'I'm not trying to criticize other women, I'm just saying if you're selling it through sex, then don't say you're a feminist on behalf of music,' says the Pretenders frontwoman.
- Sep 16, 2015
AceShowbiz - Chrissie Hynde has been heavily criticized for the recent comments she made about rape. The Pretenders' frontwoman, however, appeared to make things worse when she tried to clarify her controversial remarks during a chat with ABC News.
In the interview that aired on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, September 15, Hynde also shared some words for today's pop stars who made revealing music videos. "To me, it's pornographic, when you're in your underwear and you're bumping and grinding and singing your song," she said.
"I'm not trying to criticize other women, I'm just saying if you're selling it through sex, then don't say you're a feminist on behalf of music. Because I think little girls get very confused by that," she added. She didn't specifically mention anyone, though.
A few weeks ago, Hynde sparked controversy after sharing her views on rape while promoting her new memoir "Reckless: My Life as a Pretender". Speaking to U.K.'s Sunday Times magazine, she blamed herself for the sexual assault she suffered at the hands of an Ohio motorcycle gang when she was 21.
"If I'm walking around in my underwear and I'm drunk? Who else's fault can it be?" she said at that time. "If I'm walking around and I'm very modestly dressed and I'm keeping to myself and someone attacks me, then I'd say that's his fault. But if I'm being very lairy and putting it about and being provocative, then you are enticing someone who's already unhinged."
Following numerous backlashes, she stood by her remarks as she talked to The Washington Post. Now, she told ABC News that she was only talking about her own personal situation. "I told my story the way I saw it. I'm not here to advise anyone or validate myself or justify anything. I say I regret a lot of things I did," she said.
She added of the controversy that followed her comments, "Suddenly I'm defending rape... I went places that no intelligent person would have gone. These bikers I'm talking about were dealing in some real hard drugs and criminal activity."
