Britney Spears

The relationship between Britney and Kevin is one that have both ups and downs, much like Catullus's relationship with Lesbia. In July 2004, Spears announced her engagement to Kevin Federline, three months after they met. On the night of September 18, Spears married Federline in a surprise, non-denominational ceremony at a residence in Studio City, California, filing legal papers on October 6. About a year later, she gave birth to her first child, Sean Federline, and her second child, Jayden Federline, was born a year after her first child.
The quickness in which Britney and Kevin became engaged and married showed the love and affection they had for each other. In carmen 51, Catullus said, "nam simul te, Lesbia, aspexi, nihil est super mi ." (for as soon as I look at you, Lesbia, no voice remains in my mouth) (lines 5-8) In carmen 5, Catullus asked, "da mi basia mille, deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum." (Give me a thousand kisses, then another hundred, then another thousand, then a second hundred) (lines 8-9) This showed how much Catullus loved Lesbia and how he could not get enough of her kisses. Also, in carmen 86, he talked about how Lesbia had "venustas" and how that was much better than Quintia, who only looked good. Lesbia's charm and grace was what made her beautiful. In those poems, Catullus was conveying the point of how much he loved and wanted Lesbia. In a similar sense, that was how Britney and Kevin's relationship started off. In three short months, they were already engaged. Only two months after they were engaged, they got married. If they did not love and have passion for each other, they would not have gotten married so quickly and had two kids in two consecutive years. Just like Catullus, they showed their love for each other, however, their love did not last long.
Shortly after the birth of her second child, Britney filed for divorce. Their divorce was not finalized until July 30, 2007, about 8 months after Britney first filed for divorce. The reason for Britney's decision was irreconcilable differences between Kevin and her. With Catullus and Lesbia's relationship, things ended in much of the same way. Even though Catullus and Lesbia never got married or had kids, they were not able to perserve their relationship. In carmen 8, Catullus wrote, "miser Catullue, desinas ineptire, et quod vides perisse perditum ducas." (Poor Catullus, you must stop being silly, and count as lost what you see is lost) (lines 1-2) This showed how surprised at the situation Catullus was, in much as the same way that Kevin was surprised when Britney first filed for divorce. Both decided to shape up and accept what was happening.
Like Catullus's relationship with Lesbia, Britney and Kevin's relationship started off good and ended up in divorce after two years and two kids. With all that they had gone through, they could not save their relationship. In carmen 11, Catullus tried to win Lesbia back with his words, but it failed, and they were permanently over, like the divorce papers finalizing the end of Britney and Kevin's marriage.
Even though the divorce was finalized, Britney and Kevin still fought over the custody of the kids. In a race to win over the kids, many people were brought to testify against Britney's parental skills. Evidence of Britney neglecting her kids and taking drugs were revealed, and they resulted in her losing custody of her kids. Catullus also wrote poems ranting about the evils of Lesbia. He mentioned her as a "pessima puella" in carmen 36 and also displayed his distrust of Lesbia's commitment in carmen 70. Once the love had left and there was no saving it, people often turn against the person they once loved and denounced the person.
Modern celebrities often have love lives that portray both the good and bad that Catullus experienced. Most marriages only lasts for a short time and ends in a break up, in a manner similar to Catullus's love life. Britney's relationship is only one of many that did not work in the celebrity's world.