I've been feeling a bit disillusioned since seeing the viddy of Katy Perry recently meeting Karl Lagerfeld for dinner at Paris fashion week. You know me - I love Katy's music, Katy's look, everything Katy Katy Katy. Do I think she acts as a responsible role model? No. She objectifies herself, literally acting like a tantalizing piece of candy. What a great example for all the young women idolizing you, Ms. Katy. Hurrah hurrah. As a gay man with a penchant for all things drag (and drag-like), I thoroughly enjoyed Katy's whipped cream bra act enough to let its regressive aspects slide off my back. However, meeting Karl at fashion week? Did she not hear the incredibly offensive and sexist comment he made about Adele's weight? Adele is the one realistic role model we have. She's the only one that we, with unideal body types, can relate to, thus finding perfection in our own. And Katy meets with him? While I respect Karl's ambition and diligence, I feel he represents the worst that us gay men have to offer. He channels the taunting and teasing he's fallen victim to throughout his life into superficiality and catty judgment (which should be restricted to the kitchen table with friends, as Miss Wendy Williams would say; not publicly broadcast through a global media outlet like the Metro Newspaper). I'm certainly not perfect and have partaken in this type of behavior myself. A Judgey McJudgerson comment will occasionally slip from my lips, but even on my worst days I will not attack someone's body size/image, particularly because I suffer from my own body image issues. I would most certainly not negatively comment on another person's appearance to any sort of publication - how stupid!
It bothers me that Katy met with Karl. I know joining him for a soiree is utterly high-class and chic. I'm sure she enjoys the cache of a brand like Chanel rubbing off on her. I'm even more sure that she enjoys having one of the world's premier fashion icons stroke her ego with compliments, free clothes, and (alleged) potential offers to star in a Chanel ad campaign. She doesn't need to tell him to F off, but as a role model for so many young women growing up in a society that values a singular, practically unachievable body aesthetic, she should.
Onto the next. I despise POP stars' complete lack of acknowledgement of the major divide between them and their fans. None of them publicly acknowledge their wealth. Some pop stars show off their material purchases, driving their Maseratis in front locales where paparazzi tend to swarm. Others spend hours talking about how dedicated they are to their art, while, behind the scenes, instructing their management to exploit their fans to the Nth degree in order to maximize their earnings. Then there are those who complain about how constricted they feel by their record labels when, truly, they are living THE life, residing in multimillion dollar pads in NY and LA. I'm all for monetary success. I don't want to deny any celebrity their wealth, but I wish POP stars would straight up acknowledge their ca-ching, and admit that sometimes, it's not all about the art. That way, when it is about the art, we will actually believe them!
Examples:
2. Fiona Apple. As much as I love you for your originality in an industry filled with monotony, I'm annoyed hearing you (allegedly) complain about feeling creatively stifled by your label when you are more than fairly compensated for your contributions to the musical landscape. I don't want you to feel guilty for your success. You've earned it, fair and square, but acknowledge and APPRECIATE it, as you are so very lucky to be successful in an industry that, financially, outrageously over-compensates the few who succeed within it. There are a million struggling artists who would be happy to trade places with you. They would love to 1) have access to the world-class producers and artists you regularly work with, 2) work FULL-time on their art without worrying about monthly bill payments, and 3) reside in your house by Venice beach.
Harumphh.
Unapologetically,
Gregory
