Meta-Post: Sorting Through Twilight Hate Mail
On Monday, I published a post entitled “Why Kristen Stewart Matters.” The post worked through Stewart’s image, commenting on the ways in which her star text has been conflated with that of her most famous character, Bella Swan, and concluded with a defense, of sorts, of those who believe in the ‘real life’ relationship between Stewart and her Twilight co-star, Robert Pattinson.
To be clear: while I commented on the ways in which Stewart appears in public and the way that her acting style is often times described, I never said that I, personally, dislike Stewart. Or her movies. Or her star. Or her haircut. Or that I disapproved of her smoking pot, not wearing make-up, etc.
To be even clearer: I am, in fact, a fan of Twilight — even though I have profoundly ambivalent and complicated feelings about the text, it gets to me. I’ve written about those feelings — and done ethnographic research on other feminists with a complicated relationship to the text — elsewhere. What’s more, I like Kristen Stewart! I even like her when she’s not Bella. And I have no problem if she is, in fact, dating Robert Pattinson — a possibility that I in no way foreclosed.
But as evidenced by nearly one hundred comments, some more hateful than others, I did not make the above position clear.
How did the Twihaters find my modest academic blog, you wonder? Not through random Googling. Rather, through the magic of old school linking and Twitter.
Journey of a Post
I published the story late Sunday night; waited to publicize until Monday morning. However, someone at Movie City News, who had happened upon an earlier guest post on Ellen Page and linked from the main site, must have seen the post on his/her reader on Sunday night, because it was on the Movie City News homepage early Monday morning and already funneling readers to the post.
Sometime that morning, Jen Yamato, a senior editor at Rotten Tomatoes, tweeted a link to the story; her Tweet was soon picked up by RobPattzNews, which, with 50,000 followers, opened the floodgates. In addition to the thousands of readers from Movie City News and Yamato’s Followers, the link was retweeted dozens of times, posted on several IMDB chat boards, linked at Twilight fan sites, etc. etc, culminating in nearly 10,000 hits in one 24-hour period and earning the #7 spot on the WordPress Top Spot Chart. In other words, if you want internet traffic, write about Twilight.
In the end, a post intended for an audience either versed in star studies, semiotics, and the general project of my blog — the analysis of star production and reception — was read by thousands unfamiliar with my overarching purpose. My thoughts came off as defamatory, insulting, hateful, vengeful, replete with jealousy. For many, I was yet one more condescending outsider who could not understand how or why fans found Stewart, Pattinson, or their potential relationship important.
Of course, I did receive a fair amount of positive, or at least appreciative, feedback — all of which I posted. But I made the executive decision not to post the hateful comments — in part because I had already decided that I would do a post like this one allowing such comments to see the light of day, but also, admittedly, because they were hurtful, as much as I tried to stay objective about them. One can only take so much of being called a jealous, unintelligent bitch — although some were quite hilarious, as you’ll find below.
I’m certainly not the first to be subjected to such anonymous vitriol. Lainey Gossip receives equally dismissive and vicious hate mail every time she posts on anyone and anything related to Twilight — including those who ridicule her race, her family, her husband, her looks, etc. Dooce receives so many hateful comments that she has brilliantly decided to “monetize the hate” — creating a separate site, surrounded by ads, to generate ad profit off people reading the hate mail.
Looking through the comments, I find they can be divided into a few general categories: Believers/Evidencers, Defenders, and Ridiculers.
In general:
Believers voice their faith in the existence of the Stewart/Pattinson romance. Even the suggestion that it was fabricated or suggested by the studio is blasphemy. I’ve merged this group with the Evidencers, who counter my post with their own evidence — sometimes specific, sometimes tangential — that Pattison and Stewart are together. They likewise point out that I have not done my research — and that if I did, I would know not only that they are together, but that some fans hate their romance. Most interestingly, several posters accused me of not having ample evidence myself — and that I should either do more research (on fan boards, etc., to get a feel for what the fans are really thinking) and/or keep my nose out of their business.
Defenders take issue with what they read as my dislike or criticism of Kristen Stewart — her acting, her general look, etc. These posters seem far more concerned with Stewart than the romance — indeed, many of them want to think of Stewart outside of her Twilight role, and dislike my reading of her star as intensely inflected by the Bella role.
Ridiculers are obviously the most hilarious as the bunch, as they go straight to my personal integrity and qualifications. I’ll let these speak for themselves — and you should let me know which one you’d most like to have directed at you — but I’m struck by the presence of romantic individualism, a term Angela McRobbie uses to describe the ways that women attack each other in their quest for men, essentially dividing an otherwise powerful gender-bound coalition.
I’m posting the comments at length — not all of them, but the best of them — and would love to hear your feedback. Ultimately, I’m most struck by the ways in which a post wrote without jargon, intended for an audience of both academics and non-academics, could be interpreted so variously. Importantly, almost everyone who regularly reads my blog is familiar with the idea of star studies and star construction; whether or not they voiced it explicitly, it was that suggestion of construction that inflamed most readers.
While I can’t monetize the hate as brilliantly as Dooce, I can make my own (academic) profit off such commentary. Such is the purpose of this post.
BELIEVERS/EVIDENCERS
You could`ve just written 2 sentences.”I am so fucking jealous of Kristen Stewart&her relationship with Robert Pattinson.And let me count you all the reasons for my jealousy,which will be hidden very deeply in my faux *breaking down of their non-relationship*,which I am afraid as hell that it might actually be real,hence this entire post.”
You would save me 10 mins of my life,that I lost reading this BS,the time I will now never get back.Grow up&smell the coffee,hun.The writing is on the wall.Making yourself believe there is no R/K will get you nowhere fast.You`ll see what I mean soon.
Goodness, all that angsty filler. Pattinson and Stewart are together and have been *at least* since New Moon began filming. By the last month of filming, she’d moved into the Sheraton where he’d been staying.
They’re still together, and are a lot less interested in hiding it- staying at Chateau Marmont and the Charlie hotel in LA.
They are currently the only major cast memebers staying at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver. What a coincidence.
Beyond the mountain of evidence that they’re a couple, why would anyone expect that they are together? Well, you could go with the odds and it has nothing to do with their on-screen romance. Kristen and Rob and A-list celebs now. That doomed Kristen’s relaysh with Michael A. Women rarely, if ever, date down the food chain. Men might sometimes, but it’s rare for a woman
I would almost agree under any other circumstances. But there’s waaaaay too much evidence to point Robert and Kristen being together. I don’t expect them to come out and confirm any relationship (so many stars who are together do not ie: Beyonce, Jay-Z etc). To be honest at the very beginning I hadn’t read the books or seen the movie and I was drawn to do so out of curiosity. I would see magazine covers splashed with their photos all over so I decided to do my own investigating. I saw all of the interviews,panels,photoshoots,photo ops,premeires etc. I was fascinated by their closeness their chemistry that giddinesa and sparkle I would see in each others eyes that was so clear to see. I’m a 31 yr old married woman and definetly not delusional..I could planely see the that these two were falling in love with each other..To me it’s very interesting when I see others who don’t see the obvious but I guess some people are cynical or their minds are clouded by other things..but to me it’s as plain as day…
You cannot be serious. I suggest you go to Twilight fan sites where they ALL worship RP’s ass and see how much they DO NOT want him to be with Kristen. So, yeah. Before you write something like this , do a little research beforehand and avoid coming across as such an ignorant person. I know this won’t go through since you don’t have the balls to let everyone comment and all the comments are being screened. But, hey, at least you read it.
idk about them..lol..and as far as not wanting us to like her..ok your opinion..more like i would say she’s just over people like you ..who are obviously not fans of hers and do and say everything you can to bash her and then think this is intelligent mature conversation..umm no its not..i really dont know who you are ..where you come from..or what kind of blog this is..but one things for sure..you have a major issue..with Kristen Stewart..”sigh”..but then again..who doesnt these days..its really getting old..get your facts straight and do a little more research on this young lady next time you decide to write an article about her..because you are greatly misinformed and your research is way off.
DEFENDERS
Just tell me one thing: do you know Kristen or Rob?
Cause the way you talk (write), it looks like you’re really close to them…
Get over yourself, hon, you’re trying to look smart and insightful, but instead, you’re just doing exactly like the tabs, trying to come up with explanations about something you know nothing about.
Who are you to judge Kristen, when you’ve never even talked to her, had a conversation at least?
How can you be so shallow to talk about someone you don’t really know?
I don’t know her either, but as far as I see, she’s just a 19 year old trying cope with all the twilight craziness and not loose her mind.
It’s so easy talk about people when you have no idea how they feel.
You should be ashamed, you never know who are going to read this BS you wrote.
Kristen Stewart is an accomplished actress who has been working in the industry for 10 years. She has been praised by people she has worked with over and over again and has a huge fan base who adore her. It just appears now that Rob Pattinson is quite taken with her, his jealous fans such as yourself, feel the need to criticize her openly in your blogs. What’s your purpose? Do you think Rob or Kristen care what you think? Does it make yourself feel better? Your bitter jealousy is visible in this article and it’s unattractive. Get off your high horse because you will never have what Kristen Stewart does.
I’ve been a fan of Kristen Stewart for years. I find it sexist that apparently in your mind Kristen has to always wear dresses, watch her word words, and just sit and look pretty. She is famous. She has done movies with some of the biggest actors and actresses. Bella Swan might be well know but not famous in that sense. Unless you mean that everyone wants her vampire boyfriend, then yes. The magazines are wrong with all their BS covers that try to make it sound like Edward and Bella but most people don’t think of them like that. When I read the the book, sure I see Edward and Bella as Rob and Kristen but I don’t expect them in real life to act like that. Really the way you hate Kristen I think you are expecting her to be like Bella. Bella is a weak little girl that just needs a mans help which then maybe its good Kristen isn’t like that.
