Jade Goody leapt her way into the nation’s hearts as the bubbly, slightly eccentric contestant of ‘Big Brother’ in 2002. Although Goody never actually won the show, her on-screen antics continued to amuse and entertain thousands, leading to a list of contracts, including her autobiography and her own perfume, which led to her being one of the most recognised public figures of the 21st century.
However, for every person who adored Jade there was another who hated her. She was never far from negative press attention, those once lovable habits of hers beginning to grate on the nerves of the British public. She fast became the ‘marmite’ of celebrities; you either loved her or hated her.
It was well known that Jade never exactly thought about what was coming out her mouth, which was proven perhaps too well when she was labelled a racist bully when she was invited to appear on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in 2007. Following several major disagreements with fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty, Jade shocked the nation with her racist remarks, which included referring to her as ‘Shilpa Popadom’ and telling her to “Go back to the slums”.
This marked the downfall of her career; as the press slated her and shops refused to sell her perfume and biography, she was further criticised for breaking down on live television whilst making a public apology for her behaviour, many claiming it as a bid for sympathy.
It took months for Jade to regain any kind of trust and respect from the British public, most not willing to forget the past.
However, in 2008, when Jade was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it couldn’t be denied that as a nation, we were stunned. Now with the news that the cancer is terminal, and she has only mere months to live, everyone is trying to come to terms with the fact Jade Goody will soon be no more. Capturing the whole traumatic experience for her reality television show for Living TV, Jade claims she is doing all she can to make as much money she can for the two sons she will be leaving behind when she takes her last breath.
And following a rather suspicious proposal from toy boy Jack Tweed, she sealed a £700, 000 deal with Ok! Magazine to feature pictures of the wedding. You could be forgiven for doubting Tweed’s motives for the proposal, just as you could be forgiven for doubting the motives of Jades decision to televise her battle; was it really to make money for her sons? Or did she seize the opportunity to leave a last mark in the world, as a last, and slightly desperate attempt for fame; something she’s achieved for…well, nothing really.
But the thing that bugs me perhaps most of all, are the hypocritical messages of support from people who only a few months ago were still labelling her a racist bully. Now that label seems to have changed too “Our brave national hero”.
I’m not in any way trying to say Jade deserves this, or that I wish it upon her, but the fact she is terminally ill does not excuse the way she has behaved in the past.
Jade behaved in a way which was totally inexcusable, and whilst she continues to make money out the more hypocritical members of the great British public, I will stand firm in my belief that Jade Goody is nothing more than a money-grabbing, untalented, dim-witted nobody.
However, for every person who adored Jade there was another who hated her. She was never far from negative press attention, those once lovable habits of hers beginning to grate on the nerves of the British public. She fast became the ‘marmite’ of celebrities; you either loved her or hated her.
It was well known that Jade never exactly thought about what was coming out her mouth, which was proven perhaps too well when she was labelled a racist bully when she was invited to appear on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in 2007. Following several major disagreements with fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty, Jade shocked the nation with her racist remarks, which included referring to her as ‘Shilpa Popadom’ and telling her to “Go back to the slums”.
This marked the downfall of her career; as the press slated her and shops refused to sell her perfume and biography, she was further criticised for breaking down on live television whilst making a public apology for her behaviour, many claiming it as a bid for sympathy.
It took months for Jade to regain any kind of trust and respect from the British public, most not willing to forget the past.
However, in 2008, when Jade was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it couldn’t be denied that as a nation, we were stunned. Now with the news that the cancer is terminal, and she has only mere months to live, everyone is trying to come to terms with the fact Jade Goody will soon be no more. Capturing the whole traumatic experience for her reality television show for Living TV, Jade claims she is doing all she can to make as much money she can for the two sons she will be leaving behind when she takes her last breath.
And following a rather suspicious proposal from toy boy Jack Tweed, she sealed a £700, 000 deal with Ok! Magazine to feature pictures of the wedding. You could be forgiven for doubting Tweed’s motives for the proposal, just as you could be forgiven for doubting the motives of Jades decision to televise her battle; was it really to make money for her sons? Or did she seize the opportunity to leave a last mark in the world, as a last, and slightly desperate attempt for fame; something she’s achieved for…well, nothing really.
But the thing that bugs me perhaps most of all, are the hypocritical messages of support from people who only a few months ago were still labelling her a racist bully. Now that label seems to have changed too “Our brave national hero”.
I’m not in any way trying to say Jade deserves this, or that I wish it upon her, but the fact she is terminally ill does not excuse the way she has behaved in the past.
Jade behaved in a way which was totally inexcusable, and whilst she continues to make money out the more hypocritical members of the great British public, I will stand firm in my belief that Jade Goody is nothing more than a money-grabbing, untalented, dim-witted nobody.
very well observed and finely balanced in manging to make your opinion clear without being judgemental.
ReplyDeletethis is a very sensitive subject that you have attacked with a lot of feeling without become emotional, and that is a difficult thing to achieve.
but change your colour scheme - it is reallly hard to read pink on white!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very difficult topic to address.
ReplyDeleteIn the press its been either pro-Jade, portraying her as a saint, or anti-Jade, portraying her as the Devil incarnate.
You've handled this well, managing, though difficult, to remain neutral.