I’m old. My students remind me of that every day when they discuss current actors and musicians and I find myself asking, “Who?” As a result of my advanced age and general ignorance of pop culture, I have been largely unaware of Katy Perry. I know her for her bras – there was that one peppermint swirly thingy one and then something about one being too risqué for Sesame Street. I am sure that I would recognize some of her hits, yet I cannot name a single title. I could only pick her out of a lineup if she was wearing the above-mentioned peppermint (flavored?) bra.
So imagine my shock this morning when the headlines announced that Katy and I are twins in a way. It turns out that her ex husband, Russell Brand, dumped her via text as well and she has not heard from him since. Wow. Sometimes I really do wonder if there is some secret, black market how-to book out there that these people follow (Slimeball For Dummies?).
It’s weird. I never expected to feel a kinship with Katie. After all, she’s 7 years my junior, can sing and has cleavage.
But upon reading that story this morning, I now feel a bond with Katy. I can imagine the shock she felt as she innocently picked up her phone upon the tone that announced an incoming text and read the words from her husband that indicated the end. I can picture her hand trembling as she read and reread the message, trying to gain some understanding of the incomprehensible. I can imagine the panicked thoughts and perhaps messages as she tried to reach out to him and assure herself that it was just some terrible misunderstanding. I can empathize with the growing horror she may have felt as the minutes, hours and then days passed with no further contact. I can sympathize with the anger that seeped in as she realizes that he stole her voice when he chose to exit without allowing for the dignity of a conversation. I can imagine the difficulties she may have finding closure from a marriage that ended in a tsunami.
So, Katy, here’s a great big internet hug for you. I am sorry that I don’t know you as an artist but I now feel like I know you as a woman.
I was meeting friends 2 weeks ago for a double date and my friend broke up with his GF of 2 years via TEXT? WTF? Made it quite awkward for me and my date… His GF met us at the bar and HE was supposed to meet us there. Never happened.
That would be very weird. And totally uncool to involve you and your date.
It was very uncool. It was my 3rd date with this woman.
I asked for my divorce via text, but still came home. I would never just leave. I’m sorry, but I KNOW you’re in a better place!
I am in a MUCH better place!
Katy Perry’s documentary, “Part of Me” shows the demise of her relationship with Russell Brand while she’s on tour. I actually really appreciated the genuine emotion she showed while still being a performer. It was heartbreaking, but relatable. Not that you may want to relive your painful memories, however. I’m really sorry you had to go through all of that.
That’s really cool that she showed vulnerability in the documentary. Thanks for sharing:)
It connects us all – abandonment – and we feel empathy when we hear of others who are going through it. No-one is immune.
So true.