Page 8 | Women singers singing in their knickers.

Thelasthurdle · 2025-02-19T17:31:08+00:00

I admit I'm older generation. I'm a great admirer of singers such as Nina Simone, Linda Ronstadt, Suzi Quatro, Christine Perfect, Joan Baez, Tracy Chapman etc, etc. They all not only have great voices but also real musical talent. And they also don't stand and sing in their knickers So what is it with people like Beyonce and Rhianna? If they really are talented why do they need to sing in their knickers? Why do they need to use sex to sell their songs? They are powerful enough not to bend to the industry pressure on them. Why not stand or fall on their talents rather than on selling their sexuality.?

MarkWithaC · 19/02/2025 19:48

rickyrickygrimes · 19/02/2025 18:20

Female bodies have been sexualised, in a way that men’s bodies have not, pretty much forever. And that sexualisation makes money.

what’s the equivalent of a basque, stockings and suspenders for men? Why do women wear high heels and push up bras and men do not? Which sex is generally found gyrating round a pole in a strip club?

i don’t like it, but ‘‘twas ever thus. So I don’t blame female entertainers for following the money.

I remember DS seeing MTV when he was about 4 and asking ‘why are those ladies dancing in their pants?’ . Indeed: why are they?

I think this is it for me.
I do appreciate the arguments that singers in leotards/showing arse cheeks etc is not new, that it's dance wear, etc etc. And that women can wear what they want. And that Beyoncé, Taylor S etc are hugely talented and hard-working.

But men and women's bodies are simply not viewed in the same way. There just is an imbalance of power and different connotations to e.g. a male singer with a bare chest and a woman singer in a high-cut leotard.

I don't know, I feel very conflicted about it. I do get where the OP is coming from.

shvenwe · 19/02/2025 19:48

Bernadinetta · 19/02/2025 19:27

Tammy Wynette Stand by your Man? Did she perform in her knickers though…

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Not sure about the knickers but she did then wise up and sing D-I-V-O-R-C-E !

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 19:51

BunnyLake · 19/02/2025 19:38

I have thought that some of the girl kpop bands have been very sexualised, and that can be uncomfortable to watch, especially knowing those big companies are all run by middle aged men. Getting a quick shot of a Jungkook’s chest is in no way the same. The men are always fully dressed while the girl’s arse cheeks are hanging out their teeny shorts, and some of the choreo 🤦‍♀️

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Yes. But much western female choreo is basically a stream of simulated sex acts. How people can ignore the levels of pornification and pretend it’s exactly as it was in the past I don’t know.

MarkWithaC · 19/02/2025 19:52

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 19:51

Yes. But much western female choreo is basically a stream of simulated sex acts. How people can ignore the levels of pornification and pretend it’s exactly as it was in the past I don’t know.

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I know, the 'dancing' by many mainstream pop acts is pretty sexualised (maybe not Taylor S? I confess I've only seen clips and a few pics of her shows, but they don't look that overtly 'sexy').

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 19:53

MarkWithaC · 19/02/2025 19:52

I know, the 'dancing' by many mainstream pop acts is pretty sexualised (maybe not Taylor S? I confess I've only seen clips and a few pics of her shows, but they don't look that overtly 'sexy').

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No, I don’t think Taylor is. But a great many are.

Iwanttoliveonamountain · 19/02/2025 19:53

briefly in the 70s men would wear very tight penis revealing jeans on stage - but since then men look cool with big baggy clothes women with the minimal and we actually have operations to look more whatever is the fashion. I just don’t get it. To me it’s just the freedom to be objectified.

Acheyelbows · 19/02/2025 19:57

I agree with the Op and it grinds on me to the point that I don't watch their live concerts or videos.

The same can be said for female actors in films, constantly being stripped down in scenes for the predominantly male viewers to enjoy. If the plot doesn't need nudity then leave it out. If the film is good enough it doesn't need scantily dressed women to boost the box office numbers.

Arrggghhhhhh · 19/02/2025 19:58

shvenwe · 19/02/2025 19:39

If you think about it, the 1970s TOTP was the time of Jimmy Saville and pop stars taking 13 year olds back stage and sexually abusing them after shows.

