Guest Post: Going Gaga

This post is by Krystie Yandoli, feminist writer, Syracuse undergrad, and Courtney’s favorite intern/grilled cheese eating partner.
My 6-year-old cousin, Juliet, is one of my favorite people on earth. Her intelligence and spunk never ceases to amaze me, which is why I shouldn’t have been surprised at her very unique birthday request: I was asked to dress the part of Lady Gaga for Juliet’s birthday party in June.
Last year I sported a fake blonde wig and pink sparkly shoes in an attempt to look like Hannah Montana as per Juliet’s request. I’m not the biggest Miley Cyrus fan, but I put on the costume to make her happy. I think the diversity between Hannah Montana and Lady Gaga is a fascinating one. Growing up from age 5 to 6 isn’t exactly a huge difference. Could Juliet’s change in female role models reflects her feminist awakening in that time period?
Public figures like Lady Gaga become role models in the eyes of little girls and regardless of whether they want this or not, people like Juliet look up to them. When I think back to my role models via pop culture when I was 5, I’m extremely envious and also relieved that Juliet’s generation of young women get to pick from the likes of Lady Gaga and other kick ass individuals like Emma Watson and Hit Girl.
I think my cousin is a BAMFF–bad ass mother f’in feminist, for wanting to have Lady Gaga at her birthday party instead of someone less progressive and awesome, like Heidi Montag or a character from Twilight.
More importantly, does anyone have any costume suggestions?