Selena Gomez covers the December issue of Flaunt magazine. She was snapped by Amanda de Cadenet, which is unexpected. The shoot is sultry and slightly sexy without going full Terry Richardson. Selena has recently spoken of how she’s constantly told she’s not sexy enough. She also insists that she’ll forever be “the girl you take home to your parents, not for the night.” This shoot does make me feel a wee bit uncomfortable. Yes Selena is a 21-year-old woman, but her baby face makes her look 16. The bouncy wig doesn’t help matters, but I’ll get over it. The yellow coat is absolutely fantastic.
The interview is titled, “Escape from Cracker Barrel and the Search for Transcendence,” which alludes to Selena’s belief that she’d be working at Cracker Barrel if she hadn’t made it big. Throwing “search for transcendence” in there makes the piece feel all James Franco, but I’ll blame that on odd writing. Among other topics, Selena discusses how Lorde doesn’t like Selena’s music. Lorde recently stated, “I’m a feminist, and the theme of her song is, ‘When you’re ready come and get it from me.’ I’m sick of women being portrayed this way.” Let’s do this:
She saw a ghost once: When she was sixteen, the place she lived in had a dollhouse left by the previous owners, well-lit and built on a little hillside. She saw a girl in a white dress running by. It happened fast and she made her stepdad go and look. Later, she and her very first boyfriend were taking a walk around the property and he saw something pass by, out of the corner of his eye, right behind her. “We weren’t allowed to go anywhere because we were kids.” Her boyfriend didn’t believe in ghosts, not at all, but when he told her what he saw, she knew that they were real.
Her conversation with Jared Leto: He asked her why she didn’t show other sides of herself to the public and she returned that there would be nothing left for people she cares about. “There’s nothing left for me, and there’s nothing left for my friends, and there’s nothing left for my family.”
On the future: When I ask her where she’ll be at 26, Selena Gomez says, “I hope that I’ve left a bigger impact.” A ten-year plan? “Oh, God. I don’t know” she says. “I hope that I’m really happy by 30. I’m hoping I’m super satisfied with who I am.”
She’s not perfect: “Obviously I’ve made a lot of mistakes because I’m human and I go through all of it. I do think you do you have to make your own mistakes and they make you who you are.”
On Lorde dissing her: “That’s not feminism. [Lorde is] not supporting other women. That’s my honest opinion, that’s what I would say to her if I saw her. I actually covered her song in all of my shows that I’ve done so far. I’m not sure if I’m going to continue that.”
[From Flaunt]
“Obviously I’ve made a lot of mistakes…” That right there made me think Selena finally and truly regrets dating Justin Bieber for any amount of time. I’ve been worried that she’ll take him back again, but the Brazilian brothel bust must have put a nail in it. I hope.
What Selena says about Lorde’s dis is interesting. On one hand, I get Lorde’s point of view, but “Come and Get It” is such a throwaway, innocuous song that it’s hard to get worked up over it at all. Selena’s response is puzzling because she seems to take the perspective that feminism means every woman should support all other women. As in … feminists aren’t allowed to criticize what any woman says or does, ever. That’s obviously not true, but I can see why she wouldn’t want to cover Lorde’s song ever again.
Photos courtesy of Flaunt magazine
I like Selena but the idea that “feminism” is agreeing not to criticize other women is just stupid.
Yap. Both these young ladies are in need of schooling on what feminism actually means.
I think Lorde knows what it is. Selena need schooling.
Yeah, perhaps I should have explained my comment.
Selena is wrong in that criticising another female is not necessarily anti-feminist. However, criticising women over actions that men would get a pass for is anti-feminist. That wasnt what Lorde was doing here though.
Lorde was wrong about the song. I suspect that the video is a mess, with all the requisite over-sexed nymph imagery that I keep seeing in pop videos. I dont know. My focus is the lyrics which is what Lorde attacked. I expect that the lack of femine agency is what she was labelling anti-feminist. But Lorde is wrong in that feminism is about accepting every womans choices as valid. The girl who prefers a more traditional courting is no less than the sister who likes to persue
I don’t think she’s saying that any and all criticism you direct towards another woman is anti-feminist. I think she sees Lorde as attempting to tear other females in the business down to build herself up, and that’s what she’s saying ‘isn’t feminism’.
I agree with whoever said that bashing other women for things that men are given a pass for is anti-feminist. So what about this: If ‘Come and get it’ had been sang by a man (maybe Justin Bieber or One Direction), would Lorde or any other feminist have a problem with it?
Agree, but bashing other women isn’t helpful either.
Said everyone on the gossip site.
“Bashing” is subjective to preference and “feminism” is being diluted individual by redefinition by these celebrities to make them more palatable or edgy. I tend to agree with the 16 yr old, which is scary.
IMO, she wasn’t “bashing” Selena herself, but the theme of the song.
She also said this, which I agree with:
““I think there’s a funny culture in music that’s only happened over the last 15 years, that if you have an opinion about something in music that isn’t 100-percent good, you’re a ‘hater’. Even if you have perfectly reasonable grounds for that critique. People will say exactly what they think about a movie, but as soon as you say it about a record, you’re like some little zombie in a funny dungeon,”
In this case, I think her comments about Selena’s song are prefectly reasonable.
Don’t get me wrong, I agreed with Tulip Garden that it’s not feminism to not critize other women. That said why is it always that most of the time women talk crap about each other, not men? Lorde might have a point but why start this fight publicly? That’s not helping either. It’s like contributing to the fact that the media always wants to create a fight between women.
Its not feminism, I agree, but I get what she means about not bashing other women.
Also I love this shoot, she is truly stunning. Love this girl.
Pubically criticizing another woman for the line” When you’re ready come and get it from me?” — it does seem more mean girl than “social/feminist critique” of a song that deserves it. It’s just trying to push down someone who’s more popular than you. She doesn’t go on to explain how that line is offensive either.
So I get what Selena is saying. But she should be careful because I think she has at least passively bashed Miley herself.
She’s probably been listening to her good friend Taylor that “there’s a special place in Hell for women who don’t help other women.”
What Selena said is very reminiscent of what Taylor Swift said regarding Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s harmless joke about her. These girls hear the slightest bit of criticism about then and think it’s okay to accusingly point a finger and claim the criticizer is somehow anti-woman. It’s a total cop-out, very immature, and a disservice to those who truly and legitimately do stand up for feminism. Selena and Taylor need to grow up and leave the feminism talks to those who actually know what the word means.
I don’t think Tina and Amy’s joke was harmless. They set the tone that “Taylor dates too much” which now on many other sites the comments are “she’s a Wh**re”. Why didn’t they joke on an award show watched by millions that Leo D. trades in VS models once they reached the ripe old age of 25 or Clooney has a different arm piece every award season? I would’ve been upset too.
Yes, women can criticize other women. We do it everyday on this site. But, lorde seems to go out of her way to critique. I read the other day she now has something to say about Brittney Spears and all the other Disney Stars (which I assume reads as Miley).
That girl talks more about other women in the business than her music.
@cs: You’ve got a point. How come people don’t talk shit about George Clooney or Harry Styles for the number of women they’ve banged/ been rumored to bang, but people criticize Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus for the number of guys they’ve been with/been rumored to have been with?
