Auto-Tune and Authenticity
Maria tentatively spoke up.
“Mama, her voice sounds kind of funny,” she said nodding toward the stereo.
The voice she heard belongs to a pop singer without much range, a young woman who once melted down publicly and is attempting to come back. The voice on her latest single is most definitely not completely human.
I explained that some popular singers aren’t really great singers. They get some, or a lot, of help in the studio. They’re famous anyway because, well, maybe they’re good performers.
I didn’t tell her that we really don’t know why on earth some people get famous and rich with little, or no, talent. (Have you heard of this girl/woman? Horrifying!)
The conversation left me with a strange feeling. Like, I’ve cracked into her childhood a little bit and taken away from some of the truths we are teaching her. Like, do good work and you are rewarded. But, now she kind of knows: Hey, you can’t sing (or act) you can still get on the radio.
She now knows that what you see and hear isn’t always authentic, and I guess that is good.
Maybe I am bothered by her new awareness because it seems like some trust and innocence is lost.
Now she makes a habit of commenting on the singers’ voices.
“Mama, do you think her voice is real?”
“Mama, I think his voice was good and really his.”
“Mama, I think they put her voice through a machine.”
“When I grow up and become a singer, I won’t need auto-tune.”
Here’s to praying she’s always authentic.
First off, Courteny Stodden is whacko!
Secondly, wow! On point with this post! It is so difficult to explain and comprehend, even as an adult, why some people are successful and continue to have the support from fans who KNOW they have no singing ability. Yes, they can perform and are appealing physically. But I assume anyone who has a trainer, makeup artist, hair stylist, choreographer and great Photoshop expert can do just the same.
Wait, that sounds like a lot of work. Never mind lol.
Sujeiry, 1st Lady of Love´s last essay ..The First Call After A Breakup: Seeking Closure
Sujeiry, I guess the moment just highlighted the loss of innocence we all go through. It’s hard to see your sweet child get it that not all is right and fair.
And esa Courtney — la pobre.
What a keen sense she has!! So true about some of these artists. It’s crazy when you think how much money they make off not having any talent.
She does have a keen sense and she freaks me out with it. She is my teacher in so many ways…
I also realize that she is going to grow up seeing a whole lot of talented people here in Nashville never “make it” as they should. This town is littered with true genius that never gets its true due.
Life is strange.
reminds me of american bandstand – wait, they’re not REALLY singing!
A friend sent me a note after getting this post via her inbox: “One day tell her about Milli Vanilli”
LOL
Wow…I have no idea who this chick is…lol. Oh well, blame it on a lack of cable. I agree with you, I hate to do anything that prevents my daughter from keeping her innocence and I hate the fact that we have to become cynics to some degree because the world really is a shady place. I think it’s good to be real and honest with your children though and help them to realize that there is value in everything you do. Some people might not do well in certain ways, or may just be in a career for the money…but that should help us to appreciate true talent and passion when we come across it. Those individuals are the ones who should be valued. Celebrity is twisted, it’s a false value and something that our children shouldn’t feel like they have to attain in order to be valued. Instead, they should just hold onto their passion and nurture their talents.
Chantilly Patiño (@biculturalmom)´s last essay ..My Husband Lends His Voice to Multicultural Familia {Podcast}
No cable?
Ay!!!!
I would die…
Celebrity is twisted and if you want to see more of this young girl/woman, here is a clip from The Soup, which is hilarious:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXLn-UMCCEg
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I had a similar experience with my 5 & 6 yr. old nieces who blurted out over the summer, “Tía, how come you’re NOT married?” Hmmm… confirmation that this has come up with their parents, perhaps more than once! What was I going to say? That all the Disney Princess pink, fluff is bunk? Sometimes the “Prince” does come, and he turns out to be a lying, cheating sack o’ ***, Phew, thank-goodness-I-figured-THAT-out-before-I-married-him! Then I looked at their big, brown eyes, that smiled back at me as much as their faces. I blinked. I said, Amorcitos, I’m not married b.c I have not met the ONE Diosito has chosen for me, especially one who does not wear a wedding ring. The older one blurted out, well, I’ll help God. She spent the rest of my long weekend going up to random guys at the pizza parlor, the mall the grocery store, checking out their fingers, and hollering, how about this one?
My 6yo has recently become fascinated with becoming “famous.” I can’t quite pinpoint why, but it may be because of watching reality shows like America’s Got Talent and SYTYCD. I thought watching “real” people would be a good thing, but now she thinks that all she has to do is put a video on YouTube and she’ll be on TV tomorrow. Sigh. That girl is the one that married that actor from Lost, no? She’s crazy.