14 DAY TRIAL // Lady Gaga is no stranger to controversy, but she might have a very tough time getting herself out of this pickle. Word got out yesterday that the official music video for “Do What U Want” had been scrapped because it was basically “an ad for rape,” and now a leaked snippet confirms that this is really the case.
About 30 seconds of the video have emerged online. The snippet confirms all previous reports: namely that the video was directed by famed fashion photographer Terry Richardson, that it shows R. Kelly basically drug raping Gaga, and that it includes so much nudity that you could not watch it without blushing.
This isn’t just a case of looking for controversy / trouble where none is to be had: the video is as blunt as possible, there is absolutely no way you could misinterpret its meaning.
For all these reasons, we won’t embed it here. However, you will find it over at TMZ; *please be advised that the video contains graphic images that might offend.
The video was shot last September and was supposed to be released in December. Word has it that Gaga’s label decided against putting it out there because of Kelly and Richardson’s dubious reputations. The Richardson abuse scandal is still ongoing, with more models stepping forward to claim he acted in a very abusive and inappropriate manner around them on photoshoots.
Gaga, on her part, hinted on social media that the video was never released because she wasn’t given enough time to deliver a good product.
After having seen those 30 seconds, it looks more likely that it was her people who shelved it, realizing the potential for controversy it had: as a role model (which she is, whether she likes it or not), Gaga should know better than to mimic acts of rape in front of the camera, with two supposed rapists.
These days, scandal sells better than any good deed you could ever imagine, which explains why there are plenty of artists who stir up trouble just to get people’s attention. The name of Miley Cyrus comes to mind: this young pop star is basically a controversy-making walking machine and, for her, it works, because it keeps people alert of her every move.
However, not all controversy translates into good publicity. Rape is definitely one of those topics that must never be made light of but, somehow, no one remembered to tell Gaga about it, just like no one managed to remind her that both R. Kelly and Richardson have a checkered past.
She’s yet to address the leak but, if she really cared about the millions of fans who have taken offense with this (her fans), she’d better be writing an explanation of some sorts as we speak.