RubySoho
Winston
NIce Voice, Shame About The Face
August 13th 2008 03:01
It's the Olympic's answer to Milli Vanilli: stickk an attractive lip-syncher in front of the crowds and the cameras, whilst the real singer hides in the shadows. After all, everybody knows that unattractive people should be heard and not seen.
Only what makes this story so unpalatable is the girl who was chosen to sing Ode To The Motherland, only to be deemed not cute enough to actually feature in the celebrations was just seven years old. Not even in double digits and already being told she is too ugly.
My favourite part of this story? The reasoning behind the decision requested by none other than the Chinese Politburo. Chen Qigang, the chief music director of the ceremony had this to say:
"The audience will understand that it's in the national interest,"
Well yes, of course it is. There is no bigger threat to the interests of a non-Western country than children who look...non-Western.
Oh, just another reason to hold the Olympics in contempt. Like I needed any.
Read the full story here
*sigh*
-Ruby
Only what makes this story so unpalatable is the girl who was chosen to sing Ode To The Motherland, only to be deemed not cute enough to actually feature in the celebrations was just seven years old. Not even in double digits and already being told she is too ugly.
Lin Miaoke, left, is shown during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday. An official ordered her to lip-synch 'Ode to the Motherland' because seven-year-old singer Yang Peiyi, right, wasn't deemed cute enough.
My favourite part of this story? The reasoning behind the decision requested by none other than the Chinese Politburo. Chen Qigang, the chief music director of the ceremony had this to say:
"The audience will understand that it's in the national interest,"
Well yes, of course it is. There is no bigger threat to the interests of a non-Western country than children who look...non-Western.
Oh, just another reason to hold the Olympics in contempt. Like I needed any.
Read the full story here
*sigh*
-Ruby
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Comment by alt_ed
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In China, image is everything. I personally find the 'real' singer cute, it would have been so much better if they just had her! But at least everyone now knows that she's a great singer.
As someone who's currently trying to make it as a singer in the music industry, I must say this is disappointing, because I bet a lot of young women who are insecure about their looks will go 'oh, what I have the voice but I don't have the look? What's the point of auditioning?'
That kind of put a dampener on the Olympic Ceremony for me, but I loved the rest of it, so...
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apparently they did.
what's worse is they had to "reveal" it to the world. I feel sorry for the kids. It wasn't her fault she wasn't cute, and wasn't the other kid's fault she couldn't sing as well. They didn't need public (worldwide at that) humiliation that young when all they wanted was help their country.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Michaelie
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Ruby,
It's horrendous, completely dispicable. Those poor little girls, at that age, one having to be told she can stand up and look pretty but she has no further use, and the other that she's talented but too ugly to be credited with it!
Almost as bad is the rationisation for it... how ridiculous.
Great post.
Michaelie
Comment by Wilson Pon
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They didn't have the power to judge the little girls, I personally feels sorry for the girl that have the voice of angel, but has been treated like a trash...
However, I do believe that the girl will have a bright future when she grown up.
Don't forget the ugly duckling story...
Comment by Garrett Mickley
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Young girls and even women have low enough self esteem thanks to Victoria's Secret and other fashion model-related magazines.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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We think it's unfair and that credit should be given to the person that has the talent - I know I do. But that little singer might be thrilled to have her voice play out for the entire country. Perhaps she doesn't want to be on screen? We don't know.
The other thing that I noticed about Chinese people is that they are, as it seems to us, cruelly honest with their kids. If they're fat, they call them fat. They tell their kids if they're ugly.
I taught a 16-yr-old girl who told me that, when she was young, her parents told her that she wasn't pretty, so she should study hard.
I was enraged and shocked, but she had a calm acceptance of the situation. "They're right - I'm NOT pretty, and I'm NOT that good at studying, either."
Yes, this sounds outrageous, but I suspect it's frighteningly accurate.
I urge anyone to go out and ask 10 people from China -born in China, and moved here recently- on their opinion of this subject. They might be reluctant to answer, but I wonder what the answer would be?
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Kinda speaks volumes about what else has transpired in the lead-up to the Games that we'll never know about.
