Guest Post from Kristen Warner: Black Star Power Only Exists on BET
From Annie: I’m in New York City, visiting my brother for a few days, but the brilliant Kristen Warner (from my Ph.D. program at UT) is guest posting on Black Star Power. Please comment at length — and let me know if you have questions you’d like to address to her personally!)
Snapshot: June 22nd at 12 am (PT), a former reality star of BET’s College Hill named Dorian’s Twitter page was hacked into and on it all of his celebrity friends’ phone numbers were posted. My default gossip clearinghouse Oh No They Didn’t created a post with all the numbers listed. Included in the list were Beyonce’s stylist, Christina Milian, Tracey Edmonds, Necole Bitchie, Tyson Beckford and others. Now the reason that I am mentioning this post is because of the responses from commenters.
Many of them had no idea who a good majority of these celebrities were and were thus disinterested in this as good gossip (ONTD has a reputation as one of the snarkiest gossip sites with some of the meanest comment sections in all of gossipland). Many of the commenters spoke of better numbers to get access to: the likes of Ben Barnes, Conan O’Brien and even Harry Potter were mentioned. Clearly there is a disconnect between who many ONTD posters consider celebrities versus that of the original poster. And to be frank, much of this has to do with race. Let’s just be honest: black gossip on mainstream (read: predominately white) gossip sites is just not that successful or interesting. Unless it’s Obama, Chris Brown/Rihanna (and much of that after their altercation), Beyonce, Tyra Banks, or the “current black man with bad behavior in the news” (this week it’s will.i.am), black gossip news tends to go unnoticed. Even the events surrounding Chris Brown and Rihanna’s disastrous car ride before the Grammy Awards in February didn’t get pushed through the mainstream tabloids as quickly as normal. But more on that later. First, I would like to answer the question that I’ve seemed to be begging: is there black gossip? More specific to Annie’s blog purpose: Are there black stars? The answer is yes and yes. It’s just that the circulation of black celebrity has different consumers and channels.
How many Black Stars can you name?
Black stars—I’m speaking specifically of the ones considered stars through mainstream discourse— trace back to the days of the Great Depression and the studio system. Mark Reid discusses at length how black independent producers and talent were hit hard during the Depression and sought employment in Hollywood. Black stars like Lena Horne, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge and Diahann Carroll signed on with the studios and became successful actors and entertainers. Extratextual of their film successes, though, is the discourse surrounding them from Carroll being called a “white negro” to Belafonte being linked with the radical black nationalists. Also of interest is the gossip surrounding their personal lives: for example, Dandridge and Otto Preminger as lovers or Diahann Carroll’s much publicized affairs with Marlon Brando, David Frost, and even Poitier. Were these gossip items big news at the time? Possibly. But they’re not items on the same level as the affairs of Marilyn Monroe or Jane Fonda or even Faye Dunaway because the personal lives of black folks is just deemed unimportant. While that explanation may seem reductive, importance is, well, important. The value of a human life is important and for people who 100 years prior were not even considered human but property, the fact that years later they are not considered significant enough to garner the same kinds of attention that their white counterparts received is striking. That said, I am sure that there were many anxieties concerning these black bodies that were negotiated around by not featuring them as cover stories in gossip magazines (at least not in white magazines. Black press featured them often in Ebony and Jet.) As an example, stories of miscegenation (look at Annie’s main blog image with the black woman cavorting with the white star) while good gossip made for terrible PR. Put simply, the aura of whiteness had to remain untainted and restrained and these stars (regardless of the cleanliness of their image) threatened that.
