Dec08
Britney: Comeback Diva or Clueless Animal Abuser?
Posted at 11:07 AM | Permalink
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Comments (73)
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But man, how quickly America's sweetheart fell from grace. And it wasn't pretty.
Now, at the bottom of the barrel, she's sporting elephants dressed in circus attire for her new video titled—what else—"Circus."
As Britney is such a victim of the paparazzi and always complaining and crying about how she hates to be held up in her guarded house and can't feel free, she of all people should be able to relate to the horror that captive animals go through when they're used for entertainment. Except Britney chooses to perform, and the lifestyle just comes with it. Animals are ripped away from their mothers at a young age, kept in chains, and prodded with electric shock devices to make them perform. That doesn't sound so voluntary to me.
Britney is now just an "outrageous" and "toxic" mess. I certainly don't want her to "gimme more," and neither do the animals who have been abused so that she can feel "lucky."
Well, we're not takin' this sitting down. We've got a killer action alert ready for those of you who want to fight with us and tell Brit to stop using animals in her acts, once and for all. Click here to take action today.
I must confess that I still believe she can turn herself around.
Posted by Christine Doré
TAGGED:
circus abuse elephants circuses britney spears
Comments
I saw the video for Circus the other day and remember thinking that it was cruel and unnecessary for the elephant (and possibly lions but I can't remember exactly) to be in the video just for the "entertainment" of humans. It disgusts me that they are used in this way.
Posted by: Sarah | December 8, 2008 11:42 AM
Please reconceder useing animals for future use. Whether it be for publicity or videos. These animal endure so much abuse (maybe not from you), but in the actual circus, they endure torture, prodding, shocking and beatings.
Posted by: Christy | December 8, 2008 11:54 AM
this is sad and embarresing. circus animals deal with some of the worst abuse and opressive treatment. It is hard to imagine Britney handled and surounded herself with all these animals and never thought about their situations once. ignorance is not bliss, and ultimately she (along with others) will experience a fate just as horrific.
Posted by: sarajane | December 8, 2008 11:56 AM
well the lions wasnt there. the only animal that was there was the elephant.. if you are going to blame someone, blame the director of the video.. and yes she is still THE POP PRINCESS.
Posted by: kenny | December 8, 2008 12:26 PM
I remember when she had a zebra in one her videos years ago too. She's disgusting and heartless.
Posted by: Kelly | December 8, 2008 12:27 PM
terrible Britney !!
Posted by: maria etola | December 8, 2008 12:38 PM
Thank you for posting this. I was not sure if anything was going to be said about the Lions and Elephants in her video. I started writing an email to PETA when I saw this post. PLease make this more of a headline and more of an issue! She needs to be confronted and so does MTV. MTV also used an Asian Elephant for promotions for their video awards. These animals are never going to be fully protected in the wild if they are exploited like this in captivity. I find it confusing their are zoo's that promote conservation in America and then in the same cities there are entertainment venues with wild animals. I hope one day wild animals will no longer be forced into slavery and exploited for entertainment. I find it archaic it still exists in the USA.
Posted by: Kimmie | December 8, 2008 12:47 PM
You know as much as I agree with the fact that Britney needs to stop using animals in videos and clothes and what not, she has been through HELL and back! So let's just leave her alone and bother her when we are sure her mental health is better.
--10 year Britney fan.
Posted by: Amber Falobas | December 8, 2008 01:03 PM
Just for the record, there were lions in there too.
Posted by: Pete | December 8, 2008 01:08 PM
No offence, I'm all for animal rights but it's not fair to blame Britney - blame the director or management if you must but you can't hold her accountable.
Posted by: Andrew | December 8, 2008 01:10 PM
Britney is brainless since a while anyway. Because she's a bit alone and she need clever friends.
Maybe some nice girls and men from peta should go and talk to her directly, and ask her to be with us. Sure if she see videos she should feel a bit more concerned. Nothing is better than ask people to work with you. A serious thing is missing in britney's life, it's a commitment for something good. That's why her life is so chaotic. Maybe she'd like to meet you lot peacefully , so she'll feel less trashed, and more friendly to our cause?!
Posted by: Laurence Naudet | December 8, 2008 01:13 PM
How about instead of berating Britney and others like her in the industry, we educate them. I know if I were doing thing wrong, unintentionally, I would want to be educated on why it's wrong, rather than attacked by an angry mob.
Posted by: jean | December 8, 2008 01:28 PM
Please, Christina Aguilera had an elephant in her video for Hurt!
Posted by: Cicy | December 8, 2008 01:43 PM
Why didn't we come down on Christina Aguilera for her use of elephants she used in her video "Hurt". A circus was presented then too.
