about this whole Olympic Opening Ceremony singer switch thing. In case you didn't hear, the link there will clarify, but--in short--the girl who really sang the opening song was deemed "not pretty enough" to appear on TV so they used a lip syncher. Keep in mind these girls are both under 10 years old--not that this should happen at any age.
It made me incredibly upset to hear about this from Little Willow and my Georgia myspace friend, and I am still kind of shaking over it. Because why is this world telling girls that even with an incredible talent like Yang Peiyi's, it's cuteness that counts? And besides, Yang Peiyi (left) is hella cute!
I talked about this issue with a few friends, and I realized that it hits especially close to home for me because magazines do this. They always want to see the photos of people they might feature, and if the people don't have the right "look," they're cut from the story. Now, not all magazines do this, and it does depend on the story, but... there it is. Same thing. And I've been a part of that process many times.
So, I'm sorry. I'm going to do better. Because it's about your story, your heart, your singing voice, your individual talent... not your cuteness factor. And besides, doing what you love--like Yang Peiyi, who surely loves singing--makes you shine from within in a way that's so much more beautiful than the "right" hair and cheekbones.
Sorry--rant over. I just had to say it.
Let me know your thoughts, too, and also there's a discussion going on at readergirlz, so join in if you're feeling it.
PS-There's a petition to let Yang Peiyi sing at the closing ceremony here.
I'm pretty livid...
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