Singers Who Were Stalked: Nobody is Untouchable (Stalking Awareness Month)

Singers Who Were Stalked: Nobody is Untouchable (Stalking Awareness Month)

We're all vulnerable
Lindsey Daggett
Lindsey Daggett Jan 15, 2018
225
views

January is Stalking Awareness Month. I've already wrote about stalking last January (https://www.theodysseyonline.com/january-is-stalki...), and it doesn't hurt to keep talking about this terrifying crime. In my first article about the case, I discussed how laws have changed and how anybody, civilians or celebrities, can be a victim. This week, I'm going to discuss singers that you may not know have been stalking victims. Anybody can be a victim including singers, especially with lack of privacy we have today.

Amy Lee (Evanescence):

Lead singer of Evanescence, Amy has a gift for creating dark music. One song in particular, "Snow White Queen", is especially dark because of its personal history. The song talks about both a stalker and the victim:

"You'll never know
The way your words have haunted me
I can't believe you'd ask these things of me
You don't know me now or ever


.

You belong to me
My snow white queen
There's nowhere to run...

"

Amy revealed that for months she was stalked and hid out in a hotel instead of staying in her home because she was afraid of her stalker. The title of the song is how Amy's looks have been compared to Snow White, and her username, and how stalking makes one feel worshipped, in a disturbed way, like a queen.

Snow White Queen:


Björk:

Icelandic superstar Björk was stalked by Ricardo López for nine months. López started stalking Björk by sending her multiple letters to her, then filmed a video diary of himself preparing to send a bomb to her house. The video diary ended with him shooting himself in the mouth. Thankfully the bomb was tracked down before it could reach Björk. What started out as an innocent celebrity crush, turned deadly when López found out Björk was in a relationship. The videos have since been publicized. Björk sent flowers and a sympathy card to López's family but admitted the incident scared her where she wasn't sleeping, even causing her to move.


Selena:

Mexican sensation Selena's career was sadly cut short. In the midst of up and coming success, the star had opened two boutiques in her native Texas. The boutique manager? The president of her fan club, and close friend, Yolanda Saldívar. What started out as a great friendship turned lethal and dark. Saldívar was mishandling the money from the boutiques and fan club, using the money for her own needs, driving a wedge between Saldívar, Selena, and Selena's family. What nobody knew was Saldívar was obsessed with Selena: her house covered in posters of the singer, Saldívar doing everything to please Selena, even being rude to whoever tried to get close to her idol and even having keys to Selena's house. When Selena confronted Saldívar on the missing money, Saldívar shot Selena in the back. Selena bled out before reaching the hospital. Saldívar is now serving a life sentence. Selena's tragic death is a cautionary tale of being too trusting, even those close to us.

Selena's death recreated in the 1997 movie Selena (beautifully portrayed by Jennifer Lopez):

Paula Abdul:

During the Season 5 auditions for American Idol, judge Paula Abdul came face to face with a longtime stalker, Paula Goodspeed. After being rejected, Paula said Goodspeed's stalking escalated, even Goodspeed following Paula home after a different set of auditions. Goodspeed wrote multiple letters to Paula, some confessing her undying love for the singer and some threatening harm; Goodspeed even changed her name after her idol. Rattled, Paula spent less and less time in her California home. In November 2008, Goodspeed committed suicide outside of Paula's house by overdosing on prescription drugs. This event led Paula to quit American Idol in 2009, blaming the producers for allowing her stalker to meet her after begging them not to let her in.

Any of us can be a victim of stalking, regardless of fame. It's important to trust our instincts and seek help.

National Hotline for Crime Victims:
1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)

https://www.safehorizon.org/get-help/stalking/#ove...

Cover Image Credit: HealthStreet
Lindsey Daggett
Lindsey Daggett Jan 15, 2018
At University of Maine

Popular Right Now

9 Reasons Crocs Are The Only Shoes You Need

Crocs have holes so your swag can breathe.
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 31, 2017
42554
views

Do you have fond childhood objects that make you nostalgic just thinking about your favorite Barbie or sequenced purse? Well for me, its my navy Crocs. Those shoes put me through elementary school. I eventually wore them out so much that I had to say goodbye. I tried Airwalks and sandals, but nothing compared. Then on my senior trip in New York City, a four story Crocs store gleamed at me from across the street and I bought another pair of Navy Blue Crocs. The rest is history. I wear them every morning to the lake for practice and then throughout the day to help air out my soaking feet. I love my Crocs so much, that I was in shock when it became apparent to me that people don't feel the same. Here are nine reasons why you should just throw out all of your other shoes and settle on Crocs.

1. They are waterproof.

These bad boys can take on the wettest of water. Nobody is sure what they are made of, though. The debate is still out there on foam vs. rubber. You can wear these bad boys any place water may or may not be: to the lake for practice or to the club where all the thirsty boys are. But honestly who cares because they're buoyant and water proof. Raise the roof.


2. Your most reliable support system

There is a reason nurses and swimming instructors alike swear by Crocs. Comfort. Croc's clogs will make you feel like your are walking on a cloud of Laffy Taffy. They are wide enough that your toes are not squished, and the rubbery material forms perfectly around your foot. Added bonus: The holes let in a nice breeze while riding around on your Razor Scooter.

3. Insane durability

Have you ever been so angry you could throw a Croc 'cause same? Have you ever had a Croc bitten while wrestling a great white shark? Me too. Have you ever had your entire foot rolled like a fruit roll up but had your Crocs still intact? Also me. All I know is that Seal Team 6 may or may not have worn these shoes to find and kill Osama Bin Laden. Just sayin'.


