Hayley Williams of Paramore has become one of the latest people to publicly comment on Miley Cyrus's VMA controversy.
"It seems like more people are focusing on the trashiness or the dancing, the clothes. But I, actually, am uncomfortable with the racial aspect of it. I feel like she’s sort of taking a culture that isn’t really hers and sort of using it as an accessory, and that actually bothers me more," she said.
There were just so many things wrong with that performance. For me, the number one wrong thing will always be her attempt to push our culture down the drain, and it's just one more act in that direction from her recently. But there were definitely more wrongs than one in there.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
TaraElla Website
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles as a Couple Again?
Apparently Taylor Swift and Harry Styles have been photographed together (also with other people) recently. This has led to speculation that they may become a couple once more.
Actually, I would love to see that personally. They are nice together.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
Actually, I would love to see that personally. They are nice together.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
Miley, You Have Done So Much Damage, Now Just Disappear Like Janet Jackson Please
The Miley Cyrus VMA controversy is this decade's Janet Jackson Superbowl controversy in my opinion, and I believe it should result in a similar downfall of the star involved, so as to rescue our culture. Sounds serious? Let me explain.
When Miley Cyrus (or any other public figure) tries to challenge our shared moral sense of decency, does she really think she is hurting nobody, I wonder?
Back a few years ago, when Miley was still on the family friendly side, she proclaimed her support of marriage equality. Maybe she doesn't realise it, but by that act she brought hope a lot of people. When people see that a family friendly star is also insistent on supporting equality, they rethink their opposition to equality. Maybe after a few attempts they will see that supporting equality is an inherently logical and morally required extension of genuine family values. Maybe just as importantly, a lot of gay and lesbian people from traditional backgrounds will see someone they can identify with, as some sort of cultural hero. After all, although Lady Gaga may support marriage equality, it is hard for someone of a conservative background to identify with her.
Today, Miley has undone all that (although fortunately others like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have now stepped in). Even worse, she has become one of those people who are actively making a bad name for contemporary Western culture in the eyes of the world. And guess what that bad name can also transfer to? Marriage equality, or even basic gay rights, along with women's rights and gender equality, and even the very notion of Western style freedom of speech itself are possible victims, to name a few.
For those of you who never left the West and haven't had a look at the world outside the West, the rest of the world have been decrying 'Western vices' for decades now. And that kind of rally cry can then turn into programs of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. As for myself? I morally cannot bring myself to do what Miley did, even for a million dollars, because I know the potential moral implications. If I made a living by doing that, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night, honestly.
I think the best thing that can happen now is for Miley to disappear back into anonymity, and stop destroying our culture the way she is going. And the public can make this happen, I believe. After all, in 2004 we showed our collective displeasure at Janet Jackson's actions and her career went south right away, why can't we do that with Miley too? Failure to do that would reflect badly on us indeed, I believe.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
When Miley Cyrus (or any other public figure) tries to challenge our shared moral sense of decency, does she really think she is hurting nobody, I wonder?
Back a few years ago, when Miley was still on the family friendly side, she proclaimed her support of marriage equality. Maybe she doesn't realise it, but by that act she brought hope a lot of people. When people see that a family friendly star is also insistent on supporting equality, they rethink their opposition to equality. Maybe after a few attempts they will see that supporting equality is an inherently logical and morally required extension of genuine family values. Maybe just as importantly, a lot of gay and lesbian people from traditional backgrounds will see someone they can identify with, as some sort of cultural hero. After all, although Lady Gaga may support marriage equality, it is hard for someone of a conservative background to identify with her.
Today, Miley has undone all that (although fortunately others like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have now stepped in). Even worse, she has become one of those people who are actively making a bad name for contemporary Western culture in the eyes of the world. And guess what that bad name can also transfer to? Marriage equality, or even basic gay rights, along with women's rights and gender equality, and even the very notion of Western style freedom of speech itself are possible victims, to name a few.
