|
MTV has the reputation of being the trendiest, most influential
and up-to-date reflection of celebrity as far as young culture
is concerned. The MTV Video Music Awards are, by far, the pinnacle
of MTV's programming. This one event is the most elaborate display
of pop culture as we know it, and is the most watched cable event
on television, according to last year's ratings. Millions of viewers
from all over the world watch this three-hour celebration of pop
culture. Most of these viewers are our ages, young teenagers that
most likely have hopes and dreams wrapped up in the music industry
and are completely fascinated with young celebrities.
I watched the VMA's this past week, as I do every year,
because I happen to be one of those teenagers described above.
This year was different than others, though. This year I sat down
and examined the effects this decadent event probably has on young minds.
I examined what it was making me think as I watched.
What stood out to me the most: Britney Spears. I like Britney
Spears. Amidst all my punk rock and heavy metal, I have one
Spears CD. I, along with millions of other girls, have some
fascination with her. I want to be her. I would love having
tabloids write about me having affairs with Prince William and
Justin Timberlake. I want all my guy friends to drool over the
sight of me. I want Carson Daly to have my picture plastered to
his office wall. These wishes, I realize, are completely shallow,
but I'm sure most of you understand.
I saw her at the awards ceremony, and through my new paradigm of
viewing, realized what an awful example she is for teenage girls.
Her evening gown was a high-slit, black, glittery number with a long
dipping V in the front revealing her notorious cleavage. The first thing
I thought to myself was "I wish I could pull off wearing that dress.
I have the bubble butt, but . . ." That was immediately followed by nausea.
"This can't possibly be healthy. Would I want to display that kind of image
to people? Would people actually respect me in a dress like that?" I thought
to myself.
The thing about Britney Spears that requires immediate attention
and deep thought is that, at this moment and time, she is the most
admired female pop star. So many young girls and women look at her,
see how much attention she gets, and envy, hate, and love her. She is,
like most celebrities, a role model for all of us. Unfortunately, during
my viewing of the VMA's, I realized that she doesn't take being a role model
very seriously.
Sure Ms. Spears comes off as a very sweet, nice, southern girl. She seems so
innocent, but she doesn't dress like she's 18 years old. She's a year younger
than I am, but I can't relate to her at all. The only thing I feel when I see
Britney is that I will never be perceived to be as beautiful or be hated as much
as she is.
This worries me because I know that I am fairly mature now, and I can only
imagine what kind of pain and self-image problems her image is causing younger
girls. I know what kind of effect too much television, pop music, and teen
magazines can have on self-image and self-confidence. I have always struggled
to tear myself away from the popular conception of beauty, to try and feel
comfortable with being me.
Later in the show, Britney performed a melody of her hits (which started out
with her rendition of "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones . . . I won't get
into that right now). She came out in a modest pantsuit, which was immediately
stripped off to reveal, well, nothing. She was wearing a nude colored, glittery,
two-piece body suit. She was practically naked. She's barely legal and she was
putting on a socially acceptable strip show for millions of viewers. Hosts Shawn
and Marlon Wayans even commented on her act saying, "Wow, she went straight from the
Mickey Mouse Club to the strip club."
This was over-the-top disturbing. Her performance boggled my mind. What an awful
image she's putting out there! All I can hope is that the young girls watching the
VMA's were accompanied by parents or guardians who could reassure them that this type
of sexual display is disgusting and inappropriate.
So, just a note for all you girls out there: the only thing that we can really hope
for in this world is that we might be blessed with a life that's rich and fulfilling,
whatever that might mean to you as an individual. Look to the adults in you life for
role models. Please don't compare and contrast yourself with people like Britney Spears.
She may be just another 18 year old trying to make her way in this crazy world, but to me,
her "not-that-innocent" attitude has gone too far.
|