My first inkling that more was to come was when the Chinese and Olympic flags blew dramatically in a breeze that did not exist anywhere else in the National Stadium.
Turns out, they were powered by special devices in the flagpoles.
Ode to Joy . . . Ode to Fakery
Comment by Nomad
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actually i dont need to know why everyone is shocked...
anyway
nomad
Comment by RubySoho
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Just a few points. Firstly, I didn't watch the ceremony so the first I had ever heard about either of these girls was when i read the article about them.
Secondly, I think it's rather unfair just to point the finger at China and say "well, what do you expect?". My understanding of the situation is that the first girl was chosen with the intention that she would feature in the ceremony and it was the Politburo that pulled the music director aside and told him to replace her with a cuter version. In other words, it was done to impress the outside world.
And given the emphasis the western world places on physical appearance, I hardly think we are in a position to claim superiority on this issue.
Personally, I think it is an example of the bad influence the West has on countries such as China, not vice versa.
I should have elaborated all this in the article but I am on holiday and probably did not spend as much time on it as I should.
Cheers,
Ruby
Comment by Anonymous
If not, why have we anorexic people in our hospitals?why all this operations of breasts?
fashion & accessories shits,
a plastic society.
like sheeps.
We are not different.
I don't know if to say we are worst or better.
Cause they didn't make a problem of it.
I think before to condemn them we should take care more about what we do in this what we call 1st world.
Cause they said:
"The audience will understand that it's in the national interest,"
They know us, they know how we have trated and we have tolk of another cultures.
It is just a question of understanding,
But the important it is to say what we think.
To grow up. And try to understand we are just stupid humans.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by Danceswithwords
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Interesting post for me, mainly because it has much wider implications than one pretty girl miming a less prettier girls voice. And outraged? Are we really? What has anyone personally done about it? Yeah thought so.
I'm more surprised people ARE actually shocked by this, because it indicates that so many people must believe everything they see and hear. It's a theatrical show so c'mon... there's got to be heaps of tricks behind the scenes.
Yes I know there's the outrage about the "pretty" vs the "ugly" story. I'm laughing outloud though. We can't really throw stones at the Chinese for this. We (Westerners) INVENTED beauty, and the beauty will always "front" the beasts show. Beautiful people are just puppets for us homely folk - especially writers - like who's a good looking writer in here? All of us right?
Think about it. We all post odd looking pictures to hide behind in our posts sort of proves it. I have the Calvin Klein underpants model lined up to stand in on my book cover. No he didn't write my book, but can't help thinking how many readers will buy the next one thinking he did? Cheated? Its a whole flipping industry manipulating perception!!!! Get over it!
They airbrush models in magazines. That's a con to the viewer right? Cheating us from what they really look like! OMG! They record the soundtrack in movies separately - so that's a con right? If you want music to play in your love scenes whilst running across a field of flowers in slow motion - wear a friggan walk man and run really really slowly!!!!
I think you just got to believe in MAGIC. Because things we don't know (like all the behind the scenes stuff - pre recorded fireworks and whoever REALLY sung that song didn't take the magic away from watching the opening ceremony. So people telling me what's going on behind the scenes should be gagged 100%. For what is a magic trick without its con & prestige?
For once we know how everything was ever performed (behind the scenes) we will then be critiquing the technical direction and I'm sorry folks but you'll be ruining your own enjoyment because you would have totally missed the show.
That's show biz folks!
Dances
Comment by Anonymous
That's life.
You'll notice that everyone was fawning over the childs LOOKS mostly, then the voice. The look and the voice combined.
The plan worked, people thought the child was insanely cute.
Yes it is a shame, but that's what happens. Children get turned away from modelling and tv shows for not being cute enough, it's part of show-biz.
Danceswithwolves may I suggest a simple way of putting it? We saw the strings.
That was the only real problem here.
I know lots of people like to rant and pretend to be outraged, but the only reason they're making a big fuss about it all, is because they're trying to pretend that the world would be better off without all that, they aren't superficial and to make themselves look good and moral basically.
Comment by Anonymous
That's life.
