Piers Morgan got into it recently with singer Ariana Grande’s mother, after he commented on a new album cover by British music girl-group Little Mix.
The topic? Singers gettin’ nekkid.
Let’s go back to a tweet from Piers, calling out Ellen DeGeneres for what he considered feminist hypocrisy:
“Ellen drooling today over famous men’s bodies on #InternationalMensDay2018.
Yet I’ve been abused all day for complimenting @hollywills on her legs.
The hypocrisy of modern feminism laid bare.”
Ellen drooling today over famous men's bodies on #InternationalMensDay2018.
Yet I've been abused all day for complimenting @hollywills on her legs.
The hypocrisy of modern feminism laid bare..
My column: https://t.co/51EV8fbBvV https://t.co/myUb83jV9C— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 19, 2018
The post linked to Morgan’s article in the Daily Mail, which boasted the following title:
“PIERS MORGAN’S ADVICE ON INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY: Don’t let hypocritical radical feminists turn men into a bunch of neutered, grovelling [sic], blubbering doormats, ladies – or we’ll ALL live to regret it.”
As for men not becoming neutered, groveling whatever-he-saids, I like it.
As for Holly Willoughby’s (@hollywills) legs, I haven’t seen ’em.
The next day, Piers told his apparent nemesis — Jesy Nelson, from Little Mix — to put on some clothes:
Sultry? She looks ridiculous.
Ask her to put some clothes on (if she has any…) & apologise for calling me a tw*t. https://t.co/i63gXpkJaV— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 20, 2018
The former CNN host drew the ire of UK MTV, among others. I’ll let them explain more:
After Little Mix called Piers Morgan an “idiot” and a “tw*t” for attempting to come for the band over their naked photoshoot used to promote their new single ‘Strip’, it looks like the girls are having to face his attempts to keep the new feud going.
Jesy Nelson posted a photo on Instagram of her looking incredible in Calvin Klein underwear but – after waking up to hundreds of negative messages from LM fans over his attitudes towards the girlband – Piers has now branded the picture “grim.” Hi, fake news calling.
He took to Good Morning Britain to not only demand an apology from the girls for calling him out, but to add more fuel to the fire and insult Jesy further. Funnily, he mentions the irony of them throwing insults right back…
Reacting to Susannah Reid, who defended Jesy by telling Piers that she “clearly looks fabulous,” he went on to say that the picture looks as though it belongs on one of “those weird adult dating sites,” while ripping into her tattoos.
Got all that?
Enter Ariana Grande’s mom, for some reason:
“Honestly what is wrong with you @piersmorgan ? Didn’t your mother ever teach you, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it! You came for @TheEllenShow yesterday which was disgraceful, she is an angel. @LittleMix today, did you ever hear of paying homage? And..well never mind”
Honestly what is wrong with you @piersmorgan ? Didn’t your mother ever teach you, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it! You came for @TheEllenShow yesterday which was disgraceful, she is an angel. @LittleMix today, did you ever hear of paying homage? And..well never mind https://t.co/5WBOlL8t6O
— Joan Grande (@joangrande) November 21, 2018
Of course, Joan’s comment makes no sense: She criticized Piers because it’s wrong to criticize.
But I digress…
Piers volleyed:
“Hi Joan, my mother taught me to speak my mind & never be afraid to express honestly held opinion.
Ellen’s a hypocrite – and as for Little Mix, I’d just prefer they use their talent to sell records rather than their nudity.
As your own daughter does…!”
Hi Joan, my mother taught me to speak my mind & never be afraid to express honestly held opinion.
Ellen's a hypocrite – and as for Little Mix, I'd just prefer they use their talent to sell records rather than their nudity.
As your own daughter does…! https://t.co/nCQAsIgoVG— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 21, 2018
Then came this:
“Ellen is an incredible & kind human being.. I use my talent AND my sexuality all the time because i choose to. women can be sexual AND talented. naked and dignified. it’s OUR choice. & we will keep fighting til people understand. i say this w all due respect but thank u, next.”
Ellen is an incredible & kind human being.. I use my talent AND my sexuality all the time because i choose to. women can be sexual AND talented. naked and dignified. it’s OUR choice. 🖤 & we will keep fighting til people understand. i say this w all due respect but thank u, next. https://t.co/wSknRSlJN8
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 21, 2018
Let me say that Ariana’s an amazing singer.
Amazing singer.
Did I mention that she’s an amazing singer?
She’s a phenomenon.
Respectfully, I have a few thoughts for Ariana’s generation. Just my own personal perspective, but I think it’s worth considering:
First of all, being naked before the world is not “dignified.” It’s exposed; it’s vulnerable. And it’s giving away your secret — the secret you had the chance to share with only one person, for life. Once you’re naked on a global stage, the secret’s out. And that one person you hopefully find to love for a lifetime will always know you shared what they’ve committed to in private with everyone else in public (please see here).
Secondly, you get no points for being naked; we can all do it. It’s not an accomplishment. It’s not impressive. It’s just naked.
Thirdly, most all the world’s men want to see you naked. That’s what they want. Not because you can sing, or act, or perform athletically, or are smart or creative or any other thing related to your virtues. They just want to see your parts. They wish for you to do what they want. And when you do it, you’re giving in. There is no way to peel off your clothes without satisfying their desire; you can do it and speak all kinds of words; it doesn’t change what you’re doing — you’re giving them what they want. There’s no way to verbally take some kind of magical ownership of the act so you’re the victor. It’s like with the Slut Walk (here): if you call yourself a slut, you’re not making “slut” a compliment; you’re only making yourself a slut. And “slut” is still a negative word.
Here are, I believe, some positive words: modesty; preservation; demureness; forethought; sacredness; romance.
Despite the assertions of aspiring actresses who come to Tinseltown and decide they’ll be super-strong and empowered women by showing the planet their nipples, they’ve gained nothing. And lost much. The kind of much that can never be possessed again.
Fourthly, if you want to show your naked body to everyone on Earth, whether your most delicate parts are strategically hidden or not, it’s your right to do so. But it affects more than you. And even more than your future family — it directs the thoughts of little girls watching you. They’re learning from what you do, so they can follow your lead. Do you want to teach them to expose themselves to strangers? If you do, then by all means, lead the way.
But please understand: it doesn’t make you strong. It just makes you naked. And despite the words you use, you’re choosing to be objectified by all the people who are glad you told them your secret. A secret that will no longer be yours — or the one you love’s — to treasure, to honor, and to keep.
I’m Alex Parker, and that’s what I think.
Relevant RedState links in this article: here.
See 3 more pieces from me: James Cromwell’s activism, racist trick-or-treating, and a Birmingham McDonald’s story.
Find all my RedState work here.
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