In the past 24 hours I have watched ‘Jennagate‘ unfold and decided not to add comment. But having read her long blog yesterday and having just now, read another comment from her, I want to use this space to offer Jenna some advice. So those of you who have access to her MySpace, please feel free to pass on this message from Diva Dirt.
Jenna,
As someone on national television every single week, you have become a public figure. And as a public figure, you are bound to be criticised. It’s not something new & it’s not something only limited to the wrestling industry. I can understand the need to defend yourself, but sometimes it’s better not to say anything at all.
I’m sure you realise that your signing to TNA is a controversial subject, as you readily admit, you are not a wrestler. I’m sure you feel that there is an unfair pressure on you because of your background — or lack thereof, but you have been in the entertainment industry long before you started with TNA. I can only assume that you surely must have faced criticism from audiences before? Which ‘celebrity’ hasn’t? Given this, your reaction baffles me.
I understand the intention of your blog . You wanted to clear the air surrounding your match. But I’m sorry to be blunt, but it didn’t help your case & in fact, only brings more scorn towards you from an audience that was already indifferent to you. I don’t mean to offend you and I’m leaving my personal opinions aside as I write this, but that is the feeling towards you & your blog. To be completely honest with you, your blog further alienates fans and only gives them more ammunition against you.
I’m sure you realise that putting a non-wrestler [again which you admit yourself] in a wrestling match would provoke a reaction from wrestling fans. And I again because of this, I am surprised at your reaction.
To offer you some advice, I would suggest you look at the way other women in this industry carry themselves. In fact, look no further than your fellow Knockouts. Lisa Marie Varon aka Tara for example, possibly one of the classiest women to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. You would never see Lisa break that ‘fourth wall’ between the audience and herself and speak out on criticism that she may face, or at least in the manner that you have. Even looking beyond the industry and towards the entertainment industry i.e. Hollywood, you would never see a star worth their salt take to MySpace and attempt to challenge fans. Again, not lashing out at you, but being honest.
It’s accepted that fans will criticise and the classiest thing you can do is ignore it. And if you can’t ignore it, act as though you’re unaffected by it. The entertainment industry is built on facades, after all.
Thanks for reading.
Diva Dirt
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10 Comments
Amen to that Melanie!!! :D
In agreeance one hundred percent.
I agree with what you said 100%. I’m not a fan of “models” in wrestling period and this whole Jenna thing has taken on a life of its own, so to speak.
Sadly, I don’t think she’ll take too well to someone who isn’t in the industry saying such, true thing to her. I am assuming you aren’t in the industry, but you may be so I apologize if I’m wrong. Most people, especially wrestlers (and non-wrestling personalities in wrestling like Jenna) take great offence when a fan tries to discuss the business with them. Not all obviously, as many enjoy talking with their fans or else, as you said won’t break the 4th wall. But others, be it with twitter or myspace and such things, feel insulted when a fan even suggests they do this and this move. Not news sites, but I’ve seen a few regular fans get trashed on when it wasn’t called for.
Though this is my second post here, I’ve lurked for awhile. I have a great deal of respect for you guys and what you are doing (and agree with what you said 100%) I just hope her retaliation isn’t ugly as I suspect it’ll be – since we’re fans and we aren’t supposed to do anything but shower her with praise and respect because she “entertains” us.
P.S. I want to say that I do respect the majority of the workers, whether I enjoy their work or not. They take risks for us and I respect that. But I also believe we have a right to have an opinon, and as long as we still respect what they do we should still be allowed to say that we don’t always like everything.
I agree with you 100% also. Most people had put the match out of their heads but she keeps bringing it up.
This coming from the girl who flipped out a few weeks ago because of negative comments..
Bravo Melanie!
I blame TNA more than Jenna for all of this, because they should have known better than to book that match on a PPV. At least, considering all the mud they sling a the Divas, I would have expected them to be more careful with their women’s division. To put a woman with no experience at all in a wrestlng match, on PPV no less, is beyond stupid on their part.
Jenna’s response has been totally annoying, however. You can’t be so in the dark as to possibly think that an audience would be content to watch you do little more than dance around like a stripper. That’s not what they paid money for, and she knows it.
Jenna’s response:
“Trust me I was given heat for being on Survivor and some things I said much more. I didn’t blog because I was upset I just blog because I like it and stating my piece. Also wanted to lament my respect for this industry…. I have always been very outspoken, its a blessing and curse that will never change! “
‘Steven D’ posted the statement, however I’m just showing the statement of Jenna’s.
I don’t know if this is true or not, but I read on a website that Jenna had started to train for her match about a month ago, after the June tapings, going through it spot for spot with Sharmell. This totally goes against what Jenna said about only having a few days to train.
Now, this may be completely untrue, but I thought some people could find it intereting.
Also, my apologies if this is a bad place to post this.
Jenna must realise that she is bound to face criticism! Every one has faced it celeb or not. Am I right? This is a very good letter Melanie, lets hope Jenna realise her mistakes!
I wonder what TNA think of her immature reactions?