The singer fights back against sexist article and objectification in the music industry
The singer fights back against sexist article and objectification in the music industry
Text: Gabriella Salkin
Last Friday, L.A. Weekly ran an article about V girl Sky Ferreira that quickly had the Internet up in arms to defend the singer—and with good reason. The article, meant to analyze the image and sexuality of the young pop star, was an exercise in objectification, even going so far as to compare the singer to a “turbo-charged Italian sports car.” Today, Ferreira finally responded to the story.
In his article, writer Art Tavana argued that Ferreira resembles a “dirtier Madonna” on her album cover for Night Time, My Time, with a similar jawline, her dramatic brow, mystifying green eyes, bleached blonde hair compliment, and most notably, “her killer tits.” In this lengthy article, Ferreira’s accomplishments are undermined and overshadowed by her “offensively cool” image. At one point, Tavana does note that Ferreira is “more than just a sex symbol”—saying that Ferreira, “sweet like a freshly licked lollipop,” not only shares a similar cup size with Madonna, but also similar vocals: “She's been singing semi-professionally since she was 14, and she's got talent." He even mentions her Madonna-inspired V shoot, claiming America has widely established the indie-pop star looks like The Material Girl.
Though she admits that at first she did not want to give the writer the satisfaction of a response, Ferreira finally took to Twitter to acknowledge that she's "more than just [her] 'sex appeal' or [her] 'knockers'" and she's "not ashamed of either of those things." She looks beyond what has been written about her and says, "The people who understand me as an artist & my work is what I care about." Read the rest of her Tweets below.
There's no such thing as an "IDEAL WOMAN", people.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& that it does have consequences & contributes to sexism in general
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
The people who don't...Oh well.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& my well being so I can make it. The people who understand me as an artist & my work is what I care about.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I've always been "too much" or "never enough". At the point I care about the work I make because that's what actually lasts & matters
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I've always been "too much" or "never enough". At the point I care about the work I make because that's what actually lasts & matters
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
Stupid is probably somewhere in there too
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
If you're not a bitch or then you're fake. If you're not crazy or difficult then you're boring & helpless
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
All I said was that I didn't get sexually abused or had any sexual relations with him after journalist kept writing as if I did over & over
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I have never worked with him since. I even said my own experience doesn't take away or against the victims.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
But I also know it would probably seem as if I don't care or I'm okay with it or weak. When I obviously do for obvious reasons.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
A part of me didn't want or at first care to respond because I don't think it deserves that sort of power or attention/validation
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I'm done with the "success has 1000 fathers,failure has none" bullshit. The reason good or bad & who I am or whatever I've done is ME
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
& I appreciate people speaking against it and being vocal
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I'm not a think piece. I'm not a fucking example. I'm glad that this is making people think & conversation is happening
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I spend/spent so much time being frustrated by this type of bullshit that it really took a toll on me in a personal level.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
If there was some sort of formula all of this would be a lot easier and faster & probably more "successful"
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
It's not calculated or whatever. I do what I want when I feel it's true to me.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
I'm obviously a lot more than my "sex appeal" or my "knockers". I'm not ashamed of either of those things either.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
Some have been more passive aggressive or subtle & socially acceptable.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
95 percent of articles & interviews about me have had something offensive,false or (sometimes extremely) sexist.
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) June 21, 2016
Ferreira is a talented musician who writes her own songs, released a critically acclaimed album, opened for Miley Cyrus on her “Bangerz” tour, and will be starring in the highly anticipated reboot of Twin Peaks. While she is undeniably attractive, these accomplishments deserve a higher recognition than her “faux-blond hair” and a comparison to Madonna.
Thankfully, L.A. Weekly has since apologized for its article, acknowledging that it “crossed the line.”