For those of you who never left the West and haven't had a look at the world outside the West, the rest of the world have been decrying 'Western vices' for decades now. And that kind of rally cry can then turn into programs of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. As for myself? I morally cannot bring myself to do what Miley did, even for a million dollars, because I know the potential moral implications. If I made a living by doing that, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night, honestly.
I think the best thing that can happen now is for Miley to disappear back into anonymity, and stop destroying our culture the way she is going. And the public can make this happen, I believe. After all, in 2004 we showed our collective displeasure at Janet Jackson's actions and her career went south right away, why can't we do that with Miley too? Failure to do that would reflect badly on us indeed, I believe.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Miley Cyrus - There's Probably No Hope for her Now
A few weeks ago it was just me who was unhappy with the new direction Miley is taking. Some people even questioned why I was so angry at her back then.
And then that dreadful VMA performance happened. (And no, I didn't watch it, nor do I want to, I just heard about it because it is, like, everywhere right now).
And still Billy Ray hasn't been too angry, apparently. As a dad, I think you should have spoken out. She needs to be taught a lesson, now. Meanwhile, Robin Thicke's mother, Gloria Loring, sounded like a much more responsible parent. She spoke frankly of how horrible the whole thing was. And that's the way it should be, I think.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
And then that dreadful VMA performance happened. (And no, I didn't watch it, nor do I want to, I just heard about it because it is, like, everywhere right now).
And still Billy Ray hasn't been too angry, apparently. As a dad, I think you should have spoken out. She needs to be taught a lesson, now. Meanwhile, Robin Thicke's mother, Gloria Loring, sounded like a much more responsible parent. She spoke frankly of how horrible the whole thing was. And that's the way it should be, I think.
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Demi Lovato to Join Glee
It has been reported that Demi Lovato will guest star in Glee in the upcoming season. There have also been reports of a planned duet with Naya Rivera!
I think it's great news. It's Demi chance to shine in a role that suits her, I think. As I said last year, I believe she wasn't ready for X-Factor, and that she still isn't. Glee is another game however. It's something that she can take her singing talent and shine in.
I will definitely be looking forward to it!
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
I think it's great news. It's Demi chance to shine in a role that suits her, I think. As I said last year, I believe she wasn't ready for X-Factor, and that she still isn't. Glee is another game however. It's something that she can take her singing talent and shine in.
I will definitely be looking forward to it!
By TaraElla (News, Website) Discuss at the Forum!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Australians, Listen to Kelly Clarkson
Last year during the 2012 US Federal Election Campaign, Kelly Clarkson said she planned to vote for President Barack Obama because he supported marriage equality, even though she is a "Republican at heart". "I can’t support Romney’s policies as I have a lot of gay friends and I don’t think it’s fair they can’t get married," she put it simply. Note that it doesn't affect her personally - but being unselfish is the hallmark of a decent human being. She also had another reason too: "I’m not a hardcore feminist but we can’t be going back to the ’50s."
Now Australia will face a similar election in a few weeks, where one candidate supports marriage equality and the other does not. One candidate is clearly no sexist, and the other, well, it's not very clear it seems, especially with his recent 'sex appeal' comments. One candidate is clearly about the future, the other is often called a '50s man'. Plenty of parallels there. Think about it.
It may not matter to you personally, but you really should think about your choice. It will affect our future. Be non selfish and do the right thing.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Now Australia will face a similar election in a few weeks, where one candidate supports marriage equality and the other does not. One candidate is clearly no sexist, and the other, well, it's not very clear it seems, especially with his recent 'sex appeal' comments. One candidate is clearly about the future, the other is often called a '50s man'. Plenty of parallels there. Think about it.
It may not matter to you personally, but you really should think about your choice. It will affect our future. Be non selfish and do the right thing.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Katy Perry, Thanks for Challenging Abbott's Inequality, All is Forgiven
Katy Perry has challenged Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott on the issue of marriage equality on radio this morning. "I love you as a human being but I can't give you my vote," she said, about Abbott's opposition to marriage equality.
