more, hovering and snapping away.
The next day the photos were pasted on the internet and on the television, trashing her outfit, criticizing her body, her hair and everything else they could. This time I didn’t take the bait. I didn’t join in on the fun that is to disparage a troubled star. I again, just felt sorry for her. I really think it is time. Just leave this poor girl alone.
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5 Comments
I agree, the poor girl's been
I agree, the poor girl's been through the wringer. As much as we might think that that is an occupational hazard of being famous, enough is enough. When I was in college and a communication major (similar to journalism but also with a technical slant), our ethics classes looked badly on this sort of behavior by papparazi, especially after Princess Diana died.
Hopefully Britney can find people like you who have sympathy for her in her life.
However...
although I agree that the paparazzi is out of control, I don't understand why she goes into a Starbucks in such a town as Calabassas knowing what's coming. If I want a regular coffee I can make it myself at home. But if she is truly craving a Frapaccino, why doesn't she have one of her hired staff go in and get it for her. Yes, it sucks for her, and I would feel those maternal instinct as well, but we all see that fame comes with a price. I just can't help but think of what I've heard others say.... that celebs choose to go out in public locations where they know they'll be photographed, as part of their publicity plan. How is it some very famous celebs stay clear of the paparazzi, or in fact move out of SoCal?
who is to blame
man this is rough, i know i consider myself partially to blame, i like celebrity gossip. it's really a shame.
I agree
with SueziQ, up to a point. Although they can avoid the well known celeb hang outs, the paparazzi also shows up when they rent a cabin on a secluded beach just as well and let's face it, who wants to be shut into their house 24-7 just to avoid the limelight. I do feel sorry for the girl as I feels she has no one to help guide her in the right direction, but she does have to take some of the responsibility for her actions. I guess the key is to find some balance.
Great writing, Deb, and you
Great writing, Deb, and you make a very valid point. I understand SuzieQ, but let's face it... this girl is not known for her brains, and going into a Starbuck's is probably one of the few "normal" things she can do. I do think there ought to be laws about paparazzi stalking- it can be so vicious.
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