It’s no secret that most women in music, especially pop-stars, have embraced the concept of sex appeal within their music. From award shows to music videos, sex is everywhere. Feminism throughout history is mostly to blame, as women are becoming more and more comfortable with telling people to “let women do what they want”.
Women’s bodies, believe it or not, actually belong to themselves! Crazy concept right?
So why is it that women, especially music artists, feel the need to slut-shame their peers? Whatever happened to the girl code? In 2014: Bette Midler, a singer-song writer from the 70’s, did an interview with the Telegraph where she (basically) calls Ariana Grande a whore. This is what she said; “It’s terrible! It’s always surprising to see someone like Ariana Grande with that silly high voice, a very wholesome voice, slithering around on a couch… maybe they tell them that’s what you’ve got to do. Sex sells. Sex has always sold… I mean, don’t ask me. It’s beyond me. I’m too old… You don’t have to make a whore out of yourself to get ahead. You really don’t.” Not cool, Bette. It is understood that the times are different, but her statement is almost hypocritical. Ariana replied by tweeting a picture of Bette dressed in a sensual mermaid costume with a clever caption included.
all love here ? pic.twitter.com/BocrzJEgUj
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 25, 2014
I feel like this was an acceptable response from Ariana. As a role model for so many young fans, she gave a wonderful example of reacting to hate with respect. Good for you, Ari.
Sporty Spice, also known as Melanie C, was also involved in an example when she talked to the Sunday People about the sexual performance nature of Little Mix. “They are getting more provocative. To me, they were kind of the closest thing to the Spice Girls we’ve seen. They are all gorgeous and great singers. But they weren’t sexy and it’s got more and more that way. I love them – but I just say, ‘stay you’. All young women want to look sexy and hot so I understand it’s hard. But I think it’s such a shame. We live in a narcissistic age – it’s 100 per cent worse than when I was in the Spice Girls. It was a more innocent time.”
Mel C then said how she doesn’t allow her daughter to watch their music videos, which is justified as her daughter is quite young, but maybe women could stop calling other adult women on how they dress and perform.
We should be lifting each other up, especially those in the spotlight of social media and the music industry. If you wouldn’t sing about sex like Ariana Grande then don’t worry about her; it doesn’t involve you personally. If you wouldn’t dress the way Little Mix does on stage then don’t say anything about it, because they enjoy showing off their bodies and are proud of them. We have to set an example of respecting other women no matter how they dress, sing or act; do it for the future of females around the world.
If women can’t respect women, how do we expect to get the rest of the world to respect us?
