Why Britney Spears’ ‘Circus’ Music Video Was So Controversial
Britney Spears’ “Circus” is hardly her most iconic music video, given the clips she released for “…Baby One More Time” and “Toxic.” Regardless, a famous political organization called Spears out for alleged cruelty on the “Circus” set. The controversy here extends to broader societal issues that remain widely contested.
Britney Spears unleashed hell by using elephants in her ‘Circus’ music video
In 2007, Spears was more controversial than ever. She appeared to be going through some personal struggles. The “3” singer infamously shaved her head and hit a reporter’s car with her umbrella. The media was relentless in their pursuit and criticism of the “Everytime” singer.
2008 seemed like it could be a reset for her. That year, Spears released the album Circus and its inoffensive lead single “Womanizer.” The second single from the album, “Circus,” seemed equally uncontroversial. Then, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) became upset that the song’s music video used live animals. “At the bottom of the barrel, she’s sporting elephants dressed in circus attire for her new video titled — what else — ‘Circus,'” the organization said in a 2008 statement.
PETA criticized the music video with a bunch of Britney Spears puns
PETA contrasted Spears’ personal life with the lives of circus animals. “As Britney is such a victim of the paparazzi and always complaining and crying about how she hates to be held up in her guarded house and can’t feel free, she of all people should be able to relate to the horror that captive animals go through when they’re used for entertainment,” the statement said. “Except Britney chooses to perform, and the lifestyle just comes with it. Animals are ripped away from their mothers at a young age, kept in chains, and prodded with electric shock devices to make them perform. That doesn’t sound so voluntary to me.”
PETA littered their statement with references to Spears’ hit songs. “Britney is now just an ‘outrageous’ and ‘toxic’ mess,” the organization said. “I certainly don’t want her to ‘gimme more,’ and neither do the animals who have been abused so that she can feel ‘lucky.'”
The backlash to the ‘Circus’ backlash
Of course, there were two sides to the controversy. MTV News reported that Kari Johnson owned the elephants who appeared in the music video. During a 2008 interview with the aforementioned publication, Johnson said she had extensive experience working with elephants.
In addition, John said a representative from the American Humane Association watched over the elephants while they were performing in the clip, ensuring they were treated well. In Johnson’s opinion, Spears and her crew were considerate of the elephant’s feelings. MTV News reported Spears herself couldn’t be reached for comment on the matter.
The controversy surrounding “Circus” is emblematic of broader discussions surrounding the use of animal performers. Some argue that animals should never be used for entertainment. Meanwhile, others think that people should be allowed to train animals to appear onscreen as long as they are kept comfortable. Ultimately, this is a philosophical discussion with ethical implications extending beyond any pop star, hit song, or music video.
“Circus” was supposed to be a fun comeback single for Spears and, instead, it created another media circus.
