In the '50s and '60s, we witnessed a new kind of celebrity. They were young, wild, reckless and all hung around together. This group consisted of the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis Jr. The world was entranced by them and their antics and dubbed them "The Rat Pack."
In the 80's, we saw a resurgence of this trend in Hollywood when new it-celebrities such as Demi Moore, Robe Lowe, Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson were crowned as members of "The Brat Pack" by writer David Blum. They lived up to their name by taking on mostly teen roles in John Hughes movies and living it up in the me-decade with extra-curricular activities like snorting coke on the side. The '90s tried to take on actors like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (and later, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and the Wilson brothers) as something called "The Frat Pack," but the name didn't really stick.
The '00s didn't offer a new title for their new crop of reigning celebs. It was a new decade and new stars had emerged that were more obnoxious than ever -- catty girls that were in the tabloids more than they were actually working (if they even had talent or jobs, that is). Most of them were reality star fly by nights, with their biggest contribution to society being who they were backstabbing or what they were wearing and in some cases -- what they weren't wearing (like panties).
Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears encompassed what I will now call "The Cat Pack" -- a group of catty girls with minimal-to-no talent that were basically all about either destroying each other, destroying themselves, or making the biggest asshole out of themselves possible to get attention. They have been the most grating celebrities to ever take on true fame in the history of Hollywood and for a while showed a sad decline in our nation's intelligence.
It is sad to say that the girls from "Two Girls, One Cup" had more to offer this world as far as celebrities go than these girls do.
Now, I understand that Lindsay and Britney are troubled -- and believe me -- I wish them all the best. And Nicole Richie has at least come a long way. And in truth? I feel sorry for Paris that her friends use her the way they do. (Oh, were you waiting for me to say something good about the succubuses that are Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga? Keep holding your breath.) But, this isn't even about their talent, or lack thereof -- or even their work ethic. Not even the fact that they are facing tragedy has anything to do with it. As time has shown with the previous packs, the world loves a troubled star.
Here is why these girls are truly horrible role models:
They don't stick by their pack.
These are a bunch of catty bitches that will do anything for fame and success -- even if it means ripping apart their "friend" to do so. What kind of example is that for other girls? They see celebrities who are tight friends one day and then ripping into each other through social media the next... over what? Twitter fans? Does it really matter who's better, Britney or Gaga? They both suck. It's like that moment on Friends when Pheobe is upset that Ross isn't appreciated in his own time and Monica simply tells Pheobe, "You suck too, Pheobs."
Is there really so much of a difference between "Ga, Ga...Oo-la-la," and whatever crap Britney is turning out? And the fact that Madonna -- a 56-year-old woman, is getting in on that hateful action and insulting these girls? Hasn't she learned any tact in her 30-year career?
So, now a new decade comes along offering a whole bunch of new faces -- Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Vanessa Hudgens and, of course, Miley Cyrus. I will now officially call them "The @Pack" (a title I am very proud to come up with) as they take on the social media world by storm. Everything is a Twitter, a Tumblr, an Instagram or a Facebook like -- and it's harder than ever to stay relevant. And all these girls ever hear from the world is what bad role models they are.
Whether it be their stints in rehab, their experimenting with drugs, their boy troubles, or their openness with their sexuality, the world has them under a microscope. They can't make one wrong move without it becoming a meme. It is harder than ever to grow up nowadays, and it's definitely harder than ever to do so in front of the world.
And here's the amazing thing: These girls are all handling it pretty damn well. Yes, they slip up. Yes, they have problems. Yes, they're not perfect. But, all in all, they are trying their best and going to work every day and doing their jobs (which is more you can say for half of the girls in the pack before them).
But, beyond that, and more importantly -- these girls are good role models. You know why?
Because they have each other's backs.
"The @Pack" is not like "The Cat Pack." They are not looking to tear each other down at every move. They are supporting one another and building each other up. This is the most amazing group of girlfriends I have ever seen in my life.
Most females boast how they "can't get along with other girls" and how girls "just cause drama." They look for excuses to talk bad about their friends. In the world of "The @Pack", the boys have proven to be inconsequential as when they break up with one of the members (like Justin Bieber with Selena Gomez, or Zac Efron with Vanessa Hudgens), they are exiled and have less of a chance of reaching the glass ceiling the girls are setting.
Their world is a strong feminist world where girls set the rules and show the boys that they have an easier time crossing over into grown-up roles than they do. All five females have reached mountains of success post child-star days, where Zac Efron, Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Lautner, the One Direction boys and others have had a much harder time.
And their friendships have been proven time and time again. Like when a reporter tried to dig for dirt on Miley Cyrus on the red carpet with Demi Lovato, and Demi quickly put her in her place stating;
"That's my friend. You're not going to get me to talk bad about her."
When Twitter wars break out between the stars fan-bases, the girls have been known regularly to stand up for one another and even tell off their own fans to support the other girls. Miley Cyrus has even went as far as to launch a tweet that said in defense of the others;
"Everyday someone with a Swift or Gomez in [their] name wishes terrible things upon me (death is popular), Please Smilers don't ever think somehow you are supporting me by being hateful towards other artist. My fans make me proud by supporting my music & everything I do. I'm sure these haters would make their idols much happier tweeting bout their music rather than wishing death upon their peers like psychos. Btw I'm not saying Smilers can't act cray cray too. #deaththreats #TOOOOFAR. We are all friends. Why can't you all be?"
And when the amazingly talented Lorde (who is younger than the girls, and not really a member of their inner circle) had insulted Selena Gomez and one of her songs, Selena took it in stride, taking the high road, stating;
"She doesn't really like me, but that's all right. Her name's Lorde and she's really cool. I mean, I do think her message is very powerful. She's very young but she's got a lot to say and that's great, so more power to her."
She is only a few years older than Lorde (nowhere near the age difference between Gaga and Madonna), and she's not insulting the girl. She's applauding her and celebrating her and wishing her the best. This is a girl who is so poised and wise beyond her years.
This is a role model.
So, so what if they may smoke? So what if they like to dress provocatively at times? How many girls out there work this hard and stand by their friends like this? They definitely beat out their predecessors.
As far as their troubles go -- whether it be anorexia, drug problems or boy problems or whatever -- feel sorry for them, but reserve your judgments. Not one of them are trying to put forth some image of perfection. They are unfortunately facing a universe where they can't even trust a friend because they have to fear being at this person's house and having them snap some kind of incriminating picture of them on their phone. Every fear you have is magnified times a million for these kids. And not one of these young ladies hide from their mistakes. They are honest and forthright and make no qualms about telling the world that they're human- which is not an easy thing to do.
And as for their clothing choices? So they are a bunch of girls who are all over 18 who like to look a little sexy at times... good. I would much rather that than a pathetic girl with low self-esteem who needs attention so bad that she has to walk around in a meat dress or an egg.
So, when it's all said and done, "The @Pack" is actually the best group of role models thus far. For all the people who want to bash them, Hollywood actually needs more young class acts like these.
Keep standing by each other, girls. #The@pack