November 22nd 2024.
If you scrolled through social media this week, you may have felt like you were transported back in time. Back to the days when people believed that music was the devil's tool to corrupt innocent children. It all started when singer Sabrina Carpenter, known for her hit songs "Espresso" and "Please Please Please," went on tour in America. During a recent show in Los Angeles, she shocked the audience by kneeling down on stage, tying her hair back, and simulating oral sex with her microphone. The moment was captured on video and quickly shared on X, garnering over 20 million views in just 48 hours.
Some people argue whether Sabrina was actually simulating oral sex or not, but it's hard to deny the suggestive nature of her actions as she sings "Wanna try out some freaky positions, have you ever tried this one?" This has led to a storm of comments on social media, with some calling Sabrina vulgar and even comparing her to a porn actress. Many have also accused her of corrupting any children in the audience.
But let's say Sabrina did indeed simulate oral sex on stage. What's the big deal? She is a grown woman who has the right to make her own choices and express herself creatively. Plus, anyone who has listened to her lyrics knows that she does not shy away from swearing and sexual innuendos. Lines like "Wanna try out my fuzzy pink handcuffs?" from her song "Juno" make it clear that her music is not meant for a young audience.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a female artist has faced backlash for her actions on stage. Miley Cyrus was called a "twerking whore" for posing naked in her "Wrecking Ball" music video in 2013. Her live shows were accused of manipulating children and her public persona was deemed dangerous. This pattern has been repeated with other female artists like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Madonna, who have all faced criticism for pushing the boundaries of sexuality in their performances.
But it's not just women who face this kind of moral panic. Male artists like George Michael and Frankie Goes to Hollywood had their music censored in the 1980s, and rap music was heavily suppressed by the US government. Even Elvis Presley faced backlash for his "sinful gyrations" in the 1950s.
What's even more disheartening is how easily these moral panics and outrages are imported into our own culture. With the rise of social media, it's become all too easy for people to jump on the bandwagon and join in the hysteria. Take the reaction to Sam Smith coming out as non-binary in 2019 and their subsequent rebranding in 2020. Despite never making music for children, they were suddenly labeled as demonic and Satanic, a threat to young people's innocence.
It's clear that gender plays a significant role in these attacks on artists like Sabrina Carpenter. It's often a way for traditionalists to control women's behavior and silence those who may feel inspired by them. And it's even more concerning considering the current political climate and the rise of right-wing conservatives.
At the end of the day, it's just a sad reality that these old men are lashing out at women and the LGBTQ+ community in their attempts to control and silence them. And while they may succeed in causing harm, at least these artists have never "simulated oral sex" with a microphone.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
