Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Billie Piper accused of glamourising prostitution


Not Being a great fan (or one at all) of Hollyoaks, Big Brother or Kerry Katona, I never usually read the entertainment headlines that greet me when i check my hotmail.
However being a fan of Secret Diary this one caught my attention.
I understand completely how important it is not to underestimate the danger alot of working girls put themselves into. But I do wonder exactly what kind of nutter watches a tv show and then try to revolve their life around it? (sorry start trek fans- its just not real)
The woman for POPPY clearly cares for he avocation however it seems to me she isnt (or doesn't want to be) in possession of all the facts. The fact that Secret Diary is based on the supposedly true blog entries of Belle de jour for example, and although the storylines deviate from the blog the only significant difference I have noticed is that the TV Belle is far more insular and solitary than the "real life" belle.

POPPYS big brothel report seems to outline that 2/3rds of prostitutes working in london brothels are actually trafficked (which IS AWFUL- and something needs to be done.) into the trade.
So I'm just a little bit confused- seeing as pipers character isn't a trafficked sex worker or someone who works in a brothel how they can claim she "endorses" prostitution when their knowledge seems to be primarily based around a different area.

Seems a bit like accusing Jemma Jameson of glamourising child pornography. Or George elliot of endorsing herion use (which she discusses frequently in her work!).



Billie Piper's TV Show Slammed

(Image © BBC)

Billie Piper, famous for playing Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, is under fire for her role as a high class prostitute in Secret Diary Of A Call Girl. The ITV2 drama has been accused of glamorising prostitution.

Based on the real-life diaries Belle De Jour: The Intimate Adventures Of A London Call Girl, it has become notorious for its explicit sex scenes, including a lesbian romp. A representative from Women's charity POPPY Project, which supports women forced into prostitution, has slammed both the programme and Billie Piper. Chief executive Denise Marshall told the Sunday People: "She is an actress who has certain choices. She is not a jobbing actress. She appeared in Doctor Who, a programme watched by lots of young people. To then give endorsement to a programme like Secret Diary is obscene. For this privileged young woman to misrepresent the reality of prostitution is appalling." A spokesman for Tiger Aspect, makers of the series, defended the show: "The programme in no way seeks to condone or normalise prostitution."

Billie Piper says the role of Belle is one of her most challenging parts to date. Part of her research involved talking to prostitutes: "I met high-class hookers who were very candid. I wanted to know if they get anything out of the sex, if they ever fell in love with the guys. Surprisingly, some of them did." The role sees Billie don a string of risqué and revealing costumes, including a rubber dress and PVC dominatrix gear. Secret Diary is adapted from the diaries, first published in 2005, which were from an anonymous blog. The first series was a hit, but the second has proved a turn-off with viewers so far.

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