Fans Demand Diane Sawyer Apologize to Britney Spears For ‘Primetime’ Interview
Fans are demanding Diane Sawyer apologize to Britney Spears after her Primetime interview in 2003 resurfaced.
As part of The New York Times documentary series, The New York Times Presents, the Primetime interview with Sawyer was highlighted in the sixth episode, “Framing Britney Spears.” The documentary aimed at telling the truth behind Spears and highlight times when the media failed to protect her or care for her.
In this interview, Sawyer asks Spears, then 22, about her breakup with Justin Timberlake, implying that Spears was the one who did something to end the relationship. Sawyer sets up her question with, “You broke his heart, you did something that caused him so much pain, so much suffering,” before asking the question, “What did you do?” Later, Spears breaks into tears over the relationship.
Now, fans are claiming Sawyer was upholding misogynistic ideals.
I think it’s time to have a conversation about Diane Sawyer being one of the media’s greatest tools of misogyny in the aughts. Her interviews w #BritneySpears #WhitneyHouston are truly some of the most vile from an era particularly vile to women in the limelight. pic.twitter.com/SkDLlfP7H0
— MOST TONY NOMINATED ONEHIT WONDER Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) February 9, 2021
Elsewhere in the interview, Sawyer brings up the comment made by former First Lady of Maryland, Kendel Erhlich. At a domestic violence conference, Ehrlich said, “If I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would.” Ehrlich believed Spears to be a bad example because she was too sexual. Sawyer seemingly defended Ehrlich’s statement and added, “It’s because of the example for kids and how hard it is to be a parent.”
In response to Sawyer’s treatment of Spears during the interview, fans are demanding Sawyer apologize to Spears. Tweets condemning Sawyer’s actions are flooding timelines and Sawyer’s comment section.
Diane Sawyer asked Britney Spears what she did to cause Justin pain, then told her the Governor of Maryland’s wife wanted to shoot her, implying it’s Britney’s fault because she’s a bad role model to kids. I don’t care how long has passed-Diane Sawyer should be ashamed of herself
— Bryan Behar (@bryanbehar) February 9, 2021
As of February 9, Sawyer has yet to comment on the documentary, her interview, or the allegations of sexism and misogyny. The documentary episode “Framing Britney Spears” is available to watch on Hulu.
Writer | Tweet me @Emily_N_Wolfe