But I’ll have to look at Tina Fey and Amy’s joke again to see if they were really implying that Taylor Swift ‘is a whore’.
I just listened to the comment. They weren’t calling her a slut or anything, and they didn’t seem to mean it in a bad way, but it is a little rude for one woman to publically tell another woman how many guys she should or shouldn’t date.
@Leila
I agree.
I just felt they set the tone for others to make horrible comments about a young girl who has dated no more than the average teenager/Young adult in span of 7 years.
As Taylor said herself she can take a joke.. But, read anything about her now the introduction are the names of men she’s dated w/photos of each and a timeline. You never see the same thing done to John Mayer, Joe Jonas, or the other guys.
If a woman is portrayed as dating a lot she’s called a Wh**re. A man is called a Playboy . It’s not seen as something negative. Tina and Amy should’ve known better.
True.
I agree. And I don’t think it’s the same as criticizing George Clooney or whoever. Because Taylor Swift is CONSUMED by that boys. She talks about them, bashes them in interviews, writes horrible songs about them. It’s as public as possible. So that’s why people pick on her. It’s like, Woman, get over yourself. There’s a world beyond your various man-candies.
@Kaya
Bashing Men in interviews? I don’t know what interviews you are referring to. Cuz I only heard her speak about Joe Jonas once on the Ellen Show at age 18. Oh Pleaz… Dear John is the only song that people knew who she was referring to by name. So, now you are defending John ” David Duke Penis” Mayer, the douche that offended a race of women and humiliated Jessica Simpson in the pages of Playboy. What did he expect dating a teenager in his 30’s? Get your priorities set girlfriend. Taylor is the epitome of Feminism. Not some meek girl you can mess with.. Good For her!
She doesn’t need to get over herself as long as her albums are going platinum first week out the gate and she’s selling out arenas and stadiums across the world. After 8 years, consistently sells 6+ million per album WW. Red has sold 4 mil in the US alone.
I stand by my words… Tina and Amy were wrong..
“Why didn’t they joke on an award show watched by millions that Leo D. trades in VS models once they reached the ripe old age of 25 or Clooney has a different arm piece every award season? I would’ve been upset too.” – cs
You make an excellent point. It’s too bad that these mature comedian’s aren’t old enough to know better than to contribute to our patriarchy.
This Fey, Poehler, Swift thing is silly. It was a joke and Swift is a grown women. Plenty of jokes have been made at the expense of Clooney and Leo. Swift was a target long before Tina and Amy made that joke at her expense and it is ridiculous to suggest they are responsible for her getting called a tramp or whatever. Swift has based her career on her dating games, what a big surprise that people notice and make jokes about it. Also feminism is not a blanket term to be thrown out when you feel insulted. I wish people would stop using words they don’t understand in inappropriate contexts.
seems a little childish to pout about the fact that someone doesn’t like the message of one of your songs.
it seems very high-school-drama: “you didn’t agree with me, so we can’t be friends anymore”.
for the love of god, can we just stop with the F word now? and it’s weird seeing Selena in lingerie. it’s like looking at my sister. yucks.
I’m with you on this. The F word is becoming excessive and overly used.
Feminism?
I agree. These girls using ‘feminism’ in their interviews is being played out just as much as Miley’s tongue. Could they use their phones to look up it’s meaning before an interview that way they use it correctly?
This.
The second picture is disturbing, 21 or not. The editor should have picked another picture.
@Nicole – That 2nd pic is the one that I found disturbing too. She easily looks *14* there… I know she’s more than ‘of age’, a grown woman who has every right to be sexy. But pairing her baby-face with overt sexuality *can* make it feel… Gross.
I *truly* feel for her, it’s totally not her fault she has a baby face. I too have always had one, & still get carded at age 27, as well as people raising eyebrows when I buy sexy lingerie. It gets irritating & frustrating very quickly.
She’s very pretty, & I can’t imagine how much harder it is in the entertainment industry. Granted, the pics are beautiful & not ‘taken by a pedophile in the basement with a Polaroid camera’ like uncle terry’s of Miley. So I empathize with Selena, but I cant help my reaction to the pics sometimes.
The topic of Feminism has turned into this big scary monster where everyone bites each other heads off for saying what they think it is or isn’t. Heck I don’t even know what true feminism is these days.
It’s just believing that everyone is equal regardless of gender. That’s all it is. It’s become a big scary political monster because it’s tied up in issues like reproductive rights and workplace wages, and you can get deeper into issues of feminist *theory*, but all feminism is, is the belief that everyone is equal regardless of gender.
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” -Rebecca West
Yes! I agree with this!! I don’t like how people (Selena or Lorde in this instance) have personal views and then randomly stick that label on it.
People on this very page seem to have the same problem! I like the discussion, but let’s not write a long rambling definition of being a feminist and call it fact.
I’m a feminist. Yeah, I said it!
Ugh it’s true. I also feel like it has become a bad word. A lot of people are making those who claim to be feminists out to be some sort of villain whereas I have always considered myself a feminist but along the same lines as what Algernon and Lizzie are saying. It’s frustrating.
Basically feminism is about equality. It’s also about dismantling the patriarchy, sexism, and heterosexism and about bodily autononomy for everyone, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orienation.
well said that woman, this is my understanding of feminism as well, equality in the truest sense of the word
I don’t like the shoo……oh wait, I can’t say that, a woman did it.
ha, nice
It’s really not anti-feminist to criticize something a woman does, unless the criticism falls under the category of body-shaming, homophobia, slut-shaming, or attacks on a woman based on fertility choices. Some examples of that last one would be implying that a woman is inferior because she doesn’t have or want children, because she has a lot of children, because she uses birth control, etc.
@Leila – But there’s also the issue that a lot of people say *any* criticism of a woman regarding her sexual choices, is ‘slut-shaming’. I think everyone should be able to express their opinion regarding sexuality/sexual behavior, men or women, but it often gets hit with ‘slut shaming’, just bc you disagree with their sexual choices.
It makes it where any disagreement with any woman’s sexual behavior ends it getting that title, which is not always the case. It certainly exists, but doesn’t cover every instance.
@Hakura: As long as you don’t:
1. Call her a slut, whore, skank, ho, tramp, slag, or any other of those ‘slut words’.
2. Use prostitution or sexual violence to police her sexual choices.
3. Invoke the virgin/whore dichotomy (the ‘good girl’/classy lady/good role model/girl you marry vs. ‘bad girl’/trampy trash/bad role model, etc.)
4. Say or imply that she’s bad, inferior, ‘damaged goods’, or deficient in some way as a person because of the amount of sex she has had, the fact that she has had sex just for pleasure, the skin she has shown, or the dance moves she has done.
5. Put the onus on females to make sure they’re not the victims of sex crimes or other ill treatment from males by being modest and holding back sexually.
6. Say or imply that the amount of sex a female has and what she does with her own physical appearance determines whether or not she has morals, or say that women’s clothing choices and the amount of sex they have makes a society either moral or immoral.
Then you’re probably not slut-shaming. For example, I can say that cheating is wrong no matter what the person’s gender is, and that’s not slut-shaming.
