Hayley in the newspaper

[socalboy]

milewalker said:

Getting this back on thread - Howard feels that Hayley needs more exposure. Hayley evidently agrees, or at least did as of last year.
There was an interview from New Zealand - probably about a year ago where the topic came up, and Jill Westenra told us that Hayley had actually tried to get some tabloid coverage in the UK.

It isnt impossible (Enya comes to mind) - but I would be very greatly surprised if Hayley's career progresses very far beyond where it is without some degree of coverage that I rather suspect that many people here wouldnt wish to see. For the record, i dont wish to see it either - but as Hayley herself said several years ago "It's part of the territory, isnt it?

Yes indeed, and speaking only for the States, the day that Hayley has to worry about someone in the media taking her down a couple of notches will be a grand day for me. No American paparazzi is going to get rich by trashing Hayley Westenra now because there isn’t a sufficient reputation here worth trashing......yet. The press is never interested until someone has something substantial to lose. So something else has to happen first. The big album or – perhaps more likely – the big movie title song followed by a boffo performance at the Oscars. First we fall in love with her. Then the media ritual of “gotcha” begins. Sad but true.

But I say she can handle whatever comes her way. It may have been the same interview that Jon just alluded to in which Hayley said she was a tough chick. I believe her.

[martindn]

Jon,

Yes, this is the fear I have. Some artists, Charlotte Church comes to mind although I may be doing her a disservice since this is pure speculation, appears to have had moments of "bad behaviour" deliberately solely for the purpose of getting her name in the papers.
It seems the readers of the tabloid press love to see someone they think should have high moral standards humbled. They love to discredit church people (no pun intended) and clergy, and remember Britney was once seen as a clean living girl as was Charlotte. Perhaps they like to think that this excuses their own lapses, and it reinforces their own prejudice that anyone who seems to be clean living is a hypocrite. . Such things sell papers, so a lot of artists who should and perhaps do know better play then game, and get free publicity as a result.
Look at Amy Winehouse, who is in the papers nearly every day, and has won award after award. I happen to think that Amy is talented at what she does, but I would hate to think that Hayley had to go to those extremes to achieve the success her talent and hard work deserve.
But I don't think it would work with Hayley. With Hayley, her voice is everything, and it is a beautiful and fragile instrument that would be damaged by a so-called "rock and roll" lifestyle with drink, drugs, smoking, throwing up in the gutter etc. Hayley we know takes care of her voice, takes care with her diet and I just can't see her ever going wild like Britney or Amy. If she did, she would destroy everything she has worked so hard for, and dedicated her life for. I'm sure she knows that.
The thing is I think Hayley appeals to a different sort of person, those who love music that is spiritually uplifting, or emotionally moving, rather than simply sexy or danceable to, or even intellectual. Perhaps people of more discerning tastes don't read the tabloids anyway. But I'm stereotyping here, and am on dodgy ground IMO, so if you choose to lambast me for that you will be justified.

Martin

[milewalker]

Hi Martin,

What I was trying to say - perhaps unclearly - is that there is a middle road occupied by most stars. Hayley clearly doesnt get enough coverage - so as SocialBoy says - some things must change in the US before this is even an issue here. However, Britney et al - get too much - for one thing, Hayley will almost certainly never be as big as they are - nor do I really wish her to be.

You can be interesting to the media and not fall down. This is not to say it is without risk - because if one is being watched closely enough - sooner or later most people will say or do something they regret when they find it in print. It has even happened at that level to Josh Groban. He handled the gaffe appropriately enough in my opinion so it never went past a certain point - but yes there are risks to anyone who has a higher profile.

Having said this I suspect that someone like Hayley may actually be uniquely capable of handling the fallout.

--------
While the things you say about the people Hayley appeals to were probably true at one time, I suspect this is already changing. You only have to study the commentary on You Tube to see this. I cant post some of what they say here - though in my opinion it is harmless enough. Suffice it to say that within the past year a number of young men have become aware of Hayley for somewhat different reasons. One of the reasons for this was the video game btw.

Jon

PS - I am not going to discuss CC here for obvious reasons - except to say that I personally interpreted the events a bit differently.

[petertong]

Hi Martin,

I wonder if anyone has got the demographic on Hayley fans? Are most of us over 30? I'd be curious to see what the curve would look like.

martindn said:

I'm sure she knows that.
The thing is I think Hayley appeals to a different sort of person, those who love music that is spiritually uplifting, or emotionally moving, rather than simply sexy or danceable to, or even intellectual. Perhaps people of more discerning tastes don't read the tabloids anyway. But I'm stereotyping here, and am on dodgy ground IMO, so if you choose to lambast me for that you will be justified.

Martin

[Richard]

Hello everybody.

I agree with Grant that enough has been said on this subject now. The discussion seems to be going round in circles, so I'm locking this thread.

Richard