KissaBoo

The Sexiest Woman in the World (circa 1999)

While I don't think Rebecca Gayheart is [or was] the sexiest woman in the world (I know who is, but I'm not telling), Maxim did name her that in 1999. Here's a link - tell me if there is a better one, but Maxim apparently started their site index in 2000.

She made the news a couple of days ago when links to some topless pictures of her on a beach were posted on Volkomenkunt as reported on NY Post's Page 6 as mentioned on Salon.

Babelfish did a horrible job of translating the German website, so I have no idea what the name of the site means or what was said on it - thus don't blame me, of course. Sadly, Germans make better web sites than I do.

Why did I bother posting this story?

First, I find it humorous that this story was even reported in a newspaper in the first place (not that the Post is the most respected journal in the world). While it would be interesting to discuss the issues of image and privacy, I fear that is not what the gossip column was doing. Perhaps she should be arrested for public indecency in the same vain as the Nebraska coed.

Second, how and why does the Post mention Volkomenkunt? Though I can't decipher what is posted, I believe Volkomenkunt doesn't understand why it was mentioned either. Besides the question of how the writer came across this site, why bother mentioning it when all it does it link to another site? The only reason I can think of is that its a subtle attempt to connect to the photos with minimal legal entanglement. There are already several other sites on the web that have the pictures.

Third, while it is totally immature reaction for human beings to possess, if you are a celebrity in public and I have my camera, then there is a high probability that the urge to take your picture is going to win. I don't know why - they are just normal human beings, but their image has become part of our shared experience. Beware of the camera phone. (and admittedly the beach she was on was probably not "public", but less not split hairs)

Now I have no idea what Rebecca thinks about these photos and stories, but hopefully she doesn't care and doesn't understand what the big deal is. What a non-story this would be in another culture. If she is embarrassed by them, then the paparazzi has won.

Posted by boo at January 3, 2004 02:45 AM | TrackBack