Posted by: Joanne | December 8, 2008 01:51 PM
It's perfectly fair to hold Brittany accountable for the animals she abuses for her promotion. It's time she put a few brain cells together. I don't have any sympathy or respect for her, she obviously only cares about fame & money. I'd rather we focus on the animals being exploited, who are unable to protect themselves.
Posted by: CH | December 8, 2008 02:00 PM
I do agree that we should educate Britney instead of berating them. I don't know if she realizes what she is doing is wrong. Let's all teach her about the circus's.
Posted by: Cindy | December 8, 2008 02:12 PM
As much as I do believe that using the elephants in the video was wrong, I agree with some of the other people that you can't really blame her completely. Whoever directed and managed the whole video had the option of using elephants, and maybe if Britney knew about the cruelty that circus animals go through, she could have refused to use them. But she obviously doesn't know. She's not doing it on purpose
Posted by: Maria | December 8, 2008 02:28 PM
I'm not sure that Miss. Spears will take any notice of these blogs as the egocentric hedonism combined with the need of ``Look at me, me, me" and useless acts that are consider art are more important to them than acts of humanity. As for Andrews comment of `not blaming Britney', well, she could always refuse. But hey, perhaps she is unable to say no to the puppeteer pulling her strings.
Posted by: Teresa Wright | December 8, 2008 02:38 PM
Lets educate all of Hollywood and not just the celeberties but the managers too! Britney, Christina, and all the rest of them... The only way they are going to learn the trauma our animal friends go thru is to show them...Educate, Educate, Educate!
Posted by: Melissa | December 8, 2008 02:49 PM
Please DIVAS stop using animals in videos,Animals are NOT for our entertainment,the animals really suffer!!!
I hate circus's that use animals to make money!!!
Posted by: LUIS | December 8, 2008 03:07 PM
Well how can we expect her to care about animals, when she doent't care about her KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lorena | December 8, 2008 03:41 PM
Britney did it again?
showing off her greedy-cold self!!!!
Spears should stop using animals in her shows! aaaaany kind of animals!!!!!
she needs to learn to respect animals!!!!!!!
Posted by: Roxana | December 8, 2008 03:51 PM
Britney, you probably don't realize the suffering elephants go through or other circus animals. It actually made me want to cry to see these beautiful beasts in your video, bc I could see the sadness in them. Honestly, your video is promoting circuses, and while it's making you lots of money, you are actually promoting circuses..and that's sad. I love your music and have so much respect for you, but this is a real issue. Love you Britney!
Posted by: tina | December 8, 2008 03:57 PM
This was in Star Magazine. Even though Katie Holmes Cruise wanted to spend Thanksgiving just with the family, Tom insisted on spending it with David and Posh Beckham and their kids.
They all spent the holiday together taking carriage rides around Central Park and going to the circus! Two animal abusive activities! I think the Cruises and the Beckham's need to be educated about animal abuse in entertainment!
Posted by: Rex's Mom | December 8, 2008 03:57 PM
Okay, attacking Britney is NOT COOL. Instead of going on the offensive, maybe if you write her a letter and open her eyes to what these animals go through, she may even JOIN the cause!
Posted by: Mary | December 8, 2008 03:58 PM
how do you know where the elephants came from?
Posted by: Janet | December 8, 2008 04:22 PM
I don't think Britney is aware of how they are treated. I'm not going to come down on her in any way, shape, or form. If she was shown videos of how they are really treated I'm sure she would never use them. I wasn't aware of how the animals are treated until recently. I'll never go to or take my kids to a circus again.
Posted by: tammy | December 8, 2008 04:26 PM
a representitive of peta should contact britney and show her some of the cruelty going on in the world, i am sure after she views it she wont use animals again. get her to sign up as a member of peta and help in the fight against cruelty to animals.
Posted by: earl | December 8, 2008 04:44 PM
No coments!!
It's so ridiculous...
¬¬'
Posted by: Atila | December 8, 2008 05:18 PM
I care about the safety of animals just as anyone but come on...
We should really be worrying about what her kids are going through. Having a partying mess as a mother. So sad.
Posted by: just me | December 8, 2008 05:28 PM
Look, some of you fans have said that she has, "mental issues". Well just because she may have mental issues does not give her the right to use animals in her videos. Circuses are abusive and disgusting and she is popularizing them.
Britney, you need to stop using animals in such ways period!
