Feministing: Slut-shaming 'Kristen' in the media

[BurtWorm]

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Feministing/~3/251532295/008794.html

I wasn't going to post about the sex worker, "Kristen," in the middle of the Spitzer scandal - because I didn't want to add to the intrusion into her privacy and the general seediness of the coverage. But the media coverage - whose latest take on the story is that Kristen being outed is actually good for her and she probably is stoked about it - is just a little too much to handle. (Note: I'm not reprinting her real name on this blog because she didn't come forward willingly.)

This was the headline, from CNN, that first caught my attention:



Now, if this was a quote given to CNN in reference to the Spitzer mess I wouldn't take issue with it. But this quote is actually just lifted from her MySpace page and made to seem like it's a response to the scandal. I guess journalistic integrity goes out the window when it comes to slut-shaming!

The newest coverage is all about how fabulous it is for Kristen that she's been outed as a sex worker, and that it's probably the best thing ever to happen to her.

Take this headline from the Associated Press:



Or another one on CNN for the same AP article:



Or this one, from The Washington Post,



The reporter goes on to write:

No, a record deal isn't a sure thing. But look at it this way: She had no chance on Tuesday, before anyone knew her name, and she has a slender chance now that more than 2.3 million people have visited and heard her songs.

See? All the amazing fame and fortune she's sure to get from the scandal is totes worth being shamed by disgusting reporters!

...

[Gman]

1. I hope she does do good after this is over because

she's lost a significant means of supporting herself. Singing doesn't usually pay the bills completely.

[maddiejoan]

She just raked in about 1 million dollars

of sales of her songs on amiestreet.com

[LynneSin]

2. This gal better get working on her 15minutes of fame because the clock is ticking

[YOY]

3. Why could I not care less about her in the first place?

Am I a bad person for not giving a shit?

[BurtWorm]

4. I don't think so.

It's media whoredom that I'm reacting to.

[YOY]

9. I know...It's just starting to really grate on me

I really don't care about her or her music or her work as anything but it's being shoved down our throats.

[Blaze Diem]

5. Spitzer's Lewinski..OR: Was Spitzer Lewinski'd..blackmail & set-up

Claim all the fame she can handle..I believe, nonetheless, if indeed Spitzer was blackmailed, spied on, set-up for revenge as this bush admin is so akin to anyway, what better way to 'get Spitzer' than to repeat what worked for them before, as in the defamation and hopes of removal of Pres Bill Clinton.
Was Spitzer Lewinski'd??
Guess we'd need to know who her cohorts are and 2&2 should add up quite easily.

[YOY]

10. Considering Bill never paid for it: no.

n/t

[Blaze Diem]

11. Paying or not isn't the issue..its the set-up.

Just a thought, don't trust anything bus mafia does, wouldn't be surprised anyway

[BigDaddy44]

6. At least she's getting her pay day

Look at it this way. She got paid for her service, and will make some residuals in the deal.

Not only did Monica Lewinsky not get paid, she got attacked for being a liar and a stalker by the White House and its minions (even though she was neither).

[Unsane]

7. She is HOT

[opihimoimoi]

8. She has become a de facto Role Model for many girls out there, esp the bimbos

[Supersedeas]

12. anything but Iraq Wallstreet and Telecom Immunity -- distractions, the Media Whores need distraction