Post by Toasted Cheese on Oct 31, 2019 0:01:25 GMT
I'd say Madonna and Cher are iconic.
The reason why I would not place Madonna as an icon is because she doesn't really have that much personality, at any level. I mean she's loud and smart and resilient, but... Even her looks and her singing are kind of flat, and that is what an icon cannot be is flat. Cher has oodles of chemistry and she's pre-disco, so I think she's got a better shot at it.
At the very least, I would say both Cher and Madonna are iconic narcissists.
As pop music icons, both Cher and Madonna I would say are also iconic. They both had their own unique and outrageous presentation that made people stand up and take notice. With an uninhibited sexuality and how Madonna exploited this aspect of herself really well, and got controversy in the process in some circles too, I'd say that would make her iconic for sure. Her music is still played and remembered and a good test for iconic status for these ladies would be if the millennial generation can easily recognize them.
I find Cher a bit freaky looking, but she had her own special charisma. After the 70's though, it was more movies that Cher would have been more popular for. She reached the pinnacle of fame by the end of the 80's and then started to wane off. I recall around 1990, she did a concert in Sydney I think and got a lot of critical flack for lip syncing. I think if she is easily recognizable, she is an icon.
Madonna photographed beautifully in black and white in, In Bed With Madonna aka Truth or Dare. The flatness aspect about Madonna that you have commented on is interesting, because I do semi-get where you are coming from. She wasn't a great looker, but she was also a strong and wirey looking broad. She put on an energetic and electric show and she was pretty in her own way. Her best qualities on film were showcased beautifully in Desperately Seeking Susan - 85'. I think her flatness is somewhat attributed to her pretty lackluster film career as opposed to Cher, who was very charismatic on screen. Neither ladies exude much of a sweetness or warmth factor though.