No offense, but you seem to dislike Kristen. I’m disappointed that you aren’t more objective. Although Bella put her on the map with the general pulic, Kristen was already on the map and respected in HW and with HW insiders. I disagree that “Bella” will define Kristen. Once this series of movies is over, she will move on to better characters. The fans of Twilight will not follow Kristen to other movies. Thank God! For some reason a good portion of this fan base comes accross as extemely irrational in their criticism and hatred of her. Methinks some jealous little girls and cougars wish they were “Bella”. I am in the middle ground over whether a real relationship exists between Robert P. and Kristen, but I have to ask; who are your sources that youare so sure its NOT a real romance? I’m very confused about your claim that this is a publicity stunt. Why would a romance between Robert and Kristen would be a publicity stunt deigned by the studio? Don’t most of the twi-hards hate Kristen? Don’t most of the Robsessed think Rob is better off alone and waiting for them? Only a small percentage of the fans are actual “shippers” so a publicity stunt makes no sense whatsoever.
You leave no doubt that you do not care for Kristen Stewart’s acting abilities. But to imply that she is without talent negates the opinions of Sean Penn, Jodie Foster, Donald Sutherland, etc., who have VERY high opinions of her abilities. Then you twist her relationship with Robert Pattinson to paint them both as studio puppets who pretend to be dating. And because you still feel the need to insult and condescend, you paint the fans as unable to distinguish between what they see on screen and off. Obviously, you have an agenda and you attempt to disguise it with seemingly thoughtful analysis, but your “analysis” fails in that it doesn’t consider the real story.
Im sorry i completely disagree with you. First of all, Kristen has been well known in hollywood inner circles for a LONG time for her acting. Her acting in Speak, Into the Wild, and Cake Eaters, were critically praised, and she is considered one of the most talented young actresses in hollywood. She had all this before Twilight. Heck, this is a girl, who is praised by Sean Penn and Jodie Foster, two of the best actors in cinema, as being one of the most talented young actresses Hollywood has ever seen. Second, fans of Kristen Stewart love her because of her the way she dresses, the way she speaks her mind, and the way she doesnt care about hollywood’s expectations. How refreshing, that there is a young actress now days who doesnt care about the publicity and the fame, and all she cares about is the craft. In a sea of superficiality and disingenious people, Kristen Stewart stands out as a talented, individual.
While you attempted to be intellectual and dissect why people are fascinated by Kristen Stewart, you failed utterly and proved yourself to be another KStew hater. i think its you who doesnt understand why a lot of fans have fallen in love with this girl
Kristen Stewart is one of my favourite actress and that’s been the case since way before Twilight. I think she’s a stunningly beautiful young woman and a very talented actress. Despite her young age, she has worked with many important names in the business and all of them have a very high opinion of her. I appreciate K’s efforts to maintain a somewhat normal life despite the hype caused by everything Twilight. And I am very happy that she and Rob have found one another.
Okay wow..i dont even know where to start..whats with the Kristen hate..good lord like i said..you’ve called her out and insulted her on so many different levels..not really sure where to start..umm but i’ll try with this first..sorry but i have never seen K wear ugly clothes in public..she has her own style obviously..so totally different than anyone else in HollyWood..and i admire her for it..but not ugly by any means..and have never seen her wear 2 day old make up in public..and if she did..well that tells me the cameras were a little to close up in her business..because come on ladies..who hasnt done it from time to time..if u say you havent went out in public even briefly with out washing off your make up a couple of times..then u are telling a fib..lol..and her mullet..how many more times does it have to be said..she did it for a movie role people..i admire her all the more for cutting off her beautiful long brown hair for this role..and some people seem to forget..yes she did have beautiful long hair at one point..and sure she will again..it hasnt always been a mullet..lol..and as far as her acting style..you need to go back and read what all the people that have worked with her has said about her acting style..and skills..nothing but praise..from names that mean something..and i would think know a little bit more about someones acting abilities than you..no offence intended of course..and as far as not speaking up on her relay with Rob Pattinson..well i think we could say he’s just as tight lipped as she and that would be their business..and really..you think maybe its all for PR huh..well i guess time will tell..have to say that really throws your take on Kstews acting skills out the window..lol..it would take one heck of an actress and actor by the way..to fake their off screen chemistry and all those meetings and hotel stays and concerts and pics..yes it would take a really dedicated actress to fool us all for the past year and 1/2..luv her truly..and him…great method actors those 2.
“I may be all alone in this, but I like Kristen BECAUSE of all the reasons you mention we should not ” I LOVE HER! and you’re a so jealous Person… Ok ROB IS YOURS… ARE YOU HAPPY? GROW UP! PLEASE!
RIDICULERS
anne you’re a jealous b*tch. leave kristen alone and quit trying to tear her down. she’s done nothing to deserve your scorn and doesn’t care what you think of her. you look like a jealous fangirl with this drivel.
I find this post highly disrespectful, cynical, hateful and ignorant towards both Kristen and Robert and their fans at large. I have to give you credit for trying at least to sound intellectual. This sounds like a sociology paper i did in college freshman year. But you’re straining. First of all, the attacks against Kristen are so off-base I don’t have enough time to get into it here. Secondly, it is FACT they they are best friends and in love, dating, shagging, whatever you want to you call it. That isn’t because I read tabloids (they all suck) or because of some naive wish- fulfillment. I’m 34, divorced, attend grad school, and have worked since I was 15. I’m happy, have tons of friends, like my parents, realize world peace will never happen, and can separate fact from fiction. Hence, I am no “fangirl”. I don’t scream, stalk, wish Rob bit me or that Kristen would walk the plank. I know they are together because I have paid attention. I have watched them; You Tube videos and in person. I’ve read countless interviews and aritlces, and seen thousands of photos; I’ve read comments from the interviewers, photographers, directors and actors they’ve worked with; I read facial expressions, body language. And because of this knowledge, I WANT them to be together… becuase THEY MAKE EACH OTHER HAPPY. Shocking, I know. Direct sources? yes, I have them, but that’s besides the point. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist. The truth is staring us all in the face; the question is do you want to admit it???
You could`ve just written 2 sentences.”I am so fucking jealous of Kristen Stewart&her relationship with Robert Pattinson.And let me count you all the reasons for my jealousy,which will be hidden very deeply in my faux *breaking down of their non-relationship*,which I am afraid as hell that it might actually be real,hence this entire post.”
You would save me 10 mins of my life,that I lost reading this BS,the time I will now never get back.Grow up&smell the coffee,hun.The writing is on the wall.Making yourself believe there is no R/K will get you nowhere fast.You`ll see what I mean soon.
I think you need serious help. Weather you like it or not there is a Robsten. Alot of ppl do ont appreciate your bashing of Kristen and i’m sure Rob does not. This is not for PR for the movies.
I dare you to post even the negative comments. A true academician and a real scholar can dish it out as well as take it.
Otherwise, I suggest you go back and talk to your professors and ask what academic means.
Strange that only positive comments get posted. You’re too chicken shit to accept a negative comment yet you want to appear scholarly. You’re a poser. A fake.
If you cannot be intelligent enough to accept both negatrive and positives, at least try and not to be so superficial. Playing Bella doesn’t define Kristen Stewart.That’s why she couldn’t care less walking around being un-Bella like.
Being Edward and Bella in the Twi franchise may define or may not Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s relationship to each other. Even if it does, you can only wish you were Kristen so you could at least be with Rob in some way. And then maybe, you should also stop and think that maybe, they really do like each other and they really do have a relatiionship. Unless you know for sure that they don’t, stop assuming they don’t have one.
But with a brain cells like yours, you’d never get it.
Annie Petersen, you’re a journalist, and you should have done more research. These two are a couple. You’re right, Kristen Stewart matters, and you don’t, so get over it. Jelousy is not a good thing. Leave her alone. You know nothing about her, so why judge her. Just because you’ve seen a few movies she’s done, or some pictures of her, all of a sudden you think you know her. true fans who have had incounters with her, had nothing but good things to say about her. The reason why they don’t shut down the dating rumors, is because they are dating. If you did enough research you would know that these two are extremely private people who don’t like to flaunt their relationship like the rest of the Hollywood does.
Anne, insteresting read. So basically what you are saying is that this is a plan by the studio to make fools believe that Robert and Kristen are a couple, and that all the sightings of them together, which you didn’t include in your piece, are basically a PR stunt. Plausible, but that would mean that Kristen and Robert are putting their lives on hold for the sake of their paycheck which would really turn people off. So your assessment is that they are playing their fans, or at least the fools who believe they could be a couple. Wonderful. My question to you is, do you know for a fact they are not a couple, or are you trying to make sense of how fans view these people? Because I can tell you that I know the difference between fictional characters and real people, and so do other Twilight fans. Many of whom like Rob and Kristen in spite of the characters they play. Many became fans after watching their inteactions during interviews, which to many, seemed honest and not staged. So basically you are alluding that Rob and Kristen are just playing the studio game, collecting their paycheck and laughing at the fans who support them. Not to mention, you clearly dissed Kristen in your thought proviking piece. I still haven’t decided if this is your opinion, or you have the facts to back this up. I guess we will never know. Or yet again, we may know after Rob and Kristen collect their paychecks.
And my personal favorite:
This is a ridiculous article. Are you really a journalist or a work experience student trying your luck? FAIL!
86 Responses to “Meta-Post: Sorting Through Twilight Hate Mail”
“academician”
New word alert? This is some interesting feedback, Annie. Good on you for publishing it so your regular readers can enjoy it. And you have a thicker skin than I do…must be because you’re a journalist.
You forgot to mention the fact that I’m an embarrassment to the University of Texas.
Oh, that’s right. And to Whitman. And UO too. You’re just a repeat offender, you hack! I might need to un-hyperlink my name…just in case.
Wow. Wow. Wow. I read your post last week on Kristen Stewart and have followed your latest tweets, so I knew that you had received several feisty comments. But I had no idea that the remarks would be SO vindictive, judgmental, immature, and (as you point out here) so misguided. Wow.
I am not a reader of the TWILIGHT series. And ever since Kristen Stewart appeared on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, I have disliked her and the way she handles (or mishandles?) her celebrity. As I’m sure you know, Stewart was completely uninterested in being there and/or carrying on a conversation on the *talk* show. In fact, (as was the case with Joaquin Phoenix’s crazy-a** appearance) Letterman was forced to talk more than she. As such, I found Stewart pretentious and annoying; I turned off the television after about 4 minutes and didn’t think twice about seeing her film(s). So I completely understand your/pop-culture’s initial reading of her.
