Still image from Superstar (1988)
In their no-budget film made in 1988, the story of the singer’s death in her parents’ house reminds us poignantly of the price young women pay for adopting the Barbie image and possibly starving themselves to death as Carpenter did in her search for becoming the perfect female body—with Barbie’s impossible proportions.
Todd and Barry found old Barbies in thrift stores and propped the one they chose to represent Karen Carpenter against a series of painted backdrops and handmade furniture. As she progresses towards self-destruction, they carved bits of plastic off her legs, arms and torso to create the dreadful appearance of the starving girl.
Her talent meant nothing. Her beautiful singing voice brought her no satisfaction. She couldn’t become “thin enough” without dieting to the point of starvation.
Superstar was never distributed. Mattel, owner of the doll, made certain of that. But it’s worth remembering that two young men were more sensitive to the price of celebrity, a killing price for young women, than anyone involved in the present production.
I know several young women today who are tormented by the same anxiety about “thin enough.” They can’t find their way to a useful and fulfilling life because of a constant torment about their appearance.
When will we learn?
[Rolling Stone just featured the film in a Hidden Treasures article entitled, “The Banned Barbie Movie That Will Blow Your Mind”. It was also featured in The New Yorker and The San Francisco Chronicle. The 45-minute film is available in YouTube as a VHS copy in two different places (with varying qualities) if you’re interested in watching it.]
I asked Google’s Bard if there are songs that have referred to Karen Carpenter in their lyrics, even though they were not written by a Carpenter. The excerpts from the response are pasted below.
“Karen Carpenter” by Saint Etienne (2000) is a song about Karen Carpenter’s life and death. The lyrics paint a picture of a young woman who was talented and beautiful, but also struggling with anorexia and depression.
“Nicest Butt on the Nordic Scenes (Early Years)” by Terje Nicolaisen (2004) is a more lighthearted song about Karen Carpenter. The lyrics describe her as a “perfect pop star” with a “killer voice.”
“Holy Wood (feat. YØN)” by Eric Munro Schwan (2018) is a song about the dark side of fame. The lyrics mention Karen Carpenter as an example of a celebrity who was destroyed by the pressures of stardom.
These are just a few examples of songs that have referred to Karen Carpenter in their lyrics. Her death at a young age was a tragedy, but her music continues to inspire and touch people all over the world.
[End paste.]
Didn’t Karen Carpenter have a legitimate eating disorder?