I’m starting to think that the Disney Princesses aren’t the real problem.
And I’m starting to think that the problem isn’t entirely with the teen stars, either. Why, exactly, do we want to watch these girls destroy themselves? Why is there so much ravenous glee when they implode? Why do we want to see them to be so very, very damaged?
Voting on your favorite mug shot? Tell me that’s not ugly. Of the website. Of the people who vote. Of all of us who clicked on the link. Of me for even providing the link.
This isn’t right. It seems like once we’re done with one, we’re ready for the next. We crave new meat. So I hope it’s not too late for Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. But I’m not sure that’s in the cards.
I think there are a couple of things colliding in these cases- the transition from child star to adult life (whatever that will be), the difficulty of which several prominent former child stars have written about. And out culture’s f’ed up ideas about womanhood, which are basically impossible to meet. Also probably a healthy dose of rebellion after having handlers keep you from rebelling as a teenager.
I don’t know. It is sad and says nothing good about our culture.
I think there are a lot of things intersecting, but as a society, we sure do like it when that intersection results in roadkill.
Ugh, yes. those poor girls. I mean, I can’t imagine you just do that to yourself,…without some root cause that is very sad and ugly.
Agreed.
No doubt, Hollywood is an insane business that can drive people crazy if you don’t learn techniques to maintain your own zen. But yes, I think that every time I click on people.com or see the tabloids, I’m just as guilty for perpetrating the very things we commoners are supposedly so disgusted about.
I think we’re looking at a whole mix of factors: (1) Children who are raised by parents who want fame and fortune regardless of the cost, and do not teach those children how to handle the results; (2) Young people–most notably, it seems, girls–who may well have emotional and mental issues that give them additional challenges in dealing with young fame; (3) Corporations that have found a formula for success and see the effects on their stars as “someone else’s problem”; and (4) the ravening mob.
I think we also have to remember that Miley Cirus is 20 or so, and who hasn’t made some poor choices in their 20’s? It just isn’t so public for most of us. Hopefully, she will learn and spend some time thinking about who she really wants to be when she grows up. Many young girls don’t realize that all that attention they get when they dress and behave provocatively isn’t the kind if attention they really want. She will likely figure that out when she gets older, as most of us do.
I certainly hope so, but I’m not sure the track record is great here.