January 4, 2008
Britney…The Girl Can’t Help It
As a teenager, one of my favorite television shows was the All New Mickey Mouse Club. From the age of 10, I loved the singing, dancing and entertaining skits the MMC kids performed. I began watching the show after school, and the musical group, The Party, was one of my favorites. I’m not even embarrassed to admit that I still have a cassette tape and a CD of their music.
But as I grew older, so did the kids on TV and new blood was brought in. I vividly remember the first episode in which Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were introduced. They were young, adorable, fresh off of Star Search and trying to climb the tower of fame.
Of the four “kids” three are rather successful and still manage to be somewhat grounded in their personal and professional lives. And then there’s Britney Spears. Sweet as sugar, American as apple pie, Britney. When I think about the young star, my heart hurts.
Britney Spears has made some wrong turns in her life. She married the bad boy, Kevin Federline, gave birth to two babies in two years and after less than three years of marriage the couple divorced. That’s a lot of emotional trauma for one 26-year-old to handle. The highs and lows of pregnancy, raising a toddler and a new baby, trying to work things out with a loser husband before ditching him altogether — I’d lose my flipping mind, too.
As much as society loves to laugh and poke fun of Britney, and I’ve done my fair share, because I know how easy it is to make light of the painful situation, I can’t stand to see the girl in so much pain. I hate that she partied all night with the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. It makes me mad that she’s abusing alcohol, drugs and other controlled substances. I can’t stand to see her struggle through the stormy waters of her life.
And then, last night, while I was covering the Iowa Caucus results, Britney was having a meltdown because she didn’t want to return her children — her babies — to their father, who has primary custody during the pending court battle.
I don’t blame Britney for her actions. If someone tried to keep my children from me, I’d be just as furious, and just as crazy. I don’t think she can control herself. I don’t think she can help herself.
I can’t help but wonder why no one has been able to step in earlier to give Britney the help she needs. I know that you can lead a horse to water, they won’t always drink. But I’ll be damned if there isn’t a close friend that Britney trusts that could put a mirror in front of her face and show her what she’s becoming?
Easier said than done. I know. But each time I see a photo of Ms. Spears, I look into her eyes. Two empty, dark wells of anxiety and panic. She needs help. She needs help before it’s too late. Before something terrible happens to her. Before she leaves her young sons before her time.
I know it’s ridiculous to cry for Britney. I don’t know her personally. But I feel a slight bond with her. Mothers are drawn to other mothers. We want to help our own. We want to make sure that our fellow moms are not struggling with alcohol abuse, or post-partum depression, or emotional distress.
Please, Britney. Please, know that America is rooting for you. Even if some us are uncomfortable with seeing you do irrational things, even though we joke, we still want you to get the help you need and return to being a stable woman and mother. We want you to get well. We do.
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January 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm, ali Says:
i want to take Britney home and be her mother. she’s in desperate need of a good one.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:53 pm, Karen Says:
This is really well written Dana. I agree she needs help and her situation makes me sad. That crap-ass thing is I have to write about her for work. But today, there was no snark. We’re all rooting for a happy ending. Well those of us who aren’t ambulance chasers, that is.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:40 pm, Vicky Says:
When I heard this today and then when I saw the pictures all I could think was, “just like Elvis”. As in, she’ll wind up just like Elvis dead on a bathroom floor, gone before her time. It is incredibly sad and I agree with all that you have said. Well-written and spot on Dana!
It’s so sad because I would probably be just as unraveled as Britney if it were me in those shoes.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:52 pm, Daisy Says:
I’m with you. Get rid of that paparazzi and give the young woman a chance to recover. She needs it, her children need it. The whole thing makes me glad I live in such a provincial state; no nasty photogs following me around!
January 6th, 2008 at 2:04 pm, Eve Says:
My only daughter is nearly 10 years older than Britney. She has had her struggles. Sometimes I have to still be ‘the mama’ to her and her children. As a caring mother I look at Britney and my heart hurts - I hurt for her, but more for her children. Someone who wants what’s best for Britney and the kids needs to take charge. Someone who cares more about her mental and physical health than about her career or publicity. Get her off the streets, out of the public eye, and let her learn who she is when she’s not onstage.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm, MommyWithAttitude Says:
I feel bad for her too. I don’t really get exactly what her problem is, but I hope she gets the help she needs. She doesn’t seem to be a very good judge of character for starters. I’ve defended her a time or two also, even though I’m not a fan of her’s really. I just think it has to be extraordinarily difficult to go through such pain so publicly.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am, Leslie Says:
Oh my goodness - The Party! I wore out my cassette with “I Found Love” on it. WORE IT OUT. Ah, memories.
I feel bad for Britney. I so keep hoping she’ll pull it all together.