In any event, I appreciate your post and just wanted to say kudos for creating a follow-up piece that is just as interesting as the first. =)
Wow. This is a pretty amazing phenomenon you’ve got on your hands here!
For the public record, I’d just like to say that I hope that none of this got to you and that your “fans” (of which I count myself) certainly support you and your important and ongoing interrogation of contemporary Hollywood stardom.
Keep up the great work, thanks for being “on the wall” (in the Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men sense) and for letting us all get a glimpse of what’s on the other side.
I’m interested and wary of thinking of this phenomenon as ‘on the other side,’ perhaps because it creates too clean of a binary between academics and fans. (I don’t think you’re really trying to go there, but it brings up an interesting question.)
As Jenkins and so many others have made clear, academics can be fans — there is tremendous overlap between the impulse to belong to both the academic community (and to look closely at media products) and the fan community (and also look closely at media products — but sometimes with different goals in mind, and using different tools).
With that said, I think what distinguishes some of the most hateful and/or dismissive criticism above is a lack of analysis, or, perhaps more concisely, a dismissal of analysis or its overarching place within fandom.
What offends so many of the above posters is the idea that I would want to deconstruct a phenomena as seemingly ‘natural’ as a relationship between two ‘real people’ — and, along those lines, the suggestion that Kristen Stewart is actually “Kristen Stewart” — an image apart from the ‘real’ person beneath who breathes and thinks and takes naps.
So again, the ‘other side’ isn’t so much academics and fans, but those who would like to step outside of the media constructions that form our world — and those who are just as happy to stay within them.
You need to visit soap opera blogs. You will see the same amount of passion from soap fans as you get with Twilight fans. You could’ve written the same blog about Susan Lucci and why she and Erica Kane matter, and imo, you would’ve gotten a similar reaction. I don’t believe this is such a unique phenomena.
What a wonderful companion to your last post. After reading your initial post, I too was puzzled that so many read your comments regarding Kristen as negative. Among other things, I believe that these readings point to severe restrictions on young female stardom. While I’m admittedly a little unconventional on the style side, I thought your descriptions of a starlet who eschewed both bland glam and indie precious were refreshing, even if she’s about as hip as a hipster can be. Better yet, I appreciated that your description could have just as easily described an “acceptable” young male star-unwashed, hungover, and smoking a bowl. That so many saw this as an overwhelmingly negative description is telling.
Furthermore, I think your above comment gets to the heart of this issue. The vitriol directed towards your analysis (and you personally) belies both an immense pleasure derived from texts that bleed into lived reality (the intensity of which was somewhat of a surprise for me) and contempt for critical analysis and the academic stance in general. What I think is so interesting here is a fan stance that at once wants to continue the central Twilight romance beyond the bounds of the film, thus disrupting the boundary between film fiction and reality at the same time it erects a boundary between the fiction created for the big screen—the film text—and the fiction created for small screens—the “news” of the couples involvement spread through the internet, photos, magazines, and TV appearances, e.g., “We recognize that the film is fiction, but their relationship is really real.” There is a very interesting sorting through of different types of media and their relationships with reality right next to seemingly simultaneous dissolution and reconstruction of boundaries between media and narrative. Thanks for the post!
Excellent points. I agree with Kit’s comments on acceptable men.
The weirdest thing about acting is that people expect it to overflow into your real life. As a kid, I remember hearing about soap stars being yelled at for their characters’ behavior and not understanding how people could conflate the two. This whole Twilight madness seems to be just a crazier example. The hilarious thing to me is that before the first film came out, both stars had said things dissing the project and the author of the books, yet super-fans seem able to ignore that dissonance from the source quite handily. Amazing the human capacity for double-think, non?
Once again I am mesmerized by the general public’s inability to read. Or, rather, to receive meaning.
Friday’s my busy day, so that’s all I got. I applaud your resilience, or rather your energy, in even crafting a response. Trying to counter nonsensical misreadings/ emotive misfires with reason just makes me tired.
This isn’t even an issue of close reading; it’s basic failure of language.
(Not on your part, which I probably don’t even need to clarify)
Thinking of the entire phenomenon as a failure of language is compelling — yet also hinges on the *success* of language as manifested in the books. Put differently, the language of the books — however hackneyed it might be — somehow worked. Worked to create a feeling of rapture, passion, and romance that has enthralled so many. Ironically, the tremendous success of language within the books has then led to its failure extra-textually: most things that are suggested cannot be digested or even read all the way through (as several posters indicated, the couldn’t get past the first few paragraphs).
In some ways, it’s like a hangover from the books — just like you can’t stand the sight of alcohol in the morning, deeply invested fans can’t stomach discourse that would deconstruct or challenge the language that worked so powerfully for them in the book.
I am now reading the books. Or, rather, plugging through the first.
I can now see, as expected, more clearly the divide, the miscommunication, and some of the source of the intensely emotional response you’ve received.
You’re right. It’s reductionist to chalk it up to a failure of language. Something has touched - inflamed - these…these…readers.
Though it might also be optimistic to turn it around entirely and commit to an explanation of passion and fervor.
As you’ve probably seen on FB, I’ve been obsessed, so far, with the style. Although I have fairly negative things to say about the artless delivery of text, I think the essence of familiarity is overwhelming. The lack of articulate or “correct” grammar mimics the very same language sprawled over the internet. It’s the same phrasing and disjointed narrative that is scribed on last minute college essays and bleeds out of cell phones text messages. The language - and the ideology in terms of the simple obsession with beauty and love as unadulterated universal truth - possibly speaks to many readers as if it were they themselves talking.
I’m persuaded by your argument concerning the flatness of Bella’s character and suspect the language and “style” creates a perfect storm of self-projection.
The reader is the text. To analyze the text may seem to trespass against the reader.
And, of course, in the current academic sense, the reader here is very much the text.
In the Lewiston Tribune this morning, the lead article in the Arts and Entertainment section is “All Twilight roads begin at Forks,” written by a reporter who took her daughter and granddaughter on a vacation trip to Forks. She interviewed two sisters that were on a road trip to Forks because “it makes you feel like you’re a part of it.” 16,000 people visited Forks in a single month this summer. They eat Bella Smoothies and Bella’s Banana Split and Jacob BlackBerry Cobbler. They pay $39 for a two to three hour bus tour with a guide who knows all the vampire facts.
Is it any surprise that people who enjoy this type of experience cannot conceive of their stars being a construct in any way? Is it any surprise in our current culture that defenders use personal attacks and profanity to make their point? Is it any surprise that these people do not recognize a set of axioms used as a basis for an academic analysis?
Having read some of the Grey’s Anatomy fan blogs in the past, I do wonder when people find the time for this kind of adoration. I find it difficult to find time to clean my bathroom, much less read blogs and comb through fan sites and interviews for clues about a relationship that is so far removed from my daily life. That is, of course, the difference — my daily life does not include a relationship with a star.
I think your analysis of the comments you received is excellent. Although the attacks are done in a personal way, they really aren’t personal. They do not attack your scholarship by any standard that a scholar would use. Name calling is not personal in this context. I find it interesting that some think that it takes balls to post negative comments made about your work. The point of academic work is to invite comment and promote discourse about an hypothesis. Disagreement is always part of that.
So it is probably time to find another Twilight star to write about.
How dare you state that Kristen Stewart takes naps?! You don’t know that! Do some research on her sleeping habits first. For shame. By the way, this stuff is brilliant. I’ve passed the links on to the students in my stardom class as a revealing look at academic and fan approaches to stardom and the head-spinning dynamics of star image construction.
Sometimes it bugs me that nobody seems to read my blog. Today, not so much
Annie, BRAVO! I echo everything from Laura’s comment, and I applaud your ability to generate so much discussion. With all the haters (whose comments seemed so far afield that I wondered if we read the same blog), there must have been quite a few people who read this and got to thinking about the media in new ways. You wrangled it all wonderfully. BRAVO!
Fanfreakingtastic. Thanks for sharing!
Oh Annie, this stuff is great. I love that you are a “poser” who needs “serious help”. Personally, I’d like to hear more from the person who has “direct sources” to Kristen and Rob. You just keep it coming and don’t let them knock you down. It’s all so entertaining!
You should come and see Dusk, an improvised Twilight show opening in October at Salvage Vanguard. http://duskfan.blogspot.com/
We’d love to share the love. You’ve done brilliantly sailing through all this, and I love the follow up meta post here. Glad folks like you are at UT!
And if you want some comps, just give me an email!
I just have one question: what the hell is an academician?
On behalf of all the sane Twilight fans out there, I’d like to apologise. I swear there are some of us out there who can enjoy the saga and understand other peoples criticisms. Great blog by the way.
I wish more of the fans were like you, Rose.
OMG. I am so second-hand embarrassed. I am a huge RP fan and a mild Twilight one. I can’t stand KS as a person and I don’t believe they are dating but thats just my opinion and I am aware of it. I do voice this opinion on Imdb quite regularly and receive similar replies to the type you got. Anyone who dares to say they are not dating is claimed to be a hater, a deluded Twi-mom who wants Rob for themselves or just plain blind. I could not be more reluctant to admit to being a Twilight fan than I am now. I think you did right to post this hate mail. Maybe some will see that they need to dial down their involvement in this non-romance and stop attacking others if they dare to disagree. I am an author and we had a discussion on one of our forums once and the phenomenon of Twilight and the standard of the writing, the breaking of the canon etc. One google search later and our discussion became the focus of a mass teenage invasion where we were told we were probably ugly, dried up old crones ‘who wouldn’t know good righting if it bited us in the azz. So shut up hags’.
Keep up the good fight. I enjoyed your article.
The backlash against Twilight ‘Moms’ (women who are mom-age, even if not actually mothers) is a fascinating and troubling subject unto itself — I’d link most of the concern/anxiety to ‘reading down’ — as several feminists have pointed it, women reading Twilight get to ‘read like girls’ (in other words, get consumed in the narrative, and, gasp, neglect their other duties)…thus the point of consternation. As for teen girls being weirded out by their moms (and mom-age people) liking the text….
