Dua Lipa: Critics 'nitpick' female artists but praise men for doing nothing on stage
Dua Lipa has spoken out about the double standard placed on male and female musicians, claiming men are praised for not doing “anything on stage” while reviewers “nitpick” women’s ambitious stage shows.
In an interview with GQ, the singer, 24, also discussed the gender imbalance behind the scenes in the music industry, suggesting that women “aren’t really encouraged” to become music producers.
Lipa, whose second album Future Nostalgia reached number one in the UK charts last month, told the magazine: “I remember going to a show by… a male artist that actually doesn’t do anything on stage.
“And they got this stellar five star review. But then you have a women who get up on stage and they’re practically doing cartwheels, costume changes - it’s a spectacle.
“And then [reviewers] nitpick every little thing.”
Speaking about the gender disparity in behind the scenes roles, she suggested that “girls aren’t necessarily encouraged to play more masculine instruments, aren’t really encouraged to go into production, whereas men naturally fall into that path.”
Lipa described this as “a massive problem” that “maybe starts in schools,” and suggested that having more “female energy” could make them a less “intimidating” environment.
“My very, very closest friends are all girls,” she said. “I always feel it’s easier to talk to girls and I’m more open around female energy.
“Maybe if women in general had a little bit more of that in studios it wouldn’t feel so intimidating to begin with.”
Read the full feature in the June issue of GQ available via digital download and on newsstands Thursday, May 7.
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