Grand prize:
StorySpinner for her funny post about Steve Tyler with lots of shouts out to her real dad.
Runners up:
2. _BRINK_ for her highly imaginative story about Joan Jett.
3. DenisseTorres for her realistic fantasy about being the daughter of Jay-Z and Beyonce.
4. BrittanyHernandezDeu for her very funny post about what it would be like to be Lady Gaga’s vegetarian daughter.
If I could have chosen any famous musician to have been my parent, it would have been hands-down: Madonna. No question. I remember the first time I ever saw “Desperately Seeking Susan,” and I vowed that I would move to New York City, pile on the make-up, and dance my butt off at Danceteria (the nightclub where Madonna dries her arm pits in the “Get Into the Groove” video) as soon as I could. Sadly, by the time I was old enough to move to New York City, Danceteria had long since closed its doors, so I was never able to fully realize my dream. But at the time when Madonna first became really famous, there was no one else like her on the scene. When her first single to gain global attention (Lucky Star) hit the airwaves (yes, this was back when there were airwaves in the glory days of radio), Madonna was already twenty-six. Throughout my life that has served as inspiration for me. No one plucked Madonna out of a crowd when she was sixteen and handed her fame on a plate. Madonna worked very hard, made opportunities for herself by tenaciously going after success, and opened doors for herself.
I remember with great clarity seeing Madonna on “American Bandstand” for the first time (I was really young and I’m sure it was a re-run). She told Dick Clark, “I’m going to take over the world.” And she meant it.
It’s hard to explain what that meant back then, now that the world has endured The Spice Girls and Avril Lavigne and P!nk and lots of other examples of brash girls telling the world that they’re coming to get it. Madonna was the first female celebrity to really say, “I’m here, and I deserve attention and success.” Before Madonna, female singers acted politely surprised and humbled by fame. Madonna made it OK for girls to demand recognition. Blond Ambition was right – why be coy about having ambition? Throughout her career, Madonna has always set out to try new things and has never let the potential for criticism hold her back. She’s taken risks with her music, has acted in and directed movies, and has even published children’s books. When she talks about her daughter Lola’s own creativity and the leadership role she’s taken in creating the Material Girl fashion line, I can’t help but be jealous. Who wouldn’t want a mom who respects her daughter as an artist and business woman?
