Get Vertical Keith Kane of Vertical Horizon muses about working hard and not
being a Backstreet Boy.
... page 9
Performance
Stars Strip Stage Costumes to Put on Suits
Entertainers Cash In Their Money-Making Images for Election-Winning Votes
ftWßiteflfaißff r 1 „j, mMmmm
jfi: x tm/r mw
V IPMRffIStL 1w- &
fMajiM \ • , ..... jiw $
J
flT* 5
4Jf. / WV - A J
\ v
1-- „k \ I
I \wß*v JayP"^
- - Hk
PHOTO COURTESY CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Ric Flair, who once topped popularity charts as a professional wrestler, is
considering running for governor of North Carolina.
Performers Push Political Agenda, Stir Controversy
By Allison Rost
Staff Writer
The fame that comes with being a successful
entertainer has turned many a celebrity into a
felon or worse, but there are many who choose
to use the spotlight to help solve some of the
world’s problems.
Historically, musicians such as Bob Dylan and
Buffalo Springfield protested the Vietnam War
through their song lyrics, and hardly a celebrity
went to a major event without the requisite AIDS
red ribbon in the early 19905.
The Beastie Boys have invested a lot of time
into a hot issue, the political occupation of Tibet
by the Chinese government. They founded a
pro-Tibet group called the Milarepa Fund and
organized a series of concerts to raise money for
the cause.
Andrew Bryson, executive director of the
Milarepa Fund, said the Beastie Boys’ interest in
the Tibet issue stemmed from a personal
encounter.
“In 1994,” says Bryson, “Adam Youch was
trekking into Nepal and ran into a group of
escaping refugees.”
After conversations with those refugees and
others in Kathmandu, the Beastie Boys decided
“the easiest way to help out would be to start
their own organization.”
Their 1994 album, “111 Communication,” sam
pled monks on several songs, and the royalties
raised from those tracks went to a Tibetan group.
The Milarepa Fund has also organized the
Tibetan Freedom Concert series, which began in
1996, and has grown to include numerous musi
cians and international locales.
Despite the controversy surrounding the
Tibetan freedom struggle, the effect the Beastie
Boys’ involvement had on their image was never
really a concern.
Bryson said, “They have always done what
they wanted to do.”
U2’s Bono and the rock band Rage Against
the Machine have also tested the activist waters.
Bono’s extensive political involvement began
le rock band Kage Against ence might not be the , 1960s
so tested the activist waters. best thing \ right
Dolitical involvement began |U i \ gun o
—' —" 1 \
\ Bm
abortion to do," he said. ceme
iends and \ The Beastie Boys and Rage cated
lu-Jamal, a Against the Machine are not the only ones sub- to the
in 1985 with his performance in Live
Aid, a benefit concert for
famine relief in
Africa.
In November of
last year, Bono lob-
bied Congress to
expunge $6 billion in
Third World debt.
Two weeks later, a suf-
ficient number of
Congressmen had been
persuaded to join the
cause, and President
Clinton signed the pledge.
Rage Against the
Machine has also been
involved in various political
struggles. They have per
formed benefit concerts for
Rock the Choice, an abortion ’
rights group, and Friends and
Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a
group supporting a former jour-
nalist who is on death row for a 1981 murder.
But this activism does not come without oppo
sition, Various police groups now boycott Rage
Against the Machine because of their support of
a convicted murderer.
Political science Professor James Stimson said
I Want My Mommy Pedro Almodovar's critically acclaimed Spanish-language film 'All
About My Mother" wins audiences over with clever, soap opera-like escapades. ... page 6
By Matt Mansfield
Staff Writer
Ever since movie star Ronald Reagan stopped
acting to perform the duties of California governor
and then of leader of the free world, an influx of
entertainers have bombarded the political scene.
“The central reason is that every politician
needs two qualities to make a good candidate -
name recognition and positive image,” UNC polit
ical science professor Jim Stimson said. “And
celebrities have those things there to
begin with.”
mere to .. even more activ
x his interest in
Sonny C/p 1999.
thad' / --
->
/ * a '
rr ' / / while
and most j with h
üblican MX X>/* / Befoi
Mf Minnesoi
st as /w Brooklyn P
jet- JIT also hosted a talk
ry jgM for a couple year
; gg “He wanted tc
Those two qualities helped Sonny
Bono, a high school dropout that had
not voted until the of age 53, /
become a congressman from Z_
California’s 44th district. /'■
After a stint as mayor of
Palm Springs from 1988 to CVj
1992, Bono became a popular
congressman, being the second most
requested guest at House Republican
fund raisers in 1996.
And infamy could prove just as
effective as a positive image in get- ,
ting elected to office if Jerry J
Springer wins the U.S. Senate Mp
seat from Ohio. He announced
the possibility of his running on “The Daily Show.”