@Leila – (This is a genuine question, not meant to be sarcastic or argumentative): Let’s say (just) for example, in regard to Miley possibly being all over (or making out with) eveything that moves… Would it be slut-shaming to say something like: ‘I don’t think she has enough self respect’ or implying that the possible ’cause’ of her actions was related to low self esteem?
I’m always conflicted, bc I do think there’s more to her recent behavior than just ‘being young & having fun’ with her sexuality… Like there’s a mental/emotional component in her (specific, not in reference to all women who do similar things) case. But it is criticizing her actions as not necessarily being emotionally positive, which has in the past been called slut-shaming.
@Hakura; Our culture does have this misogynistic belief that any time ANY female is sexually experimental or sexually open, there must be something horribly wrong with her on the inside- she’s mentally ill, she feels unloved, she was sexually abused, she has no self-respect/ low self-esteem, etc. The same ‘damaged goods’ standard doesn’t apply to guys- when guys want to sexually experiment like that, they’re just seen as natural, horny guys. This stereotype comes from the ignorant belief that it’s not natural for women to be inherently sexual or have a high sex drive- if they’re being sexually adventurous, it always has to come from a place of damage and desperation, but guys are naturally want all the sex they can get. I do find it annoying that out of all the young stars who are rumored to be ‘getting around’- Miley Cyrus, Harry Stiles, and Justin Bieber- the female is the one who people are saying are ‘untouchable, damaged goods’, and all that other stuff.
To tell you the truth, we don’t even know how much of these stories are true and how much is just assumption. Ever since Miley went through her little ‘rachet’ image, started working with and hanging with a few rappers, and twerked at the VMA’s, people assumed that she must have been sleeping with a lot of people, and that’s when the rumors started. I don’t believe them. She will kiss almost anyone in public though.
But I don’t think you’re slut-shaming just because you think Miley Cyrus may have some mental or emotional issues. (unless you’re assuming there’s something defective about EVERY female who hooks up, wears revealing clothes, and kisses people at parties). She has said that she’s really happy this year because she feels so free and she feels like she can be who she wants to be and do what she wants to do. I do think it’s possible that she may have some mental or emotional issue, but it’s probably not in the way you think.
The picture with the yellow coat reminds me a bit of Angelina Jolie when she was young. The wig does weird things to her face.
It seems the younger generation of female pop stars have no idea what feminism actually means. If you are acting a fool, be you a woman, man or child, you are going to be called out. Nay, you deserved to be called out. Read a book, pick up a dictionary before you start making up your own definitions based on what Taylor Swift told you once during a sleepover. With that said, Lorde needs to zip it. She’s 16 so I’ll give her some leeway but mouthing off so early in one’s career isn’t a good look.
I actually quite like that Lorde has an opinion and isn’t afraid to say it. I like her a lot and agree with most of what she said so far. I mean, “Come and get it ” does have an awful message. Bottom line, Lorde has talent, Selena has none and that’s all that matters.
I also think it’s a bit hypocritical to act like the virgin queen and then pose half naked. I love the wig, though. Selena’s looks is all she’s got going for her, she better use them while she can,
I agree.
Totally agree
she’s never acted like a virgin. she’s said she’s the type to date, not sleep around. nothing wrong with that. we could use more young girls saying it.
@Spooks – completely agree. I like Lorde. She’s refreshing.
+1, Spooks!
@klee oh please this kid wore a promise ring for a lifetime and her take her home to your mother speech is said to make other girls look bad (hello miley), otherwise why did she make the comparison. In fact according to her idea of feminism she shouldnt have done that.
and another thing i get that terry is gross cause of the pictures of women being beat up but when they just posing with wedgie panties why is this considered more vulgar than selena’s bra photo. I’m asking because i’ve never understood the difference.
@Klee: I’m just realizing what you said, “she’s said she’s the type to date, not sleep around. nothing wrong with that. we could use more young girls saying it.”
Sex for pleasure is not a bad thing, and the girl who has sex for pleasure, or enjoys hook-ups, is no worse, lesser than, or better than the girl who holds off on sex for a more traditional, romantic, commitment-based relationship.
No, we don’t need more girls promoting our patriarchal society’s virgin/whore dichotomy. The Phoebe Prince case, the comments Serena Williams made about the Steubenville rape case, and that religious extremist who murdered his teenage daughters ‘for being whores’, are just some examples of what slut-shaming does to society.
“…start making up your own definitions based on what Taylor Swift told you once during a sleepover.”
Perfect comment.
Selena, like her BFF Taylor Swift, is from the “women who don’t support other women deserve a special place in hell” school of thought. I’m not surprised to hear that she said this, not surprised at all.
“It seems the younger generation of female pop stars have no idea what feminism actually means. If you are acting a fool, be you a woman, man or child, you are going to be called out. Nay, you deserved to be called out.”
I agree with the first sentence. However, a person has the right to have sex whenever they want, dance however they want, and do whatever they please with their physical appearance. There are these little things called bodily autonomy and sexual autonomy, and to not allow people those choices is anti-feminist. People will disagree, but that’s just the truth.
I don’t think Selena is ‘acting a fool though’, or implying that you can never criticize a woman for anything. I think she’s saying don’t try to tear other women down to elevate yourself; that would be anti-feminist. I’m not sure if that’s really what Lorde is trying to do, though.
Leila. I love you. This all of this.
@MissMoody – I do think, from a business/PR perspective, Lorde isn’t helping herself with her negative comments about other artists. She’s taking a risk of alienating those who are fans of those artists (who may have also liked her music, but avoid it bc she ‘dissed’ someone they were already a big fan of). Or they take the constant criticism as ‘bitchiness’ or ‘trying to bring others down, or using their names for publicity to draw attention to herself that she may not have gotten, otherwise. It’s not necessary my opinion, but I can see how it’s be very negative for her ‘image’ as an artist.
@Yummy – So *what* if she used to wear a ‘promise ring’ as a teen? Is she ‘not allowed’ to change her mind regarding her view on sex/relationships? She’s a grown woman, allowed to disagree with a choice she made as a young teen.
Personally, I dislike promise rings, bc usually (in my experience) they’re given to/pushed on people when they’re kids, & don’t truly understand their sexuality (thus they don’t have the ability to make an informed judgment, & major commitment). As well as the fact that it’s almost always tied to religion, which causes those who wear them to feel like they’re letting not only their families, but *God* down, if they exercise totally *normal* human behavior/hormones, & ‘break’ that ‘vow’. They end up with this distorted view of sexuality, seeing it as ‘dirty’ & ‘shameful’ outside marriage. Especially when it comes to girls/young women, who end up feeling like they don’t deserve a good husband, bc they can no longer ‘give’ their virginity to him. Boys definitely get away with more, since they don’t have to ‘bleed’ on the wedding night to prove themselves ‘pure’.
I realize this is not *always* the case, & that some teens make the choice for themselves without pressure from someone else. But to my understanding, they’re usually given before a child reaches their teens, forcing them to make a promise they don’t truly have the tools or maturity to make.
