policy with pop

Looks + Talent = X Factor for Ethan Boroian? Not According to Cheryl Cole

X Factor is the British version of American Idol but with a twist (the judges act as the contestants’ managers). Cheryl Cole was my favourite judge. She’s fit, flirtatious, cheeky but sweet, and is part of the over-the-top British pop group Girls Aloud. And, with this scene and this scene, who wouldn’t love Cheryl as a judge?

But, my love for Cheryl is on the rocks after she (along with Will Young) unfairly critiqued American contestant Ethan Boroian. Watch:

What were Cheryl and William smoking? I’m not sure what they heard. But, their ability to evaluate talent is questionable.  Ethan’s performance was charming, soulful and had “good vocals.” Is he the best vocalist in the world? No. But was Ethan’s performance was arguably better than the others who advanced with Cheryl’s blessing in the boy’s category.  And he’s definitely a stronger singer than Cheryl Cole. That’s for sure. The American was wronged.

Honestly, I was not really a big fan of Ethan Boroian when the initial hype around him was abuzz. I thought his first audition, singing Kings of Leon’s "Use Somebody," was good but not as great as people made it out to be. Maybe my expectations were higher because of the hype. I kind of assumed he got the initial praise he got more because of his looks than singing.

But then I started watching the other contestants sing, and it was clear Ethan was talented. However, Cheryl, an initial Ethan fan, accused him of being “one of them people that thinks his looks will carry ‘em thru” during this round. Burn! Not only was her statement hypocritical but it revealed how Ethan’s hunky appeal ultimately led to his demise on X Factor. Oh, the pain of being beautiful…

There seemed to be a dynamic in how looks skew evaluation of talent. And this skew happens in the real (working) world too. Good looking people on average earn more 5% and get special treatment than their average looking peers. But conversely, attractive people have the double edge sword of proving that their talent and abilities, not their hotness, merited their success. Oh the burden!?!

So what do you think about appearance and its role on how we evaluate others? Do good looks ultimately hurt or hinder a person’s professional career?

And, what’s your opinion of Cheryl Cole’s judging skills? Am I being too harsh on my former favorite X Factor judge? What do you think of Ethan Boroian and his time on the show?

Aubrey O’Day Bares All

Aubrey O’Day…  I knew the girl during college. We had two classes together. In fact, I studied with tutored her.

Then Ms. O’Day became a controversial reality star on MTV’s Making the Band and a member of the defunct girl-group, Danity Kane. With her crazy antics and all the rumors swirling around about her, Aubrey has her fans but also incites the haters.

While I have my own opinions of Aubrey from personal interactions, I’ll keep them private and won’t weigh in on the fray. But I will share one positive incident that made a lasting impression on me.

One night Aubrey picked me up for one of our study tutoring sessions. One of her sorority sisters was also in her car. Aubrey had just come from an interview for a waitress gig at Hooters. She then playfully declares that she had to wear her PUSH-UP, push-up bra for the interview. She goes on to say that she needed it because she wasn’t as busty as her sorority sister and needed all the help she could get for the Hooters interview.

Even in college, Aubrey always dressed… provocatively. We all knew she was confident in flaunting her body. But this incident showed me that Aubrey was truly comfortable with her body.

That was 2003. Since then Aubrey’s breasts have expanded exponentially… Now I’m not saying the girl got implants, as some say. I haven’t seen or talked with her since 2005. For all I know, Aubrey had a natural growth spurt… that only occurred in the chest area.

The very vocal Aubrey O’Day is not letting these plastic surgery rumors go unaddressed. In her new song “Never Fallin,” she sings that she is all real when it comes to her chest. Apparently, you can ask Hugh Hefner.

Back when I knew her, Aubrey seemed secure with her body. And, I respected her confidence in her body image, even if I did not always understand her choice in clothing (or lack thereof). But, if she did get breast implants, did she sell out?

Even though she is famous, Aubrey is not the only person who comes under scrutiny for how she looks. We all deal with body issues. Should we learn to accept our bodies and avoid plastic surgeries? Or is cosmetic surgery a perfectly acceptable means to achieve the body we want?
 

Just Tax: A Lady GaGa Makeover of the Republican Party?

Congressman Aaron Schock’s abs is not the only strategy the GOP has to attract a following of The Young & the Republicans. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele wants to attract youths by giving the GOP a hip-hop makeover… Yeah…

Well, 23 year old Peter Cowman has a different genre of music to reestablish the Republican Party.

Parodying Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” is a creative way to slam Democrats with a familiar GOP attack - Democrats just tax and spend. Not only is the young Republican’s video gaining traction on YouTube, but his Congressman, Dave Reichert, proudly showed off the video at the weekly GOP conference meeting. Rep. Reichert wanted to highlight how Republicans can use young people and new media to appeal to new voters.

Do you think Cowman’s video is effective? Will it reach a new audience and pick up new Republican voters? Should the GOP adopt this type of media strategy? Or is it just a video some kid made?

What about the substantive argument itself? Do you think that Democrats are the party of tax and overspending? President Barack Obama’s party does not seem to mind increasing taxes on the rich and spreading the wealth. Is that a bad thing?

