Why I Think GaGa has it right!!

...A particularly big fan of pop music. When it comes right down to it, I much prefer the dulcet tones of some soft indie or all out rock and roll. That being said, I have still been following Lady Gaga's career with interest. And only recent photo's of her out on a night on the town and exposing various body parts has actually moved me enough to write the hub I've been planning so long.

...Do I think she has it right?

Britney Spears.

That's right, you heard me!

I come form a film studies background and know a little about the history of television and media. I am going to apply the same logic to the music industry, but give me a moment to explain.

Originally, with the creation of moving pictures, any woman who took to the stage or screen was considered a prostitute. Acting in itself was considered to be a form of prostitution by which a woman sold her body for pay. Up until the creation of TV women's parts were more often than not played by men. This changed gradually as the years progressed and eventually flourished in the film industries of the forties and fifties, as the studios gre in power and, quite literally, took control of their clients.

Once an actor had signed with a particular studio they were watched day and night. They're lives were sheltered and there was a certain amount of restriction placed upon their actions. Compare it if you like to the Royal family - they are always in the public eye and so they are surrounded by PR types and lawyers and advisers and 'representatives' of the studio. there were up sides as well of course; and this is where my argument comes into play...

Whilst it is undoubtable that the artists who worked for the studio's were restricted in their public appearances, they were also protected from the public, and from themselves. In the fifties, if Britney had taken a mental health episode the public would never have known it, the studio would have gotten her medical help and guarded her from the press.

So...What does Lady Gaga have to do with all this?

About a year ago, just towards the beginning of her career, I was reading an article about who she was and where she came from...And in the article she said 'I don't ever want my fans to see me without my hair done or my make-up on' and it reminded me instantly of the studio days. She wants to protect her real 'self' from the light of the public eye and so protect herself should she fall off the wagon.

It's my hope that she will bring about a revolution in the industry, one that looks out for the artists and takes the focus a little away from making money.