You'll notice that everyone was fawning over the childs LOOKS mostly, then the voice. The look and the voice combined.
The plan worked, people thought the child was insanely cute.
Yes it is a shame, but that's what happens. Children get turned away from modelling and tv shows for not being cute enough, it's part of show-biz.
Danceswithwolves may I suggest a simple way of putting it? We saw the strings.
That was the only real problem here.
I know lots of people like to rant and pretend to be outraged, but the only reason they're making a big fuss about it all, is because they're trying to pretend that the world would be better off without all that, they aren't superficial and to make themselves look good and moral basically.
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Ruby wrote a post, and a lot of people commented about it. If I hadn't read these comments, I might not have known that people felt similarly disapointed about the Politburo's choice. We're adding to the discourse around this topic by posting up our two cents' worth.
ugly
That's your invention, and an unwelcome one - it was only said that the singer wasn't 'cute enough'. Imagine if she read this - how would you feel about giving her that label?
We (Westerners) INVENTED beauty, and the beauty will always "front" the beasts show.
How Eurocentric can you get? Every culture has their own standards of beauty, going back from the time their culture came into existence. Maybe you should do some research on the topic before you go around making statements like that.
Just because prettier people are more likely to be presented in the world, doesn't mean that we shouldn't fight this trend, especially when it's to the detriment of others with more talent.
Because things we don't know (like all the behind the scenes stuff - pre recorded fireworks and whoever REALLY sung that song didn't take the magic away from watching the opening ceremony. So people telling me what's going on behind the scenes should be gagged 100%. For what is a magic trick without its con & prestige?
We live in the postmodern age now - learning about the technical things is seen by many as enlightening, even 'magical'. It's a way of transforming your perception of how performance works, and I think that is special. I'm sure glad you're not in charge of teh information I can access! If you don't want to know about the 'behind the scenes', you don't have to put yourself in a position where you will be informed, but many people do, and are happy with the opportunity.
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I know plenty of good-looking writers, and it could be said that I am one of them myself (at the risk of sounding vain).
You kinda piss me off.
Comment by Danceswithwords
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That's the most beautiful question mark I've ever read, and not to hijack your thought provoking post Ruby, I've obviously missed out on the type of research and education of the "postmodern" era.
A self proclaimed beautiful post modern analyst, who missed my show because they were too busy trying to work out what the trick is? You exemplify exactly what I was writing about - so thanks for the outburst, and demonstration. Oh and thanks for the entertainment, the criticism and cynicism, and cutting & pasting my post. I don't charge by the word yet, but I think your cheque is definitely in the mail.
Keep up the good work Ruby. Differences of opinion are healthy in any post ;o)
Dances
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I didn't say I was beautiful, I indicated that I could be seen as good-looking. You are putting words into other people's mouths once more.
who missed my show
Some people feel like their enjoyment of the 'show' is enhanced when they understand what's going on behind the scenes. They're not missing anything, they're viewing it with technical concerns in mind. It's as valid a reading as your 'don't ruin the magic' reading.
cynicism
Actually I'd say you're the cynical one, because you feel that too much information 'spoils the trick'.
cutting & pasting my post
It's convenient, and also a way of exhibiting nettiquette. I'm also far from the only person on this network who does it. If you look up at the buttons above the message box, you'll see the quote button, designed especially for the purpose of copying and pasting text, so nothing to get too awed about.
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Comment by Jessicca
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Especially non authentically.
Sad case, sad case - when will Asians learn to be less shallow?
Comment by RubySoho
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I DID NOT WRITE THIS POST TO SINGLE OUT CHINESE PEOPLE.
The first line "it's the Olympics' answer to Milli Vanilli" was designed to show:
1. the similarities between our cultures, NOT THE DIFFERENCES!
2. Place the blame on the Olympics' and the Chinese government NOT the people.
To suggest that Asians are more shallow than us here in the west is a bit of a stretch.
Please, everyone, do not take this post the wrong way.