And are Republicans a little hypocritical for criticizing Democrats for overspending and taxing? When President George W. Bush and the Republicans were in power, they practiced deficit spending and nearly doubled the national debt to $10.7 trillion, which essentially is a tax on the future.

Speak your mind. Or Just Dance!

How Should Mariah Carey Respond to Eminem’s Insults?

Remind me not to get on Mimi’s bad side…

Mariah Carey hits Eminem with a bus of a song in “Obsessed.”

The feud between the megastars started in 2002.  Eminem publically claimed that he had been sexin’ the diva. In the released single “Superman,” Em raps, “Buy you ice / B*tch if you died wouldn’t buy you life / What you trying to be my new wife? What you Mariah? / Fly through twice>”

Mariah did have a rebuttal. “Clown,” off her Charmbracelet album, is reportedly about Eminem and takes the rapper to task, but it was never released. While Mariah made some subtle jabs while responding to reporters’ questions, she never publically launched a counter-offensive. She took the higher ground so to speak.

I thought the 2002 feud had died. It’s 2009 for goodness sake.

But with his return to the spotlight, the rapper brought back his old insults. He raps about Mariah in “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” a song off of his Relapse album, calling her a c*nt, a wh*re, and a b*tch. He also clowns Mr. Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, too.

Nick defended his wifey and launched a blog attack at Em, claiming Slim Shady (a white male) was sexist and racist for insulting the bi-racial diva.

But, Mariah can speak… sing for herself.  She recorded and released “Obsessed.” Now the diva’s camp claims that the song and video is not about the Detroit rapper (apparently she’s vegetarian and doesn’t beef). Right… Because referencing sex rumors and drug problems in your song has no relation to the reignited feud and Eminem. And, dressing up like an Em is only a coincidence.

Anyway, what do you make of Eminem's attacks against Mariah? Insults from a jilted ex? Or put-downs from a sexist and racist (like Nick claims)?

How should one respond to insults? For years, Mariah did the supposedly classy thing and only refuted any accusations. And the insults kept coming. Apparently girl got tired of the attacks and fired back. Which approach is best?

And who are you supporting in this war of lyrics?

Independent Pop Day!

It’s time for the annual PolicyWithPop.com song of the summer speculation and declaration! This time honored event occurs around the fourth of July and is celebrating its 2nd year in action… As you recall, I went with the Jason Mraz tune of “I’m Yours” last year.

This year is a bit more difficult for me to choose my personal favorite. I’ve been busy in DC and hardly have time to listen to new music. I do have a radio alarm clock but I only have it on one station (94.7 Fresh fm). It plays 1990’s and early 2000’s classics. Listening to old songs like Oasis’ “Wonderwall” or DHT’s “Listen to Your Heart” is actually comforting after a long day. However, it makes it hard to keep track of current popular music. But I will try.

I’m actually digging Jordin Sparks’ “Battlefield.” Not sure if it is a huge radio or iTunes hit but it’s stuck in my head (Why does love have to feel like a battlefield?). Watch her video:

Jordin Sparks - New Music - More Music Videos

Beyonce’s “Ego” is pretty sweet too.

Beyoncé - New Music - More Music Videos

Which song is dominating your head this summer? Sound off.

Happy Fourth of July!

Taylor Swift: Taking Names and Exposing Heartbreakers

I admit it. Taylor Swift is absolutely brilliant. She combines heartfelt, teenage angst with catchy pop-country music. Her songs, which she writes, are refreshing, young and meaningful. The 19 year old   knows how to make great music (Are you listening, David Archuleta?).

I’m digging her latest spunky single, “You Belong with Me.” Watch:

Part of Taylor’s appeal is her honest lyrics, but it cuts both ways. As she put it in her album liner, “And to the boys who inspired this album [Fearless], you had fair warning.” In addition to her love songs, Taylor has also written about guys who done her wrong and the heartbreak they caused her. In fact, she wrote “Forever and Always” based on the cold shoulder her ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas gave her, leading up to their breakup.

Forever & Always - Taylor Swift

Is it okay to for those wronged to publicly express their feelings and expose those who inflicted the pain? I mean people blog everyday about their personal lives, often revealing the people in their lives to the world (wide web). But does this violate some sense of privacy for those exposed by the blogger or celebrity?

The law does restrict people’s speech when it comes to others. It is called defamation. Defamation requires a defamatory statement, publication (communication to a 3rd party), identification of the alleged defamed party, damages, and falsity. (Thanks, Tort class.) I don’t think Taylor’s breakup songs constitute defamation, since they usually fail to specifically ID the heartbreaker or fail to meet the falsity requirement.

Besides 1st Amendment and defamatory issues, are there any social consequences when private, personal interactions can readily be put in the public domain? Does it create a sense of uneasiness or suspicion?

Conversely, should we deny people a creative outlet to express their feelings? What are the repercussions? Would we be denying a meaningful, emotional outlet? Or would we be censoring artists, like Taylor, from creating inspired music and thus deprive the world of beautiful works?

It’s time for you to blog/post about your thoughts. Oh and would you ever date Taylor Swift or a blogger that would publicly write about your faults?

