STORM2K

Folks in Kentwood not laughing at Britney's latest stunt
03:22 PM CST on Wednesday, January 7, 2004

By CAIN BURDEAU / Associated Press


KENTWOOD - Folks in Britney Spears' hometown don't see the humor in the superstar's weekend wedding joke.


Spears' 55-hour marriage to fellow Kentwood resident and childhood friend Jason Alexander has engulfed the town in an unwanted media frenzy and it has rekindled an old question: What's she done for Kentwood lately?


"It's embarrassing to have the worldwide media attention with the buildings in such rundown, decrepit conditions," said Tammy Shaffett, a co-owner of The Hair Studio on Avenue F, the main street that once had traffic and a movie theater.


The wedding had the makings of a great yarn. Alexander – a hulking former high school football player -- and Spears, wearing a white baseball cap, midriff-bearing shirt and torn jeans, jumped in a limousine and got hitched at the Little White Wedding Chapel on the Strip at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.


Hour

AP
Alexander and Spears' marriage lasted just over two days
s later, the 22-year-olds renounced their wedding by calling it a prank that went too far, and wrote the whole thing off with an annulment. Joke over.


But the stunt turned into an embarrassment for Kentwood -- population 2,200 -- as Alexander returned home to his family with a flock of reporters, television crews and paparazzi following.


Since getting home, the Southeastern Louisiana University junior was "kind of hibernating" and collecting his thoughts, said his father, Dennis Alexander.


The media hunt for Alexander overwhelmed Kentwood as reporters questioned the town's residents to find Spears' groom. Reporters staked out his family's home and sheriff's deputies were called in two days in a row to disperse the crowd.


"Yesterday it really caused chaos," said Robert Alexander, Jason's grandfather. He said Dennis Alexander, an auto mechanic, had to close his garage Monday because of the intrusion.


Downtown, television satellite trucks set up near the main intersection, causing locals to rubberneck all day.


Some said they want to be proud of Spears and her success, but think the pop star hasn't shared her wealth with her hometown, which is languishing from a dying dairy farming industry.


"I wish the improvement of our town got as much attention as Britney Spears' wedding," said Dylea White, a co-owner of The Hair Studio.


"She should give some of her money to the town. She should help out. I know if I had some of that money I would," said resident Heather Patterson.


Spears' publicist did not immediately return a telephone call for comment.


And now that Spears has abandoned her wholesome girl-next-door persona with tales of wild partying, her nearly nude magazine spreads and the kiss she shared with Madonna, many people here don't like what she represents.


"She's not building character. She's not a mentor to anyone," said Ellice Womack.


There are some signs that Spears hails from here: a mansion she built for her family, a few banners on stores and an exhibit at the Kentwood Museum.


The exhibit, done on a shoestring, includes faded photographs of the budding pop star. Items from her childhood bedroom, including dolls and her bed, are on display behind glass. Her "Mouseketeer" leather jacket hangs in a corner.


"She's just a very nice, hometown country girl," said Carolyn Nettles, a museum worker. "We all know her. She's just like one of us."

Apparently, Britney has really been partying hard since summer. I heard that her family and friends are worried about her and trying to talk to her. Reports say she has been boozing it up nearly every night and even had to be helped out of one bar shortly before the new year. She has missed some business meetings as well.

I heard that no one likes her in Kentwood. They do not even have any of her records on the juke boxes. lol. Her trying to be like Madonna may have cost her this time.

I'd be willing to bet that years from now, we'll find out there's more to it than meets the eye. Anyone who has read Patty Duke's book could sympathize (if you don't want to read the book, this sums it up nicely -- http://bipolar.about.com/cs/celebs/a/pattyduke.htm ). Duke suffered through years of physical and sexual abuse by her managers, who kept her away from her mother. They forced her to take pills to sleep and pills to wake up. They kept her secluded from the real world, thus she really wasn't the all-American teenager that she portrayed on her show. Later, she married some dude she didn't really know (Michael Tell) and that marriage barely lasted two weeks.

In a manic mood she married Michael Tell, whom she barely knew, later that year; that marriage was annulled after 13 days.

There were a multitude of problems -- financial, drug, alcohol, social, and mental. In the end, she found out she was suffering from manic-depression. She's taking medication for treatment and has been fine ever since.

Not saying Britney was abused or has a mental condition. But I'm willing to bet there's pain masked behind that smile -- something she can't talk about yet or doesn't know how to talk about or cope with.

Fame and fortune can be a dangerous combination..especially for someone so young. Hopefully her family can talk some sense into her. Sad situation.

It is probably all about Justin Timberlake. She cried during an interview when asked about him.

Rainband wrote:Fame and fortune can be a dangerous combination..especially for someone so young. Hopefully her family can talk some sense into her. Sad situation.

I agree, she is out of control. To much to handle at such a young age.
She needs some stern guidance. Where are her parents????????

I'm tellin' ya, now that the Dixie Twits are considering leaving the country scene and going pop/rock...they need to sign her up, she'd fit right in with 'em!

Dennis

I'm tired of hearing how young she is--22 is plenty old enough to know how to behave.

I have to agree Sunny.. she is 22 not 12.. She knows the right from wrong difference

sunnyday wrote:I'm tired of hearing how young she is--22 is plenty old enough to know how to behave.

WELL SAID!

I got married at 21 and knew exactly what I was doing, I had my son... I knew what I was doing! Im going to have a baby girl in a few weeks, I am well aware of what Im doing!

Age has nothing to do with it, your emotional age now I think is a different story, Ive known some people who are 40 and are about as mature as my 4 year old son

I feel sorry for the girl to some degree, im sure the pressure of her lifestyle must be unbearable at times. I still dont think thats an excuse for making a mockery of marriage though.

SPOILED LITTLE BRAT!!! GET THERAPY!!

She needs to come stay with me

If my hometown had an artist like that, the same situation would happen like what's happening at Kentwood.