Questions we SHOULD ask female artists on the Grammy red carpet

The Grammys are fast approaching and once again we at home will watch female celebrities walk the red carpet, each in turn will be asked about their dress, their hair, their makeup, their manicures, and. . . that’s basically it. Oh, and their jewelry, how could I have POSSIBLY forgotten about their jewelry?! But I think you’re picking up what I’m throwing down. The questions women are asked on the red carpet tend to skew shallow. The hashtag #askhermore was created by The Representation Project to promote gender equality when it comes to red carpet interviews, which is to say, don’t ask men all about their upcoming projects and only ask women about their earrings. Taking a page from #askhermore’s handbook, here’s a list of questions we wish celebrities were asked on the red carpet:

1.) Which artist inspired you the most growing up?

We ALL want to hear what someone’s first CD was, or which song they sang at their school’s talent show, so let’s ask a question that digs into an artist’s past.

2.) Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Because maybe if they say it on camera IT WILL COME TRUE! #mariahandarianaforever

3.)What’s something you learned early on in your career that made you a better artist?

Because we want ALL the growing up and coming of age advice from our fave celebs.

4.)What’s an important cause or issue you support?

Look, you have the screen time, you have the audience, you may as well give a shout out to your cause of choice. We also want to hear what these super-powered artists think about issues outside of entertainment.

5.)What’s a subject you’ve always wanted to write a song/sing about?

I just feel like pop stars MUST want to sing about more than just, like, partying and experiencing unrequited love. I want to know what Billboard Hot 100 artists really WANT to deep-dive into—politics, social reform, heck, pizza. We want to know about it.

6.) If you could cover any song what would it be?

Even if it’s just in a karaoke session, we want to know that ONE song you’d sing that you’ve never had the chance to cover. The song that feels like you wrote it from the depths of your heart, even if you weren’t born when it was written.

7.)If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

All the Capitol and Interscope execs are like “SHHHHHH, DON’T ANSWER THAT!” But seriously, Famous Female Music Person, do answer it. We need to know your perspective on the music industry and the problems that need to be resolved.

8.)Who’s your close friend on the red carpet tonight?

Power friendships between female artists isn’t just super-fun to follow on Instagram, it dispels the sexist depictions of “catfighting” and sends an important message to the media and to viewers that women are empowering and respecting each other’s work. And together, there’s no stopping them. So let’s hear it for the besties.

9) Do you think there’s a double standard in the industry, or in entertainment in general?

Bjork has recently opened up about how women aren’t given producer cred as often as men. It would be fascinating to hear whether other artists have noticed a gender bias in music and entertainment and how they’ve combatted it.

10) Who are the next big female artists you’re currently obsessed with?   

Not only would we appreciate the music recs, we’d love to see today’s superstar artists spreading the love, and fostering the careers of next gen lady-bosses.

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