DR. PHIL ADDRESSES CRITICISM ABOUT HIS VISIT TO SPEARS
January 08, 2008
On Monday night, Dr. Phil McGraw revealed more details about his visit with Britney Spears' family at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The TV doc spoke to Entertainment Tonight explaining exactly where he encountered with pop princess and what he was doing there.
"I want to make it very clear that I went to see Britney at the request of her family," he told ET. "That was private and it will stay private. I've been working with this family behind the scenes for a long time, longer than you can imagine. We decided to pay her a visit in the hospital."
McGraw made a point to clarify he did not just pop by Spears' room unannounced, in the wake of criticism about the reportedly unwelcome visit.
"Getting into Cedars-Sinai is like getting into Fort Knox. I was met at the elevator by a family member then we all left at the same time, because she had been discharged."
Calling the Spears' situation "too intense," McGraw added that he was scrapping plans for a special episode of his show devoted to the pop star's troubles.
He also addressed the criticism he is receiving from tabliods with his association with Spears.
"They are waiting for her next meltdown. They want to criticize me for trying to help her? Get real. She needs less publicity, not more!"
McGraw also sent a personal message to the pop star during the interview.
"You can make this okay. Your family loves you. You may not always agree with what they say, with what they do but they've loved you when you weren't lovable. Turn to the people that love you and listen. You have two children and you are the one in this world to protect them. There is no sacrifice that Lynne won't make for you and there is no sacrifice that your father won't make. They are the people that want nothing from you, and everything for you."
The ordeal began when police intervened on Thursday night at Spears' home when the pop star refused to return her two young sons to ex-husband Kevin Federline after a court-monitored visit. The singer was placed on a 72-hour lockdown for mental evaluation, but was released after just a day and a half.
As first reported by CelebTV.com, a court commissioner gave Federline sole physical and legal custody of 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James Friday.