Even if they had ‘proudly’ displayed & spoke about it before, letting it be part of their ‘image’ in their industry, they have a right to change their minds. I don’t judge them for making a very personal decision. It’s really no one’s *business*.
um I was responding to klee saying “she’s never acted like a virgin” that’s all, no one said she cant change her mind. if you read my entire statement you’d realise that the reason I find fault with her is because she holds herself as magical fairy for not being the girl that enjoys sex for the night. You need to learn to not read sentences in isolation.
@yummy – I don’t read sentences in isolation, nor is there need to be snippy or insulting, even if I did make a mistake (which I didn’t). You made issue ‘acting like a virgin’ & ‘wearing a promise ring for years’, as part of her ‘image’. (What exactly is your view of ‘acting like a virgin’?) She made a comment about her (current) personal choice not to necessarily sleep with someone just as a ‘1 night stand’. Granted she connects the statement with a moral opinion regarding what makes someone ‘appropriate’ for a guy to ‘take home’ to his family, which I’ve disagreed openly with in other comments.
I don’t agree with the moral judgement implied, but don’t think it was intentional ‘slut-shaming’. I won’t bother responding again (God forbid I misunderstand something & get another rude remark), but have a nice day 🙂
the wig is.. not good
While I think Lorde is a rude person who is known for insulting other artists, I don’t think what she did in criticizing Selena’s hit song is anti-feminism.
She’s just a rude person, but she’s not anti-feminist. And neither is Selena. Two young girls trying to make it in the industry imo.
Hmm, I know she’s of age but her look makes the photos almost seem inappropriate even though they’re not. And no where does it state that in order to be a feminist you must support all women, you can still have differing opinions. And if I remember correctly Lorde did not dis Selena, it was only her song she didn’t agree with..
Eh, she’s of age and she consented to the photographs and it’s not Terry Richardson “harsh-light-point-and-shoot-here’s-my-coochala” exploitative so I have no problem with these.
Support is one thing, saying you can’t criticize others or you’re not supporting the cause is dumb. Criticism is how we get better (when it is constructive–Lordes was not constructive) but personally I’d be like, “Whatever. You makin’ money, I’m makin’ money, buh-bye.” I don’t expect every song on the radio to be a treatise on the oppression by the patriarchy.
Selena always come off as vapid and undereducated, so I’m not surprised that she can’t correctly apply the principles of feminism.
Yeah, she doesn’t seem too smart. She has that fake intellectualism going on, like Beyonce.
HA! ‘Like Beyonce’
LET ME LOVE YOU.
The second and third photos are too similar and come off as redundant even though there was a change in clothing.
She’s the next Gloria Steinem.
OOOOH SHE SHOULD DO HER HAIR LIKE THAT FOR REALS… Looks very interesting and modern.
Meh! Lorde WAS right though, is cool to start showing women like sentient beings in the music Industry, is kind of my beef with Princess heart of the sparkle Ponies AKA Taylor Swift: You wrangled a record deal, so you are an ambitious woman, smart enough to write your own music and get those production credits and the tour money: boys and the Boy who i loved and the boy who lied CANT POSSIBLY BE THE ONLY THING THERE IS TO TALK ABOUT
Yeah, I like the haircut a lot.
“boys and the Boy who i loved and the boy who lied CANT POSSIBLY BE THE ONLY THING THERE IS TO TALK ABOUT ”
haha, yes!
@QQ – I agree! I preface this remark with the fact that it has *nothing* to do with how many guys she dated… But as an extremely successful business woman & artist (even tho I can’t *stand* her, I can’t deny that), The fact that so many of her songs/chosen singles are about relationships/boys creates the appearance that, despite her career/other experiences, her entire world *revolves* around guys, & what they do/say/act.
Surely she could write something ’empowering’, & use her independence/success to inspire others.
Love the photos, especially of the one of her on that sweater on the bed. I want that sweater and her hair now. I can’t understand why any celeb mentions another one in an interview. As soon as you do that you open the door for others to start looking at you and catching you at being hypocritical. Also why give your competition any help? If Lorde would just ignore this teeny bopper girl she will go away on her own since I don’t see a future for her unless she keeps whoring herself out. I mean she did it with that toddler Beiber so why do we think she will stop with just that?
She’s a beautiful girl, but it would be very hard to pull off the sexy look they were trying to achieve in those pictures because of her baby face. I have to admit that they make me a bit uncomfortable as well, though I know she is fully old enough to pose for them. She looks to me like a child in lingerie.
As for feminism…she doesn’t know what it is, and why it’s important.
“I’m not the girl you take home I’m night, I’m the girl you take home to your parents”… yet you are posing in your bra and underwear in a magazine photo shoot.
Sorry, your message is lost on me.
I have a soft spot for her. She seems like someone who is trying to have a good career, but not completely sell herself off. I don’t think she is comfortable with an overtly sexy image, but the pressure to do these photo shoots must come from her “people” – who are probably hoping for “Miley” type publicity. Perhaps her discomfort with this tactic is what we are feeling. Her views are all over the place, due to this tug of war over her image.
It’s a very hard time for young women – I don’t envy them in the least. The pressure must be enormous to fulfill this unrealistic plastic image of women, and exaggerate their sexuality. The vibe I get from her is that she would rather not be doing this stuff, and maybe she really is a more conservative young women (which is her prerogative as much as those who choose to explore their sexuality in a different way..,ahem, Miley). It must be very confusing. Girls at her age want to be desired, but she doesn’t want to put herself totally out for public consumption. I am interested to see how she ultimately balances that.
ED: I wasn’t using the word “conservative” in the political way.
She’s 21, not 12 so that she can be so easily manipulated with. She’s talentless and I hope her 15 minutes will end soon.
I don’t think the photos are an indication that she’s NOT a girl you could take home to mom. I don’t see them as overtly sexual.
please explain the difference to me, and im not being rude i seriously want to know what’s the different between what she’s doing compared to victoria secret angels compared to miley or rihanna because the latter two get a lot of beef; and to me everyone is doing the same thing?
@yummy – There isn’t a difference between Selena wearing lingerie for a shoot, & VS models wearing lingerie, in my opinion. I dont see VS modelling as being negative, or that it makes the models ‘sexual deviants’.
Just looking ‘sexy’ in a photoshoot does not automatically reflect her choices regarding her sexuality/relationships in her private life. This shoot is far from pornographic, & being ‘sexy’ as an adult young woman does not make you ‘inappropriate’ to take home to your family. You can be sexy & & also have a ‘conservative’ view in other aspects. They’re not mutually exclusive.
@hakura thanks for the attempt but I don’t think you understand what im asking? I don’t want to know why being sexy doesn’t make you a deviant. I want to know why is some sexiness considered too far? why is miley getting in trouble for her wedgies shoot with terry compared to vs angels. is it because it looks pleasurable, pretty or what?
I’m not sure these two activities are mutually exclusive. These pictures are not exactly pornography.
I know it’s easy to equate nudity with promiscuity but I wish we wouldn’t. I don’t see showing a little skin as being hypocritical at all. You can be sexy or want to be perceived as being sexy and still be relatively chaste.
For some reason I have a soft spot for her. Maybe because my daughter looks like her in her Barney days. Plus, anyone who dislikes Miley as much as I do can’t be all bad.