Skeptics should beware because Springer had
political experience as mayor of Cincinnati; that is,
until they kicked him out of office for reportedly
soliciting a prostitute.
Stimson said some celebrities like Bono had vir
tually no political experience before running for
office.
But UNC political science Professor Thad Beyle
said celebrities developed as politicians in uncon
ventional avenues before they ran for office.
political activism was usually sincere because the
costs of involvement might outweigh the benefits
of any publicity.
“If you want to maximize your box-office
appeal, offending half of your audi-
ence might not be the
best thing
Against the Machine are not the only ones sub
ject to controversy for their political agendas.
Actor Charlton Heston has taken a lot of heat
since being elected as president of the National
Rifle Association, especially around the time of
the Columbine incident.
Bill Powers, director of Public Affairs with the
NRA, said Heston’s involvement was just a nat
®lje latlg (Tar Heel
Thursday, February 10,-2000
“I think some of these people have experience,”
he said. “It may not be politically relevant experi
ence, but it is some form of it.”
For instance, Beyle said Reagan used to conduct
speeches on behalf of General Electric, where he
spoke on issues of democracy. Eventually he
formed enough concrete views to run for office.
By writing and appearing in politically charged
movies like “Bulworth,” Warren Beatty has also
made his political views concrete. Beatty wrote
“Red,” a film dealing with communism. Taking an
even more active political stance, he announced
his interest in running for president in August
- 1999.
Of all celebrities who hold polit-
ical office, Jesse “The Mind”
/ Ventura has the most experience
as a politician. Originally named
/ Jon Janos, the former wrestler and
/ Navy Seal thought of his new name
while riding on the Ventura Highway
with his former motorcycle gang.
Before running for governor of
J Minnesota, Ventura was mayor of
Brooklyn Park, a suburb of the twin cities. He
also hosted a talk radio show aired on two stations
for a couple years.
“He wanted to make things different,” said Paul
Moore, a spokesman for Gov. Ventura. “And I
think he’s a good example of how everyone should
get involved and run for political office if they
want to.”
Ventura’s uniqueness extends beyond being the
only governor of a state to represent the Reform
Party. He also has “Jesse Net,” a Web site that
keeps citizens abreast of political issues and asks
for their opinions.
“I know the Internet was big in his campaign,”
See POLITICS, Page 6
ural extension of his lifelong com
mitment to the preservation of civil
rights.
Powers said Heston marched
with Martin Luther King Jr. in the
19605, and his interest with the
right to bear arms began with a
gun control issue in California in
the early 1980s.
The NRA’s cause and lobbying
efforts have been gready helped by
the fame of some of their backers.
“It certainly helps with respect
to gaining attention with the media
and folks who might not have
known us,” said Powers.
However, the stigmas
involved with some political
causes can become as much of an entertain
er’s image as their box-office hits or plat
inum records.
Actor Tom Selleck appeared in an
advertisement for the NRA last year.
When he was on the Rosie O’Donnell
Show to promote a movie, O’Donnell,
who is in favor of gun control, loudly
criticized Selleck’s stance.
Powers said that while the NRA was con
cerned for him after that incident, Selleck indi
cated that it had actually made his commitment
to the NRA’s goals stronger.
Along with openly announcing her political
opinions on air, O’Donnell is deeply involved in
philanthropic work. The talk show host began
the For All Kids Foundation in 1997, a group that
supports children with medical, educational and
housing needs.
Endless numbers of entertainers like
I Just Pierce, No jacko ... Cary Pierce, formerly of
! Jackopierce, will perform at Cat's Cradle on Friday in
support of his recently released solo album You Are Here.
PAGE 5
Performers, Entertainers
Invade Political Offices
Since actor Ronald Reagan entered the oval office, numerous
entertainment personalities have taken their opinions to the voters.
Flair
** kic Flair
Professional Wrestler
Possible Gubernatorial Candidate
Sonny Bono
Former Singer/Actor
Former U.S. Rep., R-Calif.
'
w
Ji. .XL Wj
I *1
ft
mm
IpOpf |jg|
Ronald Reagan
Former Actor
Former U.S. President
O’Donnell support humanitarian organizations,
and sometimes their involvement pushes them
into the political arena. Actor Michael J. Fox,
who suffers from Parkinson's Syndrome, recent
ly announced his intention to leave the cast of
“Spin City” to concentrate on fighting the disease
and raising awareness.
His agenda landed him in front of Congress,
testifying in support of an increase in research
grants for Parkinson’s.
Entertainers can bring a lot of recognition to a
cause, but at the same time, what they do outside
of their work can affect their image in a positive
or negative way, depending on how their cause
is perceived by the public.
As Stimson said, “Taking sides has costs as
well as benefits.”
The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be
reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.
...page 6
I \ %
ft Jerry Springer
Talk Show Host
Former Mayor of Cincinatti
ftp J
Jesse Ventura
iFormer Professional Wrestler
Governor of Minnesota