Oh my goodness! Just the thought of it makes me shudder! I couldn’t read the hate mail. I will take your word for it, for I have seen a sampling from Lainey already, and I avoid reading them there too. I don’t know how you could have borne sifting through them. You must have been emotionally and psychologically fatigued afterward…
Just wanted to let you know that not all Twilight fans are crazy. For those of us who can distinguish fantasy from reality- I am so sorry for the harassment.
I would like to second this comment from Bet. Some of these “fans” are an embarrasment to the rest of us.
I absolutely understand that *most* Twilight fans are not mean, vindictive, or poor readers — indeed, as a Twilight fan myself, with many friends who have also read and appreciated/negotiated the complexities of the series, I know that many of the readers are very intelligent, thoughtful women AND men. As such, I find it fascinating that the majority of those who chose to voice their opinion — and rather anonymously in the comments section on a blog — were those who were angry or disgusted with what I wrote.
I don’t see the personal attacks towards women who write questioning articles about Twilight or the Twilight stars as anything besides a typical outburst directed at educated outspoken women. It isn’t Twilight related. The same vitriol was used against Hillary and Sarah Palin by liberals. They were mocked, set up with fake quotes and fake purposes. It is just a style of reacting to a female who expresses a thoughtful opinion. It is wrong but it is ingrained in our society.
Connie, have you seen any of the Twilight discussion anywhere else? For example Lainey at http://www.laineygossip.com sometimes posts the emails she gets as feedback on her commentary on Twilight and the starts of the movie series. It’s bat-crazy. There’s something about this specific phenomenon that sets people off.
In any case, don’t mix Sarah Palin into this. She did get quite extreme treatment, but the problem was that her thoughts were bat-crazy as well. Just like the idea that someone with her background and experience level could be the vice president of this country. I am a proud supporter of equality and improving the position of women and girls, but we can’t start supporting or electing people SOLELY based on their gender.
As I point out above, I think the internet allows a particularly free space for vitriolic comments about women and queer bloggers — Lainey Gossip, Dooce, and Perez Hilton all receive massive amounts of hate mail, much of it criticizing their personal appearances. Crucially, established (straight) male bloggers likely receive far less hate mail aimed at their physical attributes — the free and quasi-anonymous space of the internet provides a forum, however, ugly, for prejudice to be articulated freely. Which is part of why I put these comments out there — to show how an article about someone else (a star) was interpreted as indicative of ME and my personal failings, either as a women, an academic, or a fan.
as a co-author of one of these “twilight” blogs (it’s true- write about Twilight. we’re in the top posts very often!) who makes fun of Twilight things yet loves the saga, I am not a stranger to hate for words I write.
People are passionate about things they care about. And by passionate I mean really really weird…..
Glad you wrote about it in an intellectual way! We just name the haters & love them back with tons of sarcasm!
I am truly scared for our society when people get so serious about a couple they don’t even know. The couple doesn’t even want to acknowledge these people. I can only hope the term “Twi-Moms” doesn’t refer to women who are actually raising children acting like this.
ps - I love the Twilight series. The actors are just good looking people who read lines and stand where people tell them to. They ain’t all that.
Chin up, Anne. I get what you are saying.
wow This is a scary fact of internet blogging, one that would scare the most timid (me) from wanting to write truthfully (and might I add intelligently) about the construction of image when pertaining to most-adored idols.
Your thoughts are a pleasure to read, and speak of unpacking theory. I hope that in all, there is some sense brought into some fanatics. Those you posted will not have so much luck, sounds like they are quite far from the deep end.
Anyway, Thank you for not giving that craziness up without a fight -
Shocked? Not really. Appalled at some people’s behavior? Definitely. The women who really surprise me as being over the top are the ones who claim to be married and older. While denying their own fangirl status on one hand, and vehemently defending two people they don’t know personally against an imagined attack with the other hand. You may expect that from young girls, but certainly not from the over 25 set.
Since the very beginnings of the film industry, studios have been pulling this stunt with co-stars of a project. It is done to illicit more interest. Is it possible that is what Summit is doing? Absolutely, and if that is the case it is working perfectly! It is also common for co-stars working in close proximity to hook up during the filming of a movie. Many times when the filming stops the relationship dissolves. It seems very few people can look at the Twilight enterprise objectively.
I honestly think that everyone is entitled to an opinion, if Rob and Kristen are together…great…i hope they’re happy…there is nothing worse than being stuck in a relationship you’re not happy in…if they aren’t together then thats fine too!!
I don’t see the point in people attacking bloggers, columnists, journalists etc for their opinions/beliefs. Everyone has different opinions and different beliefs. If we were all the same then life would be boring. I genuinely hope you got loads more positive feedback than you did the negative feedback.
Ignore the haters, an opinion is individual. Be proud of your opinion and of your interests.
I don’t write blogs because I personally don’t think that my views are interesting enough for people to read…thats my opinion of my opinion! lol!
Keep doing what you’re doing! xxx
The only thing I don’t agree with is you initially said Michael and Kristen were forced to hide their relationship to make it look like her and Rob were together during promotion and so forth. I don’t see how that is an accurate statement at all, look at pictures yourself. He was at most of the premiers there are plenty of them holding hands on the red carpet at the VMA’s there are pictures of him and her kissing, there are pictures of him with her on down time in LA. There are pictures of them walking through Vancouver holding hands, there are pictures of her on his back, piggy back style… that argument does not hold up. All in all this is an interesting perspective but you could have made your feelings on Stewart clearer. It came across as if you were saying she wasn’t a good actress and then made fun of her for running her fingers through her hair when she’s nervous. I would simply suggest wording things in a better manner so you come across as completely unbiased for the perspective of ‘Kristen and Rob are fucking’ vs. ‘They are staying in each others hotel rooms so much because they have a long game of Monopoly to finish. Jeez.’
Also, on the Lainey Gossip issue, I am not convinced that the hatemail she so lovingly posts is not written by her… I just don’t see how people could really take a gossip column’s information so far as to insult their family and even their ethnicity.
Oh and for the record, I love Kristen Stewart, I find her to be a talented actress and I adore her and Robert Pattinson together. Which I am pretty sure they are, they seem to make each other very happy and as long as Kristen is happy then I am happy for her. If she chooses to dump Rob and begin fucking the president, I’ll still be a fan of hers… although Michelle Obama may not be.
I do agree with you that I should have made it more clear that I do not personally dislike or even criticize Kristen Stewart — but that I was reproducing the rhetoric that has been used to describe her, her appearance, her image, and her acting style. I *do* think she is a good actress — but OTHER people like to talk about the way that she seems to play the same role over and over again, using the same nervous style. I really love the way she inhabits Bella — and like her in other roles as well.
The problem, then, and something I point out in the post, is that I was writing for an audience — mostly academics and others familiar with the way that academics analyze discourse — that didn’t translate to the massive influx of new readers.
My blog is intended to be jargon-free and accessible, but it also assumes that its readers understand the way that a star image can be analyzed and interpreted. I’ll have to consider in the future what kind of audience I want to cater to — if I want to keep this a quasi-academic blog, or if I want to make it more mainstream. But thank you, regardless, for your feedback.
Also, as a side note, I *absolutely* believe that Lainey is indeed receiving hate mail that targets her family and her ethnicity. Lainey is much more brazen in her critique of Twilight fans than I was in my post, and you can see how personal those attacks were. I’m sure, if they knew more about me — what my family looked like (Lainey has posted pictures of her mother) — they would attack that. As is, they attacked the fact that I’m an academic — as evidenced by the comment below, which takes on humanities and cultural studies in general as an unworthy discipline. Others simply say that I’m a hack journalist (hopefully I’m neither).
Well, your first article was very clear to begin with, you were voicing what many think, the style of Kristen Stewart´s acting and the reason people believe the leading couple are together in real life. The mails you received and just posted in this article are the right prove of how crazy some people are; too many people with too much free time in their life, so much that all they do is reread the books, read Fanfiction and invent gossip around a few paparazzi images they see based on seconds in the celebrity’s lives.
How odd that you forgot a significant category of your e-mail, although since it’s less about ‘hate,’ and more laudatory and mirrors your viewpoint, I can see how you might not want to address it. But then again, as a scholar who hopes to breakdown and deconstruct ‘Why Kristen Stewart Matters,’ wouldn’t those who see your gleefully parrot your most negative criticisms of Stewart be equally compelling?
I happen to find your cheerleaders i.e., those giving you exhuberant high-fives for your perceived (rightly or wrongly) smackdown of Kristen Stewart equally fascinating albeit disturbing. I would like someone somewhere to take a page out of YOUR book, and do an online scholarly-esque critique of the fascination this young woman holds for collegiate and scholarly women who expend an extraordinary amount of time thinking about her, and familiarizing themselves with her life, her purported loves, her filmography, etc. Frankly, most people who aren’t as…er, *attached* to the subject matter as yourself, see Kristen Stewart for what she is, an adolescent who happens to be in show business.
The last time I checked there were a great many of these kids in Hollywood - a majority employed by Disney, or in some cases not actively or productively employed at all, yet still ingrained into the social and pop culture fabric. To say that Stewart warrants criticism harsher than say a Lindsey Lohan, or even Miley Cyrus, is pretty skewed.
To most people she is the teen actress from the teen Vampire movies, and it ends there. If like me, you have seen the movie and actually liked Stewart’s portrayal of Bella Swan, and don’t feel the need to dissect a teenage girl as part of some lame vaguely resentful cyber-thesis, that serves to denigrate her personhood, and take away her voice (Stewart I’m sure, has done many interviews that would be accessible to you, and that quite clearly state what she’s about), as well as negate and flatly deny her rumored love life (Boy, will you have egg on your face, when these two young actors do proclaim a relationship, as if it wasn’t already strikingly obvious to even the casual observer).
One has to wonder why? My guess is, there’s something about Stewart that fascinates you, Ms. Petersen (and only you know why), and there’s something about Kristen Stewart that makes you indulge in contradictory behavior, at once immersing yourself in her ‘persona,’ while adopting the faux objectivity of the scholar. Please. She’s a kid. You have it half-right, in that she very obviously matters to YOU. The truly interesting part of the equation, ‘why that is,’ you do not address.