Thanks for standing up for your beliefs. All is forgiven about the past.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Thanks for standing up for your beliefs. All is forgiven about the past.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Rudd and Albo, Three More Years!
The Australian election is coming up. My friends, in life there aren't many easy choices, but here is one. I believe we have the clearest choice in the country's history this time. In my opinion, anybody not voting for the return of the Rudd government is a fool - there's no nice way of putting this.
Here are my reasons:
1) The Rudd government has been a good custodian of our country. Its economy has weathered the global financial crisis well, and I trust that under the Rudd government we will weather any future challenges, including the end of the mining boom, very well.
2) Kevin Rudd and Anthony Albanese support marriage equality. In contrast, Tony Abbott has called it a 'fashion', and even prevented his colleagues from voting for it! Tony Abbott is every bit a right wing extremist who will take away freedom, equality and opportunity when it fits the right wing agenda.
3) Tony Abbott's sister is in a committed lesbian relationship, and hopes to get married. If Abbott does not even care about his sister, will he care about the rest of the country?
4) Tony Abbott's economic policies hurt families. Workchoices and 15% GST are possibilities, and to see their impact one only needs to look at the original GST and Workchoices as implemented by the Howard government. Going even further, Tony Abbott has talked about changing the already meagre Newstart allowance so that potentially people will have to move miles away from their families to work in mines and farms when they are not even trained to do so! An Abbott government will be toxic for families. For this reason alone it is scary.
5) The 'direct action' environmental policy is not only inferior to the Rudd government's Emissions Trading Scheme, it is also very costly and will lead to either unnecessary new taxes or cuts in spending - ultimately, it is families who get hurt. All this so that the Coalition can have a 'different' policy!
6) Team Abbott have been playing dirty, in my opinion. They have released policies which do not add up in a hope to get over the line. The Murdoch-led media has also been very biased, hellbent on getting Abbott into office. One widely suspected reason is because Murdoch fears the government's National Broadband Network will affect the business of Foxtel. All this cannot be rewarded. We need to show them that this is a democracy, and WE are in charge.
7) Tony Abbott has also repeatedly singled out the Greens as an 'extremist party', probably because they wouldn't support him to be PM in the 2010 hung parliament negotiations. There are some things the Greens do that I will not agree to, but I believe the Liberals under Abbott are much more extreme than the Greens. Even under Howard they had Workchoices, something more extreme than any Green policy will ever be. And Abbott looks more of a right wing extremist than even Howard. The pot calling the kettle black is just not on.
Therefore, isn't it a clear cut choice?
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Here are my reasons:
1) The Rudd government has been a good custodian of our country. Its economy has weathered the global financial crisis well, and I trust that under the Rudd government we will weather any future challenges, including the end of the mining boom, very well.
2) Kevin Rudd and Anthony Albanese support marriage equality. In contrast, Tony Abbott has called it a 'fashion', and even prevented his colleagues from voting for it! Tony Abbott is every bit a right wing extremist who will take away freedom, equality and opportunity when it fits the right wing agenda.
3) Tony Abbott's sister is in a committed lesbian relationship, and hopes to get married. If Abbott does not even care about his sister, will he care about the rest of the country?
4) Tony Abbott's economic policies hurt families. Workchoices and 15% GST are possibilities, and to see their impact one only needs to look at the original GST and Workchoices as implemented by the Howard government. Going even further, Tony Abbott has talked about changing the already meagre Newstart allowance so that potentially people will have to move miles away from their families to work in mines and farms when they are not even trained to do so! An Abbott government will be toxic for families. For this reason alone it is scary.
5) The 'direct action' environmental policy is not only inferior to the Rudd government's Emissions Trading Scheme, it is also very costly and will lead to either unnecessary new taxes or cuts in spending - ultimately, it is families who get hurt. All this so that the Coalition can have a 'different' policy!
