Reporters live in front of the cameras – on their own terms.
But the Erin Andrews 911 call to report two photographers parked outside her house in suburban Atlanta shows just how uncomfortable her situation is now.
Andrews describes herself as “the girl that was videotaped in a hotel naked” and expressed frustration about being treated like “f*%king Britney Spears.”
Sounding totally in control and absolutely helpless at the same time, the hotel video target is exceedingly polite, yet swearing like a sailor a minute later.
Seconds before almost breaking into tears, Erin playfully tells her mom that she’s “totally being obvious” as they’re trying to get a license plate number.
These contradictions are fitting, in a way, for a story that is full of them.
So many people want to make the scandal a black and white issue: Andrews is a victim, she brought it on herself, blame bloggers, blame the Internet, etc.
There are no simple answers, however. Just because Erin Andrews cultivated her sex appeal to make her the most popular sideline reporter in America doesn’t mean she somehow deserved to be the subject of a nude hotel peephole video.
But even as she is calling the police about paparazzi stationed outside of her house, it was just weeks ago that Andrews was openly campaigning for a spot on Dancing With the Stars, a move that invited attention on a celebrity level.
There’s no grand lesson to be learned here, just another sad, cautionary tale about the perils of fame. Oddly enough, Britney Spears can probably relate.
Listen to Erin’s 911 call below …