Filed under: Celebrity News, Dr. Boyce Money
There is an added complication to consider, in addition to being curious about the family dynamic that occurs around the dinner table when your daughter announces that she's going to be in a dirty movie. The complication arises from the professional motivations surrounding Montana's explanation for her odd decision: She felt that having a sex tape would help to boost her career, and even got encouragement from Kim Kardashian, who has a famous sex tape of her own.
OK, so let me get this straight: The daughter of a world famous actress, rather than using the powerful connections of her father, decides that making a dirty movie might help her to get a big break in Hollywood? Whoa.
Career advice 101: While I've never been in a Hollywood production myself, most of us have seen the trouble that former porn stars have in making their way to mainstream films. Don't get me wrong, perhaps there's a chance: Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton have done quite well for themselves (but not necessarily in film). I honestly don't think that this is the recommended career route for aspiring young superstars.
Secondly, I would imagine that there is something deeper going on here. Perhaps Larry (oh, sorry, Laurence) and Montana have unresolved issues, and the sex tape is her way to get back at her father or at least show that she doesn't care what he or anyone else thinks. Perhaps this is a job for Dr. Phil.
Third, I am also reminded of the gender bias issue that makes the consequences for producing a sex tape so much greater for women than they are for men. We still live in a society that doesn't seem all that interested in allowing women to be completely liberated with their sexuality. But does that make Lil Kim into a hero or something else?
Finally, in terms of career-building, one has to wonder just how much we should all be willing to sacrifice in order to find our way to fame and fortune. I have friends who are famous, and I sometimes believe that many of them paid a price that was entirely too high in order to get there. In fact, I argue that anyone who is willing to do almost anything in order to become famous may consider finding alternative paths to self-validation. Society does not give you your self-worth by recognizing your achievements. Ultimately, your self-worth and personal fulfillment must come from a place inside.
Bottom line: I wonder if Montana Fishburne realizes that if you make a sex tape at the age of 19, it's still going to be around when you're forty. Her grand children will know about all of her achievements, good, bad and otherwise.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.