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Home » Blogs » Karman Kregloe's blog » Beth Ditto sounds off

Beth Ditto sounds off

by
Karman Kregloe

The impending release of the Gossip's new cd, Music For Men, on June 22 indicates a win-win situation for us all. First, we get a new Gossip CD! Second, it means frontwoman Beth Ditto will be doing lots of publicity for the release, and she always has something interesting (and usually funny) to say.

Of course, the more scandalous quotes always get the most attention, and we're seeing that play out with Ditto's comments about singer Katy Perry. News outlets are rushing to report what she recently said to UK gay magazine Attitude, which included calling Perry's hit "I Kissed A Girl" a “boner dyke” anthem for “straight girls who like to turn guys on by making out or like faking gay.”

Ditto went even further, proclaiming:

I hate Katy Perry! She’s offensive to gay culture, I’m so offended. She’s just riding on the backs of our culture, without having to pay any of the dues and not being actually lesbian or anything at all. She’s on the cover of a f---ing gay magazine.

Another stop on the publicity rounds included an interview with ClashMusic.com, in which Ditto discussed the making of the Gossip's first album in three years (and their first major label release) and her own emotional makeup.

On the title of the new CD:

I think people who are really down are really gonna think it’s funny, or they’re really gonna get it. It’s really ironic, but it’s really true; I think the idea of making a feminist record for men is really cool. Because we already know that we’re oppressed — men need to know that we’re oppressed.

On being perceived as an angry person:

I’m not angry. No, I always think that people think that women in music are always angry. I’m not angry. Rock ‘n’ roll music made by men is so much more over-the-top aggressive than when a women says ‘you’ and they’re screaming it, it’s like, ‘Oh my God!’ I’m like, ‘Have you heard rock music made by men?’ I always think that’s really interesting. I think if you ever met me you’d be like, ‘That person is not angry.’

On battling depression:

I think when you think about what the odds are for human beings, I think it honestly gets a bit depressing. I was just in another interview and he was telling me about this American radio guy called Michael [Savage] who’s like super right-wing and people are obsessed with him. I was like, you know, I don’t get as sad that that guy has a radio show as I do that there are people listening to it that are totally into it. I think that those things really make me sad — they honestly affect my daily life.

On the therapeutic power of making music:

I don’t try to think of the end of the world the way other people do because I spent so much of my childhood thinking about the end of the world and I don’t want to do that anymore. But a lot of people do and that gets me down. I also think that just existing is really sad; I don’t know if that’s chemical or what but yeah, I’ve had a couple of nervous breakdowns in my life. Totally fine. Not a biggie. But it’s all changed. I’m always like: ‘When’s the next one gonna be?’ (Laughs) But it’s been really strange because making music has really helped it.

Not limiting herself to the topics of music and mental health, Ditto recently talked to Black Book Magazine about one fashion and beauty.

On whether she's helped redefine the concept of beauty:

Girls in general have really nice things to say — especially big girls. It’s mostly men who aren’t as open. I think men fear me sometimes. I played in Greece last summer and, I swear, when I went into the crowd, people actually ran away from me. But things like that make me really happy. You make a decision: if you are going to participate in the music industry and put yourself out there, you have to know that it’s all full of sh--.

On what she'll wear when she marries her partner, Freddie:

I’ve thought about the dress! That’s all I want. I’d want a traditional dress, you know, like the Vivienne Westwood gown in the Sex and the City movie. Amazing! Traditional, but completely crazy.

And finally, the question that's been haunting us all:

If "everyone was really drunk and there were no social inhibitions whatsoever," would Ditto rather make out with Michelle Obama or Madonna?

I wouldn’t make out with either one of them. I’m not really attracted to feminine. I only like butch.

Say what you will about Beth Ditto, but at least she's consistent.

Will you buy the new Gossip CD when it's released at the end of this month?

  • Karman Kregloe's blog
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    • Submitted by
    Karman Kregloe
    on June 3, 2009 - 1:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    Tasha613's picture

    The Indomitable Ditto

    Submitted by
    Tasha613 (12 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 1:41pm.