Oh boy…I think she needs to review the meaning of feminism.
“You ain’t gotta worry, it’s an open invitation
I’ll be sittin’ right here, real patient
All day, all night, I’ll be waitin’ standby
Can’t stop because I love it, hate the way I love you
All day, all night, maybe I’m addicted for life, no lie.”
Eh….I think it sounds like a dumb, generic pop song, but I also think Lorde has a point. It’s not exactly an empowering feminist anthem you know?
I mean, did she even write the song? Should she really take that much offense?
No, but I think people who start sentences with “I’m a feminist” are going to get backlash.
I agree, but that very fact only highlights the need for feminism.
The problem is that it isn’t a cohesive movement at this point. I do think that you can have an opinion, state it intelligently, without sending out a flare/signal or relying on buzzwords or tags. But I’m not shading Lorde. It just becomes a pissing match as to the definition of a word, rather than getting the core message across.
Which is to say that women are more than characters at a man’s disposal.
At the same time, I never heard the song, but reading the lyrics O’ Kitten posted above, it seems to be a pretty bland pop infatuation song that could be sung by either gender.
“I’m not a feminist, I LOVE babies!” “I’m not a feminist, I don’t hate men and I love wearing skirts!”
I agree that the meaning of the word is muddled, which is why I really think it would help if people in the public eye who are feminist would just state proudly that they are, then people will start to learn what it actually means and not simply parrot Rush Limbaugh’s talking points – it only throws up a flare/signal to attack because we LET it.
Thank you for posting the rest of the lyrics!! Is it anti- feminist? Who knows considering how few people actually get the definition (but swear they do) and quite frankly, I don’t even care. What I do care about is I think it’s a s*itty message much the way I think Britney’s “slave for you” or even “baby one more time” are.
I think Selena’s “who says” has a great message, just like Lorde’s. I love madonna’s “express yourself”. I’m a DIE HARD Ani DiFranco fan (and if anyone is confused about what a feminist is, any Ani song can clear that up – even how her label got started is an amazing story).
Point is very few artists are writing their own music (minus my hero) and over the span of their careers they’re bound to sing some songs with better messages than others. Whatever. When I have a child I’ll do my best to expose them to empowering music, and encourage them to think about what the songs means to them. If it’s a catchy song, cool, but there’s a difference between music and behavior. Plus II’ve always felt very strongly that fans perpetuate behavior- despite how horrid I find justin or miley they’ve got a lot of fans. If someone opposes a public persona, the least we can do is not support it – male or female.
@sunnydaze – I agree with all your points. I also found the message of the lyrics to be pretty ‘sh!tty’. My personal knee-jerk reaction upon first hearing the song was ‘So… She’s saying to the guy, “Oh, you can go out & screw around, do whatever/whomever you want, but I’ll be here waiting & ‘willing’, straddling the couch naked for your pleasure”.’
I admit, that may be an exaggerated Interpretation. But you can’t deny that she’s telling him to do whatever he wants, & until *he* decides he wants her, she’ll be waiting around (not being with anyone else so she can make herself available to him, regardless of what/who he’s doing).
It pissed me off, honestly. I still hate the whole idea of it, although it *does* sound like the generic pop songs (in which women are always ‘slaves to love’ waiting around for some guy.
ITA, sunnydaze & Hakura.
Ani DiFranco is fantastic. Selena’s song not so much.
Look being a feminist doesn’t mean you blindly support all women in all things regardless of how stupid they are/bad they are (this was a similar argument tossed out about feminists regarding critiques of Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin) Critiquing a woman’s lyrics/politics is the very essence of feminism. It’s not about tearing people down, it’s about showing how messages and actions create a world where women are perceived as being unequal or as the lesser.
It is about the substance of the message-not the sender. The reaction would be exactly the same if it were a man.
And for the record-her lyric was awful. That whole song was awful.
Very well said, L!
I agree with everything you said accept for this part: “The reaction would be exactly the same if it were a man.”
If a male artist had sang the words to ‘Come and get it’, like maybe Peeber or One Direction, nobody would have a problem with it. Nobody would have a problem with a guy singing a song that basically means he’s gonna lay back and let his lover do all the ‘work’ in the bedroom, that he’s just waiting patiently for his lover to come unleash all her passions on him. (I love talking like that 🙂 ) But since Selena is a woman, it can be interpreted as anti-feminist because of the history of women being expected to be totally sexually submissive to their husbands.
Great comment, L!
Uh, if a man were singing ‘Come and Get It’, he’d look like a beta orbiter!
The song strikes me as about someone waiting in the wings, hoping to be noticed. The singer is also telling the object of their affection “I’m a Stage One Clinger”, so you can take me for granted ’cause I’ll still be here!
It’s not a good look for either sex, IMHO.
“Selena’s response is puzzling because she seems to take the perspective that feminism means every woman should support all other women. As in … feminists aren’t allowed to criticize what any woman says or does, ever. That’s obviously not true, but I can see why she wouldn’t want to cover Lorde’s song ever again.”
Thanks for saying this because when I saw the headline, I read this just so I could say the same thing. A lot of women, not just these young starlets, don’t know what feminism actually means.
You know, the definition of feminism is rather short and sweet but these young starlets (Selena, Taylor etc.) always want to attach more or less meaning to it. If they would pick up a book (starting with the dictionary), I bet they would find they wish they did fall into the feminist camp and actually understand what it means to be one.
If feminism meant just blindly supporting other women, what would be the point of it?
What strikes me about all this stuff is that if someone has an opinion
-is bullying/ attacking
-is not supporting other
And Selena Gomez should check a book to understand what feminism is.
Exactly!
YES
She is gorgeous but I can’t shake the feeling I’m looking at a contestant on Toddlers and Tiara’s. Such a baby face!
Lorde’s spot on about Selena’s song specifiically and most pop songs in general. The overall theme of most female songs is I’m waiting by the phone for you, come get me when you’re ready. This is what girls and boys are hearing and basing their perceptions of society and gender relations on and its sad.
Even though I don’t care about either one of these girls, I’m just glad that they’re arguing over their perceptions of what “feminism” means. There was a time in the 90s and 00s when I thought I’d never hear that word come out of a celeb’s mouth again. Even mis-informed discussion is better than no discussion at all sometimes.
Yes, at least people are talking about it and hashing out what it means, it’s all good!
Yes. I’d really love it if my generation of celebrities discovered what feminism is, why it’s important, and discussed it and spread it around, just because of discussions like this.
Selena is so boring to me. Her music is bland, she doesn’t sing but lip synchs, she tries to dance but looks awkward, her mannish/monotone speaking voice is irritating, always sounds like she’s bored and her “not trying to be sexy”s stance is hypocritical (from the gal who is posing in her bra on a bed!!) . I just dont see the appeal of her and I think she has a short celebrity shelf life . Besides Waverly fans, nobody would even know who she is, seriously, she’s known as Justin Bieber’s GF, (and that says alot of about her intelligence, seriously Justin Bieber??!). No substance to her and her baby chipmunk face makes me uncomfortable when she is trying to be sexy.