Posted by: Sarita | December 8, 2008 05:35 PM
I agree that this is really disappointing. I'm a huge Britney fan and am constantly defending her. I LOVE the song, and the video...up until the end when she brought on the animals. It was great when it was all sideshow/human acts. Why did she think it was necessary to use animals? I can't defend this. ...and to the poster above, I agree that it sucks that her mental health is on the rocks. I wish I could say 'just turn the other way' - but why should those animals be abused to help her climb out of a hole? The vid would be great if she cut out those bits and apologized. What about their mental health? Elephants are fantastically intelligent animals. I'll still love the song, but you'll have to force me to listen to Chinese Democracy a million times before I support the vid or even watch it again.
Britney, just do the right thing, eh? It's OK not to know about what animals in entertainment go through, but once you do it's never OK to turn a blind eye to their suffering.
Posted by: Stephanie W. | December 8, 2008 05:37 PM
Please stop hurting animals.. It is sad to see people exploiting the innocent ones..
Posted by: Susan | December 8, 2008 05:38 PM
Bune support so I will not be maltranten animals but Britney Spears did not mistreat this Tell me, but because it should only attack ads, movies, music video and other animals that get them and not say anything Besides Britney Do not mistreat this is outrageous
Posted by: Miguel Angel | December 8, 2008 05:48 PM
Well, it's not like the animals were killed in the video... But yes, using them to pose wasn't the best choice either. Artists like Britney don't use animals on videos and performances with a bad thought, they just aren't educated about how the animals are trained. And our job is to EDUCATE them, not attack them. I do believe that Britney has a pure heart and really is a nice person, so she just needs some information about this subject.
Posted by: Mike | December 8, 2008 06:18 PM
ITS NOT BRITNEY FAULY :S
BLAME THE DIRECTOR
THANK
LOVE ANIMALS :D
Posted by: dANI | December 8, 2008 06:29 PM
I wish she (and everybody else) understand that animals are not toys for us to see. It´s sad but if we don´t scream the world won´t listen.
Posted by: Nazareno Fiel Merino | December 8, 2008 06:33 PM
I'm so glad Peta are on Britney's case. I saw the video and was disgusted. Animal's are not for entertainment. Britney should take a lesson from Pink, who stated that after she used an elephant in her video, she really regretted it because she could see how sad the elephant was, and she would never do it again. I don't expect a lot from Britney Spears - her miming and dancing never improve - but I at least thought she may have a tiny bit of compassion for animals.
Posted by: Kate | December 8, 2008 06:37 PM
Have a heart, stop hurting animals for your own selfish reasons!!
Posted by: Katie | December 8, 2008 06:51 PM
Yea I will agree and say to write Britney a letter educationing her on the topic rather than scolding her for something she maybe wasn't aware of. It may end up being more effective that way..
Posted by: Bailey | December 8, 2008 06:59 PM
ya, i think some of the celebs do a great circus performance on their own. it is sad but true. oh yes mary as if we would write brit a letter she would open her eyes. look at j-lo 4 example all of the shit she wears and puts herself right out on front street for the world to see and she does not care. brit knows right from wrong, or does she. regardless this is a blog and we have the right to say our own opinions and it sure would be nice if her eyes opened up to what the animals go through, but truly who knows until something is done. happy holidays from wisconsin!! it is a winter wonderland here!!
Posted by: kris shulfer | December 8, 2008 07:42 PM
NOT GOOD! NOT GOOD AT ALL! SHE IS LOSING MORE GROUND!!
Posted by: erin | December 8, 2008 08:00 PM
Please, there is no need for circus animals in this video. The animals go through such hell, don't make any more have to suffer for our "entertainment". It is simply wrong...
Posted by: Malcolm | December 8, 2008 08:06 PM
Elephants and lions are meant to live in the jungle, not locked up in traveling circuses to perform tricks for celebrities. Even though the animals just stood there in the video, the act of getting them to the stage in front of all the bright lights and crew is immensely unnatural for them. It's just hideous and sad that people think that last 20 seconds of scenes in 1 music video is worth tearing these gorgeous animals out of their natural habitat for, forcing them to learn tricks and sit still just so people can gawk. I'm so sad about it. I was a big Britney fan and really rooting for her this time, but now this just cheapened everything. Why can't all pop stars be as compassionate as Pink.
Posted by: beth | December 8, 2008 08:20 PM
I love Britney's music! I dont think however that she's aware of how exotic animals or any animals in entertainment are abused.... if anyone is to blame its her management, director of the video(s) etc.... I love animals and i dont beleive they should be in any type of entertainment they should be free to live their lives in the jungle and in forests!!!
Posted by: natalie | December 8, 2008 08:49 PM
she's so talented and beautiful. too bad she's been so silly.
britney, i love you very much. just give the animals a break, please!