    Will I buy the CD when it comes out?!?  Will I?!??!!!

    Emmm, yes.  Yes I will.

    Gossip Rocks!

     

    Riot out.

    BritishLily 's picture

    I freakin' love this woman!

    Submitted by
    BritishLily (307 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 1:45pm.

    I freakin' love this woman! Seriously. <3

    I'll definitely be checking out their new album for sure.

    Brutal_Romance's picture

    *bows to Ditto*

    Submitted by
    Brutal_Romance (384 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 2:09pm.

    i hate hate hate hate HATE Perry, and to hear that she played at Dinah was like getting a tight slap from a freind.

    she is offensive, exploitative and just plain whorish, i dont even know if she can sing, all i do the second she comes up anywhere is leave the room, change the channel, anything.

    thankyou Ditto for saying this, Ditto should totally slap Perry with her purse or something if she ever saw her in a fashion show, awards ceremony, or wherever celebrities meet.

    Ari's picture

     God..i LoVe her so much.

    Submitted by
    Ari (103 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 2:30pm.

     God..i LoVe her so much. She's pure genius and i seriously can't wait for the album to be released in Italy. Anyway..she looks amazing on the cover of Attitude, love her new haircut..and i really want to see her wedding dress..i'm sure it's gonna be amazing ^.^

    Lakshmi is my homegirl <3

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    "Boner dyke"

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on June 3, 2009 - 2:48pm.

    Note to self: must use this phrase in the near future.

    She's looking very Karen O these days. Not sure how I feel about this.

    Moleskine dreams

    Lunakiss's picture

    Why Of Course I'll Buy The Gossip

    Submitted by
    Lunakiss (2079 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 7:08pm.

    album when it drops.  She gave the best F quote of the week:

     a “boner dyke” anthem for “straight girls who like to turn guys on by making out or like faking gay.”

    I Heart Beth Ditto.  She's A M-F Goddess who's rockin her s&^t!

    *Smiles*

     

    Arneneithel's picture

    Love her quote on Perry. :')

    Submitted by
    Arneneithel (55 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 3:29pm.
    Love her quote on Perry. :')
    H.'s picture

    am i the only person

    Submitted by
    H. (279 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 4:06pm.

    who thinks that beth ditto's 'pride' of her image is a damaging view of body size? she's not a healthy size. i think she should be condemned just as much as the size 0 models that are constantly, constantly slated. if not more so. tbh, i think it's a very unfair double standard and one that's been narking me for quite a while.

    http://www.myspace.com/good_souls

    celestial's picture

    Really?

    Submitted by
    celestial (6 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 11:16pm.

    Were Beth's medical records posted somewhere? Do you know the status of her health or are you making a gigantic assumption based on the fallacy that all fat people are unhealthy? Society tells us that fat is not okay and beth doesn't buy into it. I think you are just attempting to condemn her for actually liking hersef as a fat person.

    H.'s picture

    great for beth.

    Submitted by
    H. (279 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 1:36am.

    for not 'buying into society'. unfortunately, i think society's right.

    yes, in this case i am making an assumption. but i don't think its an unair one. i don't think its unreasonable for someone of beth's size to be classed as un healthy. i think her bmi would deffinately be in the morbidly obese category.

    maybe i'm not comfortable with the way she likes herself so much. but at the end of the day, shoot me down for this all you want, i think it comes down for fairness. if people are gonna try and stand there and tell children 'oh, those size 0 models are unhealthy. it's damaging. don't be like them.' then i think the exact same should be said for heavily overweight people. and beth ditto is glorifying an unhealthy image, in my opinion at least. same way you get kids who wanna be models, you're gonna get kids who look at her and go "screw it, beth ditto's fat and she's successful and everyone thinks that's cool...i'll do the same". it's not cool and i don't think it's right.

    http://www.myspace.com/good_souls

    KayJ's picture

    Fat's a complicated

    Submitted by
    KayJ (162 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 4:32am.

    Fat's a complicated thing.

