First and foremost, let me start off by saying Happy Hangover Day to all of you who Super Sunday-ed it up a little too hard. I did not watch the game, however, my downstairs neighbors had a party, and from their collective screaming throughout the afternoon I assumed one of two things:
1) It was the most exciting game ever.
Or
2) This year they decided to play with an axe instead of a football.
Anyway, have you guys seen the trailer for Spring Breakers? If you have not, let me apologize in advance. I really don’t want anyone’s week to start off with echoes of James Franco’s voice coursing through their head, sorry.
So when I watched this, my first thought was that it looked like one of those ludicrous, lots of half naked girls, action flicks they release every spring break. Then I realized Spring Breakers is a Harmony Korine film, so while it may contain a large number of jiggly girls in bikinis, it’s also very likely going to be disturbing in some way, because that’s kind of Korine’s MO. Korine, by the way, is not what this post is about. Nor is it about James Franco reaching all new heights of douche-y-ness. I’m far more interested in the outcry over the female cast, two of which, Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez, are probably best known for being products of the Disney Machine.
On the one hand, I absolutely understand parental outrage when a celebrity whose main audience is preteen girls does something like tweet half nekkid photos of themselves, or twirl around stripper poles, or whatever. But, neither Hudgens nor Gomez are cogs in the Disney machine these days, and neither are teens anymore. They are merely two more young women in a long line of females that left Disney and then began a transformation from good girl to, well, something not quite so vanilla. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera are prime examples (and yes, I understand they might not be the best examples, all I’m saying is that this isn’t exactly uncharted territory). Psychologically it makes sense, at least it does to me. How many of us started piling on the makeup and wearing more grownup clothes in high school? The difference is that, 1) these girls go through it publicly, and 2) neither one of them are in high school. Yes they are young, but they are adults, and actresses. Spring Breakers isn’t a drunken night on the town sans under garments, it’s a career choice, and one both probably chose to take in order to establish themselves as capable of playing something other than a high schooler.
The days of Annette Funicello are gone, and very few child stars remain America’s Sweetheart indefinitely (especially in our current culture of loving to see the mighty fall). I understand there are parents that feel young stars have an obligation towards their even younger fans, and therefore are upset about the choice made by Gomez and Hudgens to star in Spring Breakers. But I think the question that needs to be asked is, at what point do these girls get to shed their childhood image and grow up?
I’m curious to hear your opinions.
I think instead of parents getting outraged that these former tween stars are now playing adult roles, they should understand that even girls grow up, and just show some restraint and good judgment as to what their young girl children are watching. If their girls are fans of these young women, that’s fine if they are on Disney. But if they have moved on to an adult role, explain that this movie is not for children/tweens and that the former child stars are now adults who are in movies not suitable for younger audiences. Then tell them they aren’t allowed to see it. It’s called good parenting, peeps. Give it a shot!
Yeah, I understand it’s difficult. If your kid is a huge fan of someone, then they’ll want to see whatever movie they star in, whether it’s meant for kids or not.
I agree with you and Misty. These “girls” are grown-ups now. I have a 9 year old daughter who grew up with Miley Cyrus, who recently went through the same “establishing herself as a grown-up” phase. When she started doing risque routines, then (more or less) shaved her head, my daughter was flabbergasted. I used this as a teaching example and explained to her that Miley can choose to do those things because she’s an adult. However, she didn’t behave that way when she was young and (as far as we know) respected her parents’ rules. I think parents’ time is better spent using celebrities’ behavior as examples of what we consider acceptable or unacceptable behavior. It’s also a good way to teach your children to not judge others. I don’t approve of Ke$ha, but her actions are her choice. Teach our children appropriate behavior while teaching “live and let live.”
That is excellent advice.
Also, I really, really don’t get the Kesha thing.
I think Anne Hathaway is the best case example of shedding the Disney Princess image. After Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted, she was very much the Disney name and then she went risque/clothes off with Havoc (a slightly unfortunate film, though directed by an Oscar-winning female director, for documentary) but also Brokeback Mountain and eventually a great turn as Catwoman and an Oscar nomination and likely win for Les Mis. It may not have been a perfect A to B transition but she made it work and now is far more respected and has far more options as an actress.
Say what you will about Hudgens and Gomez, Korine is not just a merchant of sleeze, he’s an unconventional and interesting filmmaker (less obviously a good one). It seems more dignified than starring in whatever dumb horror of the week schlock tends to be the usual outlet for going adult.
Agreed – it was an interesting career choice for both girls. Korine is certainly unconventional, but there is usually an idea/message in his work, unlike most of the horror/torture porn genre.
You’ve got to have kids to understand the rage people have against the Disney Kids. These fuckers get pumped into your household 24×7, expensive plastic crap with their likeness on it is crammed down your throat through saturation marketing, and just when you think you don’t have to see one of these fuckers again they show up in a movie designed for you?
It’s enough to make you wait in their bushes with a bottle of chloroform and a tube of Nair. Theoretically.
Nair, huh? So they aren’t shaving their heads after all, it’s you. Theoretically.
Many parents fall prey to the Disney product or the lure of professional athlete with their boys. It gets close to hero worship and they haven’t taken the time to make sure their children understand that the person and the characters they have fallen in love with are not the same.
My son was a huge sports fan and LOVED a few in particular. I fought hard to make sure he was a fan of only their ball playing ability and not the actual man when the ‘hero’ was not really someone to look up to. It gets difficult.
I hadn’t thought about sports, but that’s very true – professional athletes are just packaged and marketed as actors.
So tired of parents judging the young girls in the limelight these days. The thing is, their own daughters are probably doing or going to do many of these same things…. but behind their parents’ backs. I did and I doubt young girls have changed a lot over the past 45 years since I was a teen. Maybe they should check their daughters’ Facebook pages. Just saying.
Oh yes, you are absolutely correct. I don’t think all that much has changed behaviorally, the difference is that everyone has a camera on their phone.