| Since this is one of the more frequent objections to come up, and even though I have already answered it on other pages of the site, I decided to create a separate page for it. |
The Madonna apologist proclaims, "But Madonna is such a savvy business woman!," as if this somehow excuses Madonna's immoral and deplorable behavior. It does not.
1. Yes, Madonna is a 'businesswoman,' but I would not call her a 'savvy' one. She has made business mistakes.
Former "Beatle" George Harrison financed the Sean Penn and Madonna film Shaghai Surprise, which flopped, largely because Madonna cannot act, but also because she refused to help promote the film, and so Harrison was out of some serious money.
Madonna has miscalculated what the public wants.
First she botched her career with her slutty behavior in '80s, culminating in the '90s release of her Sex book, Erotica album, multiple lovers, and acting vulgar on the Dave Letterman show (read more about these topics here and here).
More recently, Madonna miscalculated the public on her American Life album:
she either thought that the controversy surrounding it would work to her favor, or else, she did not anticipate the backlash she would receive for being a hypocrite (i.e., lambasting American capitalism while continuing to purchase high ticket items, such as mansions and BMW cars)
Madonna also thought that people would want to hear her rap.
2. Congratulations on figuring out that Madonna is a businesswoman.
Madonna does not want the public knowing that she is a businesswoman who is interested in investing and marketing and that she is not someone who makes records out of genuine love for music (she has only profits in mind).
3. And as author Ilene Rosenweig in The I Hate Madonna Handbook remarks:
It is with reluctance that I have contributed to the already sagging shelves of Madonna- related product and literature, and engaged in the debate that always seems to lead to the conversation- stopping disclaimer: "Madonna, you've got to admit, is an amazing businesswoman, and she does show young women that is is possible to be sexual and powerful too." Please. Women have been making a killing with sexually seductive performances since Salome.
The origin of the word vamp is vampire; the word bombshell explains itself. Sexually provocative women entertainers have long been stigmatized as dangerous destroyers, and Madonna, with her take- no- prisoners lingerie and boy- toy belligerences, fits neatly in the unfortunate tradition.
The only difference is she runs her own shop. And in some parts of town, such a "businesswoman" is not heroicized as "the future of feminism," but is politely referred to as Madam. (xi)
Madonna became successful and famous during a time in American history when women did not have to exchange sexual favors to succeed in a career, but she did so despite that.
I have a problem with attributing 'success' and other positive acolodes to someone who has "whored" herself into a powerful role.
