Taylor Momsen. Gossip Girl starlet, wannabe rock chick and...thug? Her interview in Thursday's Metro saw yet another example of what happens when fame, fortune and fashion happen to someone who just isn't ready to be a role model. For some unknown reason, the journalist thought it would be a bright idea to begin the article with this choice quote:
"I have a knife collection...my favourite's my switchblade." Grrrreat! One of the world's hottest teen stars declares her passion for lethal weapons. She is setting a fabulous example to all her devoted fans, who will no doubt be abandoning their Hannah Montana DVDs and rushing out to purchase their very own blade as we speak. Flicking the knife is 'relaxing', apparently...not that I would know, considering a cup of tea usually suffices in times of crisis. Obviously, I don't have to deal with the pressure of international stardom, pots of money and designer freebies on tap, but aw shucks, life must be hard for this 16 year old actress. Perhaps Momsen thinks that this new revelation about her already 'alternative' lifestyle will add to her rawk credibility as she forges a musical career with her band Pretty Reckless. Whatever the reason, it was pretty stupid to mention it to a journalist and for said journalist to go on ahead and tell the world.
Before I go any further, let me declare myself as a fully fledged Gossip Girl obsessive - I love the show, even if it is becoming more and more 'Dynasty set on the Upper East Side'. Momsen, and her on screen alter ego Jenny Humprey have experienced a significant style evolution recently, going from Brooklyn School Girl to Park Avenue Punk (sound like a paradox? It's the same as any other emo/goth look, just with more designer labels.) I like the way she is not afraid to wear whatever she likes, regardless of trends or even the time of day. Her platinum hair and penchant for black leather and lace, combined with the ability to pull off some edgy evening looks, have led to her new status as a style icon. New Look have even made Momsen the face of their latest collection, although it remains to be seen whether her moody eyes will still be staring out of every shop window by the weekend. It's the Peaches Geldof-Ultimo fall out, mark II.
Even though I appreciate Jenny's alternative appearance, if the girl uses much more black eyeshadow I fear she will be fighting off the unwanted sexual advances of a panda. Momsen and 'Little J' are starting to merge into the same person, as the actress is now frequently seen out and about in her uniform of black stockings, nightie and leather jacket (just don't mention Courtney Love!) Because, y'know, music is her life now, Momsen doesn't feel the need to tone down her look for the sake of her teenage fans. Yes, she has the figure to pull it off, but she is unaware that she is influencing an army of identikit 'prostitots' (thanks, Perez Hilton) not all of which have a burly bodyguard to protect them from the lecherous responses this outfit is guaranteed to provoke.
I think she looks hot, really I do, but there is a line, and switchblades are well and truly over it. I respect Momsen for attempting to distinguish herself from the rest of her Gossip Girl counterparts, but there are better ways to do that than by collecting knives. At least if she wants to indulge her desire for sharp objects, someone please tell the girl not to shout about it!
GL
www.glitterbird.blogspot.com
(Image: Rex Features)
I agree with everything in this post. The thing that really bugs me with Taylor Momsen is that it feels so transparently 'teen angst' - collecting knives, wearing provocative outfits and being in a rock band... oh, and the other thing is regardless of how she dresses, I really wish she would crack a smile every now and then.
ReplyDeleteWell said - can't believe her stupidity nor the Metro for publishing such a thing. Hahaha ref panda advances!
ReplyDeleteI think this girl is absolutely ridiculous. Everything that comes out of her mouth is completely unintelligent, and I would agree she looks hot, but the fact that she continues to say and act like this, just proves she is not hot at all. In my opinion, you have to have a bit more than long legs to be hot, and preferably a functioning brain.
ReplyDeleteOh my how little J (and to a certain extent Taylor Momsen) has changed since the early days of Gossip Girl. Remember how fresh faced she looked when the show started? I have heard rumblings that Taylor Momsen is quite a little madam prior to this but I guess this trip to the UK has sealed it. Did you hear her swear on This Morning which is about the most twee show that is out there. Seriously who does her PR? She actually asked if it was ok for her to say that - after the fact. On what show in the US can you swear and get away with it? So what made her think it would be acceptable to do that on a morning show? About GG I used to love, love, love that show - series one and two were great - three not so but ok but this new series is total pants. They need to get rid of Serena and co and make the show about Jenny oh and move the Humphries back to Brooklyn where they belong.
ReplyDeleteDid you just mention Taylor Momsen and Hannah Montana in the same sentence? Lol.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know what to make of Taylor, I bloody loved her when she started out as a cute teen punkette but now that she's seemingly evolving into Domino Harvey Mark 2 I'm a bit worried. She's in one of the most successful tween/teen dramas of the day, and wants an image change to hardcore rocker. That's fine, but when you're abandoning one set of devoted fans (the under 16s, as she's now gone from GG) for another (presumably the same under 16s, but the ones who like to be cool and listen to 'cool' music and know how to play Hole songs on their guitars) she really needs to watch her step. Though I feel for her, it's hard enough having an identity crisis/overhaul without having to have it in the public eye with Perez and co giving her grief. But the knife thing was a bit much. Is she trying to push all the GG fans away? Is she trying to court controversy? Whatever, she's more like Courtney Love than ever.
Oh, and does anyone else think that in the picture above she looks like an over-kohled Margot Tenenbaum?
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog post from guest blogger - great writing style
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was "So what?". I think it's different being a man hearing a woman talk about an obsession like that. It still doesn't feel as threating or like too big of a deal hearing it come from an actress in Hollywood. Then I took a step back and realized something...
ReplyDeleteIf Justin Bieber had made the same statement in an interview, everyone would go CRAZY. He would be all over the news and he and his publicist would get crucified.
So, now I'm come full circle and agree that she crossed the line for sure.
XOXO,
Fashion Dad