Lady Gaga
The entertainment world dotes on performers who sing well and are lovely to look at besides— hence the fame and fortune it’s bestowed through the years on iconic singing stars like Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Lena Horne, Dorothy Lamour, Deanna Durbin, Dorothy Dandridge and Diana Ross.
In the ’60s, however, a new development was the introduction of chanteuses with great voices but less than perfect looks, as exemplified by the unexpected ascent to fame of Barbra Streisand—and, in her wake, Bette Midler.
These days, Barbra is regarded as a beauty, but when she first started her career in musical theater, she was faulted for her “Jewish” nose, which some beauty “experts” found too prominent and even dominant to be “classically” pleasing.
Soon enough, however, Barbra made such a vivid mark on the performing scene that, after she was repackaged, restyled and photographed by the “transformative” likes of Richard Avedon, she became a new hallmark and touchstone for beauty—with a capital B!
As for her unique nose, it ceased to be regarded as a defect or distraction, and became her “signature” feature.
Along with her long, swanlike neck, it made her stand out as a neo-Nefertiti, especially in an iconic TV musical special that Barbra devotees and idolators remember to this day.
Next to redefine stellar beauty in a major way is Lady Gaga, who a scant decade ago was dismissed as a plain Jane who did her best to distract attention from her flawed features by shocking onlookers with gimmicks galore, like “extraterrestrial” costumes, outlandish props, bizarre make-up—and performance outfits made out of animal flesh.
Shock tactics
Of late, however, Gaga has opted to dispense with most of her shock tactics, and make her mark more on talent alone. A veritable platoon of brilliant stylists has helped her pull off that career-redefining feat, with the help of astute handlers who have swung major showcases for her, like televised awards shows viewed by many millions.
Right after Lady Gaga successfully reinvented herself, the latest tweak and twerk on the traditional concept of stellar “beauty” have just been effected by the even more radically different singer, Sia—whose unique gimmick is the total obliteration of her face, which is hidden behind a huge wig.
Her gimmick calls to mind the Mystery Singer of the ’50s and Veronica Lake, with one eye covered by her long, flowing hair. —But, Sia’s taken it a step farther with her total “disappearance.”
Her unconventional “packaging” has had its desired effect, making fans intensely curious about her identity and true persona.
Is she so plain that she’s beyond style mavens’ phenomenal ministrations? Or, will the day come for Sia to finally, dramatically be “unveiled,” to the entire “peeping” planet’s amazement?
The answer to that key question has yet to come—but, this early, Sia has already joined Barbra and Gaga in a tantalizing triumvirate that has radically revised—the very essence and definition of stellar Beauty!