Olympics Update: Singing Girl Pulls an Ashlee Simpson
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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by Meriam Raouf STAFF WRITER
(Enjoy this post? Read other articles contributed by Meriam)
Please do not confuse this article with a cup of coffee. Like coffee, this article may seem bitter, but with patience, I think you may find a place in your heart for it. Unlike coffee, this article will not provide a jolt that makes it possible for us to refrain from violence toward annoying morning show actors whose job it is to produce “happiness” on Fox at eight in the morning (yeah, Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, I said it. You’re annoying). With that out of the way, I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t try to drink my article.I also do not want anyone thinking I am knocking the amazing show that the Chinese put on at the Olympics. It was beautiful, meaningful and it put stars in even George Dubya’s eyes (almost). As much as I love the Olympics, I love artistic expression even more. And as much as I hate to be “the fingernail in this cobb salad” I can’t let real talent go forgotten.
So here’s the news, the 411, the scoop, the gab of the town; the angelic face you saw singing at the Olympics was actually lip syncing to another girl’s voice. Leave it to BBC to find out the truth even when it’s not the news you want to hear. The nine year old girl in the pretty red dress, Lin Miaoke, is gaining great fame for her appearance in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. To me, it’s sad that Yang Peivi, the true singer, can’t have access to the fame that should be hers. Graciously, she doesn’t seem to mind, saying that she’s satisfied in having her voice included in the opening ceremonies. Maybe the fame doesn’t matter to her. Or maybe she thought that’s all she could get. Or was worth.
With that said, you’d think that this little girl would be the adorable Asian version of Ugly Betty. Truth is, she’s far from an ugly duckling story. Judging from her picture, I’d say she has an Abigail Breslin-esque charm during her Little Miss Sunshine Days, before she went on to be a typical American girl in Kit Kittredge. I guess she just wasn’t considered the cutest child out there so they created a synthetic character with the best voice and the best looks. It’s so sad that people get held up to this impossible standard starting so young. As Radiohead once said, “it wears her out.”Don’t worry; officials say it was for the good of the country. Is this the new idea of perfection?
As I don’t want to take credit for someone else’s journalism (that would be ironic), the original article by Michael Bristow can be found here. All the news stations seem to be broadcasting this story; they seem like they are interested in airing China’s dirty laundry because they make better cars than we do. I’m not interested in bashing China or their government, but simply giving the real singer the credit I think she deserves. This pageant mentality isn’t going to do anyone any good, so let’s take Queen Latifah’s advice, and “keep it real.”
For your topical listing pleasure:
Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees.mp3
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Tickle your PopSense, get the word on the curb.
hahah, great article, sad story though, poor girl!
haha, this is a really interesting take on the story! Love your wit!
Thanks for the article and the mp3. Read this story in the paper this morning and found it really disappointing that a child shouldn't be publicly recognized for her talents simply because she isn't "cute" enough. And Radiohead rocks!
I don't care if your article isn't coffee....I drank it and it went down oh-so-smooth! love your style girl.
That small girl had big eyes! I thought all asians had slits for eyes!
umm, wait 'ak' are you serious about the eye thing?
Anyway, I love your take on things Meriam!
hellz yea asians got small eyes man. I got a friend and shes asian. I swear its a miracle they can see.
come on guys, "asians have small eyes" comments... really unnecessary and not that creative, show a little respect to your fellow man.
Azians r short d00d
Yeah, I'm gonna agree with Jeff here, mainly because it's totally not classy, but also because it's simply just not true. I have a handle of friends who are Asian that do not have "small eyes".
But on the topic of the actual story, I find it appalling that people would actually do that to such a young girl. It's her talent and I personally think she looks photogenic enough that if she went and sang in front of all those people, everyone would think it was cute anyway. But no, they just had to kill the poor girl's self-esteem before she even became a teenager. Well done, China.
Talent is not enough that is crazy thought and sad.
After all theOlympics is all about talent,skills and achievement