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The Pussycat Dolls (PCD): modern expression of femininity, or absolute trash?
Before everyone (as in those who aren't fans of PCD) pick the 'absolute trash' selection, first consider this:
Remember that show in early 2007 "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll"? For those who had the luck (or lack of?) to miss the show, it's a quick eight episode series where The Pussycat Dolls search for a new, not replacement, band member through a contest of singing, dancing, bitch fights and skanky clothes.
In the first episode we meet our top eighteen, in which half of them would be eliminated within the next two shows. Rehearsals begin and vomiting ensures! Throughout the episode, we are shown snippets of interviews taken with each contestant. One question asked, off screen, was why they joined the contest? A lot of them joined because they aspire to The Pussycat Dolls and wanted to prove something of themselves. To them, the band represented their ideals of female power and independence.
For those who have watched the show and dislike PCD, or don't watch it from the aforementioned reason, would have gone 'bleeeh' or 'pfffftt' at the responses - just like I did after I watched the first episode. But in the past few days, it hit me that I might have been too quick to judge.
Regardless of the level of intelligence we assume each contestant has - they do make a good point. Comparing the nudity and provocativeness of Schneeman's work (NSFW) to the image of PCD (above), there are similarities in their expression of femininity, female sexuality, and like how the contestants explained, the force of female power and independence.
Yet why did I go 'bleeh' and 'pffftt' first instead of applauding PCD? As Martin had pointed out, in my previous post, it could be the influence of "damn political correctness, faux-feminism and the prostitution (sexing up) of everything around us".
Are we too quick to establish that anything female with provocative clothing and body poses = slut? I don't even know the sexual history of each PCD member, but I automatically regarded them as sluts. Are we being too politically correct with definition concerning 'the female role' or 'the female' in general?
Then there is the 'faux-feminism' point. What's fake and what isn't? Is PCD fake feminism? If so, how? If provocative clothing and body poses is considered fake feminism, then wouldn't that contradict the idea of women's right to bodily integrity and autonomy?
At the same time, there is this double-edged sword effect where I suffer from my own criticism. I remember being called a 'Japanese skank' by a friend because I decided to wear a mini-skirt that day. My friend knew I wasn't a skank (nor Japanese) in literal definition, but it apparently didn't stop me looking like one.
Jewel had also suffered this double-edged criticism when she released the video clip to her song 'Intuition'. Within only a few weeks of its release, she was quickly accused of 'selling out' and abandoning her traditional folk style by a number of her fans. To save her career, and avoid further misunderstanding, Jewel had released a thorough explanation of the choices she made and the meaning behind 'Intuition', and that she wasn't 'selling out' nor abandoning her traditional folk ways.
If her 'fans' actually had listened to her music and paid attention to her video clip, they would have noticed the many cultural allusions made which were Jewel's criticism towards the current entertainment industry - especially concerning female celebrities.
In the 'Intuition' video clip, Jewel moves from advertising a soft drink, cat-walking down a zebra crossing and then haughtily hosed down by attractive firemen. She does this all in (although not so obvious) parody and sarcasm. Jewel is trying to highlight the entertainment industry's abuse towards the representation of females. Female sexuality, independence and power is being used as objects/props to help sell a product, rather than respected for its expression and representation. You can even say female sexuality has become a product!
I decided to make a post about The Pussycat Dolls because I believe they are a good example of what Jewel is expressing and what Martin had explained in regards to everything being sexed up.
So in the end of all this ramblebamble, what is your final decision? Still leaning onto 'absolute trash' or having second thoughts?
Don't Cha!
1 comment:
Hmmm you are one to make me think Alice.....
Well after alot of thought i have come to a rather.... interesting would be the lesser word of use, conclusion.
The actions and allusions of the PCD are more going against social norms and aceptance of the hegeomotic feminity of the female.
We can view this through the extensive use of sex as a means of product.
This is more like... to quote from you.... a double edge sword. Yes they are entitled to do the things that they do but why does society lable and frown upon it.
An interesting perspective i thought up was, would society do the same if they were males hahahah....
ANYWAY back to topic, i think it is the social constructions social norms that create the assumption of the lable produced towards them. Sad but true.... at the same time their ability to push forward and express themselves (regardless what people think) shows true feminity. But at the same time are they just pushing this perspective for the money and ignoring the other facts....
VERY CIRCULAR REASONING......
I Conclude that i have confused myself... and still am thankful that i didnt watch the show nor listen to the music
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