{photo source: google // instagram}
…since having a child, my views, my thoughts, and my concerns, have changed drastically regarding advertising.
There is one for Ariana Grande, and I will go ahead and admit I have no idea who she is or what she does. Based on the billboard, she sells lingerie. Or stiletto heels,” Bialik remarked. “Why is she in her underwear on this billboard though? And if she has a talent (is she a singer?), then why does she have to sell herself in lingerie? I mean, I know that society is patriarchal and women are expected to be sexy and sexually available no matter what we do in society, but I guess now I need to explain that to my sons?
Am I a crotchety old lady? I guess so. But I just don’t understand why this is what ads need to look like,” she muses. “Why do I have to be OK with young women literally in lingerie on gigantic billboards? If I want to see women in lingerie, I can walk through any mall with a Victoria’s Secret.
Coming from the mouth of none other than Mayim Bialik, you know the girl, from The Big Bang Theory, and if not there then you must know her from the 90’s sitcom Blossom? Yeah, that’s the one! She posted on her blog, for all to see last week, her thoughts and most importantly her concerns with Ariana Grande’s latest billboard promoting her upcoming CD.
Now I am not sure what Mayim’s views are in every aspect of life, nor do I really have the time to search them {hello! sofia turned threeteen yesterday, I’m learning to cope with that}, what I can say though is this statement she made about miss Grande’s most recent billboard I couldn’t agree more with. I mean I know why sex sells, well sorta, I understand that naturally ads of this nature get the attention of most first. We live in a world of marketing strategy publicity stunts, men thinking with the wrong head, and woman who strive for a figure that is only obtainable in photoshop. This I understand, but why we’re allowing this to win our minds is still a mystery to me.
As a mother I feel like it’s our duty to educate the little and vulnerable minds of the world, teach them what beauty really is. Natural beauty is what the world really needs; a strong mind, an gentle heart, a kind soul, this is what the world needs now. Let’s stop “sex from selling” and start “natural beauty winning”.
//What are your thoughts on the matter?
I see your point, however, Ariana’s first album did not sell as well as expected, and she was dressing much more demurely during that time. Now with her second album, she is on top of the charts consistently and we all know part of that is her new sexy look. Even she looks uncomfortable in her outfits and yet she knows that is what she has to do to succeed in this industry. Mayim is being a bit unfair blaming her like that.
I don’t think you should be after “success” if that’s what it takes though. Then it’s not much of a success; it’s a sell out. She used to be doing what she loved while not letting people take advantage of her. She was not at the top of the charts, but you don’t have to be!
I love that you posted about this and shared your views, it’s important that we as women and as mothers get our voices heard on this. I love Mayim on The Big Bang Theory and loved all of her hats on Blossom! I watched a few minutes of the MTV awards and just couldn’t believe the attire of some of the women. You might as well go naked…but please don’t!
Ariana is 21, which makes her an adult, but she looks like a 16 year old. She got her start on Nickelodeon, so her fan base is 16 and younger. I understand she wants to break free from that image, but there is a right way to do it and a wrong way.
Then again in all reality, I know my girls look up to women like Mayim, not Ariana. It’s up to us as parents to tell them and show them the difference and teach them how to be a respected woman and person in society.
Great post! Good thing Sofia has a great role model to look up to, in her mother. Media will try and influence (and will never stop), but we can have even greater impressions on our girls than the media ever will. It’s about the conversations and leading by example. We can do it 🙂
I have a 3 year old too and we haven’t had to discuss issues like that yet, I probably keep her too sheltered 🙂 But yes, I don’t want her growing up thinking that this is what women need to do or how women need to look. I agree with Jessica in that we need to be good role models and have the right conversations.