(Diahann Carroll and her then fiancee British writer David Frost)
Contemporarily, the same stigma exists. The famous black actors and entertainers du jour get press and even a little gossip. For example, Will Smith and his wife Jada’s bedroom habits as well as their Scientology-like religious preferences always make for good dish or, Beyonce’s current I Am…Sasha Fierce international tour put the paps on her trail, following her as she rode her bicycle in London or took a tour of Madrid, or Halle Berry and her boyfriend/baby daddy Gabriel Aubry getting snapped buying clothes for their daughter. But those examples are all authorized and acceptable because they are a large fiscal part of Hollywood’s mainstream. When Beyonce is pregnant, she’ll be the one black celeb on Celebrity Baby Blog. But what of rapper TI’s pregnant girlfriend Tiny? Where are those pictures published? Black gossip blogs.
The Alternative Network for (Black) Gossip News
Last summer, Lisa Raye McCoy-Misick, the First Lady of the Turks and Caicos was cheated on and later served divorce papers by her husband, Prime Minister Michael Misick, she retaliated with guerilla tactics involving allegedly driving her Jeep through his compounds gates and running through the Prime Minister’s home, eventually fighting with him which lead to them biting and hitting each other. Was that story covered on any mainstream gossip site or blog? Nope. But it was covered in depth on black gossip site Sandrarose.com Most mainstream blogs don’t even know who LisaRaye is to the Hollywood business let alone care about her relationship with a prime minister of an island mostly inhabited by Afro-Caribbean people.
(LisaRaye after the fight with her husband. Picture below reflects happier times.)
A better, more known example of the impact of black gossip site and its reporting is the Chris Brown/Rihanna debacle. After neither Chris Brown nor Rihanna appeared at the Grammys on February 7, E!Online reported that Brown was involved in an altercation with Robin Fenty (Rihanna’s real name) but had no other details. Neither did any mainstream blogs. But Bossip.com, a black gossip site, did. The first set of speculations on what happened between the couple was published on that website as well as the much publicized reactions of other black stars. This fact is important because it does demonstrate the difference in priority and ultimately, access, between black and predominately white gossip sites. Industrially, this access may garner some leverage if a black blog intends to move out of the “urban” market and into more mainstream territory. So far, the only blog that has made strides in this category is Young, Black and Fabulous. However, I am not quite convinced that even that using that kind of leverage as agency is enough to create a dominant counterpoint to the mainstream blog. Again, the disparity in celebrity is black and white.
And the black gossip sites recognize the disparity. For instance, Bossip regularly posts entries entitled “White Folks in the news” (For example, see here). There does seem to be a great interest in at least trying to create an environment where white people are the “marginalized minorities” who are patronized and condescended to. But as the old axiom goes, “If a tree falls in the woods, can anyone hear it?”
Back to the Twitter Leak
In sum, it goes without saying that a primary reason that gossip is so important is because it helps us to understand WHO is important. Regardless of accuracy or the fervor of a publicity machine, gossip allows the name and image of stars to remain in our minds. Thus, it speaks volumes when on average, most predominately white blogs post about black celebs at such a small percentage. Would half of Bossip’s celebrities be featured on Laineygossip, Popsugar or Perezhilton? Would their audience care about what spurned the marriage and eventual breakup of Usher and Tameka Raymond? Nope but Young, Black and Fabulous did. Or when rapper Trina and her BFF and television personality Lala Vazquez(and baby mama of NBA player Carmelo Anthony’s son) got thrown out of a game for nearly assaulting some fans? Unlikely. So, it should be no surprise that half the posters on ONTD deemed Dorian’s list of numbers as boring. They’re not important celebrities within the mainstream context. Not even if Tracey Edmonds was married to Eddie Murphy and Babyface or if Necole Bitchie is an up and coming gossip blogger in her own right.
really interesting stuff… im particularly struck by the differences in media which feature the big black stars versus big white stars. Will Smith and Halle Berry are the primary film stars you mention while Beyonce and Rihanna and Chris Brown as primarily or originally music stars have garnered more crossover gossip attention.
I find this particularly interesting because academic star studies has historically focused on film stars with only limited (as far as I’m aware) attention to pop stars (with some multi-media exceptions like Madonna) and even television stars.
Another question might be where does the discussion of street-cred (ala 50 cents bullet wounds) and lyrical battles (or east coast-west coast style wars) of hip-hop stars and rappers fit into celebrity gossip (and perhaps black celebrity gossip particulary)?
