Gaga’s latest stunt sparks gross fan trend

March 18, 2014 5:27 pm 0 comments Views:

‘Vomit painter’ Millie Brown on stage with Lady Gaga.
Source: NewsComAu

LADY Gaga’s latest onstage stunt has proven especially controversial, with fellow pop star Demi Lovato weighing in as Gaga’s fans seek to emulate their idol.

During a performance of the song Swine at the SXSW Festival on the weekend, Gaga was joined on stage by self-styled ‘vomit painter’ Millie Brown.

As Gaga sang the song, Brown ingested the contents of a large bottle of neon green liquid, stuck her fingers down her throat, and proceeded to throw up all over the singer.

With her set at the festival sponsored by Doritos, we can’t help but wonder how the company feels now that its snacks are linked to a bout of projectile vomiting.

It was certainly a colourful display, but one that many felt skirted too close to glamourising bulimia, especially since some of Gaga’s beloved hardcore fans — her ‘Little Monsters’ — have since posted pictures of themselves in similar poses.

#LittleMonsters doing some art #iAmARTPOP pic.twitter.com/w8qrrelXiI

— Creative Rebellion ♥ (@HausOfJoee) March 15, 2014

Vomit is not "Art", What was the message @ladygaga? Glamorized Eating Disorders? Promoting Bulimia? Team @ddlovato pic.twitter.com/L6cLs96047

— The PopTale (@thepoptale) March 16, 2014

Lovato, whose own struggles with eating disorders and self-harm are well-documented, took to Twitter over the weekend to voice her disapproval with the performance.

“Sad … As if we didn’t have enough people glamorizing eat disorders already. Bottom line, it’s not “cool” or “artsy” at all,” Lovato began, following up with a flurry of Tweets including:

“Would you let someone bring a needle and shoot up on you? Addiction is addiction.”

“It’s not “shade” and it’s not “hate”. But someone has to come forward and say it and I’ll take the heat for it.”

Lady Gaga: already regretting taking the Napisan challenge.
Source: NewsComAu

Later, Lovato posted a link to a longer explanation of her thoughts:

“All I’m saying is, artists in pop culture have influence on people. Some of which are people who aren’t capable of understanding the art that is that is expressed by their idols. Young people who are struggling to figure out their identities are seriously influenced by the things they see their idols do. Whether we intend to or not, artists influence people of ALL ages and unfortunately what people see, people do. Hair, clothes and sometimes misinterpreting things, therefore using the excuse of art to engage in self-destructive behaviors. I’ve been through a shit ton. More than any of you know, and I sympathize for everyone’s struggle. But people emulate what they see celebrities do or let happen. And that’s why I had to say something. to let the people who don’t understand the art in it, that bulimia isn’t cool, and it won’t get you on stage with your favorite artist. I can’t NOT say anything because I stand up for what I believe in and speak out about mental illnesses. You’re right, nobody asked my opinion but pop culture is a huge part in leading our generation, we have to continue to strive to change the world. No hate, no shade, just love.”