Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox, whose hits include "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", has branded Beyoncé "feminist lite", claiming female artists like Bey are using feminism to promote themselves.
In an interview with PrideSource, Lennox seemed unimpressed with Beyoncé calling herself a feminist during her set at the recent MTV Video Music Awards:
I would call that "feminist lite." L-I-T-E. I'm sorry. It's tokenistic to me. I mean, I think she's a phenomenal artist — I just love her performances — but I'd like to sit down (with her). I think I'd like to sit down with quite a few artists and talk to them. I'd like to listen to them; I'd like to hear what they truly think.
I see a lot of it as them taking the word hostage and using it to promote themselves, but I don't think they necessarily represent wholeheartedly the depths of feminism — no, I don't. I think for many it's very convenient and it looks great and it looks radical, but I have some issues with it. I have issues with it. Of course I do. I think it's a cheap shot.
And Lennox also slammed female artists like Beyoncé for their sexy onstage routines.
I think what they do with it is cheap and ... yeah. What can I tell you? Sex always sells. And there's nothing wrong with sex selling, but it depends on your audience. If they're 7-year-old kids, I have issues with it.