14 DAY TRIAL // Britney Spears, the one and only Princess of Pop, as she’s still referred to in the media, has an impressive reputation in terms of putting on the most incendiary shows whenever she performs. The price she “pays” for these shows is that she doesn’t sing live, which is yet another well known fact. With all this, Australian officials are saying she’s scamming fans Down Under with her shows there, as People magazine informs.
Britney arrived in Australia this week to get ready for another leg of the Circus Tour. Although tickets for most venues are already sold out – and have been so within hours after becoming available, presumably also because this is the first time that Spears performs here – officials say fans should be warned. More precisely, tickets for all shows should come with disclaimers saying that fans shouldn’t expect a live show.
“Britney Spears just arrived in Australia on Thursday, but already she’s the subject of government scrutiny – over whether concertgoers realize she’ll be lip-synching portions of her concerts. Virginia Judge, the Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales (the Australian state that includes Sydney), said she is considering options to make sure fans aren’t misled when buying tickets to Britney's Circus tour concerts. Some seats are going for more than $1,300.” People magazine writes.
According to Judge, people pay far too much for a single ticket to go to the show and only learn they’re not even getting a live performance. This is why some sort of measures must be taken to ensure that all those who will go to see Britney Spears live in the following weeks should be given a heads-up as to the fact that they won’t be seeing her, well, “live” at all.
“It is Britney’s ‘prerogative’ to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front.” Judge says in a statement issued by the government and cited by People. This would be possible by including disclaimers announcing that parts of the show are pre-recorded. “Personally I would rather see a live set from a local artist, but I am sure Britney’s fans will be treated to a spectacular show.” Judge concedes.