Mabel,
Thanks for the comments. You make a couple of really juicy points. Firt, you’re right: tv stars, pop star/entertainers are not traditionally viewed as interesting discursive subjects in the academy. But of course they are interesting and useful to research.
To answer your second question: oh those sometimes real/most times fabricated hip hop “battles” definitely have a place in celebrity gossip. Again though, the channels are different. Most of the beefs and disagreements and credibility points are made through black gossip blogs. For example, last year Miami rapper Rick Ross whose claim to fame was the wonderful song, “Everyday I’m Hustlin…” was found out to be a warden of a prison as opposed to an actual “gangster” himself. Being an officer of the penal system certainly did him no favors. That’s not a story that would find legs on a mainstream blog site. But it was everywhere in the black blogosphere.
More recently, behind the scenes of the BET awards was CHOCK full of good black gossip. Chris Brown not being allowed to perform (he was scheduled to previously and then rejected even as his people begged to let him give a tribute to MJ) was initially thought to be because of Jay-Z’s prowess and power within the industry (Hova allegedly said he’d kill Brown after the Rihanna altercation) but it turns out that Cover Girl (Rihanna is their spokesperson) was the one who threatened BET with pulling their ads during the ceremony. Now I think that’s pretty interesting in a crossover kinda way but there are too many stories within that story that may perhaps limit a full understanding of what was at stake.
That said, there are a few of these tales that make it across the line: 2001 or 2002 when then J.Lo (now she’s just Jennifer, lol) and Puff Daddy (aka Diddy) were dating. After a shooting in the club they were in, the couple jumped in their SUV and ran a number of red lights trying to get away. It was believed that Puffy was the shooter and that he had a gun. Why was this big crossover news: Cause of Jenny from the Block. We all watched as she testified in court on what happened that night. Her star status is what gave this gossip mainstream appeal.
I like your points about access for the way it raises questions about community and culture within what risks being considered just another part of the same industry. Indeed, if black blogs, focusing on black celebs, catering to black readers function outside mainstream coverage, there might be space to consider how this (informal?) economy or network functions within Hollywood itself. That said, your points about agency are noted. A separate, but (un)equal, blogosphere is not really a desired outcome. But the tensions between these two spheres and the way power operates within and between them seems a really productive arena. It reminds me a lot of the potential benefits and limitations of narrowcasting in the neo-network era.
Kevin,
Thanks for your comment. Agency is impossible to quantify and I know that to many any stride forward is progress so I can acknowledge at the very least the potential in these blogs as networks of information and identity self-fashioning. Your point about how this reminds you of neo-network era make me think about the BET awards on Sunday night. While many of my black facebook friends bemoaned the “coonery” and the asshattery that occurred during the event (and it was some foolishness goings on for sure), I actually appreciated the comfort level that many of these black celebs that have to “act right” at the Grammys, the AMAs, the Emmys and the Oscars, felt at this weekend’s award show. Taraji Henson wearing a ridiculous-ass hair style and outfit, yelling at the audience how much she loved them after they yelled first. (Think of her on broadcast television at the Oscars where she was so demure and sophisticated and “professional”). TPain wearing a necklace that read “Big Ass Chain” while holding his red Dixie cup full of alcohol. Jamie Foxx (his star status for another day) yelling at the audience at the beginning of the show to understand that MJ belonged to “US” and that he was black even though the white people wanted him. A Christian duo singing a song that actually sounds like it belongs in the club. And my favorite: a revival of all the great 90s male groups singing their hits. I say all those examples, because, to me “we” can get away with that foolery cause noone is looking. The BET awards aren’t known by everyone but only if you happen to be looking for them. Being tucked away in cable land has its benefits. The folks can be “comfortable”–which is for me, a benefit of narrowcasting. The same kinds of narrowcasting that exists with the black blogs.
