Pop Polymaths (he said poly)

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

katstevens suggested that I ask about pop stars who do OTHER THINGS. I think this is a fine area of study. First of all, let's find out who they are:

[Poll #1034227]

It seems to be that being a pop star makes it less likely that people will take your other things seriously (or will assume that you will be bad at them). Is this fair - and is it prejudice or precedent that causes it? Has anyone actually read Madonna's children's book? Is anyone going to see Daft Punk's robot movie in the serious expectation that it will be good?

USW!

Comments

SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[cis.livejournal.com]

J-boybands are all about the 'being good at something else'! well if by 'good' you understand 'agreeably mediocre' except in standout cases. This is cos a j-pop idol career is not so much about making records as about near-total pop culture coverage. Actually hm this is not quite true - the current first-rank female idols (kumi koda, ai otsuka) don't have acting careers (or regular variety show work), but the bulk of idols do. Nevtheless this isn't really an extra-curricular talent, appearing in dramas is part of the job of being a pop star and perhaps therefore doesn't count.

POP STARS WHO ARE GOOD AT SPORTS is perhaps a class to consider, although for a lot of pop stars 'doing some sport' is part of their pop-star job: e.g. US pop's 'challenge for the children', NME charity five-a-sides, Harry out of McFly's charity cricket.

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Kano was going to have an international club career in football before choosing grime instead!

Aaargh who won The Games last time - it was Alesha or Javine or Ms Dynamite or someone.

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Javine. She has v long legs innit so was good at the hurdles.

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Tho Michelle Gayle did really well at the swimming considering she COULDN'T SWIM AT ALL at the beginning of the series!

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The "gave up a promising football career" thing is a v.old meme though - I suspect it means "once had a trial at Leyton Orient".

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[cis.livejournal.com]

Akala was in... West Ham under 18s or something?

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

MC Harvey & Javine on The Games, that's where all the Alesha beef started you know...

Re: SERIOUSLY THOUGH, ARASHI

[whalefish.livejournal.com]

You could count MC Harvey's football career! He's been playing for various non-league teams for years now. He used to insist on being called Junior Harvey, but now prefers Michael.

I think he is now playing for the mighty St Albans City.