Britney Spears Responds To 'Criminal' Video Controversy
'The video is a fantasy story,' statement says after U.K. criticism that the clip glorifies violence.
By James Montgomery
Britney Spears and Jason Trawick on the set of her "Criminal" video shoot
Photo: Eagle Eyes / Splash News
When Britney Spears flew to London earlier this month to shoot her video for "Criminal," she probably didn't think the clip would generate the kind of controversy it has.
And yet, in the week since she wrapped filming, Spears has been taken to task by politicians in the U.K. for a scene in the video, in which the pop star packs a pistol as she flees a London-area building. They've claimed that the image of Brit gripping a gun glamorizes violence and, in the aftermath of the widespread riots that rattled the nation last month, the pop star should "apologize ... for the rudeness and damage that she's done to our community."
Late Monday (September 26), MTV News received a statement from Spears' camp about the "Criminal" controversy — and, from the sound of things, she's not going to be apologizing anytime soon.
"The video is a fantasy story featuring Britney's boyfriend, Jason Trawick, which literally plays out the lyrics of a song written three years before the riots ever happened," the statement read.
Criticisms of the "Criminal" video began last week, after images of Spears and Trawick making an escape from an apparent robbery (with Brit brandishing a replica revolver) began making the rounds. The scene in question was shot in the London borough of Hackney, which was hit hard by the August riots, and local politicians were upset by what they saw as an insensitive gesture by Spears.
"It is only a music video, but it's images like this, with pop stars glamorizing gangs, which means that some young people ... get drawn in," Hackney's Member of Parliament, Diane Abbott, told the ITV news program "London Tonight." "Britney should really know better."
Hackney's council members — who gave Spears' camp the OK to shoot at the nearby Stoke Newington Town Hall — also took issue with the fact that no one involved with the production of the "Criminal" video mentioned that a gun was to be used in the clip and, had they known, they would not have allowed filming in the recently restored building.
"In this case we did not agree that a replica gun could be used at Stoke Newington Town Hall and are disappointed," the council said in a statement to "London Tonight." "We will be raising this matter with the production company."
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Catherine Bell & Husband Adam Beason Split
Catherine Bell & Husband Adam Beason Split
Actress Catherine Bell has separated from her husband of 17 years, Adam Beason. The “Army Wives” star and screenwriter Adam Beason reportedly came to the [...]
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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says
The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
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