Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Woman used at LAX as Jamie Lynn Spears decoy threatens to sue LA Police
The moral of this story seems to be, if you're going to use a person as a decoy for a famous person, ask first. Don't just pick the person out of a crowd and let her or him be surrounded by paparazzi while the celebrity gets to trot off without being noticed.
This is exactly what happened to Adessa Eskridge, a woman from Ohio who happened to look a bit like Jamie Lynn Spears, AND, as fate would have it, be on Jamie Lynn's flight. I wrote about this and similar celebrity excitement that goes on at LAX in a post last September. Back then, I didn't know the story behind this story.
While Eskridge was minding her own business, just being her pretty self, the LA police noticed her, and according to this article, surrounded Eskridge as she got off the airplane. The eight or nine officers directed her to keep her glasses on and led her to baggage claim where the paparazzi snapped her picture. In the meantime, Jamie Lynn was able to trot off with her new baby without anyone noticing.
According to Eskridge, the police didn't tell her what they were up to until right before the moment the paparazzi swooped in. Even though she was beyond confused, she went along with them. After the incident, Eskridge decided she's not too pleased to have been used in this way. It caused her mental anguish and upset. As a result, she wants the LA police department to pay her more than $100,000 for her efforts. If the police department won't pay up, she's suing.
While reading the details, I'm thinking that getting hired out to be a celebrity decoy could be a plausible job in these days of celebrity love. Wouldn't it be a cool job to look like someone else so that your picture could end up on the cover of a magazine next to the check-out line at the supermarket and you'd get paid for it? Particularly if you get to travel to some exotic locations in order to throw off the scent.
In Eskridge's case, since she didn't sign up for the job, if the police won't pay up, maybe Jamie Lynn could get Eskridge a nifty gift as a way to thank her for a few hassle free moments.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Mike Jan 7th 2009 9:47PM
She was placed at risk without her knowledge or permission. That's wrong. LAPD should pay up and learn from it.
Dottie Jan 7th 2009 10:16PM
I think she should of got a Thank you or something
adam Jan 7th 2009 10:06PM
some of u r idiots. of course its a stupid reason to sue... but if u could get 100,000$ out if it, and with a good lawyer you probably can, why wouldn't you? Dont say you would pass up 100k. I wouldnt
Lane Jan 7th 2009 10:30PM
sounds pretty underhanded to me
anita Jan 7th 2009 10:52PM
ok she wasn't mistaken by the cops they picked her out and they knew she was not jamie lynn spears. I would sue too have you ever seen how crazy some people get about seeing a celebrity. and at least pay her for her time if you are going to do that to someone. why in the hell would she be lucky to be mistaken for jamie lynn spears..she isn't that important.
tkblouch Jan 7th 2009 11:10PM
And people liked McD's coffee the best because it was hot you spill something hot on you you get burnt. There is always someone to screw it up for everyone else. and thats the way it is
Marie Jan 7th 2009 11:47PM
Oh booo hooo, the girl was inconvienced for a few minutes, but she got to see and feel what other celebrities go through everyday 24/7. No privacy at all. Just because you choose to act doesnt mean there is enough money in the world to give up your right to move about freely. Photos should only be taken at events, I dont need to see them picking their noses.
Roy Jan 8th 2009 12:19AM
She should get something out of this. But it should come from Jamie lynne, and Not the police. It is only fair.
idream Jan 8th 2009 1:22AM
The police could not of mistaken her for Jamie Lynn unless this younger lady herself had a baby as well. I mean all the cops were there for a reason, right? to escort Jamie Lynn. So we would have to believe these cops knew that there was a baby missing from the picture. You know what? It is a sue happy world unfortunately and a judge or juror should compensate accordingly like maybe $10,000. Yeah, it's fun, you can tell your friends, but still doesn't mean you should be taken advantage of. They (number of cops) were there to provide security/protection to Jamie Lynn Spears not a random girl to help their cause. I mean shoot why not pick out a grandma and pretend like she's Jamie Lynn because it would not work to their benefit.......that is why there is value in the choice they made and it should be paid for if not asked for.
zia courtroom Jan 8th 2009 1:52AM
She really wants to be famous & suing is her 15min. -
jamie lynn l who cares l just a sister of dogmeat
midsmr Jan 8th 2009 2:50AM
In regards to the McDonald's incident....only an idiot would put a cup of hot coffee between their legs. The woman sued, and won, but the award was reduced by another judge because she was also at fault. In other words...yes the coffee too hot, but she didn't need to place the cup there
Luckee Jan 8th 2009 4:02AM
I've got one phrase for you.... "John Lennons murder"
To put someone who doesn't even know what is going on, or was even given the right to choose to be a decoy,in this position is wrong and she may have been injured or worse by a crazy fan.
Maybe professional decoy should be job.
Susan Jan 8th 2009 5:04AM
Nobody wants to be harrassed by paparazzi, but Spears makes a lot of money to compensate for it. This woman does not, so what they did to her was wrong. The police, to make Jamie Lynn Spears' and their own lives easier, used this woman without her knowledge or consent. It's a stretch, but what would happen if the person they picked at random had a seizure disorder that could be triggered by the flash from the cameras? They had no right to do this to that woman. It's not like they were protecting the President or someone who was actually important. At the very least, how much would they have had to pay a body double?? Maybe that amount would be appropriate compensation?
grossness54 Jan 13th 2009 12:58AM
Here's a little question for all of you folks who are so quick to condemn this put-upon lady as lawsuit-happy: How would YOU like to get off a plane, be surrounded by cops and marched off without being told where or why? That's what happened here. She was, let's face it, involuntarily detained, simply because she looked like a celebrity of some sort. This can, justifiably, scare the bejeesus out of anyone, causing nightmares, depression, panic attacks and what have you. Lady, go for it! Those Keystone Kops need to learn a nice, expensive lesson in civil liberties.