Britney Spears' birthday dwarves slammed "a sick stunt"

**MaryJane** · April 3rd, 2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has been slammed as "wicked" and "sick" for hiring dwarves to entertain her husband's guests at his recent birthday bash.

The TOXIC hitmaker has been criticised by a host of foundations representing the interests of smaller people, who have branded the stunt at last month's (21MAR06) surprise event utterly tasteless.

At the party, hosted in a Las Vegas, Nevada restaurant, two female dwarves were reportedly employed to carry in KEVIN FEDERLINE's 28th birthday cake, while another dressed as a miniature SONNY BONO alongside a CHER lookalike.

Horrified sources claim boozy guests giggled and cheered, with some jokingly suggesting a dwarf throwing contest.

But dwarf groups are enraged at the appearances, insisting the stunt was demeaning.

A member of America's Billy Barty Foundation - named after the late diminutive Hollywood veteran - says, "It is wicked to hurl abuse at anyone of diminished height simply because they are small.

"We know dwarves and midgets who are immense in stature because of their talent. Mostly they are able to rise above any insults. But inevitably, feelings are hurt by nasty comments. There's only one word for it - bullying."

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"Horrified sources" Oh come on!

Bellatheball · April 3rd, 2006, 03:08 PM

But no one dragged these two to his party, did they? My guess is they capitalize on their stature...it makes them good entertainment. Now I'm not saying that the average intelligent and thoughtful person would see it this way. But there's no doubt the Spenderlines would get a hoot out of seeing "midgets" carrying a cake.

milky*mcgee · April 3rd, 2006, 03:43 PM

Has anyone seen "Little People, Big World" on TLC? I've caught a few episodes...the Mom on the show impresses the hell out of me, she has it so together!

Britney and Federscum have NO CLASS. Never have.

Grimmlok · April 3rd, 2006, 03:52 PM

Oh whatever, it's not like someone held a really small gun to the heads of the midgets. They were there earning cash, it was a job, and they did it willingly.

Midgets need to impersonate Cher too, y'know.

emilymoon · April 3rd, 2006, 04:06 PM

Using little people as props and entertainment merely because they are little people is degrading, even if they signed up for it, which many many do. It is sad that they are used that way and they participate in it. reminds me of the old freak show's which I'm sure Britney would be lining up for.
and ps if you have any respect for people the term 'midgets' is highly offensive to little people, and is used derogatively.

UndercoverGator · April 3rd, 2006, 04:08 PM

*whines* My birthday is coming up and I'd like midgets as a present this year too... how much do you suppose that cost?

emilymoon · April 3rd, 2006, 04:17 PM

yeah that is curious because it is generally known for being a derogatory slang for someone with Dwarfism and has no medical meaning. It is the same as using gimp in my opinion and I know of people with Dwarfism who are offended by this term. Little people is the generally accepted term.

Grimmlok · April 3rd, 2006, 04:19 PM

Yeah, well the little people got paid and willingly signed up for the gig so I fail to see how it's degrading to their person.

If it is degrading, then they're being financially compensated for it.

emilymoon · April 3rd, 2006, 04:23 PM

The argument that just becasue you are getting paid for something that means it is not degrading is bogus in my opinion. Don't you think prostitution is degrading, or some porn. people get paid to degrade themselves all the time doesn't make it right.

Grimmlok · April 3rd, 2006, 04:25 PM

If they're willing to be paid for the supposed 'degradation' then it isn't very degrading to them, is it.

It might be to you, but you're not the one in the situation.. why would it matter?

If i was being paid to be a campy homo, dancing around and lisping my brains out then obviously I don't consider it to be degrading or else no amount of money would be enough compensation.

As for the rest, prostitution is what it is: Selling sex. It has been around since the dawn of time and depending who you ask and their particular circumstance it can be degrading, or in the opinion of a highly skilled and sought after courtesan, an art.

Porn would be degrading if the people involved weren't willingly acting out roles for money.

Grimmlok · April 3rd, 2006, 04:30 PM

You should see my business card. It's scented.

emilymoon · April 3rd, 2006, 04:39 PM

that is crazy! as long as your getting paid it is not degrading? I'm sorry but that perspetive only works if someone has numerous options for earning money which many people don't and have not throughout history. In fact I think you could argue that it is more degrading if you are getting paid to do something which devaules you as a human being, which people do every day. It seems to me having a little person pop out of a cake for Federlines amusement is degrading because it is seeing that person merely as a "freak" to laugh at rather than a human being. Little persons working in the entertainment industry have to battle stereotypes and degrading work constantly. Very few roles are as real people. only Seinfeld and The Station Agent have really shown that little people are whole people who happen to have a disability.

hello · April 3rd, 2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emilymoon

Using little people as props and entertainment merely because they are little people is degrading, even if they signed up for it, which many many do. It is sad that they are used that way and they participate in it. reminds me of the old freak show's which I'm sure Britney would be lining up for.
and ps if you have any respect for people the term 'midgets' is highly offensive to little people, and is used derogatively.

The people who were in the freak shows signed up for it. I think you are very sweet for coming to the defense of anyone not able to defend themselves, but these folks took the gig and probably don't even want anyone in their business. What about women who dance half naked or whatever for men's parties? They are hired to be degraded. What will you do about that?

Bellatheball · April 3rd, 2006, 04:41 PM

^^ OMG Grimm

I'd like to point out that I used quotes around "midgets" for a reason. I also find the term offensive but I can't really take issue with what these two people choose to do with their lives.

Glasgow53 · April 3rd, 2006, 04:45 PM

I agree that it is degrading to be hired just because you are a little person. A lot of people who work like that, or are prostitutes, etc. take those exploitive jobs because they aren't taken seriously in other jobs. It must be really hard to be a professional who happens to be a little person. Plus, some of the more uneducated probably do it because it is good money, better than working for minimum wage somewhere. But it is degrading, whether Brit-Brit pays for it or not.