English singer Will Young has revealed how he does not believe that American artist Rihanna is a very good role model for young women and admitted that he does not find her lyrics empowering. However, Will did admit that Rihanna could probably take a leaf out of Lady Gaga’s book.
Young explained, “I don't think Rihanna is a massively great role model for women, her lyrics aren't empowering. She's a brilliant popstar and recording artist but her lyrics are not empowering - young girls have to listen to those lyrics. I saw Rihanna kissing a girl in one of her videos [S&M] and I thought, 'Who is this for? If you're going to do it just go the whole way like Madonna did and have sex on a bed'.”
He added, "Women in a patriarchal society should be empowering and owning their bodies; I don't think Rihanna is. I feel quite strongly about this." Will then went on to admit that there were other female pop stars that he felt were more empowering, such as Lady Gaga.
He continued, "Image-wise Lady GaGa is empowering. I'm more interested in women like Annie Lennox or Grace Jones, people who have challenged the female form, who have owned it and brought it forward." Will Young’s latest single Losing Myself is set to be released in the UK on March 19.
