Britney Spears wanted to overdօse in contrօversial music video, but was forced to abandon it
Britney Spears secretly wanted an overdose to feature in one of her most iconic music videos – but things were changed up at the last minute.
Back in 2004, the pop princess was getting ready to release the video to go with her single Everytime.
Fans of the song will remember the singer dying in a bathtub full of water, with her hands covered in blood which then trails into the bathtub itself.
Britney eventually falls under the surface and is rushed to hospital by a boyfriend, before we see her astral projected self running around in a loose shirt while doctors try to save her.
Thankfully, by the end of the video she’s been brought back to life in the tub – implying it could have all been a dream.
But the star herself originally wanted the scene to feature an accidental overdose. When that was met with claims she was endorsing suicide, Britney was forced to change things up.
She maintains that the scenes were still supposed to depict a death by misadventure. Her record label said at the time:
“Britney Spears was uncomfortable with these treatments due to the potential for a fictional accidental occurrence to be misinterpreted as a suicide.
“Ms Spears revised the treatment to ensure the video for Everytime will not have a scene in it that could in any way be perceived as a reference to a suicide.” The statement added:
“She does not endorse suicide as a solution to any individual and fully recognises that people who go to this length need assistance and advice, and should contact their local suicide prevention organisation.”
She was then forced to change the storyline to mysterious blood appearing on her hands, which has been suggested by some as being stigmata rather than an intentional cut.
She told MTV that the video is about reincarnation, explaining: “It’s different than anything I’ve ever done.
“It’s dark, and it shows me in a different light. Of course, I’m going to go back and do dance videos, but I wanted to be inspired and challenged.”
