By JanineGrigory
In an increasingly exploitative society and industry where sex seems to be the predominant selling factor, is there any room left to promote true “femininity” in a way that a female artist can actually serve as a positive role model for the impressionable youth? Or has the selling point become so prevalent that it overrides every other value and social concern? Sadly, judging by the current state of things in today’s society, it appears as though the second case is the prevailing model, which is rather alarming seeing as young minds are so easily influenced by what is seen and projected in the media.
In the 80s and 90s, female performers were controversial yet creative, while still alluringly fashionable and cutting edge. However, in the 2000s, the “hype” factor has reached such sheer mechanical “marketing” levels that the process of attaining fame and notoriety has lost its natural and organic dynamics. Artists are “engineered” and “created” by virtue of hyped-up marketing gimmicks and constant replications of other artists. Gone are the days of true originality and feminine power. Not only have originality, talent, and creativity taken back seats, so have the limits with regard to what is and isn’t appropriate material for young kids to be exposed to, starting with teenage performers.
Increasing fame seems to almost always be followed by an elevated level of skin show and provocative antics that have very little to do with making a relevant or ground-breaking artistic or social statement, but more to do with schemes and strategies to appeal to a wider, and younger, audience in order to maintain popularity at any cost. A prime example of this is Beyonce who started out truly amazing the world with her brilliant talent and music, but as her fame has reached heightened levels, so has her level of skin show. Always having been acknowledged for her beauty, in addition to her talent, she was one artist that did not need to resort to a higher level of “sexual” antics or skin exposure. However, as her career has progressed, that is a choice she seems to have made in the furthering and transforming of her image and persona. The Beyonce from “Independent Woman” and “Survivor”, for example, is a different “persona” than the image projected in “Single Ladies”. While some may say that is just “organic” growth as an artist, in that their image and persona evolves as their music changes, I disagree that their entire persona must change in order to make relevant music or to be creative. Now days, virtually every Beyonce performance is accompanied by sexually provocative dance steps and a great deal of skin show. It poses the following question: Was it really necessary for a talented and beautiful artist to drastically change her image in order to maintain her popularity, when her talent and beauty would have just spoken for themselves regardless of the “contrived” and “deliberate” measures? “Single Ladies”, which is an extremely popular song, is now emulated by children as young as 4 or 5. Is it really the best thing to have these youngsters see Beyonce dancing around in her underwear in the video? Is that the popular dress code for women now days? One has to wonder.
In addition to their on stage performances, many female celebrities also exhibit behavior in their personal lives that do not present them as the best models in society for young girls who do, in fact, look up to these artists as symbols of conduct and being. Many artists try to “denounce” any responsibility they may have to their audience and do not want to be considered role models. However, I feel that it is a cop out because whether they like it or not, it comes with the territory of their chosen field and stardom. They are deemed as “social symbols” of conduct, fashion, values, and ideology. In essence, they’re a defining part of the current culture because the media has granted them that level of power over the psyche of the masses. So, their actions do indeed have consequences that reach far beyond their own lives. However, an increasing number of these new artists lead their lives in a way that appears to be irresponsible not only for themselves, but also their young fan base. Perfect example of this is Rihanna who has been the central focus in the media as a result of her chaotic, unhealthy, and controversial relationship with Chris Brown. Now, many might say that it is her own life, after all, and she has the right to do whatever she sees fit in her own private life regardless of what the outside public perception is. Many argue that just because someone has attained fame and celebrity status, it does not entitle the public to decide what personal choices they should make. While that is of course true to a great extent, the other side of the argument is that celebrities are well aware of what they are getting into when they enter show business, knowing that all their personal choices do become public knowledge. With regard to Rihanna, while she makes good music, her personal choices seem not only to neglect the serious issue of violence against women, but they perpetuate the negative idea that it is o.k. for a woman to go back to her abuser and be involved in an unhealthy relationship that could potentially harm her much more severely than just emotionally. Is this the example that these female artists set for their young fans? Sadly so!
The third case in point would be Lindsay Lohan who receives more attention for her weight troubles, drinking, partying, and alleged drug use than any artistic work she might have produced worthy of dissection and dialogue. She is supposed to be an actress but there are no films being released with Lindsay as the main attraction, and she also has labeled herself a singer, yet there are no songs to attest to the validity of that job title. Her erratic weight loss promotes the idea that it is o.k. for a woman to weigh 90 pounds, endangering her physical well-being and health, and engaging in self-destructive behavior. These antics give rise to an extremely unhealthy image for young girls who are at an impressionable age and are developing ideas about their body image and self-confidence. Who are young girls idolizing these days? A Paris Hilton, a Lindsay Lohan, or a Kim Kardashian? Women who have attained fame not by any “creative” means, necessarily, but more so for their controversial, and often demeaning, antics. This is sadly what society has come to with regard to what the entertainment industry promotes and puts forth for young audiences.
As times evolve, let us hope that our cultural values evolve for the better instead of for the worst! Let us hope that what the media chooses to focus on and promote are more positive images of “femininity” as opposed to the negativity that is projected at this time. Let us also hope that the level of “responsibility” that artists accept in portraying a certain image to their fan base increases in dignity, consciousness, and intelligence. A cutting edge female does not have to be trashy in order to be considered hot and sexy, she does not have to “overdo” things in order to come across as creative or bold, and talent is not defined by “outrageousness”, but rather, speaks for itself naturally.
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What type of role models are our current female celebs? Do they measure up to those in the past?