Maybe you can enlighten us, as to your obsession with Stewart, because it more than vaguely resembles the same fan-girl schizoid behavior that Pattinson attracts (in other words, there’s a cloying obsessive need to cyber-stalk and analyze, which runs tandem with a need to praise him and yet conversely malign and ridicule him, IF they think he has done something he shouldn’t - namely, get a girlfriend).
I can’t help but see how similar their behavior is, to your own Kristen Stewart obsessing.
That said, I do have to inquire about one thing…did you actually even SEE ‘Adventureland?’ The reason I ask is because your summary of Kristen Stewart’s arc in the film as it’s leading female character ‘Em,’ is just wrong. It appears you haven’t watched the film, if that’s so - how can you comment on Stewart’s performance, a performance that has earned her a ‘Best Performances of 2009,’ recognition by the LA Times? Rather than your severely erroneous, ‘has a penchant for older men,’ summarization of the character, the film and the painful, poignant feminist construction that Stewart brings to the screen, is quite complex - which is why it’s earned her accolades from some of the best film critics around. I watched it with my niece, and was astounded not just that a 16-17 yr old gave such a performance, but at the performance itself. Ms. Petersen, please take a step back from your blind obeisance to the all too familiar academic practice of pulling sh*t out of your arse wholesale, and look in the mirror.
IN OTHER WORDS: No, you can’t be Stewart’s girlfriend, Ms. Petersen. Which I think you have come to the conclusion of yourself, IF your nasty barbs have anything to do with it — from what I hear, she has a boyfriend already….named Robert.
Now, get over it, get a life - and get back to what REALLY MATTERS in the halls of academia. If this country is to be saved, it won’t be by obnoxious hypocrites who waste their student loans and funding, researching teen actresses. Put away your boxed Twilight set, and your tabloids, and stop using your collegiate placement as a way to excuse your own deep Twi/and deep Stewart fascination. Really now, who do you think your kidding?
I think I’m just going to let this one sit here. I will say that I analyze many, many stars — and Stewart, like the other stars that I’ve looked to, interests me because she seems to resonate strongly in this particular cultural moment. If that makes me her girlfriend, so be it. I’m two-timing her with several other stars.
Second, you voice an important critic of the humanities — why study anything that people consume, whether stars, American Idol, or The Great Gatsby, when there are more important problems to solve? The answer is simple: the stars we love, and the art we consume, whether that be in the form of pop music, high literature, opera, or any other form of entertainment — says a tremendous amount about what we, as a culture, value, cherish, and are in the process of negotiating. We cannot understand ourselves — and our identities as subject, nations, cultures, races — without understanding the cultural products we consume. Sure, we don’t solve cancer. We don’t work through what it means for virus to invade the body. But we do attempt to work through what it means to be a desiring subject in the world today. And that, for whatever its worth, matters.
Sorry, but your own comment shows evidence of the possibly obsessive over-analysis of both K-Stew and the author of this blog. Ms. Petersen has done plenty of research, writing and teaching in the field of media studies that goes way beyond teenage heart throbs and will likely be an important part of helping future generations understand our present-day culture. She’s an academic; she’s doing her job. No need to delve into the psychology of a person you’ve never met, especially after only reading one sample of her work.
Wait, wait…. Let me get this straight. Anyone who was remotely critical of your post (or that you interpreted as critical) is delusional or deserving of ridicule (they’re obviously conflating the Bella/Edward relationship with reality….or something).
The ones who uncritically complimented you are smart, smart folks.
Double bind. Yup, you’re an academic all right. Sigh…..
I certainly didn’t say that all of the critical mail was delusional or deserving of ridicule — in fact, I divided it into categories so that I could better frame the specific complaints that people had with my article; only the last category seemed to be those who took their ridicule to a, well, ridiculous level.
The reason I have a blog is to inspire discussion — especially between those who agree with me and those who disagree. I wouldn’t have an open comments section if I did not. And if you look to the original post on ‘Why Kristen Stewart Matters,’ I did publish many comments that challenged my original post. I simply didn’t publish those that were insulting or indicated that they had not, in fact, read the post.
you’ve just gotta love a blog that has phrases like “anne you’re a jealous b*tch, ” and words like “tangential” on the same page.
poor ann! you’ve been pushed into the pool at a wild party you never wanted to attend! worse yet, you’ve caught the gaze of the most impassioned of fans, the mother-luster: an adult woman so confused by her lust for barely legal men that she covers her anxiety by acting as the caring mother figure. Of course, this is just my opinion. i’m no “academician” …
I truly hope I can get a response and an opinion to what I am about to write right now. I have been hooked on the ‘Twilight’saga since the film came out and I decided to read the books. My opinion was that Kristen was mis-cast for the role but it is what it is. All these fans are really obsessed with Rob Pattinson, NOT Kristen Stewart. If he would drop her they wouldn’t know if she were living or dead BUT, since they have NO chance on earth to be with Rob in any shape or form, they LOVE Kristen. These women/girls project themselves into her life and make believe they are her (of course, in the back of their minds). So, when anyone says anything derrogatory about her or even makes a comment without gushing over her, they take it as an insult to themselves. I am a widow who was married for 37 years and a mother of 3 and a grandmother…I have seen alot. Elvis, the Beatles, ect BUT I never have seen the devotion and utter craziness about anyone like Rob and Kris.
Ann, your article was to the point…not insulting and the absolute TRUTH!!! Keep up the good work…AND please, give me some opinions about my OWN opinion on this chaos.
Hope, I think that the obsession with the romance is probably the most heightened we’ve seen in the last decade or so, but we’ve witnessed similar phenomena in the past, whether in relation to Valentino or James Dean. In our current transmediated environment, what’s remarkable about Twilight is how broadly the phenomenon has spread — it’s by no means limited to a particular age group OR to print or film. It’s on the internet, it’s in the fan magazines, it’s through the books, through fan fic, and in the movies.
The fandom of The Beatles and Elvis were different, in part because they involved individual fans adoring a specific person. Here, I think fans really love the entire romance — and the idea of the passion and devotion — between Edward and Bella, which then seeps out into the obsession with Pattinson and Stewart (and them being together in real life).
Here is a novel idea. Kristen Stewart fans like her because she is has a beautiful mind, she is anti Hollywood, and she is a good actress. The idea that ALL her fans want to be her and live vicariously through her because of Robert Pattinson is ridiculous at best. Not to say women don’t fantasize about Robert, but the notion that she is only important because she is linked to Robert and the only reason she has fans is totally incorrect. She is her own person, and she has earned her fans by her own merits. As another blogger said once, it’s not easy to be a fan of Kristen Stewart because you have to get her. Not every woman in the world is shallow. I do however see as clear as day how women can feel intimidated by her, and even jealous of her. But she does matter to her fans for WHO she is, not who she is with. People need to be very careful when making broad generalizations and paiting people with the same brush.
Maria, I do get what you are saying, I really do, however, not everyone feels the same way about Kristen, or her fans. That is the part of the equation that is not being addressed.
well, Victoria, let’s address that part of the equation. KStewart is a celebrity with a large following. also, she is a personality many people dislike (to add to that most of the humanity doesn’t know (or care) who the f-ck Kristen Stewart is).
some people who dislike KStewart assume all the attention she’s getting is unfounded. and they suggest reasons for that. like I just did in the previous comment and Annie did in her previous blog post.
so. I suggest everyone has their right to speak up.
and face it, KStewart OR her fans haven’t a leg to stand on in this discussion (about how smart and talented and great KStewart is). if you can’t persuade us (who dislike KStewart) with solid facts just keep it to the group of your adherents (if you don’t want to get replies you’re getting now).
Yes, everyone has the right to speak up, which is what people, for or against, are doing. This discussion resonates to fans of Kristen because she has been harshly AND unfairly criticized, so those who see beyond her words will attempt to defend her. I would think that is easy to understand, as it seems now everyone has a defensive stand. But you cannot expect fans who do appreciate her not to have a reaction. We read it all the time (Perez Hilton anyone?). She may be a celebrity, but she is only 19. She only wants to act and do her thing. She didn’t ask to be the center of attention, good or bad. Just because she is an actor, it is assumed she wants to be a celebrity and treated as such. That was not her choice. WE put her there. Unfair? That’s to be debated.
And to clarify, there is a difference between being a celebrity and being an actor. The Kardashian are celebrities. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are celebrities. I cannot put someone like Kristen Stewart in the same category. However, I do realize that sadly for her, she is being measured against those are mentioned and others, hence the expectations that she should be and act like a “celebrity”.
“only 19″ is NOT an excuse. I still remember the face of a 25 y.o. female CEO of the organization that hosted a conference I reported for that I am “so excited to have achieved as much cause I’m *only 19*” – she clearly thought I am supposed to be too much of an adult at 19 to say things like that. 19 is pretty much A LOT. my 19 is not that far away so I can tell you there is no such thing as “only 19″. all bright people have been bright at 19 too.
as for unfair criticism - KStewart is a bad actress, has poor social skills, is uninteresting, shaggy - pretty much a kind of a person who irritates people (especially when she gets this much attention, like I said). so there is no doing anything about Perez Hilton)) btw thanks for that reference I didn’t ever check him and he rocks! (it’s just a *joke*, hun!)
AND I don’t believe KStewart never wanted attention, I read somewhere she was aware of the fact the book has lots of fans which means she will have to face either their hate or love. let alone the fact that why would she want to act then? I mean, okay, she doesn’t want fame, right, but she apparently has no gift for acting which automatically result in her disliking her craft! that’s basic psychology.
and anyone who’s famous is criticized. nicole kidman is criticized, charlize theron is criticized, robert de niro is criticized. people LOVE picking, LOVE bringing down their idols and showing they are no more than human, and in case they are even less than average human idols get burned by that hate. why not? if they can’t live up to their status why should they be worthy of all the attention and time?
Yes, she is so bad, that is why A listers praise her, talk about what a pleasure it is to work with her, and continue to want to work with her. The latest being James Woods, who wants to direct her in the movie American Girl. I guess they don’t know anything about acting;o).