    You're right that an unhealthy diet and lifestyle are dangerous to health, whether you're fat or thin, and we should encourage people to make healthy choices (probably condemning them for their size isn't the way to get emotionally unhealthy people to make positive changes; I'd go for making it easier for people to make healthy choices).

    I'm fat.  I eat a mostly organic, mostly wholefoods vegan diet, I don't drink alcohol or smoke, I have good portion control, I rarely eat desserts other than fruit, I walk or cycle everywhere (no car), I go to the gym - in fact, I do everything you're supposed to do to be healthy.  And I have 3 long-term chronic health conditions that I manage through my healthy lifestyle so successfully that I don't have to take the medications others in my position often have to.  My blood pressure is "perfect".  And I'm a size 20.  I come from a long line of fat women.  

    I have a friend who teaches martial arts.  She eats healthy foods, she undertakes a rigourous exercise regimen daily to keep her at a high international competitive standard.  She can kick a person standing behind her in the face from a standing start.  She's fat.

    An old family friend walked and cycled everywhere.  She taught 3 aerobics classes a week, swam twice a week, took long hikes.  Healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, more energy than you could shake a stick at.  You know what I'm going to say, right?  Right: she was fat.

    Old friend of mine, very slender.  Smokes.  Drinks heavily.  Takes drugs.  Eats crap.  Emotionally all over the place.  More health problems than you can count on two hands.  Looks slim and "healthy".

    Ex-friend of mine, very slender. Again with the smoking and heavy drinking and drugs.  Again with the crappy diet, lack of exercise, emotional problems, physical problems.  Slender, did I mention?

    So it's complicated.  And it gets more complicated when you know that the fat around your internal organs is more of a problem than fat lying under the skin:

    Experts have long known that fat, active people can be healthier than their skinny, inactive counterparts. “Normal-weight persons who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for mortality than obese persons who are active and fit,” said Dr. Steven Blair, an obesity expert at the University of South Carolina.

    For example, despite their ripples of fat, super-sized Sumo wrestlers probably have a better metabolic profile than some of their slim, sedentary spectators, Bell said. That’s because the wrestlers’ fat is primarily stored under the skin, not streaking throughout their vital organs and muscles.

    The good news is that internal fat can be easily burned off through exercise or even by improving your diet. “Even if you don’t see it on your bathroom scale, caloric restriction and physical exercise have an aggressive effect on visceral fat,” said Dr. Bob Ross, an obesity expert at Queen’s University in Canada.

    I do think that we have to overhaul our culture, our whole way of thinking, so that we foster healthy relationships with food - which is one of the most desperately emotive relationships we have -  and with our own bodies.  We need a culture in which healthy activity is the norm, and not the exception.  And we need to be more informed consumers of information about our health.

    I dislike the idea of condemning anyone for their body shape, fat, thin, or otherwise.  Media companies need to stop obsessing over celebrities' shapes, and we need to stop encouraging them by letting it go unpunished.  

    H.'s picture

    thanks kayj

    Submitted by
    H. (279 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 3:01pm.

    that was a really cool response. i know fat's a complicated thing, but i guess i probably didin't understand to the extent that you just explained. thanks for that. i guess it's cos i've never seen a fat person who hasn't gotten thinner from just not eating as much and exercising. i thought for the majority it was as cut and dry as that...i guess i stand corrected.

    i guess my annoyance with beth ditto is a part bitterness part jealousy thing. i'm a english size 12 (i dont know where you're from so i don't know what sizes mean to you) and i'm pretty much obssessed with size. i lost a lot of weight (and hopefully a lot more) by smoking, which cut my appetite (and in turn i now eat very little) and going to the gym a lot. i also cycle everywhere as well. but i'm nevvvvvvvvver happy. another 14 pounds off and i might feel differently, but for now, it's pretty much all about weight loss with me. so beth ditto? well it just annoys me that she's fat and happy is all. cos, from personal experience, being a fat child is a horrible, lonely, uncomfortable and entirely damaging stage of life. i wouldn't wish it on anyone. and i hate to think that beth ditto's size would ever be influencing on children...for their sake.

    http://www.myspace.com/good_souls

    celestial's picture

    Aww, sorry you're

    Submitted by
    celestial (6 posts)
    on June 5, 2009 - 1:57am.

