Is It Right For Celebrities To Pimp Out Their Babies On Magazine Covers?

Jennifer Lopez, whose twins were born early this morning, is just the latest in a long line of celebrities to sell the first photographs of her babies to a magazine for big bucks. People reportedly paid between $4-6 million for the exclusive (even though the $1.5M they shelled out for Christina Aguilera's baby pictures didn't exactly prove to be a wise investment), and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are reportedly planning to sell the confirmation that they're expecting to a magazine, with the proceeds going to charity.

In this, the first Huffington Post/Alpha Kitty video panel — where we ask members of former Seventeen editor-in-chief Atoosa Rubenstein's "video collective" to weigh in on issues in the news and popular culture — Alpha Kitties respond to the question: How do you feel about celebrities pimping out their babies? — Danny Shea, Huffington Post


Alpha Kitty founder (and soon-to-be new mom!) Atoosa Rubenstein:

Alpha Kitty Atoosa Rubenstein discusses celebrities who sell their baby shots to magazines. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1426749133http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Alpha Kitty Phillipe Blond:

Alpha Kitty Phillipe Blond discusses celebrities who sell their baby shots to magazines. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1426749067http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Alpha Kitty Jill Belsley:

Alpha Kitty Jill Belsey discusses celebrities who sell their baby shots to magazines. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1425923462http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Alpha Kitty Bec Stupak:

Alpha Kitty Bec Stupak discusses celebrities who sell their baby shots to magazines. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1426749069http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Alpha Kitty is a video collective started by former Seventeen Editor in Chief Atoosa Rubenstein to give young women a voice and a platform to get their opinions heard. Atoosa wanted to use her voice and influence to create eyeballs for young women (mostly college age) so they can have a stage for their thoughts and ideas. For more information, read about Alpha Kitty in BusinessWeek or the New York Times, or visit Alpha Kitty at www.youtube.com/alphakitty.

 

Comments

[NABNYC]

04:36 PM on 02/25/2008

Oops. I guess you didn't get the memo. You're not allowed to use the word "pimp." If you do, you'll get suspended for two weeks. So for the next two weeks you will be prohibited from writing for free for any blogs. Ask David Shuster.

The word pimp is on "the" list. It's like the n word or the c word. No can use. In fact, even if someone works for a hedge fund of all slimey things. And even if that person is out on the campaign trail giving speeches supporting a corporate-­owned candidate. Even then. Can't use the word pimp.

You would have to change it for PG. It could be something like "You know, it's hard out here for a Simp." Something like that. The P word is just too too awful.

[unitron]

10:57 AM on 02/25/2008

Unless they're putting chrome mudflaps and curb feelers on the kids, the phrase is "whoring out", although "exploitin­g" says what you mean just fine.

[melann830]

03:58 AM on 02/24/2008

They are being paid to introduce their babies to the public in magazines so that they do not have to endure the unsafe practice of being hounded with their babies in the manner Brittney Spears was harrassed. I wonder if any of the paparazzi offered to hold the bottle of water for her when she almost stumbled on the street juggling her baby and the bottle of water all while trying to escape paparazzi? If paparazzi wants to photograph them its all fair, but I say off limits to endangerin­g a child's safety for their selfish pursuits. Go J-LO and Christina Aguilera.

[Kungfublood]

07:53 PM on 02/23/2008

Well and good when you start printing how Moses 'pimped' out the ten Commandmen­ts and Mahatma Gandhi 'Pimped' for peace.

[KarenZipdrive]

12:17 PM on 02/23/2008

Making a baby is pretty simple. Celebritie­s who are paid megabucks to showcase their little miracles on the covers of pop magazines are simply cashing in because the money is there for the taking.
People wonder what the offspring of a good looking celebrity will look like.
There's a market for it, plain and simple.

[EBennett]

12:42 AM on 02/23/2008

The word "exploit" conveys similar meaning without being so crass.

[totalliberal]

12:23 AM on 02/23/2008

Do you actually understand the meaning of the word 'Pimping", or do you have the unique ability to change the English language when it suites you?

BTW, pimping a car means decorating it in the style that a pimp would like.

[NicoleAnonymous]

05:31 PM on 02/22/2008

1)Please stop using the word "pimp" in this context. It's really lame when white women who didn't grow up in poverty or on the streets use it. A "pimp" is a man who takes advantage of women who are usually living in horrible poverty and who don't have wealthy parents or a support system to help them. A white woman who has her hair styled for her ob-gyn appointmen­t because she is filming herself and her “finance” husband probably doesn’t know what a “pimp” is. I think the word “exploit” would work better.

2) If you bring a camera to your ob-gyn office then you have some serious problems.Y­ou could try medication but narcissist­s usually deny they have a problem so I doubt you will do that. You and your husband think you’re being funny but you both just come off as pathetic and lame.

3) I know this is mean and I usually don’t like to insult people especially women but you really have the same “serial killer” eyes as Cindy McCain and it’s scaring me.

4) Obviously celebritie­s who sell pictures of their children are doing it for publicity even when they give it to charity. We all know that but usually it’s done by celebritie­s whose music or acting careers are fading, they haven’t had a hit record or movie for awhile, and they need the publicity. They’re exploiting their children to help their careers.

[Burnsey]

02:45 PM on 02/22/2008

I'd rather the celebrety make the money for the first pictures of their children rather than the paparazzi. If they want to use the money for the childs future or for a charity then it's a heck of a lot better than some crazy photog who could possibly harm the child or any other innocent bystander in their assinine attempts to get "the shot".

[Fairfloss]

02:39 PM on 02/22/2008

I wish some one would have paid for pictures of my newborns. Not only could I have used the money, but I would have had some pictures of them.
My youngest, she is number five, thinks she is adopted. By the time she was born, I was tired of the whole picture thing. So I have no pictures of her until she started school.
You know the whole flash thing, scaring babies.
So what, most celebritie­s babies are homely any way.

[Fairfloss]

02:38 PM on 02/22/2008

I wish some one would have paid for pictures of my newborns. Not only could I have used the money, but I would have had some pictures of them.
My youngest, she is number five, thinks she is adopted. By the time she was born, I was tired of the whole picture thing. So I have no pictures of her until she started school.
You know the whole flash thing, scaring babies.
So what, most celebritie­s babies are homely any way.

[hopeless277]

01:52 PM on 02/22/2008

I say put 'em on tour with a tent and a band and tigers and elephants! Write 'em a rap song and get dancers. If Paula can do it, anyone can.