On Sunday night in Hollywood, Los Angeles, at the 2008 MTV Video Musical Awards, Britney Spears stepped out looking tanned , fit and healthy. Her long blonde hair set in waves, her spangled dress short and plunging.
Two years ago, the sight would have been typical, boring even. However a tumultuous 24-months that has seen Spears divorce back-up dancer and wannabe rapper Kevin Federline, lose custody of her two young sons, shave her head in a fit of tears and rambling, enter rehab a number of times, be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, reportedly attempt suicide and be publicly shamed by the judge presiding over her custody case as a “habitual and frequent drug user” - all feverishly detailed, analysed and spat out by the media - signals her most recent behaviour as exultant.
Her triumphant return to pop cultural favour saw her rewarded with three Moonmen: Best Female Video; Best Pop Video; and the gong of the night Video of the Year, officially legitimising her relevance to the music industry on one of its celebratory nights.
The media has swarmed over this most recent development, eagerly awaiting her next appearance, song or acting attempt. It is like she never “left”.
This begs the question: Why was she torn down in the first place only to be placed back high upon her pedestal once her nightmare became too much for the public to bear? When the sights of her mangy hair, racoon eyes and stained clothing, cigarette dangling from lip or bitten fingers became common the media coverage remained unanimously negative. It was only when she fell past the proverbial last rung that the media retreated and waited for her to return so the blaze of glory that once surrounded her could reignite.
When she first exploded circa 2001 amid a virginal haze of blonde curls, plump pink lips, bikini tops and provocative dancing she was positively Nabakovian. An intoxicating blend of baby-woman the public delighted in indulging.
Her growth into real woman, with husband and child, saw the beginning of her slide to ill-favour. She was no longer Lolita, but woman - and the public did not like it. So began a myriad of negative reports and coverage on her demise from icon to has-been, her destructive behaviour and her less-than-pop-tastic image.
However her star has sparkled again and she is glowing in the public’s newfound good graces.
The question is how long will it be until the shimmer fades?
By Jessica McKendry.
By Jessica McKendry.
2 comments:
I don’t think we should be so cynical.
I think anyone who has had enough determination and talent to become the world’s biggest and most successful pop star for nearly a decade has the same determination and talent to recover from an off the rails period of time in her life – something I think everyone is entitled to. I’m not saying everyone should do drugs and shave their head, but everyone makes mistakes and I think we need to acknowledge that she has been in the public spotlight since she was 16 and done all her growing up infront of the world. I have made mistakes growing up and done things I probably shouldn't have - the only backlash I recieved however, was from my parents. I was not monitored by every news coporation in the world.
She has dealt with massive pressure over the last ten years from her career and personal life and I think if she can recover from such a severe time in her life as well as she has, like at the recent MTV awards, then I think she is doing pretty well.
Given that she now has a solid support group around her and the proper facilities to recover - Hopefully she will stay out of harms way.
By Tys van der Drift
I have never really been a fan but to see someone rise back to success after such a tragic and so very public fall is always admirable. She is constantly under a microscope yes, but you’ve got to give it to her for coming back despite the humiliation she’s been through. I believe someone who is truly talented will never lose their spark and will always somehow be recognised (greatly or not so), but then again, this is Britney we’re talking about and I’d have to sit on the fence for that final question.
By Teza Altez
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