Beauty and Beijing opening ceremonies

[pegkerr]

I really enjoyed the Olympic opening ceremonies and was quite impressed. This followup story, however, has turned that into a rather sour impression.

Remember that adorable little girl who sang the song "Ode to the Motherland"? What a sweet little voice. So cute!

Apparently, that wasn't her sweet little voice after all.

It has now been revealed that it wasn't Lin Miaoke singing at all. The real singer, Yang Peiyi, a seven-year old girl, wasn't deemed "cute enough" to have the honor of representing China before a world audience. Perhaps it was her crooked teeth. So they had Lin Miaoke lip-synch the words that Yang Peiyi sang.

As the mother of two hopeful little girls, I'll admit this story really gets under my skin and makes me sad. I personally think my daughters are beautiful, and I'm aware that this does give them certain advantages. At the same time, I fiercely want them to be valued for aspects of their talents and character other than their beauty, that will last throughout their entire lifetime when their beauty will begin to fade (as a woman smack dab in the middle of middle age who, let's face it, doesn't turn heads much anymore, this is something I've given a lot of thought).

Well, congratulations anyway, Yang Peiyi. You did a beautiful job, even if China didn't consider your face worthy to represent the nation. Silly China. I hope that from here on out, you will always get the recognition you truly deserve.

Comments

[ceilidh]

Grrrr. Lip synching offends me as a musician anyway, even when the singer is synching to their own voice--it's cheating to get a chance to pre-record your voice and let people electronically enhance it and take out all the flaws-- but to someone else's voice is downright despicable.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

Grr. That's pretty awful. The worst part is that Yang Peiyi's parents might even agree with the decision. I really hope, for her sake, that they didn't at all.

[wordswoman.livejournal.com]

What a sad message to send to little girls: Outstanding talent will never be enough unless you also conform to a narrow societal definition of "cuteness" and "beauty". If you don't, others will take credit for your talent.

Yang Peiyi did a wonderful job. I hope the revelation of the girl behind the voice means that she will get wonderful opportunities and the credit she deserves.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Yes. I had the same reactions watching American Idol once, when one of the female vocalists was discounted because she was a larger woman. Simon specifically said she didn't have the looks for it, regardless of her vocal abilities.

[irinaauthor.livejournal.com]

I actually think the girl who did the singing is extremely cute. She'd have been good on TV too.

[mayakda.livejournal.com]

Grrrr....

[aome.livejournal.com]

How sad. On the other hand, I'm glad to know it was *a* kid singing - I was afraid she'd been lip-synching an adult or something like that. I hope the real singer gets her come-uppance eventually.

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

I could tell during the performance that the girl wasn't really singing, but I also thought it was an adult's voice, and that they assumed a child would be a more powerful visual. I'm so sad for both those little girls.

[zauza.livejournal.com]

It's sad,but it's the world we live in!There are lot's of Hollywood story's from the early days of sound in the movies,just like this one! And remember "Flashdance",the dancer in that movie wasn't Jennifer Beals!What happened to the girl who amazed the world dancing "what a feeling"?
Yes if we aren't cute enough or beautiful enough we aren't good enough...bhaaa!

[quesrah.livejournal.com]

I have nothing to add. I just wanted to use this icon in an appropriate situation for once.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

OT, but what a GREAT icon!

[skg.livejournal.com]

That really is very sad. Poor kid.

How do you not go through life with a complex after that?

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

Yesterday's For Better of For Worse strip bugged me for a similar reason: John looks at Elizabeth in her wedding gown and says "You're beautiful! I'm so proud of you!" I know comic strips don't provide a ton of room, but how hrd would it be to make that "You're beautiful! I'm so proud of the woman you've become!"