A number of celebrities seem to be courting controversy with provocative stage outfits and explicit photos on social networks. Celebrity skin show seems to give a distorted view of success and it’s questionable whether those who promote it are suitable role models.
These days it’s hard to get away from what some might class as outrageous behaviour from celebrities. Case in point, within the space of one morning, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, Shakira, Peaches Geldof and Ireland Baldwin all in tabloid spreads getting provocative onstage and off. The question is this…do all these celebrities fighting it out for column space featuring their semi-nude or in some cases nude bodies have a negative effect on teenagers? And more to the point, are the rise of social networks playing a part?
First off was Lady Gaga posting a nude photograph of herself in the bathtub. In the case of this pop princess, it’s been getting tiresome for some time now. She always insists that her outrageous behaviour and tastelessness that often involves showing off much of her body is merely a form of her expression. But it’s interesting to note that when it comes to her some of her music videos and stage performances, she often struggles to express herself fully-clothed. Does this send a message to young girls that short skirts, high heels or even semi-nudity are a prerequisite for self-expression?
And Ellie Goulding seems to be following in Gaga’s suit. She’s been photographed on countless occasions as of late wearing racy costumes for her concerts. She insists that this is not her way of getting tabloid attention but is in fact a way of celebrating her new-found confidence. Again, onlookers can’t help but wonder whether the lesson for young girls here is that young girls need to dress skimpily to rejoice in their girlhood.
What’s more, there is proof that some of these female celebrities are in some cases single-handedly wielding a major sphere of influence that isn’t likely to yield entirely positive results. Psychologist Komal Missra Sajjan says, “It works. Skin show does actually work! It is actually getting these celebrities attention. Look how much publicity they generate. Girls use the media to work out their own personality and image. And fan bases from a number of these recording artists are getting younger and younger. All this gives them a distorted view of what success is. These young people are growing up at a time where they form identities. These pictures will represent an image of what beauty means. And the image these celebrities project is that you have to be sexually risque to be attractive.”
Next there was Ireland Baldwin posting steamy pictures of herself on a social network. A tabloid clamped a headline next to her picture suggesting the purpose of the picture was to let her ex-boyfriend know what he’s missing. An obvious signpost to adolescents might be that dressing flirtatiously might be a way to get back at a former partner, when young girls should actually be coached that maturity and positive thinking are more appropriate methods to get over a breakup. Of course this example is an indication that celebrities aren’t entirely to blame. It was the tabloid in question that suggested Ireland Baldwin was using the pictures as a ploy to get attention from her ex-boyfriend, not Ireland Baldwin herself. Similarly, the said tabloid chose to publish the pictures, without any request from the budding model asking for more attention. If a deliberation is to arise from all this, then the media must share responsibility for accusations of negative influence on teenagers. And with regards to the matter of social networks, they are merely a medium of connecting with others. Where the media draws attention to a social network, it’s the media that’s networking, not the social network in question.
And a vox pop with the members of the public demonstrated what the masses feel about the issue.
1. What do you think of the dramatic rise in celebrities (particularly recording artists) dressing and behaving provocatively on stage and just generally in public?
2. Do you ever or have you ever felt influenced by celebrities dressing or acting in an outrageous manner?
3. Do you agree that suggestive behaviour from those in the public eye can have a negative impact on teenagers? If yes, then how? And who is to blame; their managers and publicists?
4. What would you do if your younger sibling or child began replicating the antics of singers like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus?
5. How do you think the exploits of young celebrities can be monitored? Should there be more public opinion in these issues?
So it becomes clear that while many people feel that youngsters do have minds of their own, it is a belief held by many that teenagers are nevertheless at an impressionable age where they are vulnerable to outside influences. That said, before people are quick to blame celebrities and social networks for outrageous behaviour, it must be taken into account whether the media hold any accountability.
By Vidwath Shetty
Image: Gaga performing on The Monster Ball Tour in Burswood Dome, Perth, Australia courtesy of Michael Spencer
