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What's happened to Britney?

Posted: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:06 AM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

In dramatic display, pop princess Spears shaves her head and gets a couple new tattoos.

Britney shaves her head_Part2

Dateline is watching this story. Last year, before her divorce, a defiant Britney spears took on the tabloids in an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer.

Weigh in and sound off on her new look (slideshow here.) Can fame drive celebrities over the edge?

 

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Comments

It's just hair!!! Why is everyone making such a huge deal out of it? I'm sure it'll grow out but if she wants to be bald forever, so what? Aren't there more important things going on in the world? Leave her alone!

Susan M. (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:48 PM)

What a bunch of wicked, jealous ingrates!

When a celeb shows the slightest snobbery, hint of insult or insensitivity to someone else, the world is up in arms. Yet it occurs to no-one to be sensitive to her in her time of need.

Poor girl, being used as a object for evryone to be entertained by watching her suffer. If this was being done to a monkey, PETA would have blown up 30 Zoos.

Rick Stern (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:53 PM)

Britney’s behavior is a statement of independence.  She is publicly violating her femininity in a masculine way which indicates she is taking charge and will do what she wants.  It’s about personal power.  That took A LOT of guts to go out there and do that.  Either she doesn’t care about what people think anymore or she’s taking back her life.  Someone does need to step in and guide her a bit but honestly, she’ll rebound from this.  Sometimes you’ve got to bounce off the bottom to come back up!  We shouldn’t be looking at Britney to be a role model anymore, she clearly isn’t comfortable with that.  When you live in the hot seat,  sometimes you get burned.  And at twenty something, newly divorced, a single parent and a world that expects you to entertain them, who could handle all that like a champ?  That’s a tough way to live and I admire the strength it takes to survive celebrity - you go Britney, but keep yourself healthy girl.  And remember, you’re a mom now, your babies need you more than anyone.

Jill, Seattle WA (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:58 PM)

Can you imagine what it would be like to be watched like you were under a microscope.  And then analyzed publically.  Poor Britney.  We all make mistakes and mis-steps she just has to do it in front of all of us.  Let her live her life.

Britney, when the going get's tough just tie a knot and hang on.  Turn to God, he has the answers you need.  Good luck to you and your sons.

Laura H, Krum, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:03 PM)

obviously the girl has flipped her lid. This has nothing to do with "taking control" or exerting her "personal power". This is a cry for help and it amazes me that there's not anyone around this disturbed girl that can sit her down and talk some sense into her.

Phil P., Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:26 PM)

Leave her alone !! It is good to take rest from Anna Smith news, though.

GAM, Detroit, MI (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:34 PM)

I absolutely agree with almost all the posts so far. Britney needs to be left alone. For her sake, and for our sake. We are all better off not knowing the little insanities of the girl, because frankly she is just a human--let her be---let her live. Most importantly now, she is a mom. She needs to be respected for being a mom. Please be good to her....please. God bless Britney.

Nijat Bikur,Chicago,IL (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:38 PM)

She needs family love and attention and to feel free being who she is as a young woman.  She's been through A LOT and without experience...and especially without guidance of parents and family...we would all fall apart in one way or another if we didn't have help on the other end.  No one has truly been there to say - it's time to wake up girl!  She needs comfort.

Tracey, Cranston (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:59 PM)

Has anyone even thought that maybe she has a friend that is sick or something, even if not it is hair and it grows back if that is what she wants, maybe she will never grow it back.....that will give them something to talk about.  Leave the girl alone !

kiley alpine wyoming (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:20 PM)

The news media needs to get a life! Who cares about what celebrities do with their lives? It's none of anyones buisness what they look like or what they wear. The "news" programs need to take up real news issues. Focus on the inappropriateness of actions that the US is taking in Araq, Cuba, and other international policies that breeds contempt for this  country and makes us a more likely target for radical militant organizations. Brittany, Anna Nicole Smith, Paris Hilton, are not news and anyone that thinks they are needs to get a life!

Paul Smith, Lincoln, Maine (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:26 PM)

Please people.

This idiot and others, (Hilton, Lohan, Ray-J's XXX Video FREAK),  keep pulling stunt's and all ya'll and places like MSNBC continue to keep your lip's pressed against their arses.

Who cares?.........And yes I posted just to say that.

I wish all these airheaded idiot's would fall off the face of the EARTH and be replace by REAL MUsicians and ENTERTAINERS.

Just like that other non-story Anna Nichole, ya'll will make every excuse in the book about why her life is NOT HER FAULT when something go wrong.

Doyle, Jackson Ms. (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:01 PM)

Hang in there, kid.

Kate, Ozarks (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:02 PM)

Doyle, Jackson Ms. for President Please !!!

