Jackson's Defamed Legacy Has Superfans up in Arms
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Established 1961 20 T L i f e s t y l e Music & Movies Thursday, March 7, 2019 Jackson s defamed legacy has superfans’ up in arms documentary on pedophilia accusations against star R. Kelly facing fresh legal challenges over grave accu- Michael Jackson has left some fans grappling Superfandom-a relationship‘Toxic fandom’ to a figure, object or ideol- sations of misconduct. In terms of Jackson, that “Leaving with the late superstar’s tarnished legacy-but ogy that often spills over into obsession-is nothing new, Neverland” has revived pedophilia accusations in stark among his outraged superfans, protecting it is said media scholar Paul Booth of Chicago’s DePaul relief nearly a decade after the artist’s overdose death only allA that matters. Celebrity fandom has morphed into a exacerbates the desire to protect his legacy, said Varma. University, but social media has increased its visibility. vicious online tool, with superfan gangs-Beyonce’s “Fans have always had disagreements and antagonisms,” “People can be legends in their lifetime but somehow Beyhive, Justin Bieber’s Beliebers, Cardi B’s Bardi Gang, to Booth said, “but the difference today is people who aren’t they become angels upon death,” she said, citing Elvis and name a few-attacking whenever their idol’s reputation is fans have ready access to view it.” The internet, he said, Princess Diana as examples. “Culturally, we are taught to thrown into question, no matter the circumstances. And allows entry into “fan communities,” heightening feelings of not speak ill of the dead-and somehow we just want to when celebrities face accusations of grievous crimes, as is identification and a need to defend. exonerate them.” Jackson’s estate-which categorically the case with Jackson, psychiatrist Sue Varma said the “When our object of fandom, which we have associated denies all accusations and is suing HBO for $100 million- urge to push back grows. so much with who we are, is accused of something heinous, has praised the online community passionately defending The phenomenon stems from a “need to have an escape, it some ways we want to deny that because it seems to the late King of Pop. “Thank you to all the fans that are a fantasy, someone we aspire to be,” she said. “It’s a form reflect on us as people,” Booth said. Today, he said “it’s not always standing by my uncle and my family,” tweeted of denial,” according to Varma. “They are superhuman and enough to mount a defense,” as social media discourse Jackson’s nephew Taj. “You are the backbone behind this we want-rather, we need-to believe that they can do no offers a platform to “attack back.” “The best defense is a fight. I wouldn’t have the strength, if it weren’t for you.” wrong.” Jackson diehards swarmed Twitter as the disturb- good offense” to many superfans, Booth said, calling this “I wouldn’t be armed with all the facts, if it weren’t for ing documentary “Leaving Neverland” aired, hijacking the attitude “the basis of toxic fandom.” you.” But despite fan backlash, director Reed said “support film’s eponymous hashtag to smear accusers while also For digital media scholar Mel Stanfill of the University of for the film has been a lot greater than I expected.” “I think defending their idol under #MJInnocent. “Shame on you Central Florida, the online venom is encouraged by “the the fans will never accept that, because the Michael for dragging an innocent man,” wrote one Twitter user with shifting way people converse.” “You can just fire it off,” she Jackson that they have a relationship with is not the real the handle @Claudia20195, calling alleged victims Wade said. “You don’t reflect, you just react.” “Our expectations Michael Jackson,” he said. “It’s not the man, it’s the mirage; Robson and James Safechuck “money hungry.” about what is socially appropriate has changed.” it’s the image; it’s the icon.” — AFP “The more I read into and watch this whole #FindingNeverland documentary the more angry I get,” wrote another, @bailey_hensel. “These guys are exploiting The struggle for Manfans orto mirage?reconcile art with its maker a dead man to make a dollar... My heart is breaking for the reaches far back, Booth said, pointing to Roman Polanski Jackson family.” The documentary’s director, Dan Reed, and Woody Allen, both accused of pedophilia, as examples. In this file photo American pop music told AFP he has been receiving vitriolic messages from But the issue has become particularly prescient in the star Michael Jackson sings October Jackson fans for months. “They have a blind devotion to #MeToo era that has changed the way society views 13, 1988 at the Capital Center in him,” he said. “It’s almost like it’s a religious