A Star May Be Born
I don’t know Montana Fishburne’s relationship with her father. Since announcing that she was launching a career in pornography, many assumed that the 19-year-old must harbor some deep seated resentment towards her pappy, Laurence Fishburne and that this stunt is nothing more than her attempt to bring pain to him. And yet, Montana says that simply isn’t the case — telling TMZ that up until her pornography press the two enjoyed a good relationship.
That could turn out to be proven false, but until it is I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and believe her when she says that she looked to a sex tape as a launchpad for a successful career.
When I first heard her say this I assumed that she might have grown up with some learning disability that wasn’t treated in time. Her father’s career didn’t exactly start off on a high note (shout to Pee Wee Herman) so perhaps Laurence and her mother cut corners. Maybe they lived in an apartment building immersed in toxins, taught her how to read with a coloring book, let her top her Happy Meal fries with Wite-Out and whatever else might put fear into the hearts of your local CPS worker.
Something that would explain why her brain would allow her to utter such stupidity with confidence. It’s like, “You’re the daughter of an Academy Award nominated actor and you look to Kim Kardashian for guidance on how to be a celebrity?!”
Woman, are you mad?
Days later, I revisited this opinion after penning yet another story about Montana for work and going back to an article I read about Kim Kardashian a week or so ago. The piece focused on her successful transition from sex tape star to whatever you want to call the money making machine that she is. She is, whether you like it or not, one of a kind.
Sure, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie didn’t gain fame off the strength of their talents in nothing, but Kim Kardashian has no famous last name and yet has gone on to effectively flip a sex tape into an empire. Her site is hugely popular, she’s now a television producer, and she gets more press than most singers, actors, and star athletes. Kim’s entire family eats off the attention one tape generated. Oh, and the black butt in a much paler form, but I digress.
Can you properly explain what Kim Kardashian does? Don’t spend too much time thinking about — it’s never mattered before and it never will.
So upon further reflection when Montana says, “I’m impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it,” I can’t say she’s completely amiss for citing Kim Kardashian.
As much as I like Kim, I can’t help but feel a little sad about that.
Ultimately, I don’t think the world will be as kind to Montana as they have been to Kim for a variety of reasons (color topping the list). Still, I could easily see Montana pursue a reality show after the release of her debut sex tape. Then a book deal. Then something else it takes people with abilities years to obtain (if they ever do get it).
She might even be successful in her pursuits.
With ample amounts of cable networks, blogs, and fledgling magazines all needing content to serve a public that simply can’t get enough celebrity gossip, Montana is exactly the type of personality they can look to for a story.
She is willing to spread her legs for fame. There’s no telling what else she’ll do to maintain the little bit of attention she’s already gotten. Sadly, it wouldn’t be surprising if she were rewarded for her efforts for the “fame” she so desperately craves.
This is all a culmination of celebrity-obsessed culture, a declining presence of fine arts programs across the country, and a society that craves sex but refuses to discuss sexuality openly.
Why wouldn’t the barely legal daughter of a famous actor become “famous” off a sex tape considering the times?
Montana might make it as the melanin-enriched Kardashian, she might not though one thing is for certain: She’s not the last girl who’s going to try.
Austin Brown
August 4, 2010 at 10:35 am
I am lost though because if she is using the Kim K route.. shouldnt she have found herself a boyfriend who is a celebrity or at least had someone in his family who is a celebrity and then had sex, filmed it and then let it get “stolen” so that it is released to the public? I am not condoning Kims tape, but there is a difference between a tape being made to share between you and your boyfriend that is released then a directed porno …..
I mean your father is has a name, it would have opened some other door besides VIVID … If you were looking to be taken seriously, the hoe route will not get you there… what happened to the good ole days of the casting couch.,.. LOL people just lost all morals!!! SMDH
World Wide News Flash
August 4, 2010 at 11:15 am
A Star May Be Born…
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
…
sickwitit
August 4, 2010 at 12:28 pm
“and a society that craves sex but refuses to discuss sexuality openly.”
WOW, this is a great point
on topic, she need a ike ass whipping…
I Am Your People
August 4, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Considering that Angelina Jolie cruised to fame on being Jon Voight’s daughter, despite the fact that they have an incredibly strained relationship, I’m sure Montana could have done the same, even if she doesn’t get along with her dad. *kanye shrug* I wish she didn’t go the porn route, but wish her the best.
Puhleeze
August 4, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Don’t understand why folks are so up in arms about Larry’s daughter going into porn. The same people who tweet and blog about the things they’d do to (insert celeb here), brag about their latest finds on XTube and carry pocket rockets in their Coach bags now want to take Montana to Bible study? Jigga what, jigga who?
Anyway, Montana Max is about half preacher’s kid, half bored rich kid. The preacher’s kid aspect: Growing up in a stable household with strong, sometimes strict, morals. The bored rich kid aspect: Comfortable, worrisome living without any threat of lifestyle change. Both breed senses of naivete, rebellion, oblivion and ignorance about “the real world,” so to speak, and unfortunately she’s getting it doubly so. If Larry and her mom are as good parents as I hope they are (mom has a few college degrees, I hear, and we already know Larry’s resume), they’ll be there to catch her when she falls.
She will NOT be a star, though. Kim K was able to make it only because she WASN’T a famous actor’s daughter. She is a somewhat-famous-by-association lawyer’s daughter — big difference. The curiosity factor is there — who is she, why is she being talked about, how does she have money, where did she get her money from…question after question that eventually makes her separate from the family mold. Unfortunately, Montana Fishburne hasn’t learned the lesson that other relatives of actual celebrities — especially with black celebrities — haven’t learned: Unless you’re Janet Jackson, you will always be Famous Name’s Relative. Solange will always be Beyonce’s sister. Rumer Willis will always be Bruce and Demi’s daughter. Alice Tan Ridley, despite having a career in her own right, is now Precious’ mom. Ray J only recently became something other than Brandy’s brother. And Montana Fishburne will always be Laurence Fishburne’s daughter.
Long story short: Sorry, boo.
Zett
August 5, 2010 at 4:33 am
Puh, I co-sign on all but one thing: Ray-J still ain’t shit but Cinderella’s brother. Always has been, always will be.
Token
August 5, 2010 at 6:11 pm
This is a damn shame. I have a hard time believing she has a good relationship with her parents. There are other routes she could have pursued if she wanted fame. Most of them a a lot less exploitative.
Wade
August 6, 2010 at 11:00 am
LMAO @ Zett and Cinderella’s brother. Oh so true!!! Kim K. seemed to get more fame from that BORING sex tape than Ray J did.
As for Montana. *sigh* We have to do better people…
hurt
August 6, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I really wish he would go get his child and lock her ass up some were for a year……….PLEASE
xedos
August 8, 2010 at 9:51 pm
This girl forget that she’s black. Kim was not a porn star. she made a sex tape with her man.
Asher
August 20, 2010 at 1:43 pm
*little mama sad face* sigh