By Michelle Perry
The other day, I was innocently distracting myself from my homework with Barnes and Noble’s magazine selection when my eyes were assaulted by Lea Michele’s Calvin Klein clad lady triangle of procreation.
If you’re a “Gleek” or pop culture fanatic as I am, you’ve probably heard some controversy about a photo shoot from GQ’s November issue.
Photographer Terry Richardson displayed some shots of Diana Agron and Lea Michele, stars from Fox’s “Glee” in some questionable poses and get-ups that seemed to be the result of a 13-year-old boy’s “we’ll iron this out later in therapy” dreams.
Critics have described the shoot as inappropriate and even leaning towards pedophilia. The shoot was set a la “Glee” within the confines of a high school hallway, but the “Glee” ladies photographed were not in Shuester-approved poses or get-ups.
Unfortunately, over the knee tube socks and a pair of cotton panties aren’t fit for lady’s dress code. Like most of America, I am a “Glee” fan. One could even venture to label me a “Gleek.” I cannot, however, speak in the same manner about this photo shoot.
I understand this is GQ, a men’s magazine. I get it. I’m a fashion major.
I know that great photo shoots sell a product, I know that sex sells. My issue is with the absurdity of this particular photo—forgive my word choice—spread. I was disappointed in how it was out of place and didn’t reflect “Glee’s” purpose in the television world.
I’d like to talk to all the ladies, in Hollywood and out, who feel the constant need to publicly display their lady art. Ladies, ladies, ladies…we are in desperate need of an Oprah-level revolution. There is no need to act like a cat in heat when we get in front of camera.
I hope to God that the phrase, “the camera never lies” is untrue. Because the way some women have been throwing themselves lady parts first in front of the lens makes me want to rub Neosporin on my bleeding eyes.
Why are women giving men even more of the upper hand? The men already have the novelty of food shaped genitalia. I mean if there were a cave-shaped candy out there do you think I could get Mark Salling to work one for the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal?
I don’t think so.
But here we have innocent little Rachel Berry seductively licking a lollipop and sticking out her assets.
Naomi Rathbun, a third-year student at SCAD responded to the pictures stating, “I feel like they’re trying too hard now to keep their popularity up, doing anything possible to draw more of a crowd. It’s really sad.”
The graphic design major was disappointed in the shoot’s extremely sexual poses and went on to add, “Promote the actresses and actors? Sure. Go for it. But be different about it.”
Two other SCAD students expressed their thoughts on the photos. Francesca Gardner, a fashion marketing and management major, said that the photos didn’t really bother her but felt that because of the show’s demographic the spread was “not a good idea.”
Kevin Deal, a sequential art major, had never seen the photos before and upon looking at them was surprised, too, but said, “I’d feel differently if that guy [Cory Monteith] was in boxers.”
I say, women, if you really want the power, close your legs. Put down whatever penis-shaped dessert you have in your hand and step away from the make up artist who wants to shellac three pounds of lip gloss on your kisser.
The line between sexy and trashy was not meant to be constantly straddled. So please, don’t try to. Photo shoots at this taste level are the skorts of the female reputation.
They’re heinous, unnecessary and actually quite confusing. What is the point of working so hard to be successful only to prance around in our underpants without reason? If “Glee” was a documentary on the Playboy mansion I could understand the purpose of these photos.
But “Glee” is a musical theater show about the celebration of the arts and embracing the individuality. I didn’t see individuality reflected in this photo shoot, just the same kind of 15-minute celebrity scandal that will soon blow over once Lindsay pulls another quickie in rehab.
The way I see it, it’s like writing an essay with a disclaimer that reads, “This sheet of paper has words on it.” Women of “Glee,” we know you’re women. We know you have breasts. It’s funny, these actresses have worked so hard to develop their craft, but, once recognized, they state the obvious.
Instead of accentuating the fact that this person is an Emmy-nominated actress, the point from the spread I’m getting is, “This mammal is capable of taking part in sexual intercourse.” Well great, so can my little sister’s cat.
SCAD women, you are the talented, up and coming women of the arts and entertainment world. I hope that you will never let all the sleepless nights and hard work you’ve endured here at SCAD be diminished in the ways we have seen happen in the past.
If you’re selling your art, I hope you do just that. Don’t cop out. After all, the whole trading-sex-for-attention mentality will only last so long.
So to Miss Lea Michele, I say, honey, I’m sorry but you look silly. You already have America’s attention, you’re on one of the top television programs in America. These tired “gimmie sex” poses are unnecessary and so 2009. So please, Lea, hand your weeping parents a metaphorical Kleenex and close your legs.
