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I spend my days creating strategic messaging, drafting talking points and coaching executives on how to interact with the media. Most often my clients know what they want to say, but don’t how to say it, or to whom, for that matter. Perception is everything, which is why we don’t let just anybody spout off to the media. We train and coach and practice. And maybe it is this orientation, that makes me react so strongly when I read something like this, from Blender magazine: “Right now I'm also reading the Bible, beginning to end. I'm very religious. That's how I've gotten to where I am.” — Heidi Montag, MTV’s The Hills If you don’t know, The Hills is a pseudo-reality show where MTV crews follow several 20-somethings around L.A. It is the epitome of everything that is ridiculous about reality television – 22-year-old girls whose “reality” includes getting paid by MTV to wear designer clothes while partying and hooking up with Hollywood’s C-list. I won’t go into the details but Heidi is the “villain” of the series and known primarily for getting gianormous new boobs and being engaged to her fame-whoring equal. This is the girl who is “very religious.” And apparently God himself is to thank/blame for “getting her where she is” – which is, let’s see – on the cover of US Weekly in a bikini top to squeeze her money’s worth out of those melons. As a 20-something woman, I’m amused. Heidi and The Hills’ crew are laughable. They are idiots and therefore, hilarious to watch and mock. As a Christian, I am embarrassed, utterly embarrassed. If only Christianity had a PR Director about now! If it were my job, I would call Heidi and her people (sadly, I’m sure she has some) and forbid her to open her mouth on the subject of Christianity ever again. I would confirm if in fact she actually has a Bible, and if so, I would beg her to hide it from the cameras. The last thing Christianity needs is more press from Heidi and the twins. But once I started thinking about it – I was even more embarrassed. Heidi, for better or for worse, has a national audience, but would my hypocrisy really seem so different if broadcast to the masses? Maybe if I shut off the TV and quit watching trash like The Hills I’d have the time to consider it. |
Comments
Brilliant, clever, thought-provoking. I'm referring, of course, to Heidi's "twins." You were also pretty good. Seriously, Lindsey, you raise some excellent issues. What does it say about the state of Christianity that someone like Heidi can say she got to where she is--and it's not a good place--because she read the Bible from beginning to end? Then again, who are we to judge? I've never heard of Heidi Montag (it's a generational thing). Heck, I had never even laid eyes on her melons before reading your blog (see what you made me do). But already I am judging her as a terrible example of the faith I hold so dear, even if I think she looks pretty good in a bathing suit.
That's why your conclusion is appropriate. It kind of falls into the category of "take the speck out of your own eye before removing the log from someone else's." Maybe we should pray for Heidi. Maybe she's just really early in her faith journey. What she needs is some spiritual mentoring. Somewhere in Hollywood there has to be a mature Christian woman of some fame (a B-lister, perhaps?) who read the quote and saw it as opportunity to contact this young lady.
Short of that, maybe some PR person for Christianity will give Heidi a call and advise her to stay undercover until she actually knows the One who wrote the Bible she claims to have read from cover to cover. Come to think of it, that's good advice for a lot of people.