Jessica Alba has shown that she’s more than willing to become the poster girl for sadomasochism if it will somehow provoke people to vote. In her latest ad for Declare Yourself, it seems like all she’s doing is getting people to scratch their heads, though.
Alba wears a mask that’s reminiscent of fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter’s famous facewear in Silence of The Lambs. There are nails running through the front of the flesh-colored muzzle, but fortunately they’re not under her skin – like the other ads featuring Christina Aguilera with her mouth sewed shut and a tear running down her face. The ads are captioned “only you can silence yourself.”
Some photos, like the one of Aguilera above, were taken by famed celebrity photo artist Dave LaChappelle while the latest Alba ad is from Mark Liddell. I guess they’re trying to get attention to a worthy cause – and it’s working.
There’s still time to register to vote in this year’s US Presidential election if you haven’t yet. Ironically, when I was viewing the Declare Yourself site it went down, probably because of all the people wanting to see poor Jessica Alba in that S&M fantasy pic. You can register to vote on either Declare Yourself or Rock The Vote. If you’re not registered yet you have time because the first deadlines for specific states start this weekend. Do it now or Alba gets it. (I didn’t come up with that, I read it somewhere else first.)
The photoshopped-in tears are a nice touch. Can’t even act for a photograph.
Oh, and FIRST!
I like that you reported on this CB, but I’d be more careful bantying about phrases like “S&M fantasy”. These ads are designed to show genuine pain and problems arising when people do not use their vote to make a difference. It’s a rather serious issue, even if it’s photographed in a glossy, deliberately provoking (and yes, photoshopped) way.
The kinky community often shakes its head at what is referred to as being BDSM. This is another example of that. I daresay that no real, responsible kinkster inflicts the kind of problematic pain that is depicted and thematised here. Insofar, I find your quips a bit discriminating and definitely not discerning enough. This is definitely not a case of “postergirl for sadomasochism”. Please be aware that this is not what being kinky is about, in the sexual sense. And I want to add: all the kinky people I know are definitely already registered to vote (I would be too if I were American – all I could do was buy some Obama buttons) 🙂 They don’t need Miss Alba to prompt that in them.
The real pain is seeing Alba’s ridiculously bushy eyebrows. Pluck, for the love of God!
Anna, obviously I have no clue about that and appreciate you clarifying it!
CB: cool, I’m glad you understand where I’m coming from and what I’m trying to say. And I love that you respond to comments, that’s one of things I really appreciate on this site (which is the only gossip site I ever read).
Anna – understand the point you’re making but this is way too ambiguous to get that particular message across. As for using Alba and Aguilera as their poster girls, who the hell would care if they were permanently gagged? If they’d used ordinary people and not contrived glam studio shots, then it might have worked. Wasted opportunity.
Are there any male victims in similar ads, or just these women?
Kinky was the first word to pop into my head- and they aren’t “victims”, jeezus .
Alba should stick to modeling instead of acting. Even if you take away the photoshopped tears, I think she did a really good job of getting across a feeling of desperation and helplessness. Let’s just hope these ads do their jobs… only 25% of those 18-25 voted in the 2004 presidential election and we need to do better than that!
MiserAlba SUX. And why does this ho have to be shirtless? We understand that sex is th only thing she has, but it’s not appropriate for the ad. Your 15 are UP!
eh, whatevs, i dont care what it looks like. its an ad trying to get people to vote. its nice that people are spending money on this at all, and if it gets one person to vote its done its job. we are quibbling about things that really dont matter, like photoshopped tears and kink.
Am I the only one who thinks Christina Aguilera looks a lot like Christina Applegate in her ad?
While we’re on the topic – Make sure you DO NOT wear buttons, pins, t-shirts, etc of your candidate to the polling place. Not only is it really tacky, but in some cases, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY.
Get the word out, people.
…’but fortunately they’re not under her skin’ ummm I think it should be ‘but UNfortunately they’re not under her skin’ There it’s FIXED! and Anonymous, yes I though Aguilera looks like Applegate too!!
It took me a double take to realise it was Xtina too.
i find the ads pretty awesome… =D
I think they are running dangerously close with these ads (which is no doubt the point) of depicting violence against women. I understand they’re going for controversy…but had I been bound and gagged and raped…I’d have a serious panic attack seeing one of these ads in public. Wouldn’t you?
Just…you know…not sure they needed to go quite so strong with it. We all get the point. The tears and the obvious expressions of helplessness…seriously. That took it beyond the “silenced” message and hurtled it into, “a big bad serial killer did this to me” territory.
It gets a big ol’ “boo” from me for that reason alone. I support the idea of a “get out the vote” campaign. I think they’ve gone a little touch too far with these.
Tyra would be so proud
I like the one with the black tape. The hannibal lecter one is going too far. Its more ugly than interesting.
Love it, i hope people take heed and get out there to vote, it’s very important for our future. If the current state of affairs of your country don’t motivate you, i don’t know what else to say ❗
You can also go to maps.google.com/vote and register there/make sure you are still registered.
Regardless of your personal reaction, they garner your attention and make them memorable, which is entirely the point.
Good point Dante 😉
Agree Kaiser, a few hairs…..