'I cried when I saw my first Pussycat Doll costume'

Yes sexuality is used to sell men - they just don't have to take nearly all their clothes off to do it (although I am sure you can come up with some examples where they have).

Yes but there's an embedded message that we should all aspire to being 'able' to take our clothes off so we can run around in public in our pants being 'sexy'

first bit.

I disagree btw that sexuality isn't used to market male performers. It absolutely is.

What NormanTebbit said.

Although I'm not bothered by people leaping about in their vest and pants on stage. I would do so happily if I could dance. I'm an adult. I'm sexual. I don't see the problem with that. Which isn't to say I've never thought "oh for goodness sake put it away " (about performers of both sexes) when it gets a bit daft.

I't's growing up, though, right?... it's part of owning what you are. The fist bit seems really sad (as if being a woman is all about wearing hot pants and that's it) but only if taken in isolation.

Nice that the top albums recently have been by two women who don't conform to this. They are still the exception but perhaps will encourage new performers starting out - or even the venal music industry itself.

It isn't just marketing. It is sexualisation too. Male artists aren't marketed in this way. They get to wear t-shirts, jeans etc not hotpants and skimpy vests.

Well, wearing next to nothing is being grown up if the singer in question is thin, toned and usually tanned.

Strange how they don't require or demand that other singers who perhaps are older, pasty skinned and a bit wobbly prance around in their scanties.

It's all about who they can market as a commodity, and in what way. Don't be fooled into thinking it's anything other than marketing.

wearing skimpy clothes is 'growing up' :(

oddly I found the reverse to be true

Exactly HDS. I think you'll also find a significant difference in the size of paycheque between say, Tori Amos and Britney Spears or Kim Deal and Rihanna.

They are the exceptions not the rule Norman (and are marketed as being "different"). Most women in the music industry are highly sexualised. It is very sad that this woman basically had her feelings invalidated and was then conditioned to think that she was wrong and it is perfectly OK to wear next to nothing!

Tell that to PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Kim Deal, Suzanne Vega...

I think there is something about the music industry that makes it pretty clear that if you are a woman and want to succeed, you have to take off as many clothes as possible and be good at gyrating around in a sexual manner. Otherwise, forget success.

Yes, she could have said, "no thanks, I'd prefer to wear a kaftan," but it's not like it is a completely open and valid choice.

What I think is most unsavoury about this "normalisation" of extreme sexualisation of women (not just in entertainment) is that it's peddled as a route to empowerment and it's a valid choice. If you don't feel comfortable with it, well, there's something wrong with YOU babe.

A quick google of images of Edens Crush (the band she was in prior to PCD) shows her in some rather skimpy outfit. Like a bondage like bikini on the from of FHM.

I thought she worked as a pole dancer, lap dancer, some sort of sexy dancer type job before she started in PCD?

I must be wrong as this article (definitive as I'm sure it is) doesn't mention it. Plus, in that case she'd hardly gurn when she saw a skimpy costume.

Tis a pity she and the other girls didn't say, "nah, I'm not wearing that, add more fabric or a nice cardigan."

But of course, to be young and sexy in media = being stripped of clothes or frolicking around in clothes that'd catch your death.

This reminds me of an interview in (I think) SFX magazine with Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond in Dr Who. She was talking about the short skirts and tight clothing that her character wears in the programme and said she doesn't dress like that in real life because "I wouldn't have the confidence to dress like that." I remember at least twice she equated self-confidence with the ability to wear skimpy, tight, sexualised clothing without getting upset. I doubt she was even conscious of the message that was sending out to readers. Ok, my 30 something DH isn't their core readership, but young boys and some girls are.

Yes I saw it and thought the same thing... her instinct, and initial reaction, sadness was only too right, then she was totally conditioned out of it.