cult.” alleged sex abuse victims, with celebrities like R&B super- Landover, Maryland. — AFP Hello Kitty hits Hollywood with planned film debut ello Kitty, Japan’s moon-faced global icon of cute, will soon appear in a Hollywood film for the first Htime in her 45-year-old history, her creator said yesterday. Sanrio, the feline character’s operator, announced it was teaming up with New Line Cinema and FlynnPictureCo for the film after a near five-year discus- sion about rights for the big screen. “A search for writers and creative talent will commence immediately,” Sanrio said in a statement. The mouthless character, with her child-like hair bow and a registered height of five apples, has spawned a Brie Larson attends Marvel Studios “Captain Marvel” Premiere in Hollywood, California. US actor Samuel L. Jackson multi-billion-dollar industry since Sanrio introduced her that slip on the bottom of a smartphone for those who — AFP photos attends the world premiere of in 1974. Immediately recognizing Hello Kitty’s cash cow think their device needs underwear. Hello Kitty is now “Captain Marvel”. potential, the company branched out into merchandising found in 130 countries on more than 50,000 branded the year after and she now adorns everything from pencil products every year, according to Sanrio. The firm also the least of which was fighting for many years the erro- cases and pyjamas to double-decker buses and airliners. operates two theme parks in Japan and licenses charac- neous notion that audiences did not want to see a Last year, a Japanese railway firm even splashed images ters such as Hello Kitty for amusement parks overseas, female-led hero (film) because of a slew of films 15 years of Hello Kitty over a special shinkansen, or bullet train, including in China. — AFP Captain Marvel, a ago that didn’t work,” he said. “And my belief was always painted in shocking pink and white. that they didn’t work not because they were female-led To mark her 40th year, toymaker Bandai released yet stories-they didn’t work because they were not particu- another licensed Kitty product: so-called “smartpants” superhero with girl larly good movies.” Of the few female-led superhero movies attempted until now many were box office flops, like Jennifer Garner’s “Elektra” in 2005 and Halle Berry’s was still a problem for a Malawian like me-but then I was “Catwoman” in 2004. probably the only one who understood Chichewa in the power to spare As a result, Marvel spent more than a decade relegat- whole cinema and so it did not matter to the rest of the Netflix film tells audience,” Joyah said. He pleaded with filmmakers to ron Man, Thor, Captain America: scores of Marvel ing its female characters to secondary parts, such as “next time give local actors a chance-they might surprise movies had superheroes taking turns to save the Avengers member Black Widow, played by Scarlett the world.” Iworld on the big screen before a woman finally cap- Johansson starting in 2012. Seeking to be more represen- tured a leading role in the comic franchise’s films. But tative, Marvel, a Disney subsidiary, finally responded to tale of Malawian “Captain Marvel”-which hits screens around the world demands for more strong female characters on the silver later this week-is making up for lost time, firing girl pow- screen-which were further spurred by the #MeToo move- er on all cylinders. There are women masterfully piloting ment. Telling Captain Marvel’s story was also a way to war planes, at the front lines of important scientific compete with DC Comics, owned by Warner Bros, whose eco boy genius experiments-and of course, there’s Carol Danvers, Brie superhero hit “Wonder Woman,” directed by Patty Larson’s mighty Captain Marvel. Larson, who won an Jenkins, premiered in 2017 and raked in more than $800 new Malawian film, Netflix’s latest offering to Oscar in 2016 for her role in “Room,” has until now been million worldwide. raise the profile of African cinema, has caused a best known for her work on independent movies and her Its sequel, “Wonder Woman 1984,” is due out in 2020. Astir back home, facing accusations of mangling outspoken feminism. “Obviously I was elated to feel times changing a little and the language and relying on foreign actors. “The Boy To play Danvers, Larson spent nine months in rigorous women being more accepted below the line but I think Who Harnessed the Wind”, which launched on Netflix physical training. “I was able to push myself further than I there is still a lot of work to be done with that,” said last Friday, is based on the true-life story of Malawian ever thought possible,” Larson said at the movie’s pre- Debbie Berman, the editor of “Captain Marvel.” “I think child inventor William Kamkwamba, who built a windmill miere Monday evening.