I haven't come across anything as cringe as what I'm about to share with you all since the reign of Gabbie Hanna. If there is one thing I have to say though, Putin's mom has got it going on! (Let's see if anyone gets that reference?) Read the article post below that I discovered through the TimCast IRL podcast:
I have to admit, this viral video is making its rounds rather quickly, and based on what is being said, I would imagine that AnnaLynne didn't mean for this Twitter reading to be released with such a tone. The poem itself, all politics aside, is quite a heartfelt poem. So I don't know guys, what do you all think?
Is our vapid culture to blame for the flak that Ms. AnnaLynne McCord received?
Do you think that her reading was politically aligned?
What do you think of the poem itself?
Here is the original video of her reading the poem:
Oh boy.
I have officially found the No. 1 poem in the poetry community that I indisputably, hate.
Typically, I can appreciate poems that are a bit on the nose or even confronting and controversial, but the obnoxiousness of this, coupled with simultaneous massacres taking place in Ukraine right now, is far too overwhelming to set aside for the sake of aRt.
Let's begin with the superficial stuff: like Ken, I also noticed that weird enunciation she does like Amanda Gorman, where they kind of tie two words together of different sentences (as in, the last word of the first sentence sounds connected to the first word of the second sentence which is said very quickly after the last word, if that makes sense)? It's so weird. Why do annoying and mediocre-at-best poets do that?
Also like Rachel, I really struggled to finish the poem. I was quite blown away (and disgusted) by McCord's choice of words. I thought they were full of judgement and scapegoating, especially since both Putin's parents died before he was president, according to that article. McCord seems to forget that she's alluding to very real people here, and a dictator of all things. Which means if Putin's mother were alive, this woman is essentially telling her that she did a shit job raising her son. Ken's right- how dare she? This would barely be an issue if McCord didn't make Putin the subject of her poem and instead focused on the life and psychology of tyrannical leaders in general, then sure. It's more of an imaginative piece then, and she could take the poem wherever it leads her- whether that be passive or aggressive in tone. But then again, if it weren't about Putin then it wouldn't have gotten the whole world's attention- which is the problem. That indicates (but doesn't prove) that this poem is more about McCord than it is a commentary on a literal war and a homicidal leader. Somehow, she managed to internalise this horrific event and cast stones at a dead mother at the same damn time. If that isn't being a privileged Hollywood starlet, i don't know what is. (Maybe Gal Gadot, actually, coming to think of it).
In terms of her performance, I personally did not find it to be exceptional. Perhaps I'm distracted by her weird cadence but it didn't come across as authentic to me. I think Marc said it perfectly: it's 'a bit overdone, with a bit of fake warbling in her voice.'
So those are my thoughts (albeit, a bit strong...) so I'll wrap it up here.
(and yes, Ken. I got the reference XD)