A FRIEND remarked the other day, upon seeing Lady Gaga's latest idea of red carpet fashion, that she and Miley Cyrus were exactly the same.
As a fan of neither musical artist (and I use the term 'artist' loosely here), I felt the need to weigh in.
My friend was referring to Gaga's outfit in Berlin last week. Worn to the launch of her new album ARTPOP, the imposing ensemble featured a massive pyramid-shaped headdress covered entirely in hair. Two holes for eyes were all fans glimpsed of the star and she required repeated assistance from her entourage to remain upright.
It might fit for people to compare Gaga and Miley following the latter's slide into the outrageous and provocative over recent months.
But, where Miley's recent outings are purely self-serving, Gaga is attempting something meaningful. There is method in Gaga's madness.
In 2010 Gaga appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards wearing a dress made entirely of meat. She explained after the event that the outfit was a statement about the need to fight for what you believe in while also shining a spotlight on the US military's don't-ask-don't-tell policy surrounding serving homosexual soldiers.
In 2011 Gaga entered the Grammys encased in an egg. She was then hatched and "born" onstage at the beginning of her performance. Gaga said the egg was a way for her to focus on the performance and hone her creative abilities.
Underlying most of Lady Gaga's material, though, is a message for people to be themselves and not give in to bullying. Gaga has spoken in the past of how she was bullied as a child and, although she is now arguably one of the most popular musical artists of her time, she hasn't forgotten that feeling.
The US songstress ensures plenty of her music touches on the need for acceptance - people accepting others as well as themselves.
Then there is Miley.
The former Disney good girl is simply trying to shed one image and rebuild another - that or the breakup with Liam Hemsworth wasn't "the best thing" that's ever happened to her and she's gone off the deep end.
We were introduced to the "new" Miley at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards where a tongue-wagging, gyrating Cyrus turned many a stomach.
Then there was the release of her recent video clip Wrecking Ball. The song shot up the charts but, again, we watched on in horror as Miley straddled and rode a wrecking ball. Naked.
I couldn't help but feel the video clip would have conveyed the song's message adequately with clothes on. It might not have gotten as many Youtube hits from hormone-charged teenage boys but the message would remain.
Miley appears to be seeking outrage for the sake of outrage where Lady Gaga is using outrage as a vehicle.
I haven't quite gotten the message from Lady Gaga's most recent outfit but I wait with baited breath.
In the end it all boils down to this: Lady Gaga sells hope through her songs and sells beliefs through her wardrobe. Miley is just selling her soul.
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