Early on in film school, students may be taught the art of associative editing. By putting two shots side-by-side, one can often infer a third meaning. Britney Spears, newly emancipated from her conservatorship, offered a quick lesson in this theory on her Instagram stories Friday night.
First, we see part of an Associated Press video in which Christina Aguilera, whose knotted history with Spears goes back to when they were kids, was asked if the two pop stars have had any communication.
Before Aguilera could respond, one of her handlers (Brett Ruttenberg, according to Page Six) stepped in to say, “we’re not doing that tonight, I’m sorry,” then yanked her away from the camera. “I can’t…” Aguilera said as she shrugged and turned, adding, “but I’m happy for her.”
Spears typed out over the video: “I love and adore everyone who supported me … but refusing to speak when you know the truth, is equivalent to a lie!!!” She added, “13 years being in a corrupt abusive system yet why is [it] such a hard topic for people to talk about??? I’m the one who went through it!!! All the supporters who spoke up and supported me thank you … Yes I do matter!”
Immediately afterward, Spears placed a video of Lady Gaga speaking on the matter from a House of Gucci red carpet. “The way she was treated in this business was really wrong, and the way that women are treated in the music industry is something I wish would change,” Gaga said.
Spears will always be “an inspiration to women,” Gaga added.
In contrast to her typed commentary on Aguilera’s video, Spears wrote: “Thank you @LadyGaga for genuinely taking your time to say something so kind. You made me cry!!! I love you!!”
One of modernity’s great woes is the ephemeral nature of Instagram stories. Like tears in the rain, these transmissions soon dissolve. But thanks to virtuous individuals such as YouTuber GlitterBritney, we’ve got a record of all this. Behold!
Page Six notes that in June, Aguilera actually did voice support for Spears while she was in the midst of her legal battle. She wrote on her Instagram: “It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish. To a woman who has worked under conditions and pressure unimaginable to most, I promise you she deserves all of the freedom possible to live her happiest life. My heart goes out to Britney.”
Floating above the Aguilera turmoil, Gaga on Friday uploaded an image to her own Instagram stories, a shot of herself with the message: “Love you @britneyspears Live your best life I prayed for the legal system to treat you like a person. You’ve now changed the course for women in this industry forever. You stood up for yourself and were so brave. Thank you.”
Gaga has been rather busy on her social platforms of late. She also shared a from-the-set pic of herself and House of Gucci co-star Adam Driver to celebrate his birthday. She wished him “the best day,” said she was grateful to have learned from him, applauded his fans, and also called him “a weirdo like me.” Driver’s response remains unknown, as the actor is not on social media.
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