Gwen Stefani

[brinksteria]

Does anyone 'round here think the Asian girl posse to be slightly racist? It rubs me the wrong way.

Heck yeah. It's totally sketchy. She's treating those women like pets. It's like "Asian" is the new bling! And that kind of ethnic exploitation sucks. I've always liked her, but I think she's misguided with this Harajuku nonsense.

Here's a good article from Salon.

(To read the full article, you need a site pass that you can get by watching an ad.) It discusses how Gwen appropriated this rebellious, cutting-edge street culture in Japan in order to get her quartet of submissive mannequins -- aka The Gwenihana Four

[rattlerbrat]

Id be upset about her little stable, but I'm pretty sure those Girls are getting paid more money than I am. IMO, it's only exploitation when there's not a willing party, or someone is underaged. Now granted, I'm not Japanese - I'm black. But I've got enough pride in myself and my heritage to not allow anyone (of ANY race/gender) to go parading me around like a pet Negro. And I've been unemployed for some time now.

[mari]

I'm sure those girls are getting paid nicely playing her pets.

[brinksteria]

IMO, it's only exploitation when there's not a willing party, or someone is underaged.

When I say G.S. is dabbling in ethnic exploitation, it's about misappropriating stuff from another culture -- blowing it up into mindless stereotypes -- doing her best to add to the perception that Asia is GeishaWorld. I'm not referring narrowly to her situation with those specific dancers.

But I've got enough pride in myself and my heritage to not allow anyone (of ANY race/gender) to go parading me around like a pet Negro.

If Gwen had gone that route, she'd be bitch-slapped before she put one toe on the red-carpet. And rightfully so. Even Gwen has enough sense to know that wouldn't play. It bugs that she can get away with it, because she chose an ethnicity/culture that doesn't arouse outrage in the face of all that tacky.

[rattlerbrat]

I don't understand that, either. Why *aren't* Japanese people putting up more of a fuss? I mean, it's their business not to and maybe they truly aren't offended. Hell, I remember when Snoop Dogg showed up to the MTV awards with two black women in *leashes* and I didn't hear a peep...and I hate to say this, but I didn't care much, either. And I don't think I would've lost my shit too much had Tom Cruise done it, either.

[Alexis Machine]

Who knew the Harajuku Girls had names!

LOVE = Maya Chino

ANGEL = Jenny Kita(San Diego State University alum)

MUSIC = Rino Nakasone(Japanese pop star)

BABY = Mayuko Kitayama

BTW, this is my first post!

[lefty]

I don't know - I've never really looked at her harem as being degrading to Japanese people. I look at them as her dancers. They are just women she hired to work with her, and that is their uniform for the job. It's no different than any other star who shows up with an entourage, or back up singers, or dancers. I'm sure she's paying them well. But, bottom line, they don't have to do it. It's their choice to accept the job, or say no thanks, this is degrading to us.

[darlinglilly]

I've never seen her harem as racist just stupid. Which, unfortunately, I think Gwen is as well. From the interviews I've read, she seems vapid and narcissistic. It's pretty boring to read over and over how much she works out or how hot her body is. But I guess working out pays off. I heard on the radio that she was voted having the hotest legs in rock by...someone. Sorry I didn't catch the end! I admit I like her music. It's great to exercise to. But then so is Britney's.

[underjoyed]

Who knew the Harajuku Girls had names!

LOVE = Maya Chino

ANGEL = Jenny Kita(San Diego State University alum)

MUSIC = Rino Nakasone(Japanese pop star)

BABY = Mayuko Kitayama

Put the Harajuku names all together and it spells "LAMB". Just like her "fashion" line! How 'bout that?

Actually, I used to like her about, oh, ten years ago. The more I read, the more I loathed. And I'm less than impressed by the wonderful, keep-it-realness of her acknowledging the fact that she has to make an effort for her body. I mean: gosh, you don't get a flat stomach and toned legs from sitting around eating Twinkies all day long? Really? What a revelation. Thanks, Gwen - I really believed all that metabolism bullshit I read elsewhere, because as a member of the public I am a moron who must have the obvious carefully pointed out to me at all times, lest I believe everything I read. (And okay, admittedly this is more a reflection of my more general problem with the whole industry rather than Gwen, per se. It's just, the whole I-have-to-work-out-to-get-in-shape thing? Uhh...no shit. I do see what you were getting at in your earlier post, glitterbug, but personally I just can't give her props for that.)

Back on topic, everything I've read or heard about her seems to point to her as being not just a "guy's girl", but one of those women who only has male friends, and views all other women as rivals. Putting it aside as a sign of monumental insecurity (for which, if I was a better person, I would just feel pity), I have a distrust of - and dislike for - women like that.

Oh and this?

I've got enough pride in myself and my heritage to not allow anyone (of ANY race/gender) to go parading me around like a pet Negro. And I've been unemployed for some time now.

Made me laugh at an inappropriate volume.

[darlinglilly]

Her clothing line is Love, Angel, Music, Baby or L.A.M.B. Very ugly clothes, imo.