    Aww, sorry you're struggling. Maybe you might enjoy reading some of these blogs:

    http://kateharding.net/2007/11/27/the-fantasy-of-being-thin/

    http://www.therotund.com/

    http://www.fatshionista.com/cms/

     

    Animadi's picture

    Wow!

    Submitted by
    Animadi (73 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 9:31pm.

    Can I say thank you!

    You are so eloquent, you really said what I was thinking.

    I <3 you!

    Jaguar's picture

    Depressing

    Submitted by
    Jaguar (77 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 7:50am.

    How is it a double standard when there are hardly any over weight people in the Music industry or in the media in general?? She's is pretty much a lone voice telling the world its ok if you don't look perfect, (societies perception of perfect that is)  just be your self, granted other people have done this too but when the person saying it has a perfect figure and looks, I just kinda think, well you´ve got plenty to be confident about so I cant relate to you.

    I think Beth is great and the confidence she has in herself is inspiring to many woman.

    I´m sorry but I found your comment to be really offensive, stating that anyone should be "condemned" because of their size is ridiculous and the size 0 models you are referring to are on TV, movies, fashion magazines, adverts and pretty much every other media outlet I can think off. How does that compare to 1 punk singer who says she´s happy with her size? And young girls and woman starving them selves so they can look like these woman isn't the same as a an over weight kid having a roll model that tells them they should love them selves as they are as unlike your insightful comment that a kid would look at Beth and see that she's fat but people think she's cool so they want to be fat too??

    Seriously??? I always makes me sad when its a woman making comments like this. Why would you not be comfortable with someone being happy with them selves??

    "As a lesbian I resent your laughter and all laughter" - Sarah Silverman

    Lauren's picture

    I heart her. She's so blunt

    Submitted by
    Lauren (327 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 4:17pm.

    I heart her. She's so blunt and it's so refreshing. 

    Go here for my view on all things lesbian: http://allthingslesbeau.blogspot.com

    Janay's picture

    LOVE HER!!!

    Submitted by
    Janay (481 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 5:05pm.

    Yeah I will definitely be snatching a copy of the new Gossip record! 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

    "I know how I was born and I know that I have no choice. I know it may not show on the color of my skin, but I know it’s in my heart and in my soul."-Sara Quin

    Julia's picture

    I've mentioned it already

    Submitted by
    Julia (275 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 5:43pm.

    I've mentioned it already in another post, I saw them live 2 weeks ago and it was amazing!!! The best concert EVER! Totally queer and fabulous crowd, lots of dancing and sweating, so much energy, I'm still high :) I love the music and I can't wait for the new album to come out.

    Lunakiss's picture

    The Gossip

    Submitted by
    Lunakiss (2079 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 7:12pm.

    I hope that they tour close to Little Rock. I'm definitely going the next time they tour.

    mythofthefront's picture

    "Now Mary what are you thinking? Mary when will you learn"

    Submitted by
    mythofthefront (109 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 8:26pm.

    I have to admit, I had no clue why Katy Perry was on the cover of a gay magazine either. I'm glad to know someone else was as offended as I was.

    -----

    The 4 winged dear with the metal tongue knows what it takes to get things done.

    shortypants's picture

    Beth Ditto on Katy Perry>>

    Submitted by
    shortypants (500 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 9:56pm.

     

    FINALLY a famous dyke said it! I was so mad at Curve for putting her (Perry) on the cover I refused to buy the issue.

    Thank you, Beth!

    Manuela's picture

    Absolutely

    Submitted by
    Manuela (178 posts)
    on June 3, 2009 - 11:45pm.
    Because i like her and the quote about perry.
    Robin's picture

    So cool!

    Submitted by
    Robin (48 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 2:16am.

    Coal to Diamonds, Girl! 

    I love her and the band.  Seems like an eternity since I last saw Gossip and even longer since I got a new album from them!!

