X-(Rated) Factor is tip of the iceberg

This year’s X-factor pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable viewing for a family entertainment show. Throughout the weeks the backing dancers have continually inched further and further from tasteful to distasteful. The crescendo however took place this weekend at the semi- finals with performances from Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, who both left nothing to the imagination and brought soft porn to prime time viewing.

I have spoken to both my male and female friends about this and whilst the majority acknowledge that perhaps it was a bit much for a family entertainment show, discussion centred and remained on the visual gratification. For men, Rihanna revealed her goods in a confident suggestive manner that I’m sure created new fantasy scenerio’s in their minds, whilst women not only envied her body but also desired to have that level of confidence and effortless air of sexiness. However as a family show, the level of appropriateness for children seemed to have been overlooked.

“What’s my name?” Rihanna asked as she gyrated across the stage in her mini corset and hot pants, though let’s not embellish it with pretty names, she was in her bra and knickers. Within the catchy chorus she expressed “Hey boy I really wanna see if you can go downtown with a girl like me” “downtown” is a reference to oral sex. This coded word which has not yet been highlighted within the media, perhaps suggests adults were unaware of the sexual undertone or were aware, but presumed children wouldn’t be. Either way, sexual messages were oozing from all directions and it didn’t stop there, Christina Aguilera followed with a “Burlesque” performance from her new film of the same title. This term has done well to remove itself from the tacky label that most strip clubs carry, though this performance was nothing more than a voyeuristic lap dance show and one which was entirely unnecessary.

The media and music industry have become saturated within the notion that sex sells. Due to the influx of images and sexual suggestion the boundaries have faded away and we have become desensitized and somewhat split in regards to what is and isn’t considered acceptable. What used to shock no longer does, it is now the norm and therefore eyelids are rarely batted. The only reason this incident has been highlighted is because it is a family orientated show, had this been a music video or a performance at a music award show the level of appropriateness would not have been called into question, even though children and young adults watch it.

So what exactly are we shocked about? X-factor is a music show and therefore merely represents what we are already subjected to right? I understand that due to the target audience there needs to be boundaries, though it seems we are all in denial in regards to what children and young people are regularly exposed too. If X-factor is called into question then so should Hollyoaks and many other shows. These are starting points to bigger conversations regarding why the media chooses to work in the way it does.

Sexual images, content and suggestion are no longer out of reach on the top shelf of the local newsagents. Press the remote, tune into the radio, look online, it is blatantly there. Look back at artists such as Ciara, Beyonce, Britney and more recently Miley Cyrus for example, they all started out as cute, respectable and innocent and quickly turned into sex objects, tantalising teasers, with outfits associated with porn and lyrical content littered with sexual innuendos. Grooming comes to mind.

The outrageous attire of Lady Gaga has been met with shock but more so now with acceptability and celebration. Why? Because she is seen to be making an artistic statement. Lady Gaga pushed the boundaries of what was deemed unacceptable further than any other artist. Whilst I acknowledge Cher and Madonna came before her, Lady Gaga pushed further by stepping of the stage and into “reality” in the same attire. She lowered the bar or raised the bar, depending on how you choose to look at it and other artists have followed in an attempt to stay on the radar.

Is the “sex sells” marketing tool necessary or needed? Who does it benefit and what impact does it have? If talented singers feel the need to strip of to become noticed and to sell a product then what hope is there for the rest of the general public, young impressionable girls in particular? The message that these constant sexual images promote is that women are objects to be desired. This is what men want and this is what you need to do to please and be validated.

Show some leg, pout your lips, look desirable and your album/single will get to number one. If this is the mindset within the media commercial world, then what is stopping young girls and women using the same techniques to strive for what they want (whatever that may be)?

Emulation is clearly evident in clubs on a Friday and Saturday night. Young women are wearing clothes straight out of the centre pages of their favourite magazines. Whilst being fashionable has always been a trend, what constitutes as sexy and desirable has taken a different direction. The term less is more, has nothing to do with class, holding back, remaining slightly aloof, it now literally refers to wearing less clothes to reveal more of what you have. As a result the dating game has changed, men no longer need to guess or be intrigued. Everything is out on display alongside the sexually suggestive dance moves copied from their idols.

Although priceless, the value of sex and love has depreciated. Value and worth is now within exposure, attention and instant visual and physical gratification. The media is and will always be a powerful influential medium, as a result they need to be forced to look at their methods and governments need to be aware of potential correlations to help find meaning, understanding and solutions to the current drink, drugs, sex, teenage pregnancies and rising STD and HIV issues. Clear boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable need to be in place to give structure and direction for the young and impressionable. So far 1,000 plus people have complained to Ofcom out of a potential 19 million viewers, does this suggest that people are no longer fazed by the level of sexual content before the watershed?

Parental guidance (PG) refers to content appropriate for family viewing with underlying adult themes. Parental Advisory however is now the label that should be attributed to the majority of visual and audible content.

© Lisa Bent 

Dazzled by the Stars...Lost in the Quest

It would appear the definition of success for young people today evolves around the concept of being “known”. This thought is echoed by the realisation that the career aspirations of girls today centre on becoming a WAG (Wife and Girlfriend of a footballer), Glamour model or Pop star. The Pussy Cat Dolls song When I grow up, which peaked at number 3 in the UK charts, clearly tapped into the wants and dreams of many. So what is it about this lifestyle that is so appealing?

