Is It Really All That Good to Be Bad?

May 18, 2007 — -- Two of the hottest acts in the music industry right now are the jazzy, soulful, doo-wop fusion British singers Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. They're also two of the most controversial.

While critics have fawned over Allen's first U.S. record "Alright, Still" (released last fall), the tabs have gobbled up her countless rants. She's been picking on Victoria "Posh" Beckham, saying she's too tan, too skinny, and just too too … She's trashed Kylie Minogue, even called British musician and knighted, noted humanitarian Bob Geldoff a "c-nt."

The 23-year-old Winehouse, meanwhile, is the talk of every party I've been to for the last month. She's been quoted in the press admitting to having manic depression, anorexia and bulimia. Her arms are filled with cutting scars. And then there's the partying.

Public boasts of heavy drinking. Photos of white powder-encrusted nostrils. A bunch of abbreviated and canceled performances. Ironically -- or not so much -- her big hit is called "Rehab" ("Oh no no no no I won't go").

Is it really all that good to be bad? What's so wrong about simply being creative and talented, respecting your family, and just being a decent human being? Must Beyonce, Jewel or Norah Jones create scandal to be successful? It doesn't seem so.

For decades we've had a love/hate relationship with brash and controversial divas who battle addiction and despair. All the talent in the world can't help them overcome their biggest obstacle -- themselves. Josephine Baker, Billy Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin…

Sure, we all love a little controversy, personal style and gritty self-promotion, but why go after others? Can't we all just get along? Isn't the universe big enough for all the stars to sparkle?

Apparently not.

When Allen and Winehouse aren't attacking their peers, they turn their shoddily manicured claws on one another. Over the past few months, rarely has one given an interview where she doesn't trash the other. And both singer's MySpace pages are filled with more bile than a pancreatic storage facility.