The global publicity bump Erykah Badu got for stripping down to her essentials and walking the streets of Dallas for her
"Window Seat" video shoot was probably well worth the $500 fine she finally paid last week.
A Dallas city spokesperson said the singer paid the maximum fine and agreed to serve six months probation for the stunt, in which she was filmed slowly taking off her clothes as she walked through Dealey Plaza, the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. The incident took place on March 13, and a defiant Badu entered a not guilty plea in April to a charge of disorderly conduct.
"I thought it was a move for women and men and children who feel they weren't good enough," Badu told MTV News on April 8 about the controversial clip, in which she is shot down at the end. " 'This is just me. I'm good enough.' I felt it was important enough to do. More pros than cons."
According to a statement from City of Dallas public information officer Jose Torres, Badu's probation will end around February 11, 2011, and she faces the revocation of her probation if she commits any city, state or federal offenses during her six-month term. The Texas native must also notify the court about any address changes within 10 days of moving. If her probation is violated, Badu will have a criminal conviction on her record.
Badu didn't file for an official permit to shoot the video. The directors of the video, Chike and Coodie, told MTV News that they were well aware of potential attention from law-enforcement officials. They also said Badu was fully prepared for the consequences.
"We had bail money and everything," Coodie said. "I think she really wanted to get arrested and even make a bigger message."
A spokesperson for Badu could not be reached for comment at press time.
This report is from MTV News.
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