Look, my point about her being 19 is that she needs time to learn how to deal with this kind of attention. In interviews, she has said she did not expect this movie to be as big as it became, but once she realized the kind of following they had, she felt a sense of responsibility for the fans; about the movie, not her private life. I think for someone her age, she is handling it pretty well, but the scrutiny she has been put under is brutal. The actors you mentioned have been around a long time, and when they started, the internet and twitter did not exist. This information society we live in where people can post a blog and get instant replies from strangers, where actors whereabouts are disclosed seconds after they are spotted and are quickly hounded, is nothing to what those actors you mentioned experienced in their early days.
I know people will criticize and don’t care for the person, and that is a crying shame, but it is also reality. She will learn, and I think she will survive it. That doesn’t change the fact that I think it is unfair and misguided, especially because of the Robert Pattinson angle. She is attacked because of her link to him, and that is a fact. Just read some of the replies here, and visit Twilight blogs and sites, and you will see. And you have probably read Perez Hilton’s vulgar and very personal comments about her to know this too. Just because she is linked to Robert? Because she doesn’t want to put her private life out there for the world to see and makes herself inaccesable? Because she refuses to answer papparazzi questions about whether or not she is f*cking Robert? Or she remains quiet when she leaves a club with Robert and some random girl calls her a bitch? There have been fan accounts of encounters with her in which she has been more than nice and appreciative. But see, you don’t hear that, because it is easier to judge her when she is being “irritating”.
Victoria, I just want to make it clear – which A listers do you mean in particular? (James Woods is not an A lister. Johnny Depp is A lister (and no less).) I don’t hear Robert De Niro admiring Kristen’s talent.
you are right that old school stars never faced all the internet connected frenzy but there are lots of modern stars facing about as much attention – Jonas Brothers come to my mind. I think there is no way to avoid critics for anybody and if a person is not professional there is no way this critics will go away until you drop whatever you are doing altogether. which basically means - if it is soooo hard for Kristen to deal with it she can always quit, right? but in the end of the day it’s not so hard for her, is it? AND she knows how to make it better - people tell her that all the time - open up, be honest, try to make people like you. but she won’t give in. so this means all this frenzy does not make her wish to change, she is alright with what she is and she is ready to face things she dislikes in order to not sacrifice things she values more. which means - we (who dislike Kristen) have all the right to criticize her as much as we like:)
Well, I consider actors like Jodi Foster and Sean Penn A listers. And they have had very positive things to say about her. There are quotes from many other actors she has worked with as well - all positive. I am sure anyone can google it;o).
As far as whether Kristen wants to change her ways to please the masses, that’s clearly her pregrogative, as it is your prerogative to dislike and criticize her for it. What I find ironic though is how Robert Pattinson has been on record for making similar comments she has made, and even shows similar mannerisims, like the way he touches his hair, or has the same habits like chain smoking, yet it is oh so sexy because it is Robert and he laughs more. When he made fun of Twilight and even SM’s writing, nobody blinked, and people thought he was so funny and smart. Yet Kristen makes similar comments, and she is labeled ungrateful, difficult, irritating, because she is more serious. I call her real, and that is why I like her. To each their own. I just find the double standards interesting.
A list is not your judgement, Jodi Foster is long not A list resident as for Sean Penn one would argue, he is B+. but anyways what exactly did they say? I googled it with zero result. did they say that they like Kristen or smth more substantial? like “her interpretation of method acting is unique and creative that brings it to the whole new level of believable performance” (I’m just improvising here but I think this should give you the difference)?
Robert Pattinson is criticized less because he is less unprofessional, he is more attractive and his overall behaviour is more socially acceptable, his acting is less forced and “painful” (that is a new term for Twilight level of acting), he’s got lots of flaws as well, yeah, and he’s being criticized too. btw if he criticized SM’s writing as you say this must win him some more respect and not otherwise, haha))) Pattinson is generally morel likable and charismatic, he doesn’t have to work on his image as hard as Kristen, although he’s got a lot to improve too. so it’s not about double standards, it’s about your subjective judgement.
Robert Pattinson is criticized less because he is a handsome man that many women are drooling over, whereas Kristen is not. The fact that you laughed at the thought that he criticized SM’s writing proofs to me the double standard since Kristen has made similar observations, yet she is labeled “ungrateful” (quoting others) for playing a part others would kill for. Why doesn’t she get respect for that opinion? You are right, this is all subjective.
This is the last post I am going to make here. I decided to keep the debate going because I am fascinated by others POV’s and this has given me a new insight on how scholars and psychologists think. Very interesting indeed. I may not have the training some of you have had, but I know and love human beings. I will finish with this. I think there is nothing wrong with Kristen Stewart. I think WE, the fans who follow celebrities, are the ones with the problem (boy, are Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis lucky the internet was not invented during their heyday). We are the ones who have decided how a celebrity or actor should act like, and measure them with the same ruler. We have set very high expectations. Kristen is who she is and she makes no apologies. And that seems to bother people. I think it’s even funny to think that Robert is so taken with Kristen (whether they are a couple or not), because it shows me either there is more to her than meets the eye (which I tend to agree with), or Robert is nothing like people have made him out to be in their mind and is more similar to her than they think (which I also agree with). I do believe there is always room for improvement, and I am sure Kristen will learn as she grows. I think she is doing pretty well for someone her age though, and that is why I think she will do well in the future. But I have to respect the fact that she wants to deal with this craziness and keep her soul (as she has said that pappz want her soul), and she has the right to do it the way she sees fit. None of us knows what these two kids are going through, and the amount of craziness they have to deal with. It must be scary for them. Look, I have even read twitter messages from girls saying that if Kristen were dating Robert, they would want to kill her. And people wonder why Kristen runs for the hills when pappz are following her and Robert? She must be scared for her life at this point. There are crazy people out there, does anybody remember what happened to Rebecca Schaeffer? And this fandom is VERY passionate, to the point of being cultist. Why can’t people give that consideration, and try to understand how that can effect a person? Even Robert was recently quoted saying his life is a wreck. We feel bad for him, but we can’t feel bad for Kristen? I never like double standards, and regardless of how she behaves some times, she is still a human being dealing with a lot of pressure and scrutiny. And she has also been working non stop for two years. She deserves a chance to take a breather and try to make sense of all of this. I wish people would learn to give others the benefit of the doubt, and not paint everyone with the same brush.
Nice debating with you, Maria. We will just have to agree to disagree.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829576/board/thread/139793843
http://andthewinneris.blog.com/2009/10/11/juliannemooreinterview/
when actors talk about their costar while promoting their movie they don’t say s/he sucked;) and if the interview is not a video or audio it’s most likely written by a publicist. which results in those quotes of stars saying how great Kristen is are pretty much biased.
I agree Kristen might need enhanced security these days, I agree Robert Pattinson might as well be just as trivial as Kristen only he appears to be slightly better. maybe because he’s British and there are some cultural differences.
it was nice for me too to hear your opinion, Victoria, and we only disagree on our attitude to Kristen which is ultimately the question of individual preference.
Haha! All of this shit make me laugh! I like Twilight and Rob and Kirsten. I like reading about them and there love laugh wheather it’s true or false. It appears to be true but whatever not my point! Everyone needs to get a reality check here…. who cares who says what! Really! Ann to me you can write whatever you want whether I agree or not or if anyone else agrees. I mean all of these people who freak out need to chill out honestly you are giving the article more attention than was ever needed! I read LaineyGossip to and I told her the same things say what you want and I’ll keep reading! Especially when it’s related to Twilight… haha! The hate mail is my favorite because it truely shows me that my like for Twilight is no where near so of the CRAZY’s out there. Keep it coming!
I think Twilight brings out the passion in people, mostly women, because it is a challenge to the definition of sex that our patriarchal society lives under. Americans have gone with the Playboy/fashion mag definition of sex for generations now and that definition is sacred to many. In this definition only men can have a visual response to sexual images so the half of female sexuality where women happily sit on their average sweat panted bums and check out hot men does not exist in these peoples world. Twilight challenges that view by being a blatant hunk fest. So the Twilight feminism is occurring in the female audience as they sit there not worrying how they look for a change but just enjoying the men on screen, it is not occurring on screen among the actresses or the characters they portray. The fact that Kristen does not conform to the fashion mag/Playboy stereotype in real life although it is clear she is beautiful enough that she could, only upsets some people more because it calls into question their view of sex and sex roles. They are working with the idea that Playboy gives us the way women should be which is “men’s content” and fashion mags tell women how they can conform to men’s ideal and that is “women’s content”. The idea that women have their own fantasies and don’t seek male approval for them is frightening to many people.
I think you’re absolutely correct in pinpointing the backlash as an expression of anxiety over female desire. While you don’t phrase it exactly this way, part of what you’re saying is that our society is fine with men drooling over, say, Megan Fox — but when the tables are turned and women are super attracted to a man, both emotionally and physically (whether in the physical form of Robert Pattinson or in the fictional character of Edward) it’s tremendously unsettling.
Wow! Anne, it tickles me to be even remotely involved in your Twilight blogging phenomenon. (Though I am of late no longer at Rotten Tomatoes, now writing for other great outlets like AOL/Cinematical.com.) Loads of credit go to RobPattzNews for RTing what was one of the more interesting Twi-related articles to come along in a long time. I’m looking forward to reading more of your stuff on this and other topics!
So excited by your patronage (for lack of a better word)! Will be following you and your work as well.
I really enjoyed your article and would love to read your take on the male half of the phenomenon (“Why Rob Pattinson matters” perhaps, although “Why Edward Cullen matters” might be more interesting… Rob Pattinson out of character reminds me of Ricky Gervais).
Twilight nails so many potent female fantasy archetypes despite its flaws. Kind of reminds me of Valentino and “The Sheik”.
Well Anne, first of all, I just laughed out loud when I saw my post under the header “RIDICULERS”. You do know if you put yourself out there for the world to read your work, you are bound to get criticism, which imo, you didn’t take very well. And for the record, I wasn’t the one calling you names (as you know by my name), just gave my own interpretation of what you wrote, whether that is what you meant or not. I just know how the words came across to me. So like with any writer, people will interpret things different ways when reading the written word. Clearly, I am not a “regular” here, so I went with my first impression.
