It's hard to imagine a celebrity more contemptible, parasitic, self-regarding, and vomitus than Paris Hilton — yet remarkably, they exist.
For example, Avril Lavigne just showed us why it is typically a good idea to keep your mouth shut and your bodily fluids to yourself when drunk in public.
Last week, Lavigne and her new husband, Deryck Whibley, frontman for pop-punk band Sum 41, showed us that not all celebrities are created equal. Some can truly suck the red off an apple. How so, you ask? Well, spitting in the face (two separate occasions) of the paparazzi, writing "f*ck you" to autograph-seeking fans, and then cackling like a miniature, demented witch on bad potion, for starters.
Lavigne and Whimbly both took it upon themselves on separate occasions to assail their admirers with volumes of saliva. And of course, who else but TMZ has all three incidents on film?
Honestly, the video showcasing their behavior is so appalling and offensive, I literally kicked my cat down the street in anger and disgust.
I am not sure if this immature display was an attempt to shed the totally wanker image she and her husband gained after their July private estate, wussy-ass, anti-punk, Vera Wang/Hugo Boss wedding in white; or perhaps, they really are just a couple of assplugs. Either way, I felt the strongest, most uncontrollable urge to punch a hole through the back of their skulls.
Of course, after the backlash for her behavior started to mount, Avril issued a half-assed apology on her official website:
"I'd like to sincerely apologize for my behavior with the paparazzi. It's trying at best dealing with their insistent intrusions. I meant no offense to my fans, whose relationship I truly value. I have and will always go out of my way for my fans. My behavior was a reaction to the persistent attack from the paparazzi."
All that's great, but it doesn't jibe with her behavior in the video, which is bratty, disrespectful, rude, and cruel.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DJRadiohead
Dawn, that is every bit as great as you told me it would be. My cats hate Avril, too.
2 - Baronius
By implication, Princess Di was a talented woman of virtue who earned her wealth. Are you sure you want to stand that ground?
3 - CallmeMaddy
I have her on my sister's IPod. Some of her songs are good, but others make her sound like a whiny bitch (Sk8ter Boi). I can't believe she did than. My opinion of her just went totally down.
Maddy
4 - Eric Olsen
contempt for one's fans is the greatest sin an entertainer can commit - so I agree with your assessment Dawn - thanks!
5 - Dawn
Dalena,
I did a little searching around based on your last post and I am not completely sure what you are trying to say. It seems like you may have some valid points but they are getting lost in between your obsessive use of all caps.
If you truly have a point and you aren't nuts, then feel free to email me, if there's a real story here, I will listen. If you are a nutball, please get some help, as I don't want you to hurt yourself.
Thanks EO and DJR!
Maddy, the saddest thing for a young person to discover is that their heroes(although Avril certainly doesn't qualify as one of your heroes - but you get my point) aren't always very heroic, sometimes they are just plain lame.
Ask me about Michael Stipe sometime, or Morrissey, or Trent Reznor and I will share my wisdom. Go forth young lady and beware of stupid celebrities fashioning themselves as role models.
6 - Avril_Has_Attitude
FAR BE IT FOR ME TO DEFEND SPITTING - BUT YOU DO NOT OWN AVRIL OR HER CAREER.
She can do what she wants, attitude got her where she is, and there she will stay as long as people have her; there's no buts about it.
People who complain about the spitting have nothing better to do. BACK IN THE DAY spit from a PUNKER was a GIFT. I really don't care - but to use it to defend Paris Hilton - sheesh - go for a walk or something and clear your head.
7 - John
No fair you make all these unfound complaints about PPPParis, who is great, and then you say NO PERSONAL ATTACKS ALLOWED. YOU MUST HAVE A THIN SKIN, PARIS IS TOUGH.
8 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Anyone who is an entertainer owes it to the people who make them rich to be polite and nice she's eating on their money!
So, if Avrile whatever her name is sees fit to give everybody the finger, the logical thing to do is not to buy whatever
music videos, music, or other entertainment items she and whatever managers her marketshit she puts out.Enjoyable article, Dawn. But isn't there anybody out there who is nice and likeable (aside from Paris Hilton)? Are they all pathetic fuckups? Is that what my generation (but not me) has raised for kids?
9 - duane
Have to disagree with you, Ruvy. In fact, I disagree with the whole premise that what celebs think, do, or say when they're "off the clock" should have any bearing on whether or not we plunk down money for their "product." I bought a new HP printer from Best Buy last week, and I did not bother to find out that the guy who sold me the printer is a rude driver and flips off fellow motorists routinely. I didn't take into consideration that one of the mid-level managers down at the HP printer division is a cold and unloving father to his two boys. I was satisfied with the product, and I was happy to pay for it. That's how it should go.