In terms of dance and costumes, things have become progressively extreme since then. David Essex and Abba were nothing like what is going on now.

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Your completely missing my point.

Picklepower · 19/02/2025 20:00

SlashBeef · 19/02/2025 18:39

Is it just women of colour you'd like to cover up, OP?

I noticed that too

LucyMonth · 19/02/2025 20:04

Rihanna hasn’t released new music since 2016 and last performed live in 2023 at the Super Bowl whilst heavily pregnant and wore a boiler suit which covered her from neck to ankles.

Beyonce most recent albums feature songs about racism, social injustice, recovering from her husband’s affair, Huricane Katrina, becoming a mother. Her ‘Renaissance’ album represented the Black queer community with club and house music. The title was an ode to The Harlem Renaissance which was specifically the cultural revival of African American creative excellence in the 1920s.

Her latest album is called Cowboy Carter and is owed to the fact that the word “cowboy” was originally used as a derogatory word for enslaved black men who worked with horses and cattle.

She’s also comfortable with her sexuality and has used it, in combination with her immense talents as a singer, writer and performer. She has built an empire off it. Her work very much appeals to the female gaze and female empowerment in their own sexuality. Her concerts aren’t full of slobbering straight men. They are full of joyful, vibrant women having the time of their lives. I’m lucky to have been one of them many times and will be again in June!

Snorlaxo · 19/02/2025 20:07

Jay-Z allegedly told a 16 year old Rihanna “There’s 2 ways to leave here, either through that door with a signed deal or out that window and we’re on the 29th floor”
Do you think that someone in a contract like that would have any say in her clothes or lyrics ?

BunnyLake · 19/02/2025 20:07

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 19:51

Yes. But much western female choreo is basically a stream of simulated sex acts. How people can ignore the levels of pornification and pretend it’s exactly as it was in the past I don’t know.

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I agree. I don’t think I’m an old fuddy duddy I just know that if I had a daughter who was a singer I’d hope she was more like Sade or someone. You can be attractive and even sensual without having to behave like a soft porn star. I know that’s not popular opinion but oh well. I don’t have daughters so at least I don't have to worry about that.

21ZIGGY · 19/02/2025 20:08

This is so reductionist.

No-one is listening to anyone because of their clothes

BunnyLake · 19/02/2025 20:08

LucyMonth · 19/02/2025 20:04

Rihanna hasn’t released new music since 2016 and last performed live in 2023 at the Super Bowl whilst heavily pregnant and wore a boiler suit which covered her from neck to ankles.

Beyonce most recent albums feature songs about racism, social injustice, recovering from her husband’s affair, Huricane Katrina, becoming a mother. Her ‘Renaissance’ album represented the Black queer community with club and house music. The title was an ode to The Harlem Renaissance which was specifically the cultural revival of African American creative excellence in the 1920s.

Her latest album is called Cowboy Carter and is owed to the fact that the word “cowboy” was originally used as a derogatory word for enslaved black men who worked with horses and cattle.

She’s also comfortable with her sexuality and has used it, in combination with her immense talents as a singer, writer and performer. She has built an empire off it. Her work very much appeals to the female gaze and female empowerment in their own sexuality. Her concerts aren’t full of slobbering straight men. They are full of joyful, vibrant women having the time of their lives. I’m lucky to have been one of them many times and will be again in June!

Although not a fan per se I did enjoy her Coachella set a few years ago (watched on TV).

beAsensible1 · 19/02/2025 20:09

It’s their bodies, their knickers and they’re usually running up and down on stage for 2+ hours with lots of outfit changes.

woman have agency. And adult women have sex and sometimes even sing about it. So what.

Mamaghanouch · 19/02/2025 20:11

TwirlyPineapple · 19/02/2025 17:50

Why does performing in your knickers mean you're not confident in your singing ability? Why can't you show off both?

There are thousands of wannabes in the music industry who could look fantastic dancing around in their knickers with no singing talent. But they're not making millions, are they. So logically the ones who are making millions dancing in their knickers are also offering something more, that being singing talent and general charisma/"it factor".

Sabrina Carpenter or Beyoncé look great in their pants but no one is pretending they're literally the sexiest women in the world. So they're clearly offering more than just the sex appeal.