No matter where you look, our screens and papers are awash with high profile successful individuals in glamorous attire, living the life that many consumers want. Hence the reason why so many celebrity endorsed brands do so well. Individuals want a piece of what they have and are willing to part with their money to ‘Glo’ like J-Lo, “Get the London Look” like Kate Moss and even wear FUGG’s (Fake Ugg boots) to imitate the celebrity style.

As an outsider looking in, it appears the hard work it takes to become successful to a mainstream level is not seen as inspiring or motivating, but long, un-necessary and time consuming by the majority of teenagers. Forget Generation X this is Generation NOW, a group of young individuals seeking instant gains for instant gratification. Not necessarily there fault, might I add, teenagers have merely evolved with the changing trends and technology. However I also wonder whether their appearing attitude has a direct link to the one-sided influx of only the most glamorous aspects of what these celebrities do?

Wining, dining, sun bathing, parties, magazine deals etc, rarely do we see the day to day work routine of the rich and famous that has enabled them to have the lifestyle they have and so whilst adults (there are exceptions) have a better understanding of the blood, sweat and tears involved, both young viewers and teenagers are still learning and yet to be awoken by the smell of coffee.

The birth of reality TV began 10 years ago thanks to Big Brother, who opened the doors of opportunity to desperate talentless individuals with stars in their eyes. Play it right and your 5 minutes of fame may stretch to weeks, months or years if you’re lucky. Play it wrong and you could become a hate figure or nonentity. For the “prize” (the money and beyond) many have and still are prepared to take the risk and as a result many have been evicted with less than they entered with. Loss of dignity and integrity are high prices to pay for the blasé acknowledgment that “It’s only a game show” don’t you think? There have been a handful of successful contestants and so in spite of the consequences many will continue to try their luck for instant fame and possibly fortune here and on other reality shows.

When I was younger I wanted to be Wonder Women, seriously. Other than the red lipstick, tiara, cape and boots, she saved people’s lives which I also found appealing. I decided the nearest real life role was a nurse and so dabbled with the idea until I realised needles, blood and medicine, all of which I hated, were important live saving aspects. To the majority, TV hospital dramas such as ER and Casualty are said to have encouraged many teenage girls to choose careers within the field of medicine. Whilst both programmes are still on- air, reality shows are dominating the screens whilst celebrities are dominating both the press and screens. Consequently should I or any of us really be surprised that this celebrity craze culture has had a huge impact on young people’s ambitions?

Attitudes have changed and so has behaviour which is clear to see on a Friday and Saturday night. Have you also seen the young girls dressed to the nines wearing outfits and shoes straight out of the fashion pages of magazines and music videos that centered on their idols? With great clothes at affordable prices looking fabulous is easy. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with looking hot and having a great time, the problem is that no one looks like they are having a great time. Why? I have no idea but will contribute the following guesses…too cool, part of the swagger and the blatantly obvious fact that standing in 6 inch shoes is painful.

Artists are protected by bodyguards and hardly ever have to walk more than 100 yards anywhere. Emulating Lady GaGa from head to toe on a night out in London is just absurd and the fact that so many young individuals are doing it surely is a clear indication that inhibitions have definitely been lowered.

Sex sells, it is a fact and one which I find uncomfortable as it feels like a form of grooming. Sexual images, content and suggestion are no longer out of reach on the top shelf of the local newsagent. Press the remote, tune into the radio, look online, it is blatantly there. Look back at artists such as Ciara, Beyonce, Cassie and Britney for example, they all started out looking cute, respectable, innocent and quickly turned into sex objects, tantalising teasers, with outfits associated with porn and lyrical content littered with sexual innuendos. Young girls are emulating their role models just like I did with Wonder Women. However dress up has moved away from innocence to adult suggestion. The underlying messages of these constant sexual images projected onto young girls soon to be women can form into an unconscious internalisation that this is how they are expected to and should behave.

It is therefore no surprise as to why being seen to be seen appears to be the in thing and less to get attention, is definitely more. However this is an act and possibly part of the reason why I find so many clubs in London vibeless. Everyone is trying to be like…so and so rather than being…themselves. A whole lot of swagger with absolutely no substance.

A man could be fine as hell, but a man who has vision and is working towards his aspirations makes him even more desirable to me. Fake it till you make it, is not a notion I believe in, as I see it as selling yourself out, whilst aspirations like becoming a WAG is selling yourself short. Wags are “known” because of their situation rather than their skills. So someone striving to become a WAG could be classified as no more than a glorified contemporary gold digger. Whether you agree or disagree one thing is for sure, this “aspiration” is an underselling of one’s OWN potential?

Many are losing themselves in the desperate quest for stardom, doing anything and everything to be instantly “known”. But can fame ever last more than a moment?

Yes they may grace the cover of top magazines and be papped at awards ceremonies and events, however whilst the smile and beautiful dress is forever captured in a still, the feeling of adoration and external validation lasts only as long as the lights continue to flash. Once this stops there is no attention and therefore no fame. Then what? Stardom can’t give you what you don’t already have.

Everybody is a somebody it’s just a shame that society puts so much value on the notion of stardom. Celebrities are not separate from us, they are mere mortals too, the only difference is that they have a wider platform to showcase there abilities.


© 2009 Lisa Bent