Britney Spears inspired Gwyneth Paltrow's 'Country Strong' character

For a character like Gwyneth Paltrow's struggling addict star in "Country Strong," you'd think the source material would be more Winona Judd than Britney Spears. But you'd be wrong.

The once-embattled  Spears served as inspiration for "Country Strong" writer-director Shana Feste, who says the media lifts talent to great heights only to destroy it.

"That's where this movie came from. I mean, I was seeing what was happening in the media to Britney Spears," Feste told the Ministry at a Los Angeles screening of the film.

"I finished the script when Michael Jackson passed away. I think it's tragic how we treat people who give us so much, and we love to see them knocked down to build them back up again, to knock them down again.

"It's a weird fascination."

Do you see Britney's DNA in the Gwyneth drama? Tell us in the comments section below.

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— Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Top photos: Britney Spears at the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 29, 2009, left, and Gwyneth Paltrow at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Dec. 13, 2010. Credits: Matt Sayles / Associated Press, left; Jason Merritt / Getty Images, right.

 Left photo: Faith Hill at a screening of "Country Strong" in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters.

Comments

[Linny]

I thought the same thing when I saw the trailer. I thought it was Britney's story except done with a country singer.
Sounds interesting.

[Red Flava]

Gwyneth is hot!! Love most of her movies. :D

[Sandra]

Sometime Britney'll play Gwyneth