Posted on 11/05/2001 9:44:56 AM PST by The American
This Tuesday, millions of Americans will make a choice that will affect this country's future. Their decision will either support or reject the direction of our society; together we can make a difference. No, this is not about Election Day, this is bigger. Tuesday is the day Britney Spears' new album, "Britney," hits the shelves.
Record sales of "Britney" will show us just how much America supports Spears' two-faced actions. She boasts large sales to guys worshipping her like a sex goddess, and even more sales to young girls worshipping her like a hero. This is a dangerous combination. If Americans choose wisely and boycott the upcoming album, Britney will be forced to recognize the error in her hypocritical ways. And all the slinky spandex suits in the world won't get her out of this one.
Spears has found success by simultaneously playing 'good girl' and 'sexy vixen.' Initially she only played the part of the good girl, building up a young fan base that, to this day, views her as a role model. Times have changed. No longer is she the girl next door ... unless you live next to a whorehouse. Yet though her actions make her look like a slut, at times she still behaves like a role model (part-time) to hang on to her young girl fan base.
Things were much simpler a few years ago. In 1998, Britney's single "Baby One More Time" shot to the top of pop music charts. Britney, a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club, was America's sweetheart and rode the ensuing wave of publicity. With her pretty smile and charming personality, she instantly became an idol to millions of girls. Britney was a role model, and she was raking in the big bucks.
The angelic look, however, didn't last long. It started with her provocative "Rolling Stone" cover. It got worse during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards show when she stripped down to a revealing, skintight outfit. Next fans heard the audio clip from backstage of a Rio de Janeiro show when she swore like Andrew Dice Clay. And the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards show, when she danced around with the snake ... let's not go there.
Spears tells us that she has reinvented herself, trying to grow into a woman. No more teenybopper image for me, she says. If only that were true. Her actions speak much louder than her words. The reality is that she still capitalizes on her status as a role model to young girls.
One minute, Britney acts like a cheap hooker, making music videos that belong in the backroom of a video store, not on basic cable. The next minute, Britney becomes a sweet, virtuous, upstanding citizen. She goes on talk shows and practically turns into a Miss America contestant. Then it's right back to selling her body.
These constant metamorphoses help her appeal to multiple audiences, making her money. But the inevitable by-product is that Britney corrupts the morals of America's youth, all for a quick buck.
Britney should not be faulted for her capitalistic ways, or for trying to repackage herself. What she does deserve blame for, however, is giving mixed messages to her young fans about her status as their role model. Her official Website hawks Britney dolls alongside "Slave 4 U" t-shirts.
Last week she giggled at Britney-wannabes performing lewd acts for MTV, but next week she has a special on the Fox Family Network. Britney talks about how she cherishes her virginity, but her "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" video simulates sex on the beach. She participates in a makeshift orgy for her "I'm a Slave 4 U" music video, but follows it up with a performance on the family-friendly Rosie O'Donnell Show.
We as a civilized society need to stop Britney and her immoral ways. She must make a choice: either sex symbol or role model. You can have one or the other, but not both. Jessica Simpson chose the role model route. Jennifer Lopez has only ever strived to be a sex symbol. Both Simpson and Lopez have been very successful without attracting the criticism that Britney receives. Britney should choose one target demographic and stick with it.
Until Britney makes up her mind, we as a society must boycott her albums. Heck, it's not like we'll miss her tremendous singing ability. We must force Britney to select a target audience and stop pursuing two very different fan bases. She must do this for the sake of her young fans. They idolize her, they emulate her. This country already has too many pre-teen girls dressing and acting like hookers; we must fight this trend. The best way to fight it is to boycott Britney because her actions do our society a grave disservice.
Britney, either return to the wholesome days of "Sometimes" or stick with "I'm a Slave 4 U" and stop catering to your younger fans. If you don't make a decision, the American public will. We will boycott your records.
With Vegas and Times Square Redux forgotten celebs need never make the dinner theater circuit again.
In Vegas David Cassidy and Sheena Easton can headline. Keely Smith's even still singing out there.
As for Broadway, they learned well from recent Hollywood. Nothing succeeds like a success (or is that sucks seeds??).
Broadway is making money restaging old musicals or adapting films to the stage for remake. On top of that they're taking old tv and pop music names and casting them in the remake. The oddest I saw billed recently was The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Joan Jett as Magenta and Dick Cavett as the narrator. May lose your dignity but hey that's showbiz.
Remember boys, 15 will get you 20!
That curve was a friend of mine ... and Brittany, you're not that good a curve.
How bout we focus on something meaningful, like making our elected officials behave!
Sure she's aware of it, but at least she's not using it to hold those she influences hostage to her politics like Madonna the Whore has done. When Ms Spears begins to express leftwing propaganda at her every appearance off-stage, I'll worry about boycotting her stock & trade.
Payola and corporate commecial tie-ins own this industry. They create the buzz about the performers and supress them when they want as well. Prince's shows still sell out but he hasn't had a sales chart or radio hit ever since he left the safety of Warner Bros..
The more the entertainment world can be geared towards boy-band and other pop singer dance squads (with lights, video, and elaborate staging), the less likely some up and comer will be able to give them a challenge. Their fame doesn't come from a talented lyricist or a crooner's voice, it is all marketing.
Look at how many of the acts have worked through the same superstar-mill (producer, publicist, choreographer).
Can't forget the Chairman, too
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