Charlotte Church Sounds Off on Miley Cyrus, Sinead O'Connor, Rihanna and More

By: Oct. 15, 2013
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According to the UK Guardian, 27 year old Charlotte Church has sounded off at the Radio Academy Festival this week, sharing her opinions on the latest round of controversial photos, videos and comments by Miley Cyrus, Sinead O'Connor, Rihanna and more...

She notes: "There was a big clamour to cover my breasts as they wanted to keep me as young as possible, Then it became, 'You should definitely get them out, they look great.'"

Addressing a full auditorium at the Radio Academy radio festival, Church said: "To my mind, what this industry seems to want of its women increasingly is sex objects that appear childlike. Take your clothes off, show you're an adult."

She said that the highly publicised online spat between Connor and Cyrus - the Hannah Montana star who has gone for an image overhaul with raunchy videos such as Wrecking Ball and a very sexual "twerking" incident at MTV's Video Music Awards - has not helped break the gender stereotype in the industry.

"If women are to become free agents of their gender's destiny in a music world that is reliant upon shouting loudest over the clamour, it stands to reason that online pissing contests only serve to detract from strong messages put forward by such artists as Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu."

The star went on to pass blame to more than just the pop star themselves, saying that:

"You only have to look at the online response to see that it is only a matter of time until the public turns on an artist for pushing it too far," she said. "But the single, like all Rihanna's other provocative hits, will make her male writers, producers and record label guys a ton of money."

Church said that video sites such as YouTube have a "responsibility in dealing with these issues", and pointed to Christina Aguilera's song Dirrty, which has scenes of simulated masturbation being readily available to viewers of any age.

It seems like only yesterday that the 12 year old Charlotte Church was singing her way to worldwide superstardom. She performed for President Clinton and Pope John Paul II, among an astonishing list of world leaders and statesmen, as well as countless thousands of adoring fans all over the world. She sold 11 million records before she was 16. Now Charlotte is 26, and despite comparisons to Bjork, Radiohead and Kate Bush, there is no mistaking the spirit and originality she conveys on her new tracks. Charlotte is enjoying the creative freedom that self-releasing brings, she is working with local musicians and recording in her own studio, allowing Charlotte to express herself honestly and openly. Taken together, both EP's are beautiful, emotional records that move through patches of delicacy, strength, vulnerability and confidence. The tone varies from the tautness and intensity of 'TWO's 'Nerve' to the ethereal lustre of 'How Not To Be Surprised When You're A Ghost' from 'ONE'; the bluster of 'Beautiful Wreck' contrasting with end-of-the-world lament 'Lasts, or Eschaton'.



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