Halle Berry was livid that photos of her baby Nailah have ended up in tabloids like In Touch and Life & Style. So she’s suing. Now the photos don’t reveal much but Halle is being a protective mother and apparently she is one of the only celebrities who is.
Welcome to the age of ‘how much did that baby picture on the cover of the magazine cost’? (and Baby, the new Accessory). And most celebrities are playing along— basically pimping out their children for cash they don’t really need. Even teen motherhood is glorified in the person of Jamie Lynn Spears who made her debut on the cover OK for millions (again I say that could not be a young black girl for a variety of reasons). Sure Brad and Angelina give their money to charity but they are pimping just the same. How else would you describe a photo speculated about being worth upwards of $10-15 million? (People Magazine won the bidding war).
Now I’ll admit that the paparazzi is out of control but this is really a vicious cycle fueled by our voracious appetite to know more and more about celebrities. This would all die down if we didn’t think that said celebrities were our imaginary friends. Instead we continue to clamor for more and now have this sideshow full time. Of course some may argue that Halle hasn’t participated because child of a black woman (based on the one drop rule) wouldn’t bring in as much money. Even this ploy hasn’t gotten Halle to take the bait.
But really I am wondering if Halle thinks she’s in Bizarro Land because she values her privacy in Hollywood. But normal seems to be strange in her world. Yet, since she has decided that her child will not be a featured act in this real life Circus of the Stars she’ll have to continue to guard her precious with fierce determination. Keep on fighting girl because this baby for sale stuff is ridiculous.
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August 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Yes it has gotten ridiculously out-of-hand. I understand parental pride in showing off one’s bundle of joy, but the auctioning off to the highest bidder is rather loathsome. As a black woman, I find that notion is particularly troublesome given our ancestral history of being bought and sold. I am so glad that Halle hasn’t fallen prey.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I agree that this is getting out of hand. Take today for instance: People magazine has agreed to publish photos of Angelina Jolie’s twins for $14 million. Say what?! Is this really necessary?