4. Bling, bling, bling

Jibbitz, am I right?! These are basically they're own money in the industry of comfortable footwear. From Spongebob to Christmas to your favorite fossil, Jibbitz has it all. There's nothing more swag-tastic than pimped out crocs. Lady. Killer.

5. So many options

From the classic clog to fashionable sneakers, Crocs offer so many options that are just too good to pass up on. They have fur lined boots, wedges, sandals, loafers, Maryjane's, glow in the dark, Minion themed, and best of all, CAMO! Where did your feet go?!

6. Affordable

Crocs: $30

Feeling like a boss: Priceless

7. Two words: Adventure Straps

Because you know that when you move the strap from casual mode chillin' in the front to behind the heal, it's like using a shell on Mario Cart.

8. Crocs cares

Okay, but for real, Crocs is a great company because they have donated over 3 million pairs of crocs to people in need around the world. Move over Toms, the Croc is in the house.

9. Stylish AF

The boys will be coming for you like Steve Irwin.

Who cares what the haters say, right? Wear with pride, and go forth in style.

Cover Image Credit: Chicago Tribune
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 31, 2017
At Creighton University
At Creighton University

Related Content

Connect with a generation
of new voices.

We are students, thinkers, influencers, and communities sharing our ideas with the world. Join our platform to create and discover content that actually matters to you.

Learn more Start Creating

6 Times 'The Bold Type' Tackled Real-Life Issues

They're undeniably bold.

Lillian Oliver
Lillian Oliver Apr 22, 2019
16
views

The fresh, millennial TV show "The Bold Type" is known to cover a wide-range of cultural issues that society faces today. Relationships, coming out to friends and coworkers, women and fertility, obstacles in the workplace, and tackling sexual harassment are all topics that have been thoroughly covered in this exciting and completely original storyline.

Each character must undertake obstacles, and here are a few wholesome examples.

When Sutton put her job above her relationship with Richard.

Giphy

"It's a gamble. All of it. But I'm putting my money down on my career and believing that love will fall in place." – Sutton

She's a powerhouse, and through the trials of "The Bold Type" Season 2, Sutton feared her relationship with Richard, an HR employee for Stafford, the company that runs Scarlet, is going to jeopardize her future as a fashion designer at the magazine. In the end, she chose her career over Richard, and while she felt heartbroken over her decision, she knew it was what she had to do, in order to progress her career at Scarlet.

When Jane found out she carries the BRCA gene.

Giphy

After losing her mom to breast cancer, Jane decides it's best she get tested for the gene mutation called BRCA. Well, she gets tested, and it comes out positive. Jane must quickly come to terms with her future fertility arrangements, and it becomes a lot to unpack for her, as she is only in her early 20s. However, she takes charge of her health and decides that she will be freezing her eggs to ensure her ability to have kids in the future, but another problem arises. The company that runs Scarlet doesn't have an insurance plan that covers medical visits for fertility issues. Jane is inflamed, so she turns her thoughts into words, writing a piece for Scarlet, discussing the unfairness between the company not offering fertility coverage, but instead, impotence, or Viagra coverage.

At the start of Season 3, which aired April 10, 2019, we see that her article worked, and we begin to witness Jane and the start of her egg-freezing process unravel.

When Kat tackled social norms.

Giphy

Through navigating her first gay relationship with Adena to becoming the head of social media at Scarlet, Kat has shown she has what it takes to overcome obstacles and stand up for what she believes in. Although she is still working to find her true self, Kat never hides her feelings, but instead shows people that opening up about what they're going through is the best way to recover. Just recently, in Season 3, Kat opens up to her social media fans, sharing her story about her break up with Adena and how she is not always okay, and that's okay.

When Jacqueline spoke up about her sexual harassment experience.

Giphy

The queen of Scarlet, Jacqueline, is the definition of strong. In an episode which reveals the weight that sexual harassment victims carry brings up a lot of unfortunate memories for Jacqueline, being a sexual harassment survivor herself. After holding back for far too long, Jacqueline opens up to the three women of "The Bold Type," and as the song "Quiet" plays in the background, the four women stand in solidarity, allowing Jacqueline to lay down the weight she's been carrying all throughout her career. It's an amazing episode, and it allows viewers to see a totally different side to Jacqueline, a woman who carries herself with complete resilience.

When Sutton realized she doesn’t have to give up her relationship, in order to do what she loves.

Giphy

In the finale of Season 2, we were able to see Sutton and Richard finally reunite, as they decide that fighting for their relationship is the right thing to do. They rekindle their relationship, and not only do they make their relationship exclusive, Sutton decides to move in with Richard, which is huge for Sutton, and her long-time roommate Jane.

I think the most beautiful thing about Sutton getting back together with Richard is that she finally realized she is a remarkably- talented fashion designer, and no relationship is going to jeopardize that fact. Season 3 just began, so we'll see how Sutton and Richard's relationship continues to progress, or what issues may arise with them being exclusive.

The three dominant best friends never giving up on themselves or one another.

Giphy

Finally, "The Bold Type" wouldn't be possible without the beautiful friendship behind Kat, Sutton, and Jane. They fight, they disagree, but they never choose to give up on one another, and that's such a special bond to have. They lift each other up, whether it's Jane freezing her eggs, Sutton moving in with Richard, or Kat getting over her relationship with Adena, the women of "The Bold Type" never back down.

Lillian Oliver
Lillian Oliver Apr 22, 2019
At University of Oklahoma

Related Content

Facebook Comments