Is Madonna past it?
October 23rd 2008 02:31
Sure there’s a plethora of aging stars doing the rock and pop circuit – from The Stones to America, Jackson Brown to Stevie Wonder – but is (being a so-called music legend) enough to get the Material Girl over the line with fans following husband Guy Ritchie’s comments that she “looked like a Granny on stage”.
Personally I find it hard to believe that Madonna (shrinking violet that she is) is reported to have been made feel ‘unattractive, worthless, unfeminine, insecure and isolated’ – but the fact is (and despite her super fit health and training regime) she does.
OK – so cite Tina Turner as another example of mutton dressed up as lamb or point to the incredibly haggard Ronnie Woods – and you’re right – they don’t look like 20 year olds either – but neither then does Madonna – despite her well heeled attempts to defy time with a little help from surgeons.
Perhaps Madonna is redefining middle age – but honestly – only those who have reached that most hallowed of turf start using terms such as ‘oh but 50 is the new 40’ and ‘you’re only as old as you feel’.
Complete with support bandages under her fishnet stockings, anti-aging body suit (which she allegedly wears to bed each night), $1200 face creams, suite of dermatologists, personal trainers, dieticians, and frequent flyer plastic surgery card – is Madonna as relevant today as she was 30 years ago?
There’s reinventing yourself and then there’s reinventing yourself – it doesn’t matter how much polish and body work you do to the car – it’s still a 50 year old car – not quite a classic – but not far from it – it’s whether the owners (or in Madonna’s case) her fans are willing to persevere with the foibles that this once shiny, sleek and edgy sportser afforded on stage and vocally or whether it’s time to grow older gracefully as Olivia Newton John.
Fame is a drug – and for a girl with a moderate amount of talent, mediocre good looks but a lot of bravado, excellent song writing and chorographers plus a PR machine which has worked overtime from day one – it’s a tough habit to break.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Age, like beauty, is all in the eye of the beholder. I saw an ad the other day for uni film students wanting both male and female middle age actors for their film. The criteria - from age 25-40!!!
Janet
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Middle age - 25?
Ouch!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
I take it you were lost for words in your first attempted reply . . . which given Modonna's exploits over the years is not unexpected.
Cheers to you - enjoy your weekend
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
The Buffalo Beast (my favorite newspaper) had a nasty/funny review on her last album cover (Hard Candy):
and
I don’t mean like going online to look for the pictures from her early ‘90s nudist phase. I’m talking about looking at the 50-year-old sack of bones, sinew and gristle that is the Madonna of today and saying, “I’d hit it,” without a hint of irony.
(Eric Lingenfelter, Buffalo Beast)
Harsh--but funny as hell.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Sometimes it's worth running the gauntlet.
Cheers
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Yep - nice stuff - the truth hurts sometimes huh?
Enjoy your weekend
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Esoteric Bookshop
Surrender the things of youth with grace i say.