Celebrity
TMZ Slammed For Questioning Britney Spears Mental Health
After Fox aired the special TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: Divorce and Despair on Thursday, which questioned the pop star’s mental health, viewers flocked to social media to express their displeasure at what they saw as a “hit job.”
Dr. Drew Pinsky, an addiction medicine specialist and media celebrity, and Dr. Charles Sophy, a psychiatrist and media personality, appeared on the show, as did several TMZ presenters and employees, as well as other music and media luminaries.
After deconstructing Spears’ recent divorce from spouse Sam Asghari, much of the time was spent debating the end of Spears’ conservatorship, which was terminated in November of 2021, and the state of her overall mental health.
With dozens of footage from Spears’ social media accounts and “sources close to Britney” as the backdrop, TMZ Executive Producer Harvey Levin and other producers helped set the atmosphere with statements like “people around her are worried,” and stated that she is “frighteningly out of control.”
The panellists also speculated on what would happen if Spears does not seek the care they believe she requires.
“I’m mortified, you could get a call any minute,” Pinsky admitted. “The problem with letting these things unravel outside of a conservatorship is that she’ll get to where she’s going in the state she’s in.” When they act, they act rashly, unexpectedly, and dangerously.”
The episode also discussed Spears’ reported overuse of coffee, Red Bull, and other caffeinated beverages, as well as the prospect of her ever going on tour again and what she should do with her songs.
Britney Spears: Divorce and Despair concluded with Levin’s line:
“Everyone we’ve talked to who knows her is deeply concerned about her.” Hopefully, she will receive the assistance and support she requires to live a more tranquil and stable life.”
Many viewers, however, thought the show was unjust to Spears, calling it a “hit job” and an inaccurate picture of mental health, and criticising TMZ for producing it.
But many viewers thought the special was unfair to Spears, considering it a “hit job” and an inaccurate portrayal of mental health, while criticizing TMZ for doing it.
This TMZ episode on Britney Spears is f*cking pathetic. Shaming Britney Spears for anything & everything. Implying that she needs to be put back in a conservatorship because she’s out of control…
— Jared (@RealJardChatty) August 25, 2023
Britney Spears
Britney Spears is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She first gained prominence in the late 1990s with her debut album “…Baby One More Time,” which became a massive commercial success and made her a pop icon. Born on December 2, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, Spears quickly rose to fame as a teen idol and played a significant role in shaping the pop music landscape of that era.
Some of her other popular albums include “Oops!… I Did It Again,” “Britney,” and “In the Zone.” Spears is known for her catchy pop tunes, energetic performances, and iconic music videos. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, including Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
In the mid-2000s, Spears faced personal and public struggles that attracted intense media attention. Her actions, including a publicized breakdown, led to her being placed under a conservatorship, which granted her father control over many aspects of her personal and financial affairs. The conservatorship has been a subject of controversy and legal battles, with fans and some members of the public advocating for its end.
Throughout her career, Spears has also dabbled in acting, with appearances in movies like “Crossroads” and guest roles on TV shows.
