By Lyzz Repa
Over the weekend I received an email from my Editor asking if I would consider writing about some Haitian Pop culture and current events. At first I wanted to say no. Thing is if you haven’t already figured it out from previous posts, I don’t do well in shades of gray. It’s either black or white with me, rarely any middle ground (It is one of my best and worst qualities, I know this). I have very strong opinions and my way of saying them aren’t exactly for the faint of heart. Then again, you’ve been reading this column for quite some time (thank you) and haven’t complained. So maybe you could handle my two cents on current events and pop culture (mostly Haitian). Just maybe. Either way I needed assurance, so I called my WHubby (What’s – App Hubby. Stay with it). We both agreed that I’d end up with people either really getting into this Column or I’d be hated. Either one was fine with me, but between you and me I’d prefer the first one. After much ego boost, only a WHubby can provide, which took a whole of five minutes I emailed my editor and said “sure why not”. To help me out she suggested maybe discussing Jason Derulo getting his own Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, somewhere between 21 and 35 years old or simply just have way better things to do/learn you are aware of Madame Tussauds Wax Museums. What you may not know is originally Marie Tussauds (the originator) created wax sculptures of prominent victims of the French Revolution and “famous” people such as Lord Nelson. Now, if you don’t know who he is let me kindly direct you to google or Wikipedia (after you finish reading this of course). Somewhere along the way, I’d guess after she died the company started making figures of what we call “Celebrities”. I am not complaining. It is entertaining. However, I have always associated the company to be similar to having a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (well, that was before I learned you could actually buy your way into the cement) it demanded that you had reach a certain level within your field of choice. Seems like I may be mistaken.
Nothing against Jason Derulo, but I don’t see A – Status Celebrity achievement for him, yet. He may very well be on his way, but he hasn’t reached his peek. And that isn’t an insult, in fact that is a compliment. If you’ve been in this industry for a while and are still in your twenties, I’d hope you reach your peak in another 20 years. That isn’t to say you should remain stagnant in the time being. Jason receiving his own Wax seems rushed, it is too soon. Why should you be “immortalized” when you’ve only had one Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit (for a song that was sampled – he does that a lot by the way. Again, not an insult, it is an art he has mastered and does quite well), but you’ve released four (five if you count the album he re-release) albums? Some would argue that having a #1 isn’t all that anyway because he’s sold millions of albums and accumulated some awards and a lot of wealth. To that I say: So? There are many drug dealers out there who have accumulated millions and a great mass of wealth, am I to congratulate them as well? I didn’t think so.
I am sure the guy is great, I don’t know him personally so that is an assumption and someone once told me about making assumptions. He doesn’t come on my radar as an artist to watch for as he seems to fit most of the stereotypes of a young black entertainer. I don’t look out for him as a Haitian – American Artist either, as he doesn’t claim himself to be a Haitian – American artist. Heck, even his Wikipedia page doesn’t state so. Somewhere on the page it says born to Haitian Parents. That’s all. That being said I don’t consider him Haitian Pop Culture within American Borders. Before you go and say he doesn’t have control over his Wiki page let me inform you that his own website makes no mention of it either. He does his good deeds behind closed door, hence why he doesn’t rep Haiti? Well if it is behind closed door then I don’t know about it. And if I don’t know about it, it didn’t happen. Wait – He does openly support eight or nine charities proudly. You know what? This is not a how much of an Haitian Artist/Supporter/Proud-Member are you article, but rather one about how I feel about him getting his own wax so let me get back to it.
Lyzz, how do you feel about Jason Derulo getting his own Wax figure at Madame Tussauds? Whatever!
PS: Here are a few people I believe their wax figures were premature or unnecessary: Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, One Direction etc.