    I don't care for Katy Perry or whatev.  Boring. No soul.  Listen to B.D. and you hear soul coming out that woman's pours. She leaves everything on stage. And then some. ;D

     

    I'm a Sagittarius -- part ass, part dude with a loaded weapon. What's not to love?  I'm pissed that Cupid got the falling in love arrow, we get the snarky, the-truth-is-gonna-hurt-arrow

    laurean's picture

    Can't wait to see her !

    Submitted by
    laurean (2 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 2:33am.
    Beth Dito and the Gossip will be playing at a French music festival early July and the following day Katy Perry will aslo be "performing". I wonder if there is a chance they meet... Wish I could be backstage !
    emptyinbetween's picture

    I guess the hating Katy

    Submitted by
    emptyinbetween (56 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 5:19am.

    I guess the hating Katy Perry is not my thing. I think she's managed to make a listenable album and she's a talented addition to the pop scene. I don't even hate "I Kissed A Girl". And I do think she's doing her part for our community by showing support and doing the things she does. And for that I cant hate her. I do hate the trend of the new barsexuals but I don't think she's to blame for this - she just sang about it. AND got people to discuss about the matter.

    ______________________________________________________

     

    Believe only half of what you see and nothing of what you hear

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Totally agree

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on June 4, 2009 - 6:55am.

    Shes doing us more good than harm...

    You lot are never happy.. How about you save your complaining for when people are out right homophobic? Suport is gona dwindle out if you carry on being so ungrateful!

    Fools.

     

    Jaguar's picture

    So we shouldn't complain

    Submitted by
    Jaguar (77 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 8:05am.

    So we shouldn't complain about anything incase we bore people with our complaining and they decide to stop supporting gay rights? That's you plan for your future is it? Keep you head down and hope things improve all by themselves?

    Do you really think I kissed a girl has anything to do with the gay community?

    Its called marketing and it worked but it has nothing to do with doing the gay community good. You should work on your self esteem a bit if you think you have to be grateful for anything with a mention of a lesbian in it, if you don't complain things don't improve.

    I kissed a girl and I liked it I hope my boyfriend don't mind it. Feel the gay pride there!!

    Fools?  

    "As a lesbian I resent your laughter and all laughter" - Sarah Silverman

    Galaxyglue's picture

    Geeez !

    Submitted by
    Galaxyglue (152 posts)
    on June 4, 2009 - 8:23am.

    Relax .... we need to lighten up.

    I kissed a  girl is a pop tune. Its catchy and thats all it is. It wasnt made to be a work of art. Its not harming anyone. I dont get the backlash against Ms. Perry either.

     Regarding Beth, if she is happy with her body thats all we need to know. Is she putting herself at risk for health issues? Probably. But lots of skinny people die early too.

     The bottom line is we have to live and let live. We are in this world for ourselves and it shoulnt matter what other people are doing with their lives- be it a song or someone's diet.  Life is short. Enjoy it.

    catia's picture

    WOw Beth

    Submitted by
    catia (8 posts)
    on June 5, 2009 - 3:41am.

    Beth Ditto, rules and she's right about kate Perry.

     

     

     

    Scream and say something

     

    Kat's picture

    katy perry

    Submitted by
    Kat (82 posts)
    on June 9, 2009 - 5:56am.

    Im sorry but i dont see a problem with Katy perrys song, its a good song i really enjoy it. She is just pointing out that many straight girls make out with others girls just to try it, get attention, or to make guy want the or what ever.

    This might be very wrong and i dont mean to offend anyone i just can't help it. the fact that more and more straight girls are open to making out with a girl, i just see that as a good thing. that just gives us more to go for. idk im really bad at explaning things i hope i made just a little sense.

     

    "You have to take the good with the bad, smile when you're sad, love what you've got and remember what you had...Always forgive but never forget, learn from your mistakes but never regret, people change, things go wrong, just remember life goes on

    Effie Fernandes's picture

    NICE

    Submitted by
    Effie Fernandes (89 posts)
    on June 9, 2009 - 11:10pm.

    Will u miss me?

    She is energetic!


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