Let me make myself clear. Yes, I am a Kristen Stewart fan, and no, not because of Twilight. I LOVED her in Speak and Panic Room. OH, and Em in Adventureland was no Bella. So I think I have reason to disagree with your analysis (which you are entitled to btw) of her as an actress. And no, I am not some “crazy lunatic Twi Hard fanatic” who just felt like insulting you. Maybe my previous post was not presented well, hence your own perception of my post, but it was still a reaction to what I thought to be a very unfair depiction of an actress that I happen to find fascinating. I also happen to like her as a person.
What I find comical about all of this, is that the people who are cheering you on are people who have clearly stated they dislike Kristen. Let me tell you then a bit about this fandom, which may put some things into perspective (clearly, you are only getting ONE side). There are fans who do not like Kristen. You just gave them a voice, and gave them opportunity to ridicule those who respect Kristen Stewart. And the truth is, many do not like her because of her link to Robert Pattinson. Just read the replies you have gotten, and it is very clear (I guess they like to ignore the fact that it is because of Kristen that RP was even cast as Edward, but I digress). There is that, and there are some who resent her for the way she chose to play Bella. They don’t believe she fit the image of the character they read in the books. Something Kristen was very vocal about during her Twilight interviews. She did not want to play Bella like she was this obsessed girl, just like Robert didn’t want Edward to seem like a possessive stalker. I know that worked for me since I loved both of their acting choices. Then, there are those who just don’t like her as a person. They must think that all Hollywood actors should go to the Paris Hilton school of celebrity. For those of us who actually follow Kristen’s career and read her interviews, we understand she is anti Hollywood. She is a young, and she is adorably awkward. She is clearly in this for the love of her craft, not the fame. She nor Robert knew this would be as huge as it became. But Kristen Stewart does care. She has said so in her own words. And of course, she doesn’t want to be Bella forever. She wants to spread her acting wings. Is that so bad?
I wish she could’ve been fairly represented and given a voice, which is why you got the reaction you received. So no, Kristen Stewart doesn’t care to be yours or my girlfriend. You are right about that. But not because she smokes, or how she dresses, or how she acts, but because as a human being, she has a different set of values and morals that do not conform with the typical Hollywood mold. Sue her.
Now, is she with Robert? I happen to think so. I don’t think two people would be hanging out as much as these two are if they didn’t like each other. Not to mention, Rob made no secret of his crush, and we have seen them together in compromising situations that they want to keep to themselves. Do I think this could be a ploy by the studio? Plausible. However, based on how Kristen has conducted her life, and her values (she is only known to have had one long term boyfriend, which again, is so unlike her Hollywood peers), I would like to think this anti Hollywood girl has integrity and would not conform to the games studios play. I would like to give this girl the benefit of the doubt.
You don’t understand Victoria, Anne Petersen doesn’t really want to address her own harsh criticisms of this kid, and why she personally has denigrated her choices; life, career, etc., and personality. My prediction, is that instead of wisely pulling back and further examining the bulk of mail she has received that praise her for perceived attacks on a teenager - she’ll make an unfortunate choice, and silently become the female heroic to the many women who have a primordial reaction to this girl because of her off-screen rumored love life.
Yes, ladies - in the end, it really is all about Robert Pattinson. It’s how we’re wired. For those few that don’t believe this, like Ms Petersen perhaps, it is indeed about Kristen Stewart - but even for them, it comes back to Pattinson, and Stewart’s relationship with him - it disturbs her in different ways than it does the majority, but it still is a valid and enlightening reaction that she could be honest and delve into, but she does not. Ms Petersen knows full well she wouldn’t have written about an 18 year old actress in a cultural phenom that was devoid of this on/offscreen male/female dynamic that she won’t admit disturbs her. If I’m wrong, please direct me to the long-winded discourse re Emma Watson in the Harry Potter films. I don’t know how long Ms. Petersen has been a scholar, but if it’s more than 5-10 years, my guess is she’s also probably written similarly about ‘Brangelina.’ If not, the same elements are there, a rabid hate for the female interloper, based on proprietary and once-worshipful feelings for the male.
Back to Stewart -
Notice Ms. Petersen doesn’t address her erroneous summarizing of Stewart’s film. That very obviously suggests she is less about criticquing a cultural phenom, and more about punching Stewart in the face. Ms Petersen has quite obviously never seen the movie. If she has, it bespeaks terrible things about her own abilities as a theorist.
That one line sentence about the ‘Kristen film she has not seen,’ was extremely telling: GRADE F, Ms. Petersen. Now explain why a ‘scholar,’ gets a pass on such a misstep, and is not expected to explain herself??
Oddly enough, and as mentioned, Petersen doesn’t want to address the more extreme hateful reaction her post engendered(indicative of a much larger problem in my opinion - that of women attacking a teen girl, for her perceived choice of a boyfriend) - I personally think that would have been the more powerful, not to mention meaningful discourse. However, it’s almost as if she is pretending her multitudes of disturbing cyber kudos for berating this young person, don’t exist.
Ms. Petersen can only write about what ‘stirs,’ her, what fascinates her. My guess is, though a portion of the Robert Pattinson obsessed fan base love that Ms. Petersen slammed their perceived nemesis and competition Kristen Stewart (I know, hysterical) - Ms. Petersen will move quickly by those mortifying posts, and only address the ones that are supportive of Kristen. Take a look at her categories: believers, ridiculers, etc. The ‘Kristen haters,’ category which she neglects to mention, of which surely her inbox is full of, she pretends does not exist, or does not warrant addressing as it immediately brings her critique down to the level, of well, ‘mean girl,’ (of a different orientation, but ‘mean girl’ nonetheless).
I think categorically, the posts that were supportive of her, are equally compelling, and I wish she would attempt to analyze them. It’s just a shame that as acholar Anne Petersen is ignoring not only half of the equation, but the sum total.
This entire scholarly exercise from Petersen on this so-called cultural obsession, should be called what it is: primordial female infighting over a male, and to a lesser extent (but as it pertains to Petersen’s piece), primordial female infighting over a female perceived to be with a male.
It’s as old as the hills. While I disagree that the former, is Ms. Petersens motivation (my assumption is that she is part of the small minority of women over-invested in this topic that really do NOT care about Pattinson, the male in this equation at all - she is completely consumed with Stewart).
Sadly, Anne is unfortunately very eager to take advantage of the displayed possessive viciousness that many Robert Pattinson fans display towards this young girl who they desperately fear he loves in real life - accepting their kudos and high-fives for her perceived Kristen Stewart smackdown, and not addressing those disturbing responses at all, while ignoring the very reasons she herself, might do so - is an academic tragedy, and extremely dishonest.
Believe me Anne, I understand - it suits your own purposes to do so. No scholar wants to BECOME the story, or the object of the thesis. lol
It’s too late however.
I’m amazed that people get so heated over the possibility of a relationship between two people they only know in pictures and through characters they play. I was directed here from Lainey Gossip, and I’ve read the hate mail she gets consistently from Twilight fans and it’s kind of pathetic. I’m a Twilight fan myself, and I think Rob and Kristen are great, but what does it matter if they’re dating or not? I’m getting so tired of the allegations, of the supposed evidence and people fretting over something that has no affect on their own lives.Rob and Kristen dating does not make Edward and Bella real. I mean, that’s what it all comes down to isn’t? The possibility Edward and Bella all us Twilight fans fell in love with in the books could be represented in real life? Besides that I don’t see how those two dating is so extremely important to people.
I mean, I think they would make a good couple, but would I get pissed off if it came out that Rob’s dating some other actress or if Kristen went back with Michael Angarano? No.
Why can’t a guy and a girl work together on a movie or be seen together in public without having all of these assumptions that they’re dating?
I guess this whole obsessio with Robert and Kristen dating is just mind boggling to me. No matter how you try to justify it, it still seems so strange that people get so worked up over strangers.
At the end of the day, until it comes from their mouths specifically (and they have said numerous times they aren’t dating), I’m not believing anything.
I found your blog from Laineygossip, which may or may not provide you insight into what type of reader I am. I consider myself a Twilight fan in that I enjoyed the books and enjoyed the movie. I feel weird even admitting it given that I’m a 36yo mother of 3 (but in no way consider myself a TwiMom - a term that I shudder at hearing for some reason). I feel embarrassed to align myself with Twilight when I see the way the typical ‘Twihard’ responds to a very well-thought out academic blog post that was neither demeaning nor ridiculing of Ms. Stewart.
If you really want to stir the pot, I suggest you take on the subject of Rob Pattinson. I take it you don’t read Twilight fan sites. I read a few and I laugh heartily at many who insist this man is the newest God to worship (they even type OME or OMR instead of OMG - no lie!). However, when Mr. Pattinson was first cast, apparently the Twihards went apeshit thinking he would ruin the role of Edward Cullen. Frankly, I think any young actor could have come in and done the job and he would be the one worshipped and Rob Pattinson would still be a no-name sitting at a pub in London. Even he has admitted that he is just a ‘vessel for screams’ and acknowledged the fans of the book just needed something tangible to become fixated on. The phenomenon is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Something to consider for a future dissection, if you’re brave enough to tackle it!
I will be back to visit your blog. I really thought you nailed Ms. Stewart perfectly. I think she is a decent actress but I thought she played Bella in Adventureland too - it might just be her acting style. I think she is very young and so it is excusable that she doesn’t know how to handle her fame. She needs an advisor (not employed by Summit) to help her navigate it better. The photographers only follow them to get a picture of them kissing/holding hands/insert PDA here. She and RP make it infinitely more valuable the longer is goes without ‘confirmation’ of their relationship.