Lavigne should not be viewed as a charity case. She doesn't owe her fans a thing. She produces a product, and consumers should buy it or not depending on their wants and needs as consumers of the product. Who gives a damn whether she spits in public?
All in an ideal world, of course.
It really is apalling that fans fork over money because of an image that appeals to them, rather than (in this case) the music. And then they change their mind when the image becomes less appealing. That's why pop music is so screwed up. How about some decent music for a change?
10 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Duane,
I'm gentleman enough not to bother a celebrity when he is off the clock. I had to keep my ex from making googly eyes at Howard Cosell (gives you some clue as to why she is my ex...), when we saw him at an expensive restaurant in Manhattan. I was unimpressed enough by some guy named Elliot Gould when he sat down next to me on the subway for several stops chatting up his party experiences in California, telling me what a wonderful place it was... It was only after I saw him the next night on Saturday Night Live that I got excited.
But that's me, and evidently that's you. But an entertainer relies on
my(well, not my money - I don't buy anything) the consumer's money to live owes them in this imperfect world. And while we shouldn't bother these fine folk off the clock, we do, darn it. And since we made them what they are, they owe us. Otherwise, they too could be saying "welcome to Burger King! What can I get you today?!" like I did for 12 years...11 - duane
Sorry to hear about the BK experience, Ruvy.
The thing I disagree with is that "we made them what they are." At least, I wish I could disagree with it. Like all professions should be, entertainment should be a meritocracy. The musicians that I respect and whose music I pay for worked their butts off to develop and nurture their talents. Some of them seem to have the gift of inspiration, and I'll pay for that, too. I worked my butt off to gain entry into my profession. I don't "owe" anyone anything (well, maybe my parents). I produce, someone agress to pay for the "product" -- that's it. The music business should be the same way, although I understand the need for publicity and marketing.
But it is unfortunate that "artists" like Lavigne have been "made." I don't know that much about her, but I'm sure that she appeals primarily to the teenaged girl market. In an ideal world, she shouldn't owe her fans anything. She has already delivered on her end of the bargain.
Cosell? Hehe.
12 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Duane,
Sorry to hear about the BK experience, Ruvy.
Hey, dude, there is nothing to be sorry about. It was my second favorite job in the States. I was a manager and I got free meals - till I started keeping kosher...
But I've had to work damned hard to break ino the writing business - I guess here is not the place to make that complaint, eh?
13 - Baronius
Duane, have you read Shari's article about ethics? I'd be interested in your opinion of it.
14 - Dan
To compare Avril Lavigne to Paris Hilton discusts me to no end. So many people misunderstand this girl its not funny, shes not a typical celebrity, Shes a rock chick with an aggressive attitude you dont want to mess with, well guess what, somebody pissed her off, and those poor fans just got caught in the crossfire, they should consider themselves lucky they have an autograph with Avril's two favorite words on it.
(by the way what so called fan carries pictures around just hoping to get an autograph, Ill bet they will go straight on Ebay)
and as for her apology, Im a member of her website and Id like to say I thought it was from the heart. Avril is not the kind of person to release an insincere apology.
Id also like to say
Ill buy her next album
Ill watch her music videos
Ill go to her concerts
just to zets people who express an uneducated opinion on a subject they know nothing about.
PS I wonder if it would be different if this were a guy rocker, like Billy Joe Armstrong from Greenday, what would we say about that, Ill bet nobody wouldve given it a second thought, just saying "well thats Billy"
Im saying "well thats Avril"
Society is more sexist than we think, and its all our fault.
15 - Dawn
I am not comparing Avril and Paris by way of talent, but merely their interaction with the public, and honestly I find it pathetic that anyone would defend another person spitting on people, regardless of any other circumstances. Somethings should just be beneath human behavior.
What's next, flinging crap like monkeys. Get a grip.
Besides, Avril's music is the lamest of lame, I'd rather listen to Paris Hilton moo like a cow, and I hate Paris Hilton.
16 - duane
Thanks for the tip, Baronius. I had missed Shari's article. Obviously, some of my comments could have been addressed to her post.
As Shari points out, the realm of entertainment as a battleground for ethical decisions is fairly trivial. Any stand that I might take against an artist based on political, ethical, or other factors amounts to no more than NOT buying the artist's product. Not much of a sacrifice on my part.