Helen, Branson, mo (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:18 PM)

I believe that she is crying out for help.  If she is doing this for her own growth that is great, however if she having issues handling all the stress, I just hope that she has a strong support group, we don't need another deteriation like Anna Nicole Smith.  

Lynnette (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:53 PM)

Okay so she's having a bad year.  Guess what it's part of life!  Ask anyone who got married young, had kids, and then got divorced.  Sh.. happens.  Just because she's a celeb (and she made the choice to be in public life), doesn't make her life anymore interesting than my neighbor's(actually his is more interesting).  Most of us are tired of hearing about Britney, K-Fed, Anna Nicole, Whitney, etc.  Give it a rest because if you don't report it's not news, Right?!?

Bonnie, Poky, ID (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:08 PM)

I honestly am speechless, I just  cant believe what britney has done this time.. You Say its just hair, ok well would you as a woman out of the blue for no reason just shave your head?? If you have any dignity youre anwser is no. I seriously believe sense britney got divorced she seriously had a mental breakdown or soemthing. I mean look at her non-stop partying and her puking in her suv!! seriously is this the way you act when you have 2 young babies, one of which isnt even 6 months old. She should be at home, that is where her resposiblity's are at. Not to mention the fact that she makes southern people including myself look like white trash, ugh it bothers me i would love nothing more than to slap her...ugh im so irritated

Angela DiBella Tallahassee,Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:24 PM)

i think shes beautiful with her new look. Britney if you want to hang out and get away from all that hollywood b.s. hit me up ill be in ohio.

Joseph Westfall, Lakewood, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:40 PM)

I just want to write that I think she must not like any hair on her body because a few months ago I saw a photo of her that showed a section of her body that should have hair but did not have any. I read these articles that she is reaching out for help. I believe she must consult Jerry Springer he seems to be able to resolve any problems that his guest may have.

JWMyrtle Beach (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:44 PM)

I read your post, (JWMyrtle Beach) about the hair-less-ness thing.

I understand that Britney's head hair locks are on auction at Ebay. Now is there any offering on Ebay or elsewhere of any non-head hair hirsuteness being offered for sale ?

Reginald PA (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:04 PM)

She is just trying to get attention. Why all of a sudden is she out partying with Paris and who is watching her kids. Her kids have become second to her. They should be number one and she should be home with them. Instead she is out almost every night having a good time. Then she cuts her hair off and probably scared her kids.

Esther Fresno Califoria (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:09 PM)

I don't think this is just a statement of independence as some have suggested.  Seems like she has some serious issues here, especially if she just checked in (and out) of a drug rehab. facility.  

I'm no fan of Britney's, but this past year she's been through a lot: a divorce; the birth of another child, etc. and all the while you have the media scrutinizing  your every mistake and the paparazzi following your every move.  That's got to be 10 times more than annoying.

Hopefully she'll get some help, cause she's starting to remind me of Michael Jackson more and more each time I hear about her.  Just goes to show money and fame can't buy you happiness.

L.D.E.J - Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:21 PM)

I think there should be a court case about it!!!Like the Anna Nicole Smith deal...So the lawyers can rob the tax payers some more....

James Holsinger ,Martin Kentucky (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:45 PM)

WHO CARES!!!!!! why do we care about these people. They are attention junkies. That's why they are celebrities. They do this crap to get attention. Unfortunatly there is so many people that just feed this stupidity. Why is this stuff even on any civilized news station or newspaper. Leave this crap for the tabloids and all the dimwits that care about these stupid people can just have thier own paper and I can read more important news.

Wayne Newport News Va (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:02 AM)

Isn't Lindsay Lohen doing something interesting?  Leave Brittney alone, she's obviously stressed out.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:08 AM)

I feel sorry for Britney and her family.  She's been in the public eye since she was a little girl.  I believe that she needs help in order to deal with all of the craziness in her life.  Turning to God for help is probably the best way to go.  I hope and pray for her and her sons.  They need their mother and I hope she get healthy in mind and spirit.  I wish people would just leave her alone and let her get well without critizing and judging her all of the time.  Yes, she chose this celebrity life, but, why do we as fans and people have to be so in her face all of the time? Get well Britney!!!

