Ben Affleck is the latest celebrity to candidly discuss dealing with the relentless pressures of fame. He went on to share his sincere concern for Britney Spears, lamenting the years of abuse, trauma and exploitation she’s endured. During an appearance on the “This Past Weekend With Theo Von” podcast, Affleck discussed the media’s role in exacerbating Spears’ challenges, particularly during her turbulent years.
Affleck, who is 52 years old, remembered having sympathy for Spears over a decade ago. He failed to clarify precisely when those feelings started. Most think he was alluding to the media’s treatment of the rocky period encompassing Spears’ 2007 meltdown. This era encompassed her now-notorious shave-it-all-off meltdown and the conservatorship that lasted until 2021.
As of the date of Affleck’s remarks, Spears was 43. He reflected on the unending hounding of the paparazzi. Their ongoing scrutiny had a profound impact on her mental health while she navigated a tumultuous time in her life.
“Because I remember it seemed like … these people are following her around in a time where she may or may not have been having difficulty,” – Ben Affleck
Affleck expressed concern over what he described as “collective cruelty” from the public and media during Spears’ most vulnerable moments. In watching her, that hypercritical eye on her only made it more difficult for her to function.
He noted, “All you see is the growling animal,” pointing out how society often overlooks the emotional toll on public figures facing relentless attention. In subsequent commentary, the actor condemned the media for making her story a sensational one, arguing that it further exacerbated her struggle.
“That’s the first time I thought this is kind of a weird, unintentional — I think culturally — but kind of collective cruelty where what’s taken out of the image that you see are the people around waving the stick at the tiger or poking on it,” – Ben Affleck
To be clear, Affleck doesn’t know Spears, even though he may think he does. He can relate to anyone who has been put under that kind of a microscope. He remarked on the damaging effects of constant harassment:
“But I do know that the cycle of having people harangue you and yell at you and hassle you and follow you,” – Ben Affleck
He went on to say that this atmosphere can, in turn, engender a feeling of life crisis overload.
“It seemed like that itself was kind of whipping up the whole thing into a tizzy,” – Ben Affleck
In a laugh-inducing exchange on the podcast, Affleck deflected inquiry into claims of a Spears/Affleck makeout session. This incident came to light after Spears’ own allegation that she had a sexual experience with him decades ago.
“He’s such an amazing actor. Did I fail to mention I made out with Ben that night … I honestly forgot … damn that’s crazy!!!” – Britney Spears
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