But I don't take stands against artists, at least not in public. If I like the music, I will pay for it, regardless. I suppose I have adopted my nearly black and white opinion based, in part, on my political superficiality. I'm more or less apolitical, and not especially proud of that fact. Also, part of the problem is that I'm lazy. It is inconceivable to me that I would expend the effort to KNOW the people from whom I purchase products. I used the printer as an example. If Joe Blow, the car mechanic, can do a good job fixing my car's water pump, I'll pay him to do it, regardless of the fact that he might be snorting coke every evening.
The situation that Shari points to is more difficult to deal with. Suppose I just happen to overhear Joe talking to one of his buddies about his collection of kiddie porn. Do I do business with him? Honestly, I would have to say "No." I would even go further and report him to the police. So, I guess I'm a little flaky. I can't say with any conviction that I have a strict code of ethics that I adhere to through thick and thin. There are always those annoying gray areas.
I guess my comments here were in the context of personal foibles. I would also include political and religious beliefs as being irrelevant to my purchasing decisions. Do I refuse to buy Dixie Chicks CDs because one of them was yakking away about Bush? No, I don't buy Dixie Chicks CDs because I dislike their music. At the risk of pissing off Dawn, I will also go see the next Mel Gibson movie, if I hear that it's good. I'm simpleminded in that way. If I had to stop doing business with every person that has uttered a bigoted or racist remark, I may as well move to the country and try to become self-sufficient.
What about you, Baronius?
17 - Dawn
duane,
In all fairness, Mel only pissed off his Jewish fans, but as an added bonus, he scored huge points with the anti-Semetic crowd, which seems to be swelling in numbers these days. Oh and those whacky Catholics like him too. So his fanbase is relatively secure.
18 - duane
All in support of my contention that entertainers should keep their big mouths shut about things unrelated to their work. Most of them do, or we would know things about all of our supposed idols that we're better off not knowing -- with the possible exception of Kate Bush. She is perfect.
... Mel only pissed off his Jewish fans ....
Ah, you jest, Dawn. See, this is the thing I don't get. So, anti-Semitics suddenly find Gibson to be a good actor, and his movies suddenly become entertaining because he started foaming at the mouth? Someone explain this to me.
19 - Mohjho
Cool picture of Paris Dawn, keep em comming!
20 - Dawn
Duane,
I guess I was being sarcastic about the anti-Semetics liking Mel know more than before. The thing is, groups that hate people for no good reason are always happy when some idiot with perceived credibility supports their retarded views. They could care less about the person's other positives or negatives, all they see is a big mouth supporting their disgusting agenda.
You were certainly aware of that I am sure, but I just felt it needed repeating.
21 - Baronius
Duane - me? very political, kinda lazy. I can't imagine seeking out an entertainer's political views or personal habits. Maybe if some movie has an overt political theme I'll be curious. Otherwise, I only learn the things that filter down to me.
There can be an interplay between the artist's image and the works of art. In Avril's case, I get why 15-year-old tomboys would like her music. Avril Lavigne has to walk a fine line to keep her image up. I think of Tom Cruise as another example. He used to play the natural talent (pilot, bartender, lawyer) on the verge of a breakdown. Now that we've gotten to know him, those roles don't seem like a stretch.
If I know that a performer is a jerk, or if I disagree with his politics, I tend to avoid his works. I'm far from perfect at it. I know quite a few conservatives who avoid Disney products. In the case of a company, I'm fine with purchasing their decent products, and avoiding their indecent ones. But in a case like Robert Downey Jr., some portion of the profits from the most wholesome family movie may go to drugs. That's a deal-breaker for me.
22 - Angelina
Come on, isn't it obvious, that Avril's spitting was partly a PUBLICITY STUNT, to re-establish a bad punk rocker image!!? Well, it worked & got attention.
Furthermore, writing "FU*K you" to fans, who made her wealthy, is completely self-centered & immature.
You folks who defend Avril's behavior are BIASED because you would love to get in her pants. You know that's why. Well, she'd probably spit in your face, too. Then, would it be OK?
23 - Eric Olsen
Avril isn't punk, she isn't even rock - she's a Canadian pop singer who uses guitars
24 - megan
i think that she changed after gettin' lots of money, popularity and her beauty.
she is wild but humans are the same...
25 - Vern Halen
Before she was a celebrity, Avril was a pretty good singer. When she became a celebrity, she started acting like one, albeit a poorly behaved one. Stick to what you know, girl, and what you're good at.