The Death of Britney Spears

A few months ago while on a daily errand to the pet store to purchase prescription cat food for my finicky feline, I noticed that the parking lot of this store was unusually full for this time of day. I glanced over at the neighboring vitamin store and saw what looked to be two professional photographers carrying some very expensive SLR cameras with even more expensive lenses. Being a photographer myself, I decided to talk a walk over to see what they were shooting. I went up to one of them and asked "What are you guys shooting today?". No answer. In fact, he completely ignored me. I heard some commotion inside the vitamin store, so I took a peek. What I saw astounded me. It was a melee of photographers, groaning, pushing, shoving and elbowing all to get position for a shot of someone that I couldn't quite make out behind this unruly mass of lenses and flash bulbs. One of the photogs yelled "Back up, back up - she's coming out!". I backed myself out first and out came... Britney Spears. Holding her dog, she made her way to her Mercedes and began the task of driving off to her next locale. In the meantime the paparazzi scrambled to get a few more shots and then hustled to their vehicles to get back to the chase. After witnessing this whole situation, my first thought was "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy." If you think of all of the teenage girls who spent nights praying that they could be Britney Spears just a few years ago, I would guarantee that 99% of them would not accept this sought after role after walking one day in Britney's shoes. Then I realized something else: The paparazzi is going to kill Britney Spears.

I'm not talking direct homicide, I'm talking about the pressure, focus and strain they are putting on her that will ultimately lead to her demise. This is not a random prediction, this is the outcome that would take place for almost anyone having to endure such a constant pounding. For Britney, death can occur in multiple ways; a car accident while trying to outrun the paparazzi, suicide from depression or an overdose of drugs. With each snap of the camera the paparazzi are taking one more minute off her life and bringing her one step closer to a fate similar of Anna Nicole Smith. You can guarantee that out of the hundreds of photos that these paparazzi submit to these nightly "entertainment shows", the shots that are chosen show Brit at the worst angle or with the worst scowl on her face. Whatever shots they can choose that will illicit the most hatred from everyday Americans. These same television shows that pay thousands of dollars for these photos are just as guilty for her impending death. These same shows that thrive on "Britney Breakdown" stories are the very same shows that will be running "Britney tribute" specials upon learning of her untimely death. The sad part is that there is a part of everyone in America that enjoys watching the collapse of this once adored superstar. The large part of me feels bad for what I saw Britney endure in the pet store parking lot, but while I hate to admit it a small part of me wishes I had my camera that day.