Anne: I believe you are the first to truly hit the nail on the head in explaining this mass insanity that we are colectively witnessing: Kristen Stewart (and by direct extension Robsten) matters because love matters, and the illusion that love can last unchanged forever, matters, deeply and fundamentally in our lives. This, I think, is the compelling allure of the Twilight Saga and its deep penetration into our (largely female) psyche. And Stewart/Pattinson matter because a real life romance between these two is, as you said in your original post, “proof positive that…it’s possible, …that love is not simply a fantasy.” This is exaclty why legions of TwiHards attack you and Lainey and who knows who else so viciously when the remote possibility that this relationship may be less than they would like it to be is mentioned. They are threatened. Love in its’ “forever” immortal Twilight incarnation is threatened. And we must believe in love. Why? We are wired that way. The biologist in me believes anything this strong, pervasive and entrenched has its basis in genetic and evolutionary adaptability. The ability to feel passion and to desire and pursue love increases ones’ drive to bond and mate and form a family and raise young with a partner in a stable relationship, vastly increasing the chances that the resulting young will survive the wildly prolonged period of dependence that characterizes human development. Why else would so many moslty women around the world be behaving so irrationally? Something very crucial to survival is under seige.
I also am fascinated by the part that language plays both in the novels and in the debate swirling around them. I think one factor in the book’s success in speaking to many women is the accessibility of Bella’s language, her “voice.” It mimics nicely the bland, colloquial jargon of today’s teen, a style designed to foster affective matching, inclusion, and group identification. It’s easy and understandable, hence the saga’s penetration into many age, socioeconomic and educational strata. You speak of fans unwilling to “stomach discourse that would challenge the language…in the book.” I work with a good many families with dyslexic children and am frequently struck by the erroneous attributions that able readers make to explain the dyslexics’ failure to read-a lack of fervent desire, an absence of ambition, a failure of intellectual rigor-when in simple fact, dyslexic don’t read because they can’t. Similarly many rabid fans’ “contempt for critical analysis and…the academic stance in general” is nothing of the sort. Many of these “deeply invested” fans don’t employ in depth analysis simply because they weren’t taught rigorous analytical thought and just aren’t able. There is a reason why you are acamedicians and they aren’t.
Thank you for this post, both to you, Anne, and to your respondants. It has helped clarify some issues, helped me make some sense of this lunacy, helped me see why, as woman of a certain age, I found myself ridiculously entranced by these frankly soporific books after one of my physician partners loaned them to me, handed over in a brown paper bag like so much contraband. Moreover, why so many other women are equally blown away by them. As my sister whispered to me “really, it’s humiliating.” I happened to mention Twilight in passing at an uber-swank black tie party last June and the group of women went dead quiet. Uh-oh, I thought, now I have totally disgraced myself. THe first woman to speak groaned “don’t even speak to me of Twilight.” The second said “I swear, I needed an intervention,” and the third said, while fanning herself, said “I needed four interventions, one for each book. It was glorious to read such a vivid description of what it felt like back when we were young and still in love.” As you said, our addiction to Twilight “says so much about what may be lacking in our lives, and how we manage to make up for that lack and still live fulfilling lives in our non-fantasy worlds.” It is also a tribute to Stephenie Meyer’s ability to remember and reconjure the emotions involved in the early, passionate desire of love, and even more about the universal need to feel love is still a possibility for us, no matter how young or old, rich or poor, beautiful or not, married or not. ISn’t that what it is really all about?
What amazes me about all of this is to see how people think this is such a revelation of how humans are wired to want and need love. I guess being a romantic I have known that about myself all along. It’s just simple really. That’s why I love the central message in Twilight.
My appreciation for Kristen however has to do with her as a person and actress, and not because she plays Bella. Funny thing is, my reasons for thinking her and Robert MAY BE dating have nothing to do with Twilight either and more to do with how they have interacted with each other during interviews, how Robert never denied his crush, the looks given to each other, etc, etc. It became endearing, but not because of Edward and Bella, but because of Robert and Kristen. They SEEM real people, so that is why I venture to think that maybe there is something there (and won’t lose sleep over it if it isn’t).
I wish those who are over analyzing this would realize that some of us do see the difference between the characters and the real people. So to make that generalization and put everyone into one category is not right imo. But the sudden realization of some people of those posting, especially those who are deep thinkers and into academics, makes me think that deep knowledge makes people jaded and cynic about love. Some may argue it is more about being realistic or even ignorant. But either way, love is a central theme of humanity. Always has, always will. Why is this such a big discovery now is what baffles me.
(I really love your writing style, it was so easy to read till the end I hardly noticed I’ve read the whole comment)
honey, there is a zillion of movies, books, all kinds of art about love. so trust me, twilight hysteria is not about love, it’s about instant expectation of sexual drive to be satisfied any minute now and that satisfaction being delayed constantly for a set of “legitimate” (within this movie) reasons thus making anxiety grow.
as for your perception of the two actors as real ppl and caring for them - if you derive your care from their interviews you love humanity real hard, I thank you for that because there are so little people like you.
Thank you!
Why does Kristen Stewart matter?
Why does anyone matter? I question your topic; cleverly postualted in the quise of academic thought. Good PR machine; skillfully crafted to the promotion of your academic pondering. Yes, I have a problem with the word. Academic?
It’s a blog, period. Thought provoking, apparently. All that aside, most disturbing is viscosity of the article(blog). Why, is it culturally and socially acceptable for one woman to comment negatively in a personal and very public forum about another woman? Why, is that okay?
Twilight Saga, it’s fiction. Not great fiction. A rip-off of many classics, but that’s not relevant. I would love to see you further your academic studies by researching the phenomenon of female to female bashing in the media. I think the buzz word is bullying. Am I not oh so clever, am I not so educated by bringing this most important question to the illiterate masses. Please don’t perpetuate this line of thinking, young girls have enough pressures in this image conscious, rapid communicating(critizing) world. Celebrate our differences and our individuality. Critical thinking? I say another bad example of people living off the avails of others and receiving praise for it.
Also, really, how can someone be defined by a role they play when they are only 19. A tad simplistic. Could that be your whole point?
I think anyone has the right to express what they think; moreover, the author of this post (on her own blog!!! it’s just a blog, why won’t you RELAX??) did not offend her subject in any way! and the author here did not in any way define Stewart *by her role* as Bella, she referred to her interviews, her public behaviour. and I tell you one can (EASILY) define a person by that if one has enough understanding or intuition in the field of human psycho.
Well, I’m another Lainey reader who came across this site. I’m an “academic” who procrastinates by reading gossip when I need a little break from work. Sometimes it’s nice to just read something light. Anyway, this whole twilight thing scares me and fascinates me at the same time. I like that someone actually tried to figure out why it matters so much to some women and I enjoyed reading this long discussion. I came across the books at a friend’s house and I usually devour books but couldn’t get past the first few pages. Then I made fun of my friend and went to see the movie with her when it came out. She’s seen it 8 times in theaters. Point is, she’s still my friend and I love her and I don’t get it. I think it would help the ones so passionate about the subject to envision the opinions they’re reading are coming from a woman they know that just happens to disagree. Would you freak out at your sister/mother/girlfriend if she didn’t like the same book as you or the same actress? Would you say such hurtful things to her? I think it’s a great tip. Have fun gossiping/discussing ladies…
I just wanted to make a point that I’m not sure has been addressed - I apologize if I missed it in a previous comment. I don’t believe the reactions/hate-mail you’ve received are part of any new phenomenon among fans. I had to laugh when I read some of them, because they so (embarrassingly) reminded me of myself as a teenager. I was filled with righteous anger whenever anyone suggested that my idol, Boy George, might, well, like boys. Yes, despite the overwhelmingly obvious clues, I was determined to believe that Boy George was interested in girls and would someday be mine! I think this is a natural part of growing up and discovering your sexual nature, at least in this society. For a thirteen-year-old girl, a romance with a celebrity or fictional character is safe but also allows her to begin to explore her feelings, desires, and reactions to the opposite (or sometimes the same) sex.
What is different is that these same 13-year-olds now have access to a communication tool for world-wide propagation of their ‘well-reasoned’ views, due to absentee parenting and ubiquitous internet access!
I can’t tell you how many times I have thanked the gods that I was born before the internet! The only evidence of my embarrassing teenage views and behavior is the notes I wrote in my yearbooks or passed to friends in school.
These poor girls will have to live with the fact that they are embarrassing themselves in front of the whole world, their awkward teenage years on their permanent record, so to speak. I actually feel sorry for them.
The letters that sound like they are from grown women, however, are another story - a disturbing story!
I see your point and you are mostly right only I think that the fact that modern teenage girls have a tool to leave their stupid messages for many people to read does not change much of anything - who reads them? you? me? lainey? the author of this blog? so what? do you think they REALLY should be embarrassed by sounding stupid to us (even if there are lots of ‘us’ reading them)? I so don’t think so. because we’ll forget it tomorrow. because we don’t know them and we don’t care.
Why would they feel stupid when grown ass women are still postulating over their “stupid messages,” over a week later? The author of this post found them so entertaining she posted and got a kajillion hits, we have all read them — so I’d stop being disingenuous with the whole ‘too cool for school,’ and ‘we don’t care,’ crap. You. are. HERE. 7 days later MARIA - I’d say you care a great deal, as does Annie. ‘Not that here’s anything wrong with that.’ There’s no shame in it, and it certainly explains the obsession with teenage Kristen, and making her the focal point of this read. Maybe we’re all still 15 at heart, eh?
yeah, I AM HERE. and why wouldn’t I? for christ’s sake, bria, I am a psychologist. and where did I say I don’t care about this discussion? I said I don’t care about teenage girls embarrassing themselves on message boards about twilight
Late to the party but I need to get this out in the open. I demand an apology from you for calling what Stewart does acting. On a side note, fun read!
Hello from France, your blog and your analysis are extremely interesting especially your point of view on these ambigious relationships between celebrities/media and fans. I did not know anything about Twilight until the release of the movie and the spectacle of hundreds of screaming girls queuing in front of the theatre next to our rehearsal studio (i must admit i didnot see the movie
) Really amazing 
Enclosed this article about celebrity obsession from “psychology today”. Well at least, it gives some clues such as for example relating the attraction teens have to pop cultures and consequently to celebrity gossips to a healthy drive for independence from parents http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200407/seeing-starlight-celebrity-obsession
Good luck with your Twihaters:)