Jessica Valenti, a feminist writer and blogger recently insinuated Gaga could be seen as "a new model of feminism" because of her performance of sexuality and power.She also mentioned Gaga speaking out against misogynist and homophobic lyrics by other artists as an aiding factor. To be honest before reading the article and listening to the interview, I would never have put feminism and Lady Gaga in the same sentence. Over the years since her first debut Gaga has gone through an enormous transformation from the generic pop singer of "Just Dance" to the controversial icon and symbol she is today. Elements of her video still remain the same, the same pelvis thrusting, the same sexually suggestive moves and the same extreme clothing or lack there of. However, now its all done with a little more pizazz, emphasis and confidence. Many of her videos now have underlying themes that comment about society in general. One such video is her "Bad Romance" video, in which Gaga is kidnapped and sold to a Russian mafia. Gaga describes the video as showing "how the entertainment industry can, in a metaphorical way, simulate human trafficking--products being sold, the woman perceived as a commodity."
Gaga has become more confident in her interviews much like her videos have become bolder. In comparing some of her earliest interviews to some recent ones it is interesting to see her evident change in demeanor. She in now more self assured, choosing to speak out again misogynist and homophobic lyrics. In an interview with Barbara Walters she emphasizes the fact that her music is made especially for the so called "freaks" like her out there. She says, I "try to be a teacher to my young fans who feel just like I felt when I was younger, I felt like a freak. I guess what I'm trying to say is I wanna liberate them, I wanna free them of their fears and let them know they can create their own space in the world." Evidently, Gaga has a lot to say through her music and art. I commend her for the "messages" she puts out. It is about time that someone does something radically different in the entertainment industry. However, I don't think I would go as far as to call her a "new symbol of feminism". She is a powerful woman "in charge" of her sexuality in her videos, she has spoken out again misogyny and she has made a few statements here and there about the double standards between men and women especially concerning sexuality. This is all well and good but I don't think that this is all it takes to become a new symbol of feminism. This is not to say I have a checklist of necessary actions and attributes but what I do know is when I think of Lady Gaga, I certainly don't think of a champion of women's rights.
Thomson-DeVaux, Amelia. "Is Lady Gaga A feminist Icon." Care2. Jan 2010. Web. 4 Nov 2010.
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/is-lady-gaga-a-feminist-icon/