THIS
I agree with this. She’s just an overall bland package that the media and her reps are trying desperately to make “big” and I don’t get her appeal. Unless you are 16 and under, there is no oomph or anything intersting about her (and she needs to educate herself on what being a feminist is) Mark my words, in a few short years it will be “where is she now” and her biggest claim to fame will be that she dated the Biebs.
I think she looks like a slightly older version of the character Natalie Portman played in “The Professional” in these pics. They’re not bad and it’s not really that she has a baby face that makes it hard to see her as sexy, it’s just that she doesn’t naturally exude that vibe. There is nothing sensual about her and she should just accept that and try to stop forcing herself into that mold because there are other ways in which to show that one is an adult.
I think it’s a tad hypocritical to say that feminism is always supporting other women and then saying something like “I’m the girl you take home to your parents, not for the night”, which carries its own inference of either you’re a nice girl that gets married or you’re the slut that sleeps around.
This disturbing new brand of feminism concerns me-either you blindly support everything that every woman does and says, no matter how offensive or questionable or you’re a slut shaming misogynist.
I find Lorde’s candor refreshing. It seems a bit more brash because she’s new on the scene and very young-I think if this was coming from Madonna or someone like that, no one would even question it.
Great comment! Especially this: “This disturbing new brand of feminism concerns me-either you blindly support everything that every woman does and says, no matter how offensive or questionable or you’re a slut shaming misogynist. “
All great points. I particularly like the slut-shaming good girls/bad girls call out. For Selena to go there, and then comment on whether someone else is a good feminist is the height of hypocrisy.
Yes, “I’m the girl you take home to your parents, not for the night” was possibly more problematic than “Lorde is not feminist because she criticized me”. Together it just shows how she has no idea about what feminism is.
im not sure if Lorde will give a f* if Selena plays her song or not. Sucks for Selenas fans though they are left with only her songs.
truth.
Selena doesn’t write her own songs. Its all prepackaged mass produced stuff so she shouldn’t take it so personally. If she is really interested in feminism she should take a keener interest in the subject matter of the songs she performs and how they represent young women.
Some feminists DO think women should support each other no matter what they do.
I am tired of supporting other women who keep making the same bad choices, over and over again. It feels like I am just enabling them. I refuse to do it anymore, and do not care what the “feminists” think about it! Most of my friends now are men, because they don’t whine and play the victim as much as the women I know.
The victim card really gets old.
What’s gross about all the defending Lordes being rude is that if people criticized someone for being fat (and they’re actually obese so you can’t say crap like “omg, you think that’s fat?!”) there would be a host of defensive responses of how it’s not good for that person’s esteem, blah blah.
Yet Lordes says some pretty rude things about people being “creepy” with no evidence and constantly slams people in a very vague manner…and we say “wow, refreshingly honest”
Yeah, because being fat and being anti-feminist is totally the same. Criticizing someone’s appearance is not the same as criticizing someone’s actions.
Talk about a false parallel….
I think being called “creepy” is pretty horrible. As horrible as being called “fat”? Well I don’t know, but I do know I’d hate to be called “creepy”, it labels your character and suggests you have done something creepy.
So I get what Gossy is saying. Maybe the guy Lorde said that about really IS creepy. But it is a pretty hard thing to say when you don’t explain why.
Selena looks so young … she isn´t very smart but harmless.
Lorde is rude, she is a 16 year old teenager but talks as if she knows it all and is better than everyone else. Sorry girl that´s very immature.
To be fair most teenie girls think they know all better and are intellectual but in reality they are idiots.
Why is harmless a compliment these days? And why do we encourage stupidity? I think it’s very harmful that someone that someone who kids look up to uses the wrong definition of feminsm.
I don’t think expressing your opinion means you think you’re better than anyone.
word
Yes, Lorde is intelligent, talented and well-spoken (and she turned 17 yesterday, BTW), but really she just reminds me of all the “enlightened” students I went to university with. Young people tend to believe deep down that they are geniuses who could solve all the world’s problems if only they were in charge… it’s a delusion but most of us go through that stage at some time or other. I like her music and hope she continues to do well in life, but yeah, sometimes she can come across as pretty rude (NOT just honest) and it’s difficult not to be put off by that.
“Young people tend to believe deep down that they are geniuses who could solve all the world’s problems if only they were in charge… it’s a delusion but most of us go through that stage at some time or other. ”
Well shit, you just described me perfectly! 🙂 I was definitely like that between the ages of 13 and 17. If I’m being perfectly honest, sometimes I still think that way a little bit at 21. I don’t think we could solve ALL of the world’s problems if I was in charge, but I do think we could solve a lot of problems related to the treatment of women and girls, and racism as well, if we did things my way. 🙂
Selena clearly doesn’t know what feminism is. Feminism never says you cannot critique another woman. It is against random and petty bashing. If Lorde had attacked her appearance, then Selena would be correct, however that was not what happened.
I keep seeing Natalie Portman in The Professional in these photos…
Really? I was thinking Closer. Maybe the hair wig? Is that her hair or a wig?
Sorry, but I don’t buy that Taylor Swift view of feminism. Feminism is about being a strong person, not about going into denial over another woman’s idiotic statements or actions.
Yes, feminism really should be about being a strong person. But all too often, its not. I used to read Ms. Magazine all the time and read other feminist authors, and they seemed to encourage women to play the victim card. And any time a woman did something bad or evil, it was a direct result of “male oppression”. I started not believing any of this clap trap anymore.
I see your point, but I don’t think that is an actual definition of “feminism” as I understand it. I do agree that some women do this, in particular I’ve noticed it with out-of-wedlock pregnancies–they still play the “he knocked me up and now he has to pay” card by suing a man they don’t even really know for child support, never seeming to realize that while they have the right legally to decide to keep the fetus, the man doesn’t. To me that is playing the victim card. I know that’s going to upset many, but I do believe it to be true–you cannot eat your cake and have it too. You either have the right to make your own decisions or you have the right to play the victim. In my opinion, those women are playing the victim.
It’s also why the Brandi Glanville (sp?) worship on this site is astounding to me–all her “I got him back by running up his credit card” stories–what an awful example to set for young women and girls! So yeah, I see your point, but I think that some women have highjacked the true ideal of feminism to skew the point, as has Ms. Gomez in this gem of a story.
@Thiajoka: It’s not playing the victim to expect the parent who the child doesn’t live with to pay child support. That’s the law, and both parents are supposed to take care of their children, not just the mother. It’s the same if the situation is reversed. If the man keeps the child, the woman is obligated to pay child support.
But I agree with you about the ‘He knocked me up’ attitude. That’s playing the victim. It takes two to make a baby.
I don’t know Selena’s music, but based on the lyrics…I’d say Lordes has a point. Rather than calling her anti-feminist for not blindly supporting her because she’s female, maybe Serena should think about what she said, and decide for herself if the message she’s putting out there with her music is truly what she wants. If it is, great. But if she’s concerned with feminism, maybe it’s time to grow up a bit and put a little more thought into what she’s putting out there.
selena is absolutely right. she seems like such a mature, stable young woman who isn’t putting up a front for anyone (unlike lorde).
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Other way around.
