Spears' 55-hour marriage to fellow Kentwood resident and
childhood friend Jason Alexander (news)
has engulfed the town in an unwanted media frenzy and it has
rekindled an old question: What's she done for Kentwood lately?
"It's embarrassing to have the worldwide media attention with the
buildings in such rundown, decrepit conditions," said Tammy
Shaffett, a co-owner of The Hair Studio on Avenue F, the main street
that once had traffic and a movie theater.
The wedding had the makings of a great yarn. Alexander — a
hulking former high school football player — and Spears, wearing a
white baseball cap, midriff-bearing shirt and torn jeans, jumped in
a limousine and got hitched at the Little White Wedding Chapel on
the Strip at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
Hours later, the 22-year-olds renounced their wedding by calling
it a prank that went too far, and wrote the whole thing off with an
annulment. Joke over.
But the stunt turned into an embarrassment for Kentwood —
population 2,200 — as Alexander returned home to his family with a
flock of reporters, television crews and paparazzi following.
Since getting home, the Southeastern Louisiana University junior
was "kind of hibernating" and collecting his thoughts, said his
father, Dennis Alexander.
The media hunt for Alexander overwhelmed Kentwood as reporters
questioned the town's residents to find Spears' groom. Reporters
staked out his family's home and sheriff's deputies were called in
two days in a row to disperse the crowd.
"Yesterday it really caused chaos," said Robert Alexander,
Jason's grandfather. He said Dennis Alexander, an auto mechanic, had
to close his garage Monday because of the intrusion.
Downtown, television satellite trucks set up near the main
intersection, causing locals to rubberneck all day.
Some said they want to be proud of Spears and her success, but
think the pop star hasn't shared her wealth with her hometown, which
is languishing from a dying dairy farming industry.
"I wish the improvement of our town got as much attention as
Britney Spears' wedding," said Dylea White, a co-owner of The Hair
Studio.
"She should give some of her money to the town. She should help
out. I know if I had some of that money I would," said resident
Heather Patterson.
Spears' publicist did not immediately return a telephone call for
comment.
And now that Spears has abandoned her wholesome girl-next-door
persona with tales of wild partying, her nearly nude magazine
spreads and the kiss she shared with Madonna (news
- web
sites), many people here don't like what she represents.
"She's not building character. She's not a mentor to anyone,"
said Ellice Womack.
There are some signs that Spears hails from here: a mansion she
built for her family, a few banners on stores and an exhibit at the
Kentwood Museum.
The exhibit, done on a shoestring, includes faded photographs of
the budding pop star. Items from her childhood bedroom, including
dolls and her bed, are on display behind glass. Her "Mouseketeer"
leather jacket hangs in a corner.
"She's just a very nice, hometown country girl," said Carolyn
Nettles, a museum worker. "We all know her. She's just like one of
us."
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On the Net:
http://kentwoodmuseum.tripod.com/