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Analyzing the dynamics between Angelique Kidjo and Lady Gaga, exploring their fan connections, narratives, and success in their respective fields. Discover the impact of industry and gender dynamics on their images and fan interactions.
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Global Pop Divas Angelique Kidjo vs. Lady Gaga
Why We Need the Pop Diva MAGIC
Gaga • outrageously sexualized • pop-star • diva • vapid • made-to-sell • easily consumable • fierce
Kidjo • do-good • ethnocentric • world-music • diva • tribal • easily consumable • positive
Girls in the Game • Expected to play by the rules • Be 200% committed to your fans • Be approachable • Reflect their reality: nice, modest, behaved • Reflect their fantasy: fierce, sexy, liberated • Bring you’re “A game” to play with the boys • Be a pretty face & a hot body • Be professional and hardworking
If You Don’t Play by the Rules… • If you’re too commanding, you’re a bitch • If you’re too soft, you’re a toy • If you’re too unexpected, you’re weird • If you’re too distant, you’re not dedicated • If you’re too close, you’re imperfect • If you’re too sexual, you’re objectified • If you’re too ethnic, you’re objectified
Represent! • Kidjo presents herself as an African woman with a knowledge of colonialism and African heritage • Her fans connect with the story of liberation • Gaga presents herself as an Italian-American woman with a knowledge of gay rights and equality • Her fans connect with the story of liberation
Creation • While some of Gaga’s fans appreciate her with a cynical post-modern wink, she is created for superfandom • While some of Kidjo’s fans appreciated her with an understanding of cultural dynamics, she is created for world music success
Conclusions… • When I started this project, I wanted to explore how Gaga’s fans accept her story with a consciousness of industry and gender dynamics that Kidjo’s fans don’t explicitly show in regards to colonialist dynamics • However, research revealed that a fan is a fan is a fan, and fandom is based of off imagery
Redeeming their Narratives • If Gaga tried to play the role of the international “world music” diva, she would be as unsuccessful as if Kidjo tried to invade the world of electro-pop • At the end of the day, both of these ladies DOMINATE in their field and speak to their fans, which is the most important aspect of what they do