Cowboy Carter, Beyonce’s new country album has taken social media by storm, with instant hits like her formidable rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and her collaborations with Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, amongst many others. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande recently ended her 4 year hiatus from releasing music with Eternal Sunshine. The album was unexpectedly well received, with several charting songs, like “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” which is currently growing in popularity.
These are two fabulous albums that I will be streaming all year, and while it seems natural to celebrate the success of two female artists stepping out of their comfort zones, unfortunately that never seems to be the case. With the lineup of female albums set to be released this year, there is bound to be incredible female success in the music industry, but it’s disheartening to know that the focus of the entire internet will just be who is doing better than others. For instance, despite the fact that they attended each other’s movie premieres with the hope of uniting fans and publicly displaying their support for each other, people have been relentlessly comparing Beyonce and Taylor Swift’s record-breaking tours. Instead of celebrating their unprecedented successes, fans invest all their energy toward invalidating the achievements of their favorite artist’s friends.
This culture of unnecessary competitiveness between female icons has been around for as long as women have been able to be successful in male-dominated fields, and it was especially prevalent as my generation grew up. Nicki vs. Miley, Demi vs. Selena, Katy vs. Taylor, and Paris vs. Lindsay are just among the first few I can think of off the top of my head. Fans who were raised during a time where this culture was normalized and expected are now carrying it on, even against the wishes and requests of the very artists they are claiming to support and idolize.
This mindset is beyond harmful for women in the music industry and beyond. By alienating powerful women by denigrating those who approach their success, we make it more and more difficult for those who are breaking into industries to make it, preventing diversification of all fields. It’s always so empowering to hear a female celebrity giving a thank-you speech and acknowledge the women who came before her and made whatever industry she has just been awarded in more accessible for people like her. In a world where women are already inhibited by lower pay, more difficulty getting hired, judgement based on stereotypes, and less representation in so many industries, the last thing we need is to gatekeep success and ridicule women by comparing them to their peers.
Dolly Parton, who was featured several times on Cowboy Carter, promoted Beyonce’s version of “Jolene” on her social media with nothing but admiration, respect, and dignity. She has set such an empowering example for women everywhere, even going so far as to say that she hopes that Beyonce can do with “Jolene” what Whitney Houston did with “I Will Always Love You.” Parton doesn’t see their takes on her songs as threatening, but rather as flattering, and she takes absolutely no offense that their versions of her songs could be more popular than her own; in fact, she encourages it. Parton’s example of an incredible woman who can step back and let other women, especially Black women, shine, while cheering them on from the sidelines is something that I believe all women should aspire to replicate. After all, this ain’t the year 2000.
I have always found it bizarre that the media will, without fail, compare women rather than celebrate both. The media consistently pits women against each other, as if there cannot be many successful women- there must be one best. This includes “who wore it better”, comparing women’s past relationships, and ultimately undermining their successes. I cannot think of a time where I have seen this occur with men off the top of my head but can think of many where this has occurred with women. One instance of this that I remember from being very young is your mentioned example of Demi vs Selena. Great post!
I think people just have the wrong idea in their head. The media always twists the true meaning behind artists and what being successful means. It causes such unnecessary tension between those artists and everyone listening. I hope one day the public can make room for two successful women artists at once. It is sad to see such talent be worn down by people who have no right to judge. I just don’t think I will ever understand, it just makes me so angry lol. Anyways, you always hit the spot with your posts!
The topic of women in the music world and how people strive to tear them down is one that interests me as well. I don’t understand why in an industry where women are allowed to succeed we are trying to create a limit of how many women there are at the top. We should instead be celebrating what it took for these women to get where they are and uplift them and the others they have paved the way for. I loved your example of Beyonce and Dolly Parton. To me this shows to successful women from different times and backgrounds who were able to come together and uplift one another through music. Instead of creating a jealous environment, they have shown us an example of elevating each others work and allowing it to transcend generations.