Bridget, St. Paul, Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:20 AM)

this is american- home of the free- so let her be that. People need to set their spirit free-without public news about it

cheryl in California (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:24 AM)

Brittney made a big mistake of cutting her hair.I mean there goes you job.The tattoo thing not surprising but cutting of the hair what was she high!?
Crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sara, Virginia Beach, Va (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:47 PM)

Just leave it alone already. It's her life, let her do what she wants with it. I'm not saying what she is doing is right, cause it's not. I'm saying that none of us would want people critisizing and judging us every step of the way. People need to understand that Britney is just a human being, like us all. She is a super girl born with all the knowledge of how to live life. She has to learn by falling flat on her face. I know that she makes a lot of mistakes, but no one is perfect. So why doesn't everyone stop judging her. Honestly, if you had her life and if you went through what she has gone through, what would you be doing now? Besides, it's just hair. Maybe she is just trying something new. You know her, she likes to experiment with different things. Please leave her alone because I'm tired of hearing about her hair, her divorce, her this, her that. NO ONE REALLY CARES. JUST LEAVE HER ALONE AND LET HER LIVE LIKE  A NORMAL HUMAN BEING. SHE ATLEAST DESERVES THAT MUCH, DON'T YA THINK? Anyways, I hope all works out for you Brit. I am praying for you and I hope you come to your senses soon.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:51 PM)

Who cares?

Christine, Worcester, MA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:07 PM)

Hmmm how about she spends time with her kids considering she is going through a custody battle.  Rather than being so selfish and going out and partying and being an immature adult.  She was adult enough to spread her legs and now has her sons, so how about she take some responsibility and spends time with them at home rather than out on the town drinking and partying?  She's a has-been.

Mia, Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:30 PM)

I, personally, have gone through a painful divoce before.  Not in the public eye, but, just a regular, very painful divorce.  I can't imagine trying to adapt, heal, move on, with eveyone watching my every step, most hoping to see me fall.  We all fall from time to time.  It would have to be even more hurtful to have to see/read about your soon to be ex and how he is just moving on and leaving you in his dust.
Havnig said that, now, I would like to say that someone needs to sit Britney down and explain to her how far from real life she has become removed and she needs to quit running and drinking to cover the pain. It will still be there when she wakes/sobers up, no matter where she is at, or, who she is with.  She worked hard for her money but, has no concept anymore how ridiculous her life has become.  She spends in one night, on a fancy hotel, what some of us make in a year.   She is doing this over and over and over, while she has several million dollar homes to just be sad in and ,that is all she is doing right now anyway.   She can stay in a Motel 8 just as well and give the difference in the money to people whose life it could literally change.  That would probably make her feel better.  What she spends in a month, I could literally live off of the rest of my life, comfortably and happily.
I like Britney and wish her the very best.  I hope she will realize what she has to offer, come back down to earth, and become who she once was and even better.

Gina Douglas, 1371 Nesbit Road, Nesbit, MS 38651 (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 9:54 AM)

Marsh (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:33 PM)

Who cares, I am so sick of Britney, Paris and all the other starlets, most Americans have better things to do and more important issues then watching these people!!

Marsh, Michigan (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:34 PM)

It's not just hair it is either a bid for attention or a cry for help. She is in trouble I fear & at the worst possible time w/the custody issue looming. The industry is slowly taking another victim as the publicity is so addicting, everyone owns you, there is no loyalty, facades of feral friends, Where are the fiduciary people in Hollywood?(none exist!) She is a 12 yr old trapped in a 25 yr olds body & whether it be for love, fame, attention or help she has to face who she is now & be comfortable in her own skin which for any woman is torture but just imagine doing it in front of billions of people. We have breakdowns happen away from the prying eyes of the media. I was never a big fan but can see in her eyes that same sadness shared by women every day of not knowing who we are & if we are really loved for ourselves and not the midigating circumstances that suround us.

Julie O'Rourke, Sciota, PA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:46 PM)

I personally feel bad for Britney. She is obviously suffering from post partum depression and she NEEDS her family and REAL friends at this time. She once said she felt used. Sure. When you are a celebrity or have millions of dollars, you never know who your true friends are. The media needs to respect her as a woman, mother more importantly as a HUMAN BEING and give her some breathing room and stop critizing everything she does. It's not fun or entertaining watching someone spiral out of control like that. She needs help and she needs it soon. I think about other woman who were just your everyday moms next door, but suffered with depression/anxiety and what happened?? They killed their children. PLEASE GET HER THE HELP SHE NEEDS.

Nancy, OB. Mississippi (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 1:54 PM)

We'll always be subjected to watching celebrity drama.  It's painful to see beautiful women rise to the top and then watch some destroy themselves -- but we can all learn a little from the Anna Nicoles and Britneys.  Their mistakes - drugs, partying, divorce drama (DUI arrests), weight gain/loss, remind us that no one is immune from damage by these kinds of choices.  Clearly, Britney won't listen to good advice and learns the hard way.  Whether it be post-partum depression, defiance, spoiled brattiness or a chemical imbalance, if they choose to ignore conventional wisdom and act like this, what do they expect us to think of them?  Embrace it?  We do care.  It would be nice if someone with these 'gifts' would chose to be a role model instead of a one way ticket (or three) to rehab.  

anonymous, Bellevue WA (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:14 PM)

BRIT,PARIS,LINDSEY,NICOLE,CAM: u all are just little girls trying to act like your women. (but you dont know how, the drinking, partying, the DUIs, suing photographers...you all need to be thankful that they even bother to try and photograph you), cause hey, who cares bout your stupid little escapades!!!!

