'Ongoing work of art': Britney Spears' die-hard fan spent more than $100K to look like his idol
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bryan Ray, a die-hard Britney Spears fan, reportedly spent £100,000 (~$112,292.50) on 90 cosmetic surgeries to look like the pop star. Ray always had an obsession with Spears and he began copying the 'Toxic' singer by getting veneers that matched her smile.
The 31-year-old has had many botox injections, a nose job, fat injected into his cheeks, laser hair removal and lip fillers among other cosmetic surgeries. He even underwent an eyelid lift specifically to resemble "Britney's large, lovely eyes," according to The Sun.
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According to the outlet, the super fan, who called Spears "wonderful," added that she helped him grow up and realise himself. Ray recalled how his adventure started when his mother spent $24,460 on his veneers when he was 17. The superfan claimed he hasn't looked back since.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 17 and I am not finished. I am an ongoing work of art,” he told The Daily Star. He continued, “When I look in the mirror at myself I am very happy. Am I perfect? No, absolutely not. I’m human just like everyone else and I aspire for a certain level of beauty that I draw my inspiration from Britney Spears and that will never change because my admiration for her has only grown over the last two decades. I think she is more beautiful now than I did 20 years ago because my emotional growth is stronger and she will always be the pinnacle of beauty in my eyes and I will always strive for a beauty like hers.”
Ray, who owns a marijuana edibles business, claimed he has hair removal surgery on his face and body every eight to 10 weeks in order to maintain his distinctive look. He also receives maintenance botox every six weeks. To keep his skin looking young, he also claimed spending over $390 each month on lotions. Ray acknowledges, however, that some people found his "obsessive" way of living to be annoying, particularly those who make fun of his plastic surgery.
“It’s not for everyone and I’m not encouraging everyone to go out and get plastic surgery but I am encouraging everyone to be body positive in whatever way that looks like for you,” he said, adding, “I also want to be clear that I’m not disillusioned into thinking I could bring a photo of Britney Spears to the best plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and I would then look like Britney Spears. That was never something that was in my head thinking I would look 100% like her."
According to Daily Star, he elaborated, “I understand my face, my symmetry, my features and what I’ve done is work in collaboration with plastic surgeons to see what characteristics could be altered in a way that is inspired by Britney to resemble that look of hers. I do get that people don’t understand it. People might call me weird or crazy but I think being open about it in the way I have will help eliminate the stigma.”
Ryan met his idol for the first time during a vacation in Maui. He reportedly called it the most unforgettable experience. According to the Daily Star, He said, "It was amazing meeting her. I went into a little outdoor flea market in Hawaii and heard a really small, very soft spoken voice with a southern accent behind me."
Recalling the moment, he said, "I've never been more nervous. I was face to face with my biggest idol and inspiration, she was completely not glammed, stripped of make-up, very real and so gorgeous.I really got to have a special conversation with her and I got to thank her for being such an inspiration to me and helping me find my identity and I also got to tell her that I loved her smile so much that I had my teeth done to resemble hers."
"She told me my smile was absolutely beautiful and that was a tremendous compliment of a lifetime. She left me feeling like she was a really kind and down to earth person. She happened to be the most famous woman on the planet but she didn’t act like it," he said, as per the outlet.
"She took the time to speak to me and had kind words that I will always hold dear to my heart I will forever be a huge Britney Spears fan. She has been a huge part of my life and has been for over half of it," he concluded.
Speaking on her conservatorship, he said, “I am so happy for her that she is now free and she is married and her song with Elton John was incredible. I am excited for the future and I will always be rooting for her.”