I do think that all teen/ early 20’s artists put on at least a little bit of a front before they come into their own, but I respect Lorde more than I respect Selena. Not just because she’s talented and isn’t linked to Bieber, but because she’s a confident young feminist who speaks her mind, even if I don’t always agree with every single thing she says.
Feminism has been all about fighting for equality between men and women, staying your ground and defend your place in the society. Since when is it anti-feminist to disagree with another woman? Selena sounds like for her, being feminist means to have an army of women supporting each other in good times and bad times, without manifesting any criticism. Sheesh…
Whatever, when one of these female actors or singers who uses this word gets arrested for sitting on some capitol steps in protest of bills that would prohibit reproductive or preventative care for poor women… then I’ll listen to them. Feminism means equality, not minding your manners. They show their age very much ignorantly throwing this word around and using it to cattily undermine each other.
++++++
Yep! I feel like feminism has become the new buzz word like bullying before it. That said, I’ll take ten more young women like Lorde who don’t act like feminism is a dirty word, over your Taylor Swifts and your Beyonces.
Absolutely!
I like that Lorde has a worldview and expresses herself in accordance, but I feel bad that Selena obviously has a viewpoint on the matter too, and it is being brushed off.
I personally do not like when women tell other women what to do, how to feel, or how to behave on matters that are so superficial. Even though I think her song sucks ( then again I don’t like that royal song either ) maybe she feels empowered when she sings it!
Feminism is just the belief that women are equal to men. In that basic framework Lorde and Selena can both be correct; just my take.
Selena Gomez seems like a blank, boring person to me. After this interview, she doesn’t seem smart either.
THIS!!! I’ve been reading all the comments and amazed such a yawner gets so much attention (thank you Biebs for that!!) . She better invest her money well as I don’t see a big, long career for her, very limited talent, you can hide that when young and on Disney, but eventually the lack of true talent will be hard to ignore. But for me, find it worse when she talks in interviews, she sounds so bored (maybe it’s that low man-voice she has) so bores the crap outta me!!
Natalie Portman The Professional comes to mind here
Feminism mean different things to different people maybe to Selena feminism means woman should supported each other. And not tear each down people on this site bend over backwards to defend Miley rights to be as sexually as she wants and called that feminism . If Selena thinks that woman should supported each other I think that a good thing my only problem with lorde comments is what about all the other pop stars who sings songs about being submission towards men . If lorde is so offended by this songs why not call out other pop stars why just single out Selena .
Meh. I like Selena more than I like that Wednesday Addams wanna be Lorde. She seems like a pretentious little snob who actually enjoys talking trash about other people. She’s beautiful but her songs just bore me to death. I don’t know what the big fuss is about.
Selena may not be a great singer, but as a comedic actress I enjoy her a lot. Plus she has a nice, funny personality. I’d rather hang with her over Lorde any day.
That wig is awful. But I guess it’s not as bad as the really long hair extensions she always wears. I think Lorde had a point in what she said about Selena’s music. A lot of the lyrics are inappropriate.. and going against feminism. Especially when you think about how little girls are listening to the music and what kind of impression it might leave on them about women. When I look back on Britney and Christina’s lyrics that I listened to as a little girl I’m all like, “omg, that was crazy inappropriate for me to listen to”.
Yeah, Christina definitely has some lyrics that are inappropriate for a little kid to listen to (Woo-hoo and Nasty-Naughty Boy come to mind). But I can’t think of any of her song lyrics that are anti-feminist. I’ve heard almost all of her songs.
But that could also be stated about Billie Holiday’s songs or Patsy Cline’s, for that matter. I think it was foolish for Lorde to focus on lyrics to a song so much, especially for someone whose market is teenagers who are involved in puppy love. I doubt they truly reflect Selena as a person necessarily, but what does is her comments on feminism. Those I can take to reflect her personally and I don’t think she’s barking up the right tree at all.
People Lorde is 16! She doesn’t know enough about the world yet to be even making “feminist” remarks. I say wait until she is 26 and has learned a thing or two. I love how Selena has a sexy sultry image but not slutty. Miley couldn’t do this no matter how hard she tried.
By that logic, I guess Malala Yousafzai should shut up too then….
We don’t want uppity girls thinking they can voice their opinions now do we *clutches pearls*
Lorde speaks more sense about feminism and gender in pop culture than a number of women I know over their 30s. The world needs more young women (and people in the public eye in general) speaking up for issues of social justice, not less.
The point isn’t having only perfect social commentary, it’s getting these conversations started in the first place. And considering how much social conditioning regarding sexuality, race, gender etc takes hold during the teen years, having fellow teens speak about the importance of these issues (even imperfectly) is, IMHO, a good thing.
I agree so much, I am going to post part of it again!
“The point isn’t having only perfect social commentary, it’s getting these conversations started in the first place. And considering how much social conditioning regarding sexuality, race, gender etc takes hold during the teen years, having fellow teens speak about the importance of these issues (even imperfectly) is, IMHO, a good thing.”
Yeah, the idea that nudity and overt sexuality in a photoshoot turns a woman into a ‘slut’ does come from prudes and the patriarchy.
Also, being young doesn’t render someone’s opinions on social justice issues less valid, whether we’re talking about Lorde or Malala. I agree with everything Gretchen said.
Sexy and sultry? She looks like a like a little girl chipmunk LOL!! She is so bland that even vanilla has more oomph than Selena trying to be sexy!!
Lorde is 16 and Selena is 21- I don’t think either completely understands what feminism is or it’s history. They can discuss it..but need to understand how it affects the conversation in public. is it helping the dialogue or hindering it?
Not sure where the point came where the “F word” was feminism. But as an old broad (and mom to 2 future feminists, i hope) it is VERY concerning.
I do get what Selena is saying. Other women are AMAZING at ripping other women. If it’s picking apart their bodies/ clothes/ work/ words- it can be relentless.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy- infighting rather than working together to find a way to break through barriers. Criticizing other’s music/work in the press is certainly not feminist. This open letter BS some “artists” have taken to have at another woman (to get attention or whatnot) is completely anti-feminist. Lorde and Sinead and others need to be true feminists and work together rather than pick apart. my two cents….
I agree with your point about women tearing down other women, and I agree with you about Sinead’s letter. Not only was it a form of paternalistic slut-shaming, but it was also a little whorephobic and contained rape apologism. The fact that that went over so many peoples’ heads and people defended it and agreed with it shows how accostomed so many women have grown to our culture of scarlet-lettering and blaming women for sexual violence, It’s sad.
And then Miley responded with her bitchy comment making fun of Sinead’s mental illness. Basically, these two women exchanged one problematic dialogue for another.
I’ve thought about whether or not the lyrics to Come and get it are anti-feminist, and I’m a little torn. On the one hand, women (and girls) have been told for thousands of years that they’re supposed to be totally sexually submissive (and submissive in general) to their man. This has lead to many problems, such as marital rape (and the acceptance of it), domestic violence, honor killings, and other problems.
But on the other hand, I know that’s not what she’s trying to say. The truth of the matter is that sometimes it can be very pleasurable to just lay back and let the other person do the ‘work’ sexually, and it’s not wrong for a person to feel this way. And if a male artist sang a song that was basically telling his lover that he was just eagerly waiting for her to ‘come and get’ him sexually, it wouldn’t be a problem.
