COMM 330 (Hooks)

In Bell Hooks video, Hooks discusses Modonna as, at one point in time, an individual that was believed to be the leading feminists in the media and the music industry. But once she began ageing and her popularity began to sink she resorted to patriarchal ideals by sexualizing herself as a woman, and forgetting about her former and apparent feminist stance in society. We can see this patriarchal switch not only in many female artists today but in male artists as well. Brittney spears, Christina Aguilera, and Miley Cyrus all fell under the tutelage of patriarchy. Both Britney Spears and Christina, though I would not consider women of feminist support, began working as young, bright and talented ladies on the Disney channel. Both grew out of their Disney phase, but even at their original peak of stardom continued to remain popular not because of the sexuality but because of their talent. Then when their talent began fading they both resorted to sexualizing themselves and making themselves objects to men.  Miley Cyrus did this to, at first a great role model for little girls everywhere, but later a sexualized object in a male dominated society. We can even see this with the very talented and openly gay Adam Lambert. Adam Lambert could have been the first ever openly gay American idol to make it the finale of the show, but decided not to come out while still on the show because of the heterosexual, male dominated media and music industry. I believe no matter what his sexuality was he would have been a great success but because of the heterosexual patriarchal society he works in, he too fell under their tutelage. Even the songs he sings are not true to him, singing about falling in love with women and not men.  Hopefully, artists like lady gaga, one of the very few who are true to themselves, do not change their ways to fit the mold of the heterosexual patriarchal society we live in, and continue to perform to songs that are true to themselves and are supportive of diversity and difference.