Do you remember G.R.L.? They were the girl group that Robin Antin put together that was not the Pussycat Dolls.
This song is about a man who is beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside. The members of G.R.L. tattoo “ugly” all over his face as way to let the world know. They get arrested but they regret nothing, which they prove by turning the police station into a dance party.
Do not try this at home.
Enjoy!
I’ve always loved Kelly Clarkson’s voice and this video has a good message about embracing and celebrating individuality. If nothing else, by the time she made this video, Kelly had certainly improved as an actress since From Justin to Kelly.
Enjoy!
But mama I’m in love with a criminal
And this type of love isn’t rational, it’s physical
Mama please don’t cry, I will be alright
All reason aside I just can’t deny, I love the guy
Well, seriously, can you blame her? By showing us who she was with before she hooked up with the title character, the video for Britney Spears’s Criminal leaves little doubt that Britney made the right choice. To be honest, that prologue makes the entire video and, especially when you consider the way that she’s been treated in real life, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing Britney kick that jerk in the balls.
Britney’s co-star in the video was her then-boyfriend, Jason Trawick. It was Britney’s idea to cast Trawick in the role and the director has said that he originally wasn’t enthused about the idea as Trawick was a former agent with little acting experience. However, I think Trawick did alright. The fact that he and Britney already had chemistry helped and, if nothing else, he’s not Kevin Federline.
This video was shot in the Stoke Newington district of London. Apparently, there was some controversy because, at one point, Britney is seen holding a revolver and some locals felt that was insensitive given the district’s history of rioting. Honestly, though, if you’re dating a criminal, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll end up holding a gun at some point. Southern girls understand.
#FreeBritney
“Are you having Brad Pitt’s love child?”
“Fuck you. Fuck you. You’re cool. And fuck you!”
You tell them, Britney!
(Though you do have to wonder why there’s a guy wearing a Burger King hat at Britney’s press conference. Did he just sneak in or is he a reporter who was having lunch when he got an emergency text telling him that he needed to get across town immediately? Either way, that crown saves him from the wrath of Britney.)
With this song and this video, Britney Spears tells the paparazzi and the haters and the exploiters and the judgers to all go to Hell and it’s totally awesome. Britney also pokes fun at her own image in this video, which is something that she never gets enough credit for.
The opening of this video also pays tribute to the press conference in Fellini’s 8 1/2. Fellini, I think, is a filmmaker who would have appreciated Britney Spears. Perhaps he also would have appreciated actor Guillermo Diaz, who appears as the driver of a convertible.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Crossroads 2: Cross Harder.
Through the Shattered Lens 