I like Lorde and I like that she’s opinionated, but I hope she doesn’t get a reputation in Hollywood as ‘that person who disses other artists to build herself up’. She should ask Christina Aguilera how that turned out. I like both of these two artists by the way, (Lorde and Christina) and there have been times when they’ve expressed valid criticism and people overreacted. Currently Lorde has criticized Selena, Taylor, Bieber, David Guetta, and ‘mental’ disney stars, and Cher Lloyd has criticized Lorde for ‘being a knob’ (whatever that means).
But one of the main tenets of feminism is the right to express sexuality in whatever way one wishes. If a woman wishes to be sexually submissive and that is the woman’s choice, then it’s just as valid a choice as being sexually dominant.
I agree, as long as it’s not some abusive, coerced, pleasure-less thing that the woman doesn’t really want and didn’t really choose for herself. There’s a difference between a woman choosing sexual submission for pleasure vs. Her culture, her religion, or her man pushing it on her, and her consenting under duress or totally abandoning her own sexual agency.
1. I grew up with the same baby face, full cheeks look. Now at 30 my face is finally thinning out and I hope to stop being carded for R rated movies soon. I think she will only get more beautiful with age as long as she doesn’t surgery it up.
2. Her statements are completely anti feminist. Lorde’s (true) criticism should be allowed as part of the conversation. Her reaction of “I will no longer cover her songs.” shows a total lack of ability to listen. The song is called “come and get it” and the fact that it has an innocuous sound is exactly what makes it so dangerous. It is the perfect agent of record companies to make girls and boys subconsciously play into these very very mysoganistic ideas. Hr response feels defensive rather than thoughtful.
Wallcally, it sounds like you have an enviable baby face that as it matures still maintains it’s youthful beauty, and I hope Selena does leave her fresh faced looks alone!
Selena Gomez is 21, so her responding to a bit of mild lyrical critique with flouncing about and huffily refusing to cover ‘Royals’ anymore is understandable.
I always got carded until about six years ago. I’m now fifty. Don’t be in a hurry to stop being carded–it definitely is noticeable immediately that you no longer look as young as you did once it stops.
Isn’t her 15 minutes up yet ???? *YAWN*
Selena doesn’t know what feminism is obviously. Sad that she’s running her mouth when she obviously doesn’t know what she’s talking about. It’s like a few years back when ladies confused being a modern woman with being a slutty and irresponsible.
You say she doesn’t know anything about feminism, but here you go slut-shaming. Remind me again how your perspective is any better than Selena’s?
Leila in Wunderland, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
I know, I know. I just don’t have the patience for people who promote bigotry against their own group. To me a feminist who goes around calling other women sluts and whores as an insult is like one of the biggest oxymorons or contradictions ever. It’s like saying, “I’m not homophobic, but I am against marriage equality.” Or, “It’s so sad that so many young girls and young women have body image issues an eating disorders, and Hollywood’s beauty standards are totally unfair, but look at how fat Kim K and Jessica Simpson are.”
Taking it a step further, it sort of reminds me of a certain character from a certain adult swim cartoon, who perpetuates stereotypes and bigotry against their own group. I’ll leave it at that, because I think you all know which show and character I’m talking about.
“I think you all know which show and character I’m talking about.” – Leila in Wonderland
I don’t know. Which character and what show is it?
She looks good in the shoot. She has a young face but that’s not her fault. If she wants to act sexy then all the power to her. She’s of age so there really is no big deal to these pics.
I appreciate that Lorde speaks her mind on these topics but she’s very young and I think half the things she says are just rude and she has to keep up this persona of being hipster and edgy so she has to keep saying new offensive things.
I think she’s reading too much into Selena’s song. As someone said not every song on the radio has to be an anthem to feminism. I agree with Selena that Lorde really shouldn’t try to tear down Selena for something as silly as a line in a pop song. Let them both be strong empowered women doing their own thing in the industry. To me that’s a better example of feminism than two young girls cat fighting over who is the more popular pop star.
I like your reply, TherapyCranes. It’s thoughtful and balanced.
Selena IS sexy, just not the bawdy in your face garden variety type. She has a kittenish quality in this photo shoot that approaches the seductive quality of the mesmerizing Sue Lyon. http://www.fanpix.net/picture-gallery/sue-lyon-picture-18051790.htm
I think Selena’s got the nymphet thing down, reminiscent of a young Natalie Portman in “Leon: The Professional”, and looks great! http://waytooindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Natalie-Portman-Leon-The-Professional.jpg
I don’t think Gomez is hijacking or misunderstanding feminism by her statement.
The different types–eco, radical, liberal, cultural, etc.-feminists will argue over what are the most important tenets of feminism til kingdom come. Equality and safety for women seems to be the overall goal but we have different ideas on how this is achieved.
Just being generally, consistently kind toward other women tends to be extremely difficult. More difficult than adhering to any ideology. So I don’t see kindness as a bad place to start for any woman.
My problem with Lorde is that she can say whatever she wants of how is she a feminist and so not Hollywood and stuff. Yet she still an industry product whose target for the “cool” girls. So she still no better than these others pop singers (yes i know she write her songs but those arent great and shes not a great performer either) they are just packed and carefully created for different types of girls.
really miss gomez?
Serena bashed Miley. Lorde critiqued her g-d awful song.
Grow a pair SG.
Feminism is that u believe women are equal to men and if so superior to them in whatever subject and. Men can be feminist as well if they believe this. I also think feminism means that u can do whatever a man can do but without having to use our sexuality to prove our equality. Just cus lorde called her out on that does not mean she’s not support the cause. Selena needs to educate herself more on the subject cus her reply sounds pretty ignorant.
Oh, Lorde. She’s fast earning a reputation of being the Lily Allen of out times.Remember Lily Allen? Well she’s as relevant as Myspace. To refresh, Allen’s schtick was to criticize other artists even the ones who don’t have a beef with her. Lorde shall be regretting half of what she said when she becomes an adult. She’s actually saying things that were impressive especially for her age. She also said good things about several pop artists on her interviews. But that is not what the media is interested at. For instance, they made a huge deal about that off the record comment on Dave Guetta. They will focus on that instead of the nice things she said about Kanye and Miley. By the time she’s 20, she’ll be the Morrissey of her generation. She’ll be known for her brutal outspokenness and ruffling feathers than her talent in music. So watch out, Lorde.
Selena still looks like a little girl playing dress up.
She wants to talk about feminism, yet she classify herself as “the girl you take home to your parents”, which reminds me about men dividing women in “to fuck” and “to marry”. To me, she’s frustrared for not being preetty and sexy enough, what shouldn’t be a problem to start.
I guess Selena’s gone to Swifty’s School of Feminism. Damn, she such a cute girl. I don’t want her to be annoying like pony girl.
This photoshoot makes me think: “Cute, sexy anime girl who just did her semi-handome anime boyfriend at a hotel.” It makes me want to draw a manga version of these pics. Sometimes I do that with celebrity photos and music videos.