Celebrities, like God and, as I’ve recently found out, Chuck Norris, are infallible. It’s not that they do no wrong, but rather, we – the adoring public – love to watch them make these major mistakes just so we can promptly forgive them and love them even more as damaged goods. Everybody loves a comeback – right, Mariah Carey?
That said, Britney Spears can go ahead and turn her frown upside down. Although last week she reached a new level of motherly awesomeness by “fleeing the paparazzi” in her car with her five-month-old son sitting on her lap, she’s been pulling these brainy stunts for a few years now and has already cemented herself as damaged goods we love to love. Really, she should just think of it as another “oops” notch on her sparkly skank belt.
Britney even had the good sense to quickly acknowledge it was bad judgment with a poignant explanation of, “I made a mistake, so it is what it is, I guess.” So now it’s out: She fucked up. She knows it. She knows that we know it. It’s time to let the forgiveness commence, because that’s how we roll.
I mean, let’s look at her peers. Kate “Hold The Camera While I Bump This Line” Moss is raking in major modeling contracts with the likes of Roberto Cavalli. Ashlee Simpson got the cover of Cosmo after not only lip synching on SNL, but being caught on tape verbally accosting McDonalds workers while drunk. And Paris Hilton – well, I have a limit on my word-count.
With these classy broads running around (and amuck), Britney is in prime company to make a triumphant return to being criticized for marrying a man who wears a hat that reads, “Rock out with your cock out,” rather than letting her baby be the designated driver.
This is all thanks to her celebrity status. Famous people like our beloved Britney are supposed to be pardoned for crimes that, had they been committed by mere mortals, would result in banishment from civil society. What? Eddie Murphy got caught with a transvestite hooker? Who cares? Did you see Daddy Day Care? Comedy gold!
I, for one, think this is just as it should be. Stars are better than you and me; it’s why they’re stars. I mean, if Lindsay Lohan were caught drinking at the Deuce, I would be outraged if she were to get in the same trouble as, say, your typical NU student. She’s famous, for God’s sake! She played two roles in The Parent Trap! But as for the rest of you? Get in the back of the paddy wagon.
Medill junior Laura Moore is a PLAY pop culture columnist. She can be reached at [email protected].
