"I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and really trying to keep themselves together ... We have to stop rewarding bad behavior. I'm sorry. I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too. She needs to get herself together."
Ms. Cole’s comments were mentioned in a post earlier this week within the topic of Grammy quotes. I knew these statements would come back to bite her in the ass because of her history of past drug use during the prime of her career. I don’t know what it is it about recording artist, but they seem to be among the most tortured souls. The thing is that the awards are not rewards for bad behavior, but accommodations for their perfection in artistry.
Most of us do not deny that artist have historically struggled with addiction that ultimately led to an early demise. Some favorites for me that come to mine are Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Jimi Hendrix, and Natalie Cole. I saw Natalie live in the early eighties (probably when she was in the throes of her addiction) and she was the consummate performer. Her lifestyle was less publicized than Amy Winehouse, but nonetheless Natalie Cole also made some very poor decisions when she was younger and dumber.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning drug abuse because I know how detrimental it can be to ones health and well being. However Ms. Winehouse has to make the choice. I can only wish her well and sincerely hope that she chooses life. To Natalie I say, you have been there. Instead of hating why not do something constructive and provide guidance to a young up and coming artist.
3 comments:
As you already know, I was taken aback by Natalie's comments about Amy Winehouse. Natalie needs to get off your high horse because I know she remembers what it was like. She is lucky that the person interviewing her didn't call her out about her past drug problems.
I remember reading about Natalie's bouts with drug abuse at the time. However, she was fortunate enough that she went through her problems when media coverage of celebs wasn't close to what it is today.
This is one of those issues where I see both sides....art is still art (even if one is high) but when one is a role model one should maintain a good reputation. That being said, I don't think that such comments should have been made by Natalie...unless she won no accolades during her problems.
Malcolm, I have been off the blogging scene for a couple of days. I know where you stand on this issue and I am in full agreement. You are right in your assessment regarding media coverage or lack thereof in the past. The interviewer really should have called Ms. Cole out, unless the interviewer was young and unfamiliar with Natalie's background.
the bluest butterfly, I too can see both sides of the issue. I have a problem with adolescents using artist, ballplayers, etc. as role models because these people rarely meet our expectations. Natalie Cole won "Best New Artist" while using drugs.
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