Posted by: nadia brasil | December 8, 2008 09:20 PM
Now I'm always for peta and I love animals but I feel like you guys attack the wrong people - I'm sure Britney Spears didn't personally request the elephant and I'm sure she has no idea about the abuse they suffer. Maybe you guys should've targeted the video's director instead?
Posted by: Ana | December 8, 2008 09:21 PM
It's sad that grown adults have no clue or choose to ignore what the circus demands on these poor animals on a daily routine. Seriously do people think that wild animals just listen on command! Wake up, they are abused mentally and physically!!
Posted by: Melinda | December 8, 2008 10:46 PM
I was sincerely wondering if an uproar regarding this issue would arise and I am VERY glad it did. I believe that Britney should definitely be held responsible for what she promotes through her music and image. Devoting her entire album to the term 'Circus' is shallow in this case as she attempts to create a parallel between her fame and love of entertainment and the supposed power and prestige of being an entertainer in a circus show. The terrible truth is that there is absolutely nothing to be admired in these entertainers who make their paychecks through isolating and abusing magnificent animals that belong in the wild. I will admit, however, that a Britney fan myself she should not be immediately scolded but rather educated by PETA on the implications of what she is promoting. If she deals with this responsibly and wholeheartedly then we will know that she is really the pop princess we think she is.
Posted by: Lisa | December 8, 2008 11:41 PM
I've found that, generally, when you're going through HELL (as some have defended Britney here) you either deepen your empathy and sensitivity to the suffering of others or become more self-absorbed. It looks to me like the latter for Britney. Thanks for your letter to her, Peta.
Posted by: lynda downie | December 8, 2008 11:54 PM
lol oops she did it again
Posted by: kaye | December 9, 2008 02:51 AM
maybe, she should´ve dress up like one, instead of bringing the poor elephant. there is not much difference in size.
Posted by: Mauricio Magaña | December 9, 2008 09:29 AM
I think it is outrageous that Britney is using animals in her video. It is cruel and not needed.
People are saying it is the management company that are to blame, but Britney has her own mind (well!) and she should have the courage to stand up and say No to using animals!
She doesn't like been exploited so why is she doing it to animals!
Posted by: Heidi | December 9, 2008 09:32 AM
LOVE ANIMALS!!!! IT´S ONE!!!
Posted by: Cristiane Lara Brasil MG | December 9, 2008 09:33 AM
I think its so over to blame britney .. I think she doesnt really know .. Like allmost people but i think if peta give explanation ,britney will cut.animal part...without that circus vid still great
Posted by: Swarafun | December 9, 2008 10:20 AM
I really don't think Britney deserves to be called animal abuser. She has not treaten those animals in the video with cruelty. The problem with animals in Circus go beyond a simple video with animals. You guys should be focusing in ending entirely the use of animals in circus in general and not offending the singer. She carried the snake really carefully during her performance. I think these animals are abused by their trainers and owners. And that's what you should try to terminate.
Posted by: gisele | December 9, 2008 11:13 AM
I sent my contribution for the petition. It's a terrible thing.
Posted by: Roberta | December 9, 2008 11:23 AM
She is done and has been done and she is never going to turn around. She is just going to get more slutty, use more shock tactics to get attention and we will never stop hearing about this walking mess of a talentless human....
Hopefully she will AT LEAST get a soul and heart and drop the live animal act.
Posted by: Steph | December 9, 2008 11:54 AM
It is truely sad that a supposed professional entertainer has to use animals in her act. It is cruel and totally unnessary. It may not be the individual artist who decided to use the animals but it should be down to the artist to say no.
Posted by: Lauren crick | December 9, 2008 11:56 AM
After I saw her video for "Circus" on TV I was getting ready to write her management a letter, and possibly call them.
I'm so glad PETA stepped up to the plate to let her, and her management know that using animals for entertainment is wrong.
I was worried she would be bringing a team of animals along with her on her world tour, (and I really hope that doesn't happen)... if it does I'll be showing up at various dates on her tour with signs and leaflets.
It's not like she doesn't have the money to fund something as ridiculous as that.
Another thing about Britney Spears that pissed me off... she was wearing fur in her "Piece Of Me" video.
Posted by: Elisabeth | December 9, 2008 12:45 PM
Please, leave her alone. She had enough with all her problems with alcohol, kids, exposition and so. Just like Tammy said: if she was aware of how the animals were treated, she wouldn´t permit them perform in her vid.
Posted by: Simone | December 9, 2008 01:21 PM
not britneys fault its probalby she wasnt imformed of these acts
Posted by: Stephanie | December 9, 2008 06:24 PM
Leave her alone-my butt. She is as much to blame for this as everyone else involved in her videos. I think that this concern should be more publicized. Let everyone know about the inhumane treatments of these animals. Please stop defending Britney. She's a grown woman, making adult decisions.
