Recently released New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears has sparked a conversation around what really happened to the pop legend in the early aughts and who is to blame. We all remember watching voyeuristically as Britney Spears suffered a harrowing public breakdown in 2008. While the rest of us usually have the benefit of privacy when we face life challenges that threaten our mental health, someone like Britney grew up in front of the camera, and in 2008 the paparazzi were more vicious than ever. The infamous images of Britney shaving her head, attacking a paparazzo's car with an umbrella, and being shipped off to a hospital are what many remember before she started to disappear from the public eye, and Framing Britney Spears gives important context to these events. From the moment Britney became famous as a teenager, her image was aggressively scrutinized by the media, whose self-proclaimed arbiters of morality acted as if a sixteen-year-old girl ought to bear the responsibility of being a perfect role model to an entire generation.
Britney fans are particularly enraged by an interview excerpt that was included in the documentary. In 2003, at the height of Britney's career, Diane Sawyer interviewed the pop star on ABC's Primetime Thursday. One could hardly call it an interview—it feels more like an attack. In the scene, which is difficult to watch without cringing, we see a visibly uncomfortable 21-year-old Britney endure sexist questions from Sawyer about Britney's virginity and her responsibility as a role model to young girls. At one point Sawyer brings up tabloid rumors that Britney had cheated on Justin Timberlake. 'He has gone on television and pretty much said you broke his heart. You did something that caused him so much pain, so much suffering. What did you do?' Asks Sawyer. Can you imagine an interviewer today asking a young woman this same question? 'What did you do to him?' The cringe is severe and the resurfacing of this interview has many millennials questioning their own complicity at the time. It's sad to be reminded that not long ago, treating women this way was completely normal.
The Diane Sawyer interview was just one example of how the media publicly ripped Britney apart when she was most vulnerable, and not only contributed to the decline in her mental health, but profited from it. Sadly, Britney is still experiencing the fallout of those years—she is locked in a court-ordered conservatorship that has stripped her of control and agency over her own life. Those who have watched the documentary are now dragging Sawyer on Twitter and demanding that she apologize to Britney Spears for the wanton misogyny of that 2003 interview. We've collected some Twitter reactions from some of the people who have revisited the brutal and inappropriate media coverage of Britney's life from that time. We appreciate biographical profiles like Framing Britney Spears and HBO's Tiger because they remind us that even the most iconic and god-like public figures are still just human beings.
1. Here's the full 2003 interview
2. Untitled
Diane Sawyer owes Britney Spears a sincere apology. #FramingBritneySpears
— Kate (@k_shiver) February 7, 2021
3. Untitled
diane sawyer always been trouble pic.twitter.com/fcAjV8sdwJ
— Lydia Hejka (@lydiahejka) February 9, 2021
4. Untitled
Diane Sawyer asked Britney Spears what she did to cause Justin pain, then told her the Governor of Maryland’s wife wanted to shoot her, implying it’s Britney’s fault because she’s a bad role model to kids. I don’t care how long has passed-Diane Sawyer should be ashamed of herself
— Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) February 9, 2021
5. Untitled
I think it’s time to have a conversation about Diane Sawyer being one of the media’s greatest tools of misogyny in the aughts. Her interviews w #BritneySpears #WhitneyHouston are truly some of the most vile from an era particularly vile to women in the limelight. pic.twitter.com/SkDLlfP7H0
— MOST TONY NOMINATED ONEHIT WONDER Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) February 9, 2021
6. Untitled
i hope everyone is having a wonderful monday. EXCEPT for justin timberlake and diane sawyer.
— B (@brookelmaxfield) February 8, 2021
7. Untitled
I spent my afternoon watching clips from Diane Sawyer’s older interviews with Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston and I feel like ABC News straight up owes the American public an apology.
— Lil Uzi Hurt 🥺 (@lostblackboy) February 10, 2021
8. Untitled
So I’ve watched this documentary and here are my thoughts: 1) I feel so sorry for her. 2) The media/tabloids can truly be vulturous and scathing. 3) F*ck Justin Timberlake. 2) F*ck Diane Sawyer. 4) F*CK JAMIE SPEARS!!! #FreeBritney pic.twitter.com/1x5ktFcwmk
— Jerlandrick Barnett (@JBiddy19) February 9, 2021
9. Untitled
When @britneyspears breaks down during the Diane Sawyer interview 😭😭😭 #FramingBritneySpears #FreeBritney
— Hannah (@hannahaline) February 9, 2021
10. Untitled
somethin bout diane sawyer NEVER sat right with me
— cleo (@eolhcill) February 9, 2021
11. Untitled
Justin Timberlake was already on my list, but we’re definitely adding Diane Sawyer. pic.twitter.com/ECkxYB9R1O
— Samantha Rae (@ASamanthaRae) February 9, 2021
12. Untitled
Watching that @britneyspears movie reminded me how badly women were treated in the 1990s, like the innate misogyny was incredible.
— Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) February 9, 2021
13. Untitled
I completely forgot about that Diane Sawyer interview. I felt my blood starting to boil when she brought up Justin to her....
— ThatGirlSima (@sima_ganaba) February 9, 2021
14. Untitled
Watching Framing Britney Spears and I just want to say I wonder how Diane Sawyer sleeps at night 🥴
— Courtney Hipps (@Courters_11) February 7, 2021
15. Untitled
Finally watched the Britney Spears doc and now I want to fight everyone, most of all Diane Sawyer???????
— Surya (@dinosursur) February 8, 2021
16. Untitled
The Britney Spears Diane sawyer interview and Diane blames Britney for a governors wife saying she wanted to shoot Britney. #FramingBritneySpears pic.twitter.com/PNkTjF4ubK
— Rachel 👸🏻 (@raeraedd) February 6, 2021
17. Untitled
I just can't imagine a Diane Sawyer (or equivalent) interview today where she'd ask Selena Gomez what she DID to Justin Bieber, nor can I imagine a routine question about someone's virginity.
— Phoebe (@phoebeplagens) February 7, 2021
18. Untitled
Watching it made me so upset. That Diane Sawyer interview was CRUEL. I don’t think I even bat an eye back then.
— Amanda Brooks (@BrooksAD) February 6, 2021
19. Untitled
If I see Diane Sawyer it’s on sight.
— Jono (@jono_thon) February 8, 2021
20. Untitled
Those comments and questions would never fly now. I’m sorry they did for so long.
— Farah Galfond (@Farah_Galfond) February 6, 2021
21. Untitled
Watching Framing Britney Spears and I just want to say I wonder how Diane Sawyer sleeps at night 🥴
— Courtney Hipps (@Courters_11) February 7, 2021
Submitted by:
from Memebase https://ift.tt/372or9y
0 Comments