PS: A question: from the tone of this piece, do you think I am advocating for an integration of sorts?
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Guest Post from Kristen Warner: Black Star Power Only Exists on … | BlossipBoy.com said this on June 30, 2009 at 2:24 am |
The unequal coverage is definitely a travesty, particularly given the “quality” of white stars who are being gossiped about. At any rate, this is a timely, revealing and important addition to the site. Thanks for letting me know what I’m missing.
Hi Kristen!
So, let me preface this by repeating that I really love this article. In fact, it’s been on my mind for several days (hence the late post), which for me is a sign of great scholarship: scholarship that causes me to question my beliefs is, in my opinion, as good as it gets. There is no higher praise.
But, I’m having difficulty wrapping my head around your argument in its totality and am hoping that you can help me better comprehend your position. Especially since my knowledge of gossip blogs is rather limited.
I completely agree that blacks receive less attention than whites within cultural discourse and that it is imperative that this be rectified, as the underlying message is that blacks are less important than whites. Yet, I’m wondering if more black gossip on white gossip sites is really the most productive answer to this racist phenomenon.
That is, you talk about the de-humanization of black people. But, to me, gossip blogs are themselves a de-humanizing force. So, while I know that this is not what you are arguing, I see your call for more black gossip as a call for more black de-humanization.
To take your example of the Dorian Twitter page hacking incident – What is the desired outcome of this situation? That white folks will be interested in these phone numbers, so that they can call and harass these people? As for Rhianna – I see the circulation of the infamous abuse images as an act that has furthered her victimization. That is, while I appreciate the attention that the incident has brought to the evil that is domestic violence, I worry that the spectacularization of domestic violence only ends up cheapening it and ultimately making us less sympathetic to such occurences. Likewise, as I see it, the circulation of these images violates what should be Rhianna’s right to privacy in the same way that we respect the right to privacy and anonymity of survivors of rape. I also can’t help but question whether the gossip blogs are more interested in fighting domestic violence or uncovering the latest juicy tidbit in this ongoing saga.
So, I guess my question is, what’s the goal here? For gossip blogs to post crotch shots of Jurnee Smollett? Candid images of Barack stumbling as he walks up to a podium? More photos of battered black women? How would such images – and the discourse surrounding them – cultivate racial progress? In fact, wouldn’t these images re-assert stereotypes of black female trashiness and black male violence and ineptitude?
Which is not to say that there can be no progressive element to gossip blogs. I think there is something to be said for celebrity critique: celebrity critique insists that “those people” are no better than “us.” But, this of course all depends on the critiques that are being made. If gossip blogs are critiquing racism, sexism, classism, trans and homophobia, than I’m all for it. But, from what I’ve seen, gossip blogs oftentimes uphold the status quo by, for example, chastising women for acting in ways they deem “inappropriate” and “unladylike.”
And in this progressive instance, it is the consumer that is empowered, not the performer. Which is perhaps what you are advocating. Are you arguing that black gossip can be empowering and pleasurable for black CONSUMERS? That it’s a matter of feeling valued as an audience? This I can totally understand and it makes perfect sense.
If not, while I agree with your premise that the black/white gossip disparity exists, plays a role in determining who is deemed important within our society, and is troubling; I am wondering if it might ultimately be more fruitful to look at fan pages or other sites of more “positive” (and I know that this is a loaded term) star/celebrity discourse in order to make your argument. In other words, shouldn’t we be advocating “positive” discussion of black star/celebrities, more equitable hiring practices within media industries, more people of color behind the camera, etc. Do gossip blogs support any of these goals? (This is not a rhetorical question, but a genuine question of curiosity.)
Another thing to mention is that more gossip about an individual does not necessarily mean more opportunities for that individual. Lindsay Lohan is a case and point. So, if the goal is more opportunities for black performers, gossip blogs may not be the best way to produce this result.
But, I’m entirely opened to being convinced otherwise. So, if you feel like responding, I’d love to hear your further insights!
Thanks Kristen!
-Curran : )