Posted by: Deb | December 9, 2008 08:10 PM
I have always been a fan of Britney and turned the other way when she did things that were wrong. I really hope she turns around and stops using animals in her acts. She has the opportunity with an album themed and titled Circus to do GREAT things for animal rights right now.
I hope she turns out to be the shining star I have always thought she was in this case. I know that a lot of us rooting for her will lose all respect for her if she elects to take animals on tour with her. As someone mentioned above, she doesn't like to be exploited, so let's hope that she will rally in support of animals who are exploited this time!
Posted by: Ariella | December 9, 2008 09:18 PM
I am a big fan of Britney but I also love animals and am always fighting for better treatment of animals. I sent off the action to ask Britney to stop using animals but I made it much more personal. I wrote about how I support Britney but I would like her to think twice about using animals. Hopefully she will think about it. Shes a sweet girl...maybe she is just very clueless? Anyways, she does not need to use animals to be popular, have good videos, or good performances.
Posted by: Bethany | December 9, 2008 09:51 PM
my gosh get over being starstruck. if britney doesnt like the concept video its not going to be made. she has the control. she is the STAR. celebrities and the entertainment business arte a huge contributer to the suffering of animals . they put them in their music and videos and worse yet, asong as we accept that and think its neat to see an elephant ride a bicycle or a lion jump through a hoop people/ circuses/movies/viodeos are going to use them to MAKE MONEY. Until we stop attending, viewing, buying ...ANIMALS WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER. ITS ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY AND DRAWING AN AUDIENCE and if they (animal exploiters) think they can get your attention buy using an animal they will and unfortunately (your) curiosity kills (enslaves) the cat ( performing animals). so yes, ultimately it is britneys fault, not the directors.
Posted by: teresa | December 10, 2008 03:51 AM
dont blame Britney's fault... she has been through too much
Posted by: Stephanie. M | December 10, 2008 08:09 AM
So let me get this straight...Britney cannot be held accountable for her own video because she didn't produce it?? That's like saying you can't be held accountable for the fur jacket you are wearing because you didn't "make" it.
Britney has choices. Limited ones sure but her label isn't going to go completely against her when she sells so many albums. She could have refused to use animals but didn't.
And, when are people going to realize that PETA does educate? It isn't all writing petitions or throwing flour on peoples coats. The education is out there, has been for years. There are videos online about circus animal abuse. I am so tired of hearing how we should educate before we get on someones case. We do edcuate. We do send letters. When those letters are ignored then the petitions and blogs start. If every Hollywood idiot would take the time to research or read the letters sent to them then the "angry mob" would be unnecessary.
You can only provide the information to the person, you cannot force them to read it. Hence the need for blogs, petitions, protests, ect.......
ANYONE who abuses, uses, eats, or wears animals deserves to be notified via email, letter, blog, billboard or any other means necessary to get the point accross. It isn't mean, it isn't "unfair" to do that.
It's more unfair to those animals who were beaten, abused, slaughtered, skinned alive, tested on and used for the benefit of humans. That is what is unfair.
Posted by: KD | December 10, 2008 10:07 AM
She is filth... and so are all the people who support her (manager, directors, PAs.. and dare I say.. Fans! When did "people" like Britney become so important to our lives??
Posted by: Em | December 12, 2008 02:11 PM
I thought the elephants and lions in Britney's video were symbolic. They symbolized the torment that she has experienced at the hands of the media.
Posted by: Matt | December 13, 2008 01:27 AM
To the people who are saying 'Done blame Britany, blame the management/dirctor'!!! Not being funning but Brit has been doing this for a very long time and HAS A LOT of say in what she wants in her video's and i'm 100% she agreed to having animals!!!!!
So................ Wake up and stop sicking up for her. She's a redneck t**t
Posted by: Tim | January 21, 2009 01:26 PM
AWESOME !
hey PETA::: could we get an address, or atleast an email address to send BRITTANY or the people or supervisor who arranged to not use live animals a THANK YOU LETTER??
please!!!! with many thankyous, she are followers will def. do the same in the future
Posted by: David Cobb | February 7, 2009 02:51 PM
I dont believe animals should be usse for our entertainment i think is cruel for people like Britney Spears to torture our animals for her stupid video if i ever see her am going to throw a baby elephant stuff doll at her to show her that people do care about animals and they dont like being use for our entertainment animals have feeling just like us humans they shoukd have the right to bee use in entertainment or not do not force animals to perform on stage or in videos
Posted by: Amy | March 18, 2009 10:41 AM