Comment by May
Music Dime
As someone who is of a Chinese background, i can diss myself by saying that lots of Chinese people are shallow...or in a nicely put way, realistic about expectations that may (or may not) exist. Of course, not everyone is the same. I personally couldn't give a rats arse who was really singing. In the grand scheme of things, it was just 2 mins (or less) of screentime...but i can appreciate that there are people out there who feel that every little detail adds to the show. I won't go into the ethics of women and stereotypes and imagery...that's a whole different kettle of fish.
To quote one of my favourite shows Supernatural, "Demons I get. People are crazy".....except substitute the word demon for whatever is applicable in the context.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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(disclaimer: this comment is a personal joke intended to be understood by Ruby only . . . certainly not little chinese kids with funny teeth)
Comment by Janet Collins
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I agree with Cibby's friend that maybe they were both just happy to participate. There would have been thousands and thousands in the running.
And about the comment that the Chinese tell their kids they are not pretty or that they are fat, if anyone has watched Kath & Kim at all, remember how often Kath tells her daughter Kim how fat she is.
PS Ruby, are you catching some of the Olympics while you are on hols? (Sorry, just joking!)
Janet
Comment by Winston
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I do see that it's not completely fair to the "less cute" girl (who seems cute enough to me. Is she covered in scales from the neck down?) but I can't muster up anything approaching outrage.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Certainly, those ideals have gone out the window, as various countries use the outcome of the Olympics as some sort of metaphorical penis measuring. Please note that Canada has 0 medals.
Comment by RubySoho
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And Cibb and Janet, I don't think it matters whether or not the girls were just "happy to participate". The problem with these sorts of incidents is that they reinforce the perception that a woman's or girl's primary function in this world is to look pretty.
Further proof? I have been staying at my sister's the last couple of days and she is an Olympics freak. So yes, i have been watching (and bitching and moaning the whole time, I assure you). And what do I see at the medal ceremony? Gorgeous Chinese women standing behind the swimmers as they collect their medals, doing nothing, absolutely nothing but standing there looking pretty.
So I dunno, others may not be upset over this, but it annoys me to know that sexism is not about to go anywhere any time soon. Feminism, breaking the glass ceiling, a woman running for President of the USA, it all stands for nothing because it still seems that for women, the ultimate accolade is to shut up and look gorgeous.
Comment by Lilla
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For my two cents, I feel that it is a shame that China felt it had to appeal to the world in this way (to fit in?)... how shallow a reflection on the face of the human race (to expect it?).
Sad indeed.
Lilla ...
Comment by RubySoho
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Thank you.
Comment by Jessicca
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I did not discriminate... please do not get me wrong too, because I am stating it as a fact... and has always been even to many races and cultures... the only sad case is that it is really eating into the Asian society. (I didn't mention particular country, I speak in general)
I must apologise to my previous comment.
It is sad that the Government has done this when they are stepping onto the World stage for the very first time.... and being influenced by the stereotype image influence (as May mentioned) is even sadder... But then again, it is the world stage we are talking about... they are pushed to the pressure by "world standards"...
As an Asian myself, I can only hope that the "shallowness" can be overcome and not being enslaved to it in near future....
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Dianna G
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One of the many, many reasons why I hate humanity-most of it-because of its sickening shallowness and its attitudes towards women.
I am not going to just stand around and look pretty.
I can talk-very very loudly.
And this is such an obvious display of sexism... Brilliant China, just brilliant; show off what a pathetic thing the human race is to open the biggest international sports event in the world.
I'm feeling very cynical now.
~Dianna
Comment by lumiere door
The official who made this decision is a misogynistic, corrupt bastard.
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I think you mean SNL?
I agree the decision could very well be misogynistic.
Ruby -
Where are you right now, dear?
Have you heard about the Bush admin's attempts to lump contraception in with 'abortion'? To everyone interested, you can sign a petition against what would be a huge backwards leap for humanity if it were unopposed by YOU - Really Long Link
Comment by RubySoho
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But notice how there is no mention of condoms. Apparently, when men take control of contraception, its okay. But women? Nope, that's gotta stop.
Comment by Ahmed
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The west is just jealous, you can't compete with a communist nation when it comes to putting on a good show and since it is clear already the London opening ceremony is going to be a farce next to Beijing... heh.
And you're all suckers for caring.