For years, actors and musicians having been attempting the infamous crossover, where they momentarily leave their old profession behind, and dip their toes in the cool waters of another. Singers staring in bad movies, movie stars putting out bad albums: does it ever really work? Does the actress ever really gain more fame, fortune, and respect after releasing that one record? Does the musician ever live down that awful attempt at a romantic comedy?
Let’s review. In the recent past, we have witnessed crossovers from Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Hillary Duff, Paris Hilton, and many more. If I was the masochistic type, I could look back decades and find even better (or worse) crossovers. While some of these celebrities have attempted the crossover successfully, like Justin and J-Lo, most of these individuals have swept that mistake under the rug and moved on.
However, I would like to think that this sort of thing is possible. Those talented folks on Broadway can sing, dance and act. Why is it that we so rarely accept that other famous people have that same ability?
On May 20, we shall get another shot at figuring that out. On this fateful date, shining starlet Scarlett Johanson is due to release her first album, titled “Anywhere I Lay My Head.” The album is comprised of mostly Tom Waits covers, with one original song.
There has been a considerable amount of buzz about this record, most of which is positive, in a backwards sort of way. Many of the articles, like the ones at New York Magazine and Buzzsugar, have headlines like “Dammit, Scarlett Johanson’s album might be good.” This is just further proof that we are already hard wired to dismiss a celebrity crossover, assuming that it must be bad.
From the public relations perspective, the crossover is a double-edged sword. On one side, you have the die-hard fans that will buy anything their idol produces, regardless of quality. It’s an easy way to make some cash and further exploit mindless consumers, and possibly the innocent celebrity that believes it when her agent says, “of course you have a beautiful voice!”
On the other side, if the crossover fails, which it often does, the backlash can result in a PR crisis. The celebrity gets torn apart by the media, and usually loses some credibility in their original field. No one likes a show off with one too many hands in the cookie jar.
Fortunately, the Johanson crossover may be able to break away from the rest. The bar is set considerably higher for her, but I think she’s going to be able to reach it. If she does, she will become an even more credible and respectable celebrity than she already is.
Scarlett, I wish you well in your upcoming release. May your songs be heard by all, and your honor preserved. May your example start a new era of crossover success, and be remembered for years to come. The entertainment world will forever be changed!
Oops, I think I got a little carried away. But really, we should give her a shot. And if she fails, we will join the angry mob and rip her apart. Either way, bloggers win!