Youre also not comparing like with like. Being a pop star isn’t purely about being good at singing, it’s about the all round package- singing, dancing, charisma, sex appeal. The artists you list weren’t pop stars, they were “just” singers and thus they just sang rather than doing what pop stars do. Plenty of equivalents exist to those artists (Adele, Florence and the Machine), but it’s silly to compare artists of a different kind entirely.

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Sensible post.

Also sex sells in every industry, not only entertainment.

Remember teaching my daughter (then 4-5 yo) about what is private (our body, home: garden etc) and what is public (parks, buses, benches etc). My daughter stares at a poster on a double decker bus advertising a brand of tights, and asked why the woman was showing her privates parts in public! Had to reframe the whole public/ private thing. Epic fail!

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 20:11

beAsensible1 · 19/02/2025 20:09

It’s their bodies, their knickers and they’re usually running up and down on stage for 2+ hours with lots of outfit changes.

woman have agency. And adult women have sex and sometimes even sing about it. So what.

The patriarchy thank you for your service.

BunnyLake · 19/02/2025 20:11

Acheyelbows · 19/02/2025 19:57

I agree with the Op and it grinds on me to the point that I don't watch their live concerts or videos.

The same can be said for female actors in films, constantly being stripped down in scenes for the predominantly male viewers to enjoy. If the plot doesn't need nudity then leave it out. If the film is good enough it doesn't need scantily dressed women to boost the box office numbers.

I don’t watch modern movies anymore (a lot of that is to with how dull the colouration is nowadays) but yes I am bored stupid with gratuitous sex and nudity , whether it be male or female.

beAsensible1 · 19/02/2025 20:13

Newgirls · 19/02/2025 17:53

Isn’t it more leotards / dance wear than knickers? Quite normal for dancers of all bodies to wear small clothes

Yes. Especially if their poppy/ dance music.
the usually either wear short leos or long leos for their dance numbers. Also because they’re easy to layer for outfit changes.

but also because looking sexy is attractive and for some stars looking good and attraction is part of their performance.

Original poster

Thelasthurdle · 19/02/2025 20:14

Nat4819 · 19/02/2025 19:39

Once again OP @Thelasthurdle failing to answer the question as to why she is solely calling out women of colour....

I'm sorry I've been quite overwhelmed by the number if responses on the thread.
So if you have posed the question about me " calling out women of colour" I've missed it.
I can assure you when it comes to musical talent I'm colour blind. If anything I'm very pro " women of colour" when it comes to admiring singers - Nina Simone and Tracy Chapman being among my very favourites,
I will admit to Beyonce and her popularity and the reasons people give for her being so popular being a total mystery to me though. I think I could recognise one of her songs if I heard it. But all I ever see of her in the media is her wearing knickers or even less. So if she has musical talent it is very well hidden from people such as myself because the way her image is sold reveals nothing of this.
How dies this equate to calling out " women of colour"?

OP posts:

beAsensible1 · 19/02/2025 20:15

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 20:11

The patriarchy thank you for your service.

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Ah yes so feminist to allude that certain acts are untalented so they have to strip off and that they don’t have agency. It’s not even subtle at this point.

BunnyLake · 19/02/2025 20:16

I wonder if Ed Sheeran will ever pop up wearing just a g string at his concert? Even Harry Styles, whose fashion is quite out there, seems to keep his trousers (or dress) on. The only current male I can think of who lets it all hang out is Sam Smith 😵‍💫😖🫣

JHound · 19/02/2025 20:17

Thelasthurdle · 19/02/2025 19:25

Really?
Just because I'm not their " target audience" doesn't been to say I can't be sad that women sell themselves short by presenting themselves purely as sex objects when their musical talent should be enough to gain them recognition and accolades.

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Now you are back OP why did you give Rihanna as an example over Sabrina Carpenter given Rihanna has not released music in a decade?

Cjagwt · 19/02/2025 20:17

JHound · 19/02/2025 19:15

Looks tacky and an “ick” to who?

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To people who have standards and decency.

Ddakji · 19/02/2025 20:17

beAsensible1 · 19/02/2025 20:15

Ah yes so feminist to allude that certain acts are untalented so they have to strip off and that they don’t have agency. It’s not even subtle at this point.

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What are you on about?