With 4 chart topping hit songs, an undeniably unique sense of fashion, and more TV appearances than you can shake a stick at, musical artist Lady Gaga has become a household name. Some love her, and some hate her, but its impossible to avoid her. Known for her skimpy pants-less outfits and raunchy songs, Lady Gaga is making an impression on the musical industry and the youth. Is it a good thing, or is she promoting what some view to be a bad life style?
Though her songs and music videos usually depict lyrics and images of sex, lust, and risque activities, I don’t believe she is glorifying any of it-in fact, the presence of sex is made so casual that she turns it into what sex has become to much of today’s youth- a natural and common act.
The songs Just Dance and Love Game are both about being young, partying, and engaging in no-strings-attached sex. Some may say that by broadcasting casual sex in such a manner is glorifying it-but I disagree. A large portion of teens between ages 15 and 20 engage in casual sex, and while many people choose to ignore it or condone it, there are few who give comfort to teens (especially young girls) and educate them on casual sex. Lady Gaga comes forth in her songs and talks about -gasp- actually enjoying sex! Casual sex is something that is simply not going to go away, no matter how much education or punishment is put toward it. Though artists like Kanye West and other rappers talk about having casual sex, it is all from a male point of view, sometimes referring to women in their songs as “easy” or “hoes”. To have a white, young, female artist come forward and say, “I have casual sex, and so do you” is incredibly empowering to today’s female youth, and sends a strong message that they are not alone in their decisions.
Aside from her music, Lady Gaga has been blasted for her fashion choices, being called everything from “eccentric” to “ridiculous” to “slutty”. Her signature look of a leotard, fishnet or opaque stockings, boots, and sunglasses have made many deem her as a hooker-look-alike. The internet gossips sites were a-buzz when she was seen wearing tape over her nipples under a sheer t-shirt, however fellow singer Rihanna was called fashionable when she did the same. Lady Gaga has said that she embraces her body, and has never had any plastic surgery done to change her features. She’s appeared semi-nude in magazines, however not once has her nudity been the focus of an image. She wears leotards or bikini bottoms in public and is called “whoreish”, while Beyonce and Britney Spears wear the same, if not raunchier, outfits on stage and no one blinks an eyelash.
So, is Lady Gaga a good role model? My answer is yes. She isn’t posing in playboy like The Hills star Heidi Montag, or wearing booty shorts and pole dancing at age 16 like Miley Cyrus. She isn’t singing about blaming obvious rape on alcohol like artist Jamie Foxx. Lady Gaga hasn’t been seen leaving a night club completely intoxicated, or snorting coke in the back of a bathroom, or committing adultery.
She is writing her own songs, performing her shows, and experimenting with fashion. Last I checked-isn’t that what most parent’s encourage their children to do? Find their own style, work with their talents, and do what they love?
What do you think? Is Lady Gaga a good role model?
Thank You, Lady Gaga!
By Dr. Sangfroid on August 1, 2010
This entry is filed under Commentary and tagged Lady Gaga, SB1070. | 3 Comments
Last night The Hating Expert and I went to our first Lady Gaga concert. Yes, it was amazing. Yes, by the end of the night I was a mess of sweat and glitter and lace. Yes, it was a fully packed stadium of fashionable gay men, moms and pops, screaming teenage girls, and people wearing every outrageous outfit from light-up spandex to caution tape.
The sets were spectacular, the dancers were fierce, and The Lady herself was perfect and inspirational. On the way home, we were accosted by a very drunk homeless man, and rescued by some fellow Gaga fans. We grabbed a drink at a pub, and I had humus for the first time.
Best night ever? Well yeah, duh.
But what I really want to thank Lady Gaga for is, coming to PHOENIX! “What? Of course she came to Phoenix, its a huge city with people who will pay big bucks to see her!”
Yeah, except there’s a plethora of bands and singers currently boycotting Arizona on account of SB1070…you know the law that the citizens of Arizona had NO say in, and have had NO opportunity to block or change the law.
So instead of being a gigantic asshole like Shakire, Maroon 5, and Pitbull (to name a few) and punishing fans for their choice of location, Lady Gaga came to Phoenix and performed for her fans. She talked about peacefully protesting SB1070, instead of being a pompous asshat and denying AZ citizens a concert.
So thank you, Lady Gaga, and all the other artists who still choose to come and play for their fans. The only thing worse than being ruled over by a law you have no say in is being ruled off by a law you had no say in and being punished for it.