Britney Spears did it again. Over the weekend, the pop princess said “I Do” to former backup dancer Kevin Federline. A version of the wedding premiered on MTV last week as a music video for Britney’s version of the Bobby Brown tune, “My Prerogative.” This single will be Mrs Federline’s contribution to the upcoming “Britney Spears’ Greatest Hits” album to be released on November 9th.
The pop princess' actual wedding came as a surprise to the couple's guests, including Britney's parents and younger sister, Jamie Lynn. On Saturday at approximately 7:30 pm, Ms Spears become Mrs Federline, in a quick ceremony in Los Angeles. Following the wedding vows, the guests stuck around to dine on chicken fingers and ribs. After the celebration, Brit and Kevin gave each person in their wedding party a velour sweatsuit that said 'Hot Mama' or 'Pimp' on the back.
In a whirlwind year, Britney’s bizarre behavior has made her the toast of the tabloids. In the past year, the pop star has released her fourth album to disappointing sales, went on tour, hurt her knee and ended her tour early, got married in Vegas, got an annulment after 55 hours of marriage, got engaged and married again, and appeared regularly in unflattering paparazzi pictures. Some people, including the ultimate showbiz mother, Lynne Spears believe that the media, who insist on showing her daughter in unfavorable photos, is unfairly targeting Britney. But, come on. This girl craves every bit of attention she gets. If Britney really didn’t want to be the target, would she sell her wedding to the public in a music video?
After all, Britney idolizes a woman who spent the greater half of her life seducing every camera in sight. But even Madonna, who Warren Beatty accused of “not wanting to live off camera” in the documentary “Truth or Dare,” hasn’t stooped this low for her own self promotion. While Madonna exploits her relationships, using them as a centerpiece to build an image around, Britney seems to find relationships that compliment the images that are manufactured for her. Since the hit single, “Baby, One More Time” made her an overnight sensation, Britney’s success has largely been accredited to meticulous marketing and media hype.
Britney may want to give off the air that she’s doing exactly what she wants, but closer examination suggests otherwise. She walks around barefoot, grabs her boyfriend’s crotch atop a balcony, and tells a radio station that the last thing she had in her mouth was a sex toy. But we are supposed to believe that the media is to blame. Perhaps if the Federline’s showed a shred of dignity, we could consider this perspective. Surely the omnipresent paparazzi that travel with the pair would snap a shot of them fully clothed and neatly groomed. If such a photo op existed, that is. Since her last wedding in Vegas, to childhood pal Jason Alexander, Britney has been working round the clock to maintain her trashy persona. Has she worn clothing that fits her once in the past year?
Britney’s idea to do an extreme departure from her Mouseketeer days isn’t nearly as foolish as its execution makes it look. She is correct to makeover her image. Change is imperative for pop staying power. But Britney just doesn’t have the assets to pull it off. Unlike Christina Aguilera, whose talent compensates for her lack of taste, Spears can’t fall back on ability. Nor can she fall back on brains like Madonna, whose business savvy makes up for what she lacks in talent. Britney was always the product, molded by those around her. Her success is too dependent on her packaging for her to actually do whatever she wants, and keep her career in tact. So she gets married to promote an album that will probably be a success thanks to the sweet bubblegum flavoring of her catchy, earlier songs. And for those who are resigned to the belief that the Brit bubblegum has burst, they can catch the pop tart riding the Federline out of control, on track to becoming the most intriguing train wreck since Liza Minnelli.
