The XX Factor: Slate women blog about politics, etc...

Delusions of Grandeur

I think it’s worth reading Ashley’s MySpace page pretty carefully. I guess I have a lot less sympathy for someone whose rent troubles seem fueled as much by delusions of grandeur as by poverty, abuse, or lack of education. If she had so much trouble paying rent, did she really need to live in Manhattan? Of course she did, because in the tradition of American Idol, if she wanted to be famous, then of course she’s a fabulous singer and that’s where she needed to be. (I don’t think I believe the anecdote about the musician and his friend bursting into the bathroom while she belts out “Respect,” either. When does that really happen?). She couldn’t possibly have lived anywhere else more affordable? Come on.

I’m not sure where I come down on prostitution, so I don’t begrudge her the choice. But I don’t think she’s necessarily a victim in all this, having made the choice to go with prostitution rather than, say, waitressing or one of the other myriad jobs women slugging it out everywhere take to get by.