Official thoughts on Superhead - But then no more free publicity for her after this, so stop asking!

A lot of people ask me what I think about "Superhead". Well here are my official thoughts. The thoughts expressed are just my opinion and do not reflect the views of anyone else but me! They are also my INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY and thus subject to copyright laws. In plain English, don't repost or quote my thoughts without asking me first. Or I'll sue you. I truly will. I'm a starving artist so trust me I will not only sue you, I will attempt to break you! So just ask. Chances are in your favor that I will say sure go ahead, but don't risk a lawsuit. Mmmkay?

I first heard the name "Superhead" from another model while on the set of Timbaland and Magoo's video for "All Y'all". She was speaking of her exploits on the Fatty Girl set. I said, who the hell is "Superhead"?! The other model didn't know her real name, but she said "she's a pretty girl, I don't know why she acts that way. She gave herself that name." All I could say was "WOW!"

Then I started hearing the buzz about her book more than a year ago. I'll admit, I haven't read it. I did the cursory thumb through in the bookstore, a chapter or two, and well, I didn't really want to read it enough to buy it. Just not my cup of tea, and frankly I wasn't impressed with the writing at all. You could tell where the voice changed, like where her thoughts ended and the collaborators began. The collaborators parts were better written from the bit I read.

She's been quoted as saying something like I'm a writer now, that's what I do. Nah, she still wants to be a writer. You can't just pick up a pen and go, I'm a writer now anymore than you can pick up a violin and say I'm a violinist now. It just doesn't work that way. I don't see her as a real writer, because if she was, she would have written the whole book on her own, not with a collaborator. I do however, think that with some more schooling, and more practice, she CAN BECOME a writer. But for now, she's just practicing. I hope though that she graduates from groupie with a pen to "real" writer. For the sake of all the "real" writers out there, and for the sake of her own career. Sensationalism will only take you so far.

I think she lied her ass off about earning $7 million for the book. Let me explain: when you get a book deal, the publisher gives you an advance. An advance is just that, an advance on your own money, the money you will earn in royalties. It's a little something to live on while you're waiting for the book to come out. The typical royalty rate is from like 7.5-10%, and it varies depending on the format of the book (hardcover, trade paperback, CD Rom, audio book, e book, etc). NOBODY gets 7 mil to write a book. I mean, you've really got to be a SOMEBODY. Bill Clinton got close to $12 mil, but he was THE PRESIDENT. No way is she on that level! Plum Sykes was an editor at VOGUE, and she only got around $625K. US Senator Barack Obama got around $1.9 million. He's a SENATOR. Get it? She'd have to sell like 6 or 7 million books or more to recoup that much money. So far she's at like 300,000 which is stellar for a book. I congratulate her on her sales in this day in age when people just don't read anymore. I'm happy for her. But you've got to sell Harry Potter numbers or be the president to get that much money. Good marketing ploy though. But if she'll lie about that...

I think she gets a really bad rap. She did some really bad things, but people can and do change. I don't know her so I can't say if she's changed or not. But people criticize her for how she put so many men on front street. IF she's telling the truth about her encounters (and I think she is but maybe she took a little poetic license and embellished a bit), why feel sorry for the guys and their families? The chance you take when you creep is that you'll get busted. They weren't thinking about their families when they laid down with her. And they knew of her rep, cuz if I knew, they knew! She named names, and no she probably didn't have to, but would so many people have bought her book if she didn't? Of course she wanted to make money! She was broke! Do you work for free? Why should she have?

I think Tyra Banks was spiteful and unfair, and mad because they slept with some of the same people (or so rumor has it). She speaks of sisterhood, but she didn't show it then. As a journalist/host she should have been more objective. She tried to make Karrine look bad, whereas if she were just patient, and asked the right questions (without the attitude) Karrine would have made herself look bad. Tyra came off looking like a hater. She should have taken the high road. But she's inexperienced and in my eyes, not a journalist yet! I don't think her mentor Oprah would have done it the same way. When she had Crave/Jaimee Foxworth on the show, I could tell she didn't agree with her path, but she wasn't mean to her and didn't try to make her look dumber than Jaimee already admitted she had been.

I don't think the book is a "cautionary tale" as she describes it. I think it's a cautionary tell all. I do think she doesn't want others to fall into the traps she did, but I think she needs a bit more media training. (I do too for that matter though, haha. I'm probably far too vocal and opinionated than folks would like, but I've got to be true to myself and I guess Karrine is doing the same) I get what she's trying to say and do totally, but Karrine seems to have a problem expressing it in a way that others understand her. But she's strong as hell. If I encountered such hatred to my face, it would be hard for me to swallow it. I'm known for slapping folks, both male and female. I used to have the nickname Tyson in college, because I had "anger issues". I pulled out a box-cutter on this guy once and he jumped out of his shoes and socks but that's another story...But nobody try me ok? I haven't slapped anyone in about 4 years and I'm so proud of myself for it. My secret is that I sit on my hands when I get mad, just like you had to do in grammar school. haha.

I applaud her for her courage and candor. I couldn't do it the way she did. Sometimes I think, jeez that's TMI- too much information - but if it was cathartic for her then more power.

I hope she stays off drugs for the sake of her son. And herself.

I don't get the Bill Maher thing at all, though I hear that's over. I kinda think she thought it would give her some cred and people would think she was "smarter" since she was with him. But he's not that cute. Now I don't pay much mind to looks in my men, but Bill? Uh, no, I wouldn't have done it. I don't like industry guys though. I'll admit I'm way too self centered. When I dated in the industry I was like, hey I'm a star too! A legend in my own mind! I couldn't handle it. I didn't feel validated in any way. But Bill is witty, so maybe that was the attraction.

I think she wears glasses to look smart. That doesn't work. Even if she needs them to see, it takes more than glasses to make people think you've turned over a new leaf. It works in school yes. But on the general public, nah. Now if you see me with glasses on, please know it's because I'm sooooo blind! I can't see more than 4 feet in front of me, and I can't do the contacts thing. Once I tried to rock colored contacts and it was a nightmare! They were slipping out of place and it took like two hours to put them in and three hours to get them out! I'd rather just rock the spectacles if I need to see. But mostly I squint which I will undoubtedly live to regret!

I'd love to talk to her and see exactly what's in her head. I think we could chop it up about a lot of things. But if she got out of line, I'd end up sitting on my hands, so a phone call would probably be smarter.

I don't judge her as a person. I do judge her lack of writing skill. And I don't call her anything she hasn't called herself. (Groupie, well former groupie). I think she's pretty when she's all made up and dolled up. I hope that her inside is pretty though.

And I think my book is going to romp hers in sales! I mean I KNOW it. Sorry Karrine, but I'm going to see to it. *wink* I love to compete and debate though, just like her. I'm sure that if she comes across this blog, she might get mad at a few things, laugh at some of the others, and welcome the challenge! She ain't no punk. Are you Karrine? Your book vs my book, any day of the week. Bring it on baby, bring it on! *grin*

Nuff said.

Peace and Positive Vibes,
Meta