Sylvia Gates (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 12:56 PM)

It is funny that while most of you are saying, "leave her alone" you are reading about her and leaving your comments about her, aren't you adding to the reason the media doesn't leave her alone? I would think that if you were going to try to be famous you would realize that being watched and put in the tabloids is just part of it... she gets what she asked for, fame, fortune, and paparazzi!!

Lilith Rae (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 5:00 PM)

My question is, why is this front page news?  Why does anyone care about someone who is obviously a lunatic and pure trash.  What is this obsession people have with celebrities?  They are not idols in any sense of the word.  News media.....concentrate on real news that matters.

R Mason (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 5:11 PM)

We need to judge ourselves and not others - as a human being we all want to love and be loved - and when that is not in your life we all get a little whacked out in the head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jane doe, chicago, illinois (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 5:46 PM)

I think Brittany has gone bonkers.  She is nuts, immature and needs mental guidance

Dee, Palm Desert, Ca (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 8:01 PM)

Britney is trying to find herself. She wants to rediscover herself. She was changing her appearance and perhaps trying to start over fresh . With all the bad media attention she has gotten about her parental role and her crazy party behavior perhaps she was self destructive . Trying to rid herself of her old self? Anyway I believe she will get it together. Unlike Anna Nicole , people love her and she has 2 beautiful living kids that need her. No matter what she does she will always be there mother. She will make a comeback. K Fed is fed up well he is partly to blame . You two parents need to seek help together for the sake of your babies. Good luck Britney

Debbie, Chucktowne Dirty south (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 8:14 PM)

If Britney is gonna act so stupid maybe she needs to join some of the other celebrities on the other side.

Lori Danville, VA (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 9:22 PM)

the poor girl needs help ...leave her alone...
she has been exploited all her life

charlene olson , chicago il (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 10:43 PM)

the poor girl needs help ...leave her alone...
she has been exploited all her life

charlene olson , chicago il (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 10:44 PM)

As a psychotherapist, I wonder if anyone has considered that she may have an undiagnosed mental illness. Specifically, Bi Polar Disorder. It is possible that her drug use is a coping mechanism for symptoms that she doesn't understand. Very often, depression following child birth (postpartum depression) is the first significant Bi Polar episode followed by a mood swing into mania. Unfortunately, without treatment there is the possibility that she can move into a full psychotic episode. Hopefully, her intake assessment in rehab will include an indept psychiatric evaluation helping to make an appropriate diagnosis.

Mary Jane Morgan, LMFT Palm Desert, CA (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 11:15 PM)

Gave her a Big GUN ...Good luck Britney

John Doe (Sent Friday, February 23, 2007 11:29 PM)

I can't believe more people are commenting on Britney's meltdown than on the death of Alexander Litvinenko. But then again, the world is riveted on the death of a drug-addicted former Playboy Playmate. And meanwhile...the stories of thousands of men and women fighting in Iraq are relegated to a few puff pieces here and there. Sad social commentary.

Melissa, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Sent Saturday, February 24, 2007 12:17 AM)

These comments all seem very interesting.  I agree with the Bi Polar possibility just because it brings some reasoning to these illogic acts of hers.  I can't help but wonder if these are just publicity stunts to keep herself remaining a topic of the day.  She has bills to pay - I can only imagine - and a staff of people who definitely don't want to see her career go "bye bye".  So, maybe it's true when they say: Any publicity is good publicity.  Some of these acts, like the hair shaving, don't really seem "impulsive" to me.  I think she knows what she's doing to a degree and I'm not going to compare her to any other celebrities.  If it turns out she's really ill, I will actually pray for her because her behavior is a bit SCARY.  I believe if your going to take on the role and the responsibility to be a pop icon for teen-agers, and that's your job you sought out after, then set a good example for today's youth and if you can't do that, then resign, so someone else can step up and be an inspiration and a healthy role model for kids.  Britney needs to wake up and realize there's a long, long line of aspiring singers, dancers, entertainers who have talent, drive, and ambition who would love to have her job.  She did break through a ceiling, so to speak, and rose to the top to become a mega star and it would be a tragedy for her to throw it away - over what?

Stacey, Tampa, FL (Sent Saturday, February 24, 2007 2:10 AM)

The only thing left to do for Brittany Spears is to pray for her.  At this point I think she needs help from above.

Newark, Delaware (Sent Saturday, February 24, 2007 10:50 AM)



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