VMA Debacle

Once again, the VMAs lived up to my expectations of being a god-awful show. I mean, I actually liked the host (he was a bit frenetic though) and Christina Aguilera's performance was pretty awesome (and completely what Brit Brit should have done a year ago), but I felt completely underwhelmed watching it. Most performances ranged from all right to "dear god what were they thinking" and what should have MTV's finest two and half hours celebrating 25 years was too long and drawn out.

I have to say, I did get kinda annoyed by Jordin Sparks. Russell Brand, the host, was making a lot of jokes about purity rings and the non sexings of the Jonas Brothers. Granted, a lot of jokes were made, but they were harmless and in no way bashing the Jonas Brothers for their decision. But Little Miss Sparks, a purity ring wearer herself, comes out to present and throws everyone off-guard with this off the cuff remark:

"I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It's not bad to wear a promise ring because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut."

Afterwards, Brand came out and apologized in his own way, but the situation and the comment left a bad taste in my mouth.

I don't think that just because you wear a purity ring you automatically think that you're immune to jokes and criticism about it. Over the years, there have been a lot of bubblegum pop stars proclaiming their pledge to wait until marriage. And that's fine and all. But don't think that you won't be made fun of for it. Because the track record hasn't been the greatest in the world (cough Britney cough). Also, we live in a culture where sex runs rampant. If you wear a purity ring, you live on the other side--you're the other extreme. It runs from proclamations and purity rings to the "slut" label and promiscuity. Both extremes get made fun of. A lot. And you have a host who's reputation is being a lothario of sorts and has been admitted into rehab for sex addiction--it's his schtick.

But it's not really all of that bothers me. It's Sparks' choice of words. She says it's not bad because "not everybody wants to be a slut." Does this mean that if you do have sex with someone, you're automatically labeled a slut? What about people in committed relationships? Are they sluts too? I may be reading too much into this, but after hearing it and reading it, I can't help but interpret it in this way. In this culture and environment, it's easy to call someone who's had sex only once a slut and to have that label affixed to them throughout most of the years. But it never really means that a person, who has sex responsibly, is a slut. Next time, I advise Ms. Sparks to choose her words carefully.

But back to the VMAs--last night, as I was watching, I couldn't help but feel like a dinosaur. I remember the days of kickass performances and acts that I actually knew with songs I couldn't help but sing along to because let's face it--I was 15 and didn't know any better. But now, watching last night, I couldn't help but feel that, at 23, I didn't fit it with the MTV generation as much as I used to. But I think I'm okay with that.