Something to think about.

nobelson · 05-14-2008, 06:56 PM

I was discussing this over on MSN with Augusto (Young_br), and I think I have a point here.

I think that BNA might be trying to change Kellie's image, selling it to the public as something very, very different from Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

First, there was the haircut. We all remember Kellie had big hair, and, even though she cut it right after she got eliminated from AI, she could have grown it back. Why didn't she? I know a lot of people prefer her with long hair. Well, here's why: Taylor, Carrie, Miranda, they all have long hair.

What we're looking at is a way to distinguish Kellie from the other country singers: and this is a change that I think is becoming more and more evident with each step of her career.

Here's evidence as to why I think we are on board for a big change in her image over the next coming months:

Kellie has said that the lyrics to this sophomore album might shock some people, because she'll be pretty honest and open about a lot of things in her life. Kellie ALWAYS sang more mature songs than Carrie, Taylor, and maybe Miranda: I Wonder proves it.

Mrs. Pickler will NOT be sold to the public as the girl-next-door type, nor will she be the cute, innocent girl. Because that's what most of today's country singers are.

These new pictures from Nashville are, to me, the proof.
Kellie is taking a different road, with more mature, emotional songs, and a more sassy, sexy look, like DOLLY PARTON.

What I have to say about this? All the more power to BNA, Kellie, and everyone else involved. I think it's a great way to distinguish her from other artists, I am simply stating that I've noticed it and I want to see everyone's thoughts on this, too.

Mile Hi fan · 05-14-2008, 07:50 PM

Those are some real good points. I tend to agree with you that she may be taking a different route to stardom. My concern is that the more mature image may turn off some of the younger fans. Will it be as acceptable for her to make jokes as much as she does. That is one of the things that makes Kallie so dear to us. I truly believe that she has enough beauty and talent to do or be anyone she wants to. I bet the guys in Iraq are sending these new photos all over the Net to each other !.....lol

werss · 05-14-2008, 08:15 PM

I would have to agree with you. Whether the moves to distinguish her are as deliberate as you have suggested, I'm not sure. However, I think it's clear that Kellie is distancing herself from the other blonde country girls. She has a vocal maturity, that in my opinion, has emotional depth that is beyond comparison with the other two. I love them, but while some of their music comes across as juvenile and a bit pretentious, Kellie is genuine. She has a need to emphasize differences in subtle ways - while I don't think a big change would be a good idea, she doesn't want to turn off her conservative listeners with anything too drastic. But she is young, she should try new things, and experiment with different styles.

kelliesmostbiggestfanever · 05-14-2008, 08:23 PM

I like hows kellies different from TAYLOR,CARRIE,MIRANDA thats why we all love her shes got her own sense of style and her own different type of music i love it!

Kira · 05-14-2008, 08:32 PM

I was a bit shocked when I first saw the pics but nothing surprises me. Love her anyway!

George24 · 05-14-2008, 08:49 PM

honestly, i dont think these pictures are going to be kellies "everyday" personality.. kellie would get alot of backlash if she was going to sell herself like a pop artist would.. i love her to death and wish her all the best but i do not think "SEX" is the way to market her...however it will set her apart i just hope it dosent hurt her

KellieCrazy77 · 05-14-2008, 08:55 PM

I love how Kellie is her own person, she is beautiful and SO talented!
Its great how she doesn't try to be like all the other country singers...shes just a small town girl, and hey, thats alright with me

augustana · 05-14-2008, 09:15 PM

I think most of it has to do with the fact that Kellie IS different from the other girls. I think it's as simple as them letting Kellie be herself now. She's said that she's able to sing about things now, that she (or BNA?) was afraid to sing about on STG. I think she felt the pressure to be the "cute, funny girl" that people saw on AI. And was afraid to let people see the more serious and darker sides to her. In fact, she's said so herself. It's not that she's abandoning the "cute, funny girl". That's still very much a part of her. But there's more to her than that.

Same with Miranda Lambert. Look how completely different she comes across on her new album than she did on her first. I don't think it was a deliberate thing with her either.

The only thing I think that was deliberate was her cutting her hair short. She's mentioned before that she did it to distinguish herself from the countless long, blond-haired country singers.

Young_br · 05-14-2008, 10:02 PM

really well put Franco... i agree with you in many parts

i learned to love Kellie just the way she is, last year i wasn't open minded about a lot of things, but now i am and i think i feel better this way, when Kellie does something that i don't like i always say what i think, i'm already labeled here as the "worry guy" but that's ok... i love the girl

allie1977 · 05-14-2008, 10:48 PM

I don't think this is the label, changing kellie, it's kellie showing the rest of the world there is more to her then the American idol sweetheart. She is showing us, what she said she was goin to. That there is soo much more to Kellie Pickler then most think or thought. She said some ppl may be shocked, she said she was tired of the label a lot of ppl had put on her. She is showing everyone, there is another side to Kellie Pickler.

She is still the sweetheart we know her to be, but, we are seeing and will continue to see, more sides all sides of Kellie Pickler, as she continues to grow as an artist and a person. She isn't that 19 year old kid anymore, she is growing / has grown to be a beautiful young woman.
She is being her-self .
which is what everyone should be !

pickluh · 05-14-2008, 10:58 PM

Some good points Franco. Remember all the flack about Shania baring a little of her midriff in a video? That was something unusual in country music. I'm wondering if these pictures would generate a similar thing these days.

I was surprised when I saw the photos. I'm glad the money in the one photo was related to the $600 stimulus package. That made it really funny rather than materialistic.

Anyone who is shocked by the photos ought to take a look at the "cheesecake" pinup photos during WW II of Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth and such. All famous actresses.

Maybe Kellie could do some pinup photos for the troops. That would really get the crowd going on her next USO tour.

fanofkellie · 05-15-2008, 12:06 AM

I'm confused. What photos? I only see the one in your post, which at first glance, like others, I found a bit shocking. I'm a little unsure at this point of the advisability of going in this direction.

Countrygal919 · 05-15-2008, 07:55 AM

I agree with you to a certain extent, but I think this isn't so much about BNA distancing her from the other blonde country singers, but allowing Kellie to be herself. Kellie is the girl next door who would throw a wild party when the parents went out of town, and I think that she was forced to hide that part. Now they are letting that side come through and I think it must be incredible for Kellie to feel more free to be herself.