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Die-Hard Fans: 'Britney Spears Saved My Life'

Troubled teens tell documentary of singer's impact

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – Britney Spears may not be the most obvious role model for the troubled, but hardcore fans credit her with changing their lives in a new BBC documentary, Newsweek reports. In Britney Spears Saved My Life, the superfans testify that Britney and her music guided them through the darkest times of their lives, and helped them beat depression and eating disorders.

Britney's lyrics may not be profound, but the themes of insecurity and loneliness strike a real chord with teens, who feel connected to her by the constant coverage, say pop culture experts. "It's like every day you open a paper, you read something new about her. So if you are a fan, you feel like you actually know her," said one teen, who told filmmakers Britney gave him the courage to come out as gay. The documentary climaxes in a mass re-enaction of the Hit Me Baby One More Time video.

Britney Spears performs on ABC's Good Morning America show at the Big Apple Circus in New York.
Britney Spears performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" show at the Big Apple Circus in New York.   (AP Photo / Peter Kramer )
Britney Spears is seen at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Paramount Pictures Studio lot in Los Angeles.
Britney Spears is seen at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Paramount Pictures Studio lot in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles )
Britney Spears arrives at court for a hearing to work out custody arrangements with her ex-husband Kevin Federline for their two young sons in Los Angeles in 2007.
Britney Spears arrives at court for a hearing to work out custody arrangements with her ex-husband Kevin Federline for their two young sons in Los Angeles in 2007.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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Britney Spears fans celebrate their idol by recreating "Baby One More Time."   (BBC)
Hardcore Britney Spears fans tell the BBC about their devotion to the star.   (BBC)

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