>>The songs the industry makes her sing are indeed very sub-standard. But I think she's an extremely good singer.
So why doesn't she write her OWN songs, if she's so talented?
Which leads to another pet peeve *grins*...with all of the talented groups and individuals trying to "make it" in the music industry, why are they CREATING bands (like N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys) and singers? This whole Disney Groups Creation is just a sad commentary on the declining standards for art. I mean, they INVENT a band, write some songs, then FIND cute or pretty people who have a modicum of talent to be a part of the band and sing the songs. After that, they shove these songs down our throats by playing them over and over and OVER, ad nauseum, until we can't get them out of our heads and mistakenly think that, because we know all the words, that we actually LIKE the song, and subsequently, the ahem, "artist" or group.
>>I have to chuckle when I hear people say that. She has made a big enough impact on American culture (not enough for a star, agreed) for people NOT to forget who she is, I'll give her that.
I mean, if people still remember Vanilla Ice....
Yeah, but people remember Vanilla Ice with an amused chuckle, not as an "artist" *grins*, and he never got a star. How, specifically, has she made a big impact on American culture, as opposed to the other teenybopper bands (like the created Backstreet Boys and N'Sync)? Not that I'm saying she hasn't...maybe I just haven't SEEN it. I look at all the "here today, gone tomorrow" stars who are touted as "brilliant" or "going places" or some such superlative drivel. They're all people can talk about, until the next "brilliant" young actor catches the public's eye. Hollywood and the music industry kinda remind me of a line from the Eagles "New Kid in Town":
"They will never forget you 'till somebody new comes along..."
I mean, anyone can learn to dance, and it doesn't take talent to fall out of your clothes. I certainly don't want MY daughter taking this person for a role model. I just have a hard time condoning a star for that kind of behavior. People bitch and moan all the time about how no one respects women, and blah blah blah, and yet they lionize a girl who's barely old enough to live on her own, who teaches our kids that popping out of your clothes is oopsie-funny, and thus ok, as long as you sing and dance while you do it. I've always thought that if you wanted to be seen as and treated like a lady, you should act like one. I'm only 32, so one can't really say I'm "old fashioned." I mean, what's wrong with teaching girls to act like ladies? Being a lady doesn't mean you're repressed and cold and no fun. It means you conduct yourself in a mature way that demands respect.
I just have a problem with a kid, who most definitely is not an appropriate role model, and who really isn't any better than the hundreds of other singers out there, getting a star on the walk of fame. It implies, to me, that she's done something worthy of such an honor, when she really hasn't. I have a friend who sings opera. This woman has sung for ROYALTY in Europe. She was trained by a professional opera singer. She can also sing other types of music. I think she sings much better than half of the musicians out there, and ya know what? Not once has she had to pop out of her clothes to have people say, "oh my god, you have the most beautiful voice!" or, "Damn, you're talented!"
Lady Sidhe