“Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s publicist wanted me to speak with each of them and asked that I not refer to them as “twins” or “sisters” in my story…about their new jewelry line under the Elizabeth & James label.” —Caroline Tell, on WWD’s new blog.
Quote of the Day
Jun 17, 2008 @ 11:02am
Ashley Olsen, Elizabeth & James, Mary-Kate Olsen, Robert Lee Morris, WWD
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 11:38AM
oh geez...
next thing, they're going to request that they not be called "pint-size moguls", then the media will really be in trouble...
and sorry, but they can't have their cake and eat it, too (just a saying, I know they wouldn't eat cake)...they made a billion dollars from being sisters and twins at that, and still cash in on it to some degree. it isn't as if they are warren beatty and shirley maclaine or something. plus, i think t is really yucky when celebrities try to control the media so blatantly.
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 11:42AM
i think it's kind of ridiculous. i understand not wanting to be marykateandashley but they are twins and they are sisters. it's a point that would probably be highlighted in an article about any other twin sister designing duo and it should apply to them. it would be different if they were doing two separate activities but they're twins doing a clothing line together.
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 11:46AM
They/their publicists are SO weird and paranoid. During their press previews for the row they all had panic attacks when I took out my camera to shoot things (standard practice). The publicist said "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT??" but I had a similar experience to caroline's…ashley just talked to me about fabric sourcing and retail strategies while MK was more "isn't this soo prettyyyy?" but I should add they both were unshowered and gross looking.
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 1:03PM
Good for them -- they're just taking steps to project the image they want -- ie, them as individuals. Yes they're twins and sisters, but they're also individuals and I see no problem with them trying to reinforce this image via the press. It's all about repetition -- if people repeatedly start referring to them separately, then in a few years no one will dare think to call them "the Olsen Twins" or such.
It's their image; I think they should be allowed to project it in whatever manner they prefer.
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 2:48PM
Guest at 2:15: I don't think famous people should be doomed to forever bear the label of whatever their "claim to fame" may be. If this were the case, Janet and Michael Jackson would never have become solo acts, as they would have always been "that kid from the Jackson 5."
The Olsens aren't trying to be obnoxious, a' la Diddy and change their names just to be eccentric. It seems fairly obvious they just don't want to go through their professional lives known as a unit. Yes, asking that any mention of "twin" or "sister" be excluded seems a tad aggressive, but I guess it's a strategy you have to implement when trying to change the minds of millions of people.
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posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 3:24PM
@ 2:48 - big difference between the jacksons (who could sing and had talent) and two little girls who became famous solely because 1) they were cute babies and 2) they were twins and thus could act in a bigger role by splitting it up.
when you mount an entire EMPIRE on being twins (tv shows, movies, clothes, EVERYTHING), then how can you object to an article, which IS a joint venture between the two of them, that says "the sisters" ?
i can totally see if it was a solo venture how one might ask to not have the other's name mentioned. but this is just stupid, and by making a big deal of keeping the words "sisters" and "twins" out, they draw even more attention to it (ala this fashionista post) :)
posted by guest
Jun 17, 2008 11:08AM
I can understand that. They ARE separate people after all, and they must be tired of being recognized only as half of a set/pair, etc.