6) Team Abbott have been playing dirty, in my opinion. They have released policies which do not add up in a hope to get over the line. The Murdoch-led media has also been very biased, hellbent on getting Abbott into office. One widely suspected reason is because Murdoch fears the government's National Broadband Network will affect the business of Foxtel. All this cannot be rewarded. We need to show them that this is a democracy, and WE are in charge.
7) Tony Abbott has also repeatedly singled out the Greens as an 'extremist party', probably because they wouldn't support him to be PM in the 2010 hung parliament negotiations. There are some things the Greens do that I will not agree to, but I believe the Liberals under Abbott are much more extreme than the Greens. Even under Howard they had Workchoices, something more extreme than any Green policy will ever be. And Abbott looks more of a right wing extremist than even Howard. The pot calling the kettle black is just not on.
Therefore, isn't it a clear cut choice?
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
If Miley Cyrus has Forgotten How It's Done, Maybe Rebecca Black can Show Her
You may remember Rebecca Black and her viral video Friday. It was widely disliked, but at the time you may remember that I said she didn't actually do too badly? Well, her latest work is a cover of Miley Cyrus's global hit We Can't Stop, and it sounds quite good! It's sort of like how Miley's stuff sounded in the past, actually.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Emma Roberts Determined to Make Her Marriage Work
When Emma Roberts gets married, she has determined that it needs to be for life.
"I've grown up in a business where we're taught to think that relationships don't last, and that people are supposed to be married a bunch of times. But I come from the school of getting married once," she explained.
I too am a believer in having a family relationship for life, committing to one partner for life. And every time I raise that I get called all sorts of things. Does she have it easier? Apparently not.
"Everyone kind of rolls their eyes at me, but I still believe in the romantic movie outcome," she said.
It's great to know that there are others out there fighting the same fight. Keep it up!
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
"I've grown up in a business where we're taught to think that relationships don't last, and that people are supposed to be married a bunch of times. But I come from the school of getting married once," she explained.
I too am a believer in having a family relationship for life, committing to one partner for life. And every time I raise that I get called all sorts of things. Does she have it easier? Apparently not.
"Everyone kind of rolls their eyes at me, but I still believe in the romantic movie outcome," she said.
It's great to know that there are others out there fighting the same fight. Keep it up!
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Beyonce's New, Shorter Hair
Beyonce has debuted a dramatic new look - a short hairstyle. Who would have thought!
"I'm so happy because the extensions give women the wrong expectation of what their hair should look like - it's great for onstage, but everyday women shouldn't have or want to have five pounds of hair on their head. This hair is more natural, more realistic," her stylist Rita Hazan explained to Us Weekly.
I think it's great that Beyonce is taking control of her hair. Hollywood is too often image-obsessed, and wrestling back a bit of freedom from that is always good.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
"I'm so happy because the extensions give women the wrong expectation of what their hair should look like - it's great for onstage, but everyday women shouldn't have or want to have five pounds of hair on their head. This hair is more natural, more realistic," her stylist Rita Hazan explained to Us Weekly.
I think it's great that Beyonce is taking control of her hair. Hollywood is too often image-obsessed, and wrestling back a bit of freedom from that is always good.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
More Weird and Wonderful Versions of Blurred Lines
Since Blurred Lines continues to be a popular hit worldwide, and we are continuing our boycott of the original, I guess it would be a great idea to share some more of the weird and wonderful versions out there.
YouTube musician AlexG has done quite a nice version of it:
Sarah Starr from The Empire Lights has done a version that's a bit different. You may like it if you're into Jazz and Blues:
Finally, Shak H and Storm have done a unique take of the song in their version:
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
YouTube musician AlexG has done quite a nice version of it:
Sarah Starr from The Empire Lights has done a version that's a bit different. You may like it if you're into Jazz and Blues:
Finally, Shak H and Storm have done a unique take of the song in their version:
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Mariah Carey Recalls Racist Attack
Mariah Carey is rich and famous, and loved by many around the world today. But back when she was younger, she had more than her fair share of being discriminated against. In fact, for being biracial, somebody once spit in her face when she was a child, she recently revealed.
