Britney Spears "Piece of Me" - in Your Face

It's sad that a fascination with an ordinary girl from Kentwood, Louisiana can create a magnified explosion of curiosity centered on the believed self-destruction of a young woman. So-called fans love their celebrities, and then hate them when they prove that they're human. The public starts to become sick to their stomachs when supposed down-on-their-luck celebrity photos appear on every magazine cover (the ones you used to collect or hoard). But, yet in still - they just can't help but to fixate on the latest report of drunk driving, drug abuse, car crashes, and plastic surgery.

I didn't care too much about the Britney Spears hoopla in the news - but I remember when I first saw the video of "Piece of Me" about a month ago. It was a world premiere on one of those entertainment television shows and the critiques poured in. Then, the scrutiny came as photographers found it absolutely irresistible to point out what they felt were digital touch-ups in the "Piece of Me" video by comparing recent paparazzi photos.

Who cares?

The video was entertaining and the words of the song are a slap in the face, but no one is listening (or looking in the mirror). I developed empathy towards her situation and I'm not a fan, BUT I can respect an entertaining video, truthful lyrics, and infectious beat. I found that the pop princess who is now a social pariah in the entertainment industry with everyone wanting to 'save' her is ...likable.

But, people are still fascinated with digital touch-ups and custody hearings gone awry. Ask any parent who loves their children - losing them is a difficult reality to grasp. We don't even know the complete story, people! No matter how much in the spotlight a celebrity is in - the media is not the see-all and know-all of their lives. The media is your link to the "inside scoop" of the most talked-about people in the industry. The cycle is vicious and no one knows this better than Britney Spears.

It's disappointing that we're almost at the point that if the media states Britney Spears traveled to the Moon last week and crashed the spaceship - many people would wholeheartedly believe it.

Now onto the supposed retouching in the "Piece of Me" video. I mean, really - if you get a nose job, lipo a little fat, or have a digital enhancement - who cares? It's not like every actress or model hasn't undergone the retouching of a photo shoot on the covers of the most famous magazines in the world. Sometimes, the airbrushing is so significant and blatant - they almost look plastic. But, the public cherishes "good little girls" who politely wave to adoring crowds and sign autographs in airports - until they shatter their perfect image with a hefty dose of reality - like cheating on their husband or having one too many drinks on their birthday.

Overall, the "Piece of Me" song is catchy and the lyrics undeniably a response to the intense scrutiny her life has recently spiraled into. When you pick and pull apart every detail of the video/song or her outside personal life - you only affirm the message presented in "Piece of Me."

I love the chorus:

" I'm Mrs. 'Lifestyles of the rich and famous'
(you want a piece of me)

I'm Mrs. 'Oh my God that Britney's Shameless'
(You want a piece of me)

I'm Mrs. 'Extra! Extra! this just in'
(You want a piece of me)

I'm Mrs. 'She's too big now she's too thin'
(You want a piece of me)"

Some people should feel ashamed of themselves at this point...

It you haven't heard the song or seen the video, you can catch the lyrics and video by clicking here or you can check out the Sony BMG Blackout site, where a collection of Britney Spears videos (including "Piece of Me") is posted.