Workin' It at the Inauguration

In case you missed it, Barack Obama was sworn in President of the United States this past Tuesday (or maybe Wednesday).

Now plenty of celebrities participated in the historic and prestigious event. Some of them performed in honor of President Obama. But, let’s also be real. They were also there to promote their current projects.

Take Beyonce. She sang Etta James’ “At Last” for the Obamas’ first dance together as President and First Lady.

While the song title is symbolically appropriate for the inauguration of our first black President, it also serves to highlight the fact that Beyonce portrays Etta James in the biopic “Cadillac Records” in theatres now.

Mariah Carey performed her classic hit “Hero” and dedicated it to Obama.

Now Mariah has sung this song at different events which invoked hope or the need for it – Live 8 and America: A Tribute to Heroes (the 9/11 telethon). Thus, it makes sense that she would sing “Hero” in honor of Mr. Hope himself. She has no reason to promote an old song... Yes and no. “Hero” is a fine selection from the Mariah catalog to sing for Obama. But “Hero” is featured on her new greatest hits album “The Ballads,” which coincidentally was released on inauguration day.

Now I’m not dissin’ these divas and other performers. You can honor, promote and work it! Do you disagree? Is it kinda tacky? Let me now.

And who else do you think slyly promoted his/her work while honoring the President? Who did it the best?

My vote goes to the J. Crew. When you become the pseudo-official clothing of the First Family, you know you done good.

And which entertainer do you think hurt more than helped his/her career at the inauguration?

Unfortunately, I think that goes to poet Elizabeth Alexander. I’m not sophisticated in poetry (far from it) but I didn’t connect to her poem, “Praise Song for the Day.” I was hoping to. Maybe you can explain it to me.

Oh by the way, you can buy a copy of Alexander’s “Praise Song for the Day” too.

Jesse McCartney: It's Over... President Bush

Jesse McCartney’s video for “It’s Over” has and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind vibe to it. I dig the song and video. Check it out:

The nation is going through an “it’s over” moment too. President George W. Bush is close to leaving office. Come this Tuesday, the nation will have rebounded (so to speak) with President-elect Barack Obama.

As Jesse reminds us, there are good and bad memories with any breakup. With a record-breaking 22% approval rating, President Bush and the country are not separating on the best of terms.

But, what are some of the good memories or policies that President Bush has created in the last eight years? If you are a one of Bush’s detractors, I especially challenge you to answer this question.

What are some of President Bush’s worst mistakes? For the 22% of you who approve of his presidency, I especially challenge you to answer this question.

In Jesse’s video, he erased all memories of his ex-girlfriend. I often hear Bush detractors say that they wish they could forget the last eight years of President Bush. If possible, do you think we should try to erase the memory of the Bush presidency? Or do you believe there are good lessons from the good, the bad and the ugly? If so, what are they?

Republican: Barack the Magic...

While PolicyWithPop.com was on a two-month hiatus, America elected Barack Obama the next President of the United States. With its electoral losses, the Republican Party is in disarray and looking for new leadership. The Republican National Committee (RNC) is holding elections for a new party chair. There are currently six candidates.

It is really anyone’s game. One RNC chair candidate, Chris Saltsman, not only sent each RNC member a note asking for support but attached a CD that contains a controversial jingle that takes jabs at the president-elect in hopes of appealing to RNC members. It parodies “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

 

Let’s take a moment to remember the kiddie classic.

Now the conservative parody is not really kid-friendly and PC as the inspirational Puff. The song, produced by the Rush Limbaugh Show, is sung by a white political satirist, Paul Shanklin, imitating Rev. Al Sharpton’s voice. You can click here to hear it. The song bases its lyrics on an LA Times opinion piece and is entitled “Barack the Magic Negro.”

 

Magic what!?! Apparently it is a cinematic term, which refers to black characters that mysteriously appear out of nowhere and miraculously save the white protagonists. I’ve never watched it but apparently The Legend of Bagger Vance starring Will Smith and Matt Damon is an example.

The opinion piece mentions that Obama has been criticized for not being “genuine” black. The song takes this argument to another level. With an Al Sharpton-impersonated voice, the song’s lyrics proclaim: Barack is “black but not authentically.”

 

The opinion piece and the song’s lyrics are referencing the fact that Obama is half-white and did not live in “the hood.” They eerily echo Ku Klux Klan’s view. KKK national director Thomas Robb stated, “Obama is only half black. Not only is he only half black – he was not raised in a black environment. He was raised by his single [white] mother.”

 

If you read the LA Times opinion, do you think it crossed a line? Or was it a fair-game assessment of Obama?

 

Is the song racist as some claim? Or is it just political satir? Does it matter that it bases its lyrics on the LA Times opinion?  

 

If the song is acceptable political satire, is it smart for Republicans to bring up Obama’s race in a negative manner even as a joke? Does it open up Republicans to charges of racism? Or are Republicans strategically pushing the envelope to make it easier/more acceptable to criticize the first black President?

You Can Vote However You Like

The kids from Ron Clark Academy perform a parody of TI's "Whatever You Like."

Vote. Word.