Sadly, racism is still around today. Racism is sad, and it needs to be eradicated.
Some people have asked me how is it possible 'eradicate' racism. I am not going to say that it's going to be easy. But we must try. For starters, next time you hear a racist comment, you should stand up against it, rather than try to ignore it for the sake of 'keeping the peace'. At the ballot box, you should not vote for politicians who appeal to racist voters. Also, racist slang (you know what I am talking about) is not okay, and this needs to be made clear when somebody simply doesn't get it.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Sadly, racism is still around today. Racism is sad, and it needs to be eradicated.
Some people have asked me how is it possible 'eradicate' racism. I am not going to say that it's going to be easy. But we must try. For starters, next time you hear a racist comment, you should stand up against it, rather than try to ignore it for the sake of 'keeping the peace'. At the ballot box, you should not vote for politicians who appeal to racist voters. Also, racist slang (you know what I am talking about) is not okay, and this needs to be made clear when somebody simply doesn't get it.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Glee Cast Has Returned to Work. Is It Too Soon?
It has been reported that the cast of Glee has returned to work, just weeks after the shocking death of cast member Cory Monteith.
I personally think it's too soon. It must be terrible for the cast members to work under these conditions.
What do you think?
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
I personally think it's too soon. It must be terrible for the cast members to work under these conditions.
What do you think?
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Cover of the Week #3: Way in the World by Nina Nesbitt
And here's one final cover for this week. It's Way in the World by Nina Nesbitt. Enjoy.
Discuss at the Forum!
Discuss at the Forum!
Monday, August 5, 2013
Cover of the Week #2: Firestarter by Samantha Jade
Since this week I am in a musical mood, there will be more covers than usual. Today's cover is of Firestarter by Samantha Jade, winner of last year's X Factor Australia.
Discuss at the Forum!
Discuss at the Forum!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Cover of the Week #1: You Have More Friends Than You Know by Glee Cast / Mervyn Warren / Jeff Marx
If you have been following my blog, you would know how much I really love this song. It was originally written for a show about It Gets Better, which adds another layer to its meaning, I guess. Then it was made famous by Glee back in April. Now, here's my cover version:
Discuss at the Forum!
Discuss at the Forum!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
My Latest Interview
As promised, my latest interview is ready!
Here's a snippet:
We have followed you for quite a few years, and we have noticed that you changed and somewhat matured over the years. How do you feel you have changed?
I have definitely changed. I feel as though I see things more clearly now, and have more holistic ideas about the world. I am also a lot less critical of some people and things, I guess. I am still angered by the lack of justice in this world, however.
Read the rest at TaraElla FanSpace.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Here's a snippet:
We have followed you for quite a few years, and we have noticed that you changed and somewhat matured over the years. How do you feel you have changed?
I have definitely changed. I feel as though I see things more clearly now, and have more holistic ideas about the world. I am also a lot less critical of some people and things, I guess. I am still angered by the lack of justice in this world, however.
Read the rest at TaraElla FanSpace.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus are Controversial Topics at the Forum
Looks like my recent blog posts on Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus have proven controversial topics for my readers and fans at my website forum.
If you are interested, you can go ahead and look at what people have said:
The Lady Gaga Thread
The Miley Cyrus Thread
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
If you are interested, you can go ahead and look at what people have said:
The Lady Gaga Thread
The Miley Cyrus Thread
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
New TaraElla Interview Coming Soon
I just did an interview with one of my fansites. They will have the transcript online soon.
In the interview I will talk about how I have changed over the years, and how it affects my writing and my music.
I will keep you posted.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
In the interview I will talk about how I have changed over the years, and how it affects my writing and my music.
I will keep you posted.
By TaraElla (News, Website)
Discuss at the Forum!
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