http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/best-celebrity-butts-of-all-time--2014218/40167
Apt to our course, the first picture beneath the headline is of J-Lo pushing her rear end toward the camera, center stage in seemingly diamond encrusted one-piece. The shiny material doesn't stop at her hips, either -- the designers extend them to her undergarment area, knowing full well that area of the body is where many viewers will be looking.
The article features 18 women, 8 of whom are white - stars like Lady Gaga, Iggy Azalea, Blake Lively, Scarlett Johansson, and even Pippa Middleton are all featured for their rear ends. Pippa's inclusion is perhaps the most surprising at first glance, but it also demonstrates how accepted a large behind is now in mainstream for even the most proper of celebrities. According the article, Pippa discussed in a 2014 Matt Lauren interview that her outfit at the Royal Wedding (which apparently flatters her rear end) garnered unwanted attention, stating "The plan was not for it to be a significant dress. I suppose it's flattering."
It is interesting that a large butt has become a sought-after feature over the past decade. While J Lo was celebrated for embracing her curviness, this ultimately still catered to the sexualization of Latina women. Today, everybody wants to have big butts, which can be seen through the Kardashians and Iggy Azalea. These features are not natural and this emphasizes the appropriation of these features for capitalist profit. The embrace of black/ brown bodies has increased the sexual exploitation of these bodies, which some celebrities have responded to by putting their body on display in order to gain agency (such as in the Anaconda music video). I also find it interesting that Pippa was included in this list, not because she is royal but because there are many celebrities of color who have 'better' celebrity butts if we are judging this based on size which the article seems to do. White people are celebrated for the same features that people of color have had for centuries, and these people continue to be criticized for these same features.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Ryan's response. Along the lines of fashion, behavior, language, and other body parts, butts are more of an accessory to white celebrity than anything else. Consider how, as stated, white celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea use Blackness in their music videos and concerts (whether through costuming, language, dance moves) as a means of playing "black" without ever having to subject themselves to the trials faced by blacks (both famous and not). In this case, the large butt, as Ryan points out is a trait normally found within the Latina or African American community, is again being used to appropriate culture for capital benefits and social success, all the while avoiding any conflict or consequences that said Latinas and/or Black women might face for having the same sized butt. It's amazing how white privilege can play into so many things: including "the most famous ass."
ReplyDeleteThis list is interesting and I certainly see the trend where white women are praised more for a large rear end over women of color, which is without a doubt unfortunate and says something about who has the power over their bodies. However I just think it is somewhat problematic to attribute a large butt to being attributed as feature "only" for women of color. Especially when it seems to be the only feature people talk about in regards to women of color. I think this stereotype, like all stereotypes, can be harmful to women of color for more reasons than one. Coming from a Latina background, I find this to be limiting and the wrong thing to focus on. I would rather people worry more about other actual accomplishments or cultural aspects of women of color that have been capitalized or stolen due to white privilege, rather than just a body feature.
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