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The artwork for Britney's new album doesn't seem to have pleased everybody among her fanbase. There have been criticisms of the circus theme itself, the billboard/poster style graphics and lettering, AND the way in which Britney's face and hair are presented against the background. And all of that comes before the main criticism, which is of Britney's image itself and the messages it conveys.
I know every celebrity woman's image is photoshopped as a matter of course these days (Alesha Dixon's recent documentary on UK TV was a striking illustration of this point) but the "Circus" cover pic hardly even looks like Britney. They've made her eyes more almond-shaped, her nose narrower, her whole face more oval-shaped and they've hugely enhanced her hair. I think this picture makes her look STUNNING, but it doesn't really look like HER.
Some disappointed fans have accused Britney of looking like Jessica Simpson here, but I guess the image her record company and management were trying to present was simply a more mature one. An image of an established, confident Hollywood superstar, whose glamor and power should not be questioned. Britney as a classically, timelessly beautiful, rather gracious woman, coquettish maybe, but not vixenish, certainly not whorish, and definitely no longer a girl. She can now look like this for the next 20 years and give no appearance of ageing.
The problem is - it's the image of a woman who's just signed up for a 5-year stint in Vegas, singing a set of quality ballads and showtunes for a middle-age audience. She does NOT look like one the edgiest, most innovative pop artists out there, which in reality is what she is. A guy on the UK's BBC2 was saying, a few nights ago, "People always underestimate just what a brilliant pop performer Britney Spears is". Madonna was just getting into her stride at Britney's age and would have run a mile from this image.
It's really bad timing and probably a sign that Britney's professional comeback as a performer and her public rehabilitation as America's rediscovered Sweetheart are somewhat out of synch. For the latter, yes - she does need to look glossy, starry and womanly. But as for her music and the growing appreciation of its quality.... Just at this moment when she's finally getting kudos, she should be looking young, trendy, edgy, and artlessly pretty.
I guess it's possible to make too much out of this. Britney is a woman of 1000 looks and I'm confident that we'll see a host of wonderful new images as 2009 progresses. No doubt we'll see her on TV and in magazines over the next year, looking as young and fresh and lovely as we know she can be. But her album cover may be all that some people who aren't established fans will see before they decide whether or not to buy, and it has a big job to do.
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