Insightful Verses: Exploring Megan Fox's Journey from Actress to Poet
Discover the powerful poetic voice of Hollywood actress Megan Fox in her captivating collection 'Pretty Boys are Poisonous' With remarkable introspection, Fox follows in the footsteps of literary legend Sylvia Plath, delving into personal trauma and redefining the genre of celebrity poetry A must-read for poetry enthusiasts
Editors Note: Patricia Grisafi, PhD, is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in prestigious publications such as The Guardian, Salon, NBC, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Mary Sue, The Daily Dot, and others. The opinions expressed in this article are solely hers. For more viewpoints, visit CNN.
Years ago, while browsing the Barnes and Noble in New York's Union Square, I stumbled upon James Franco's poetry collection, "Directing Herbert White." At the time, I was a struggling PhD student in English and felt so frustrated with Franco's frequent program-switching that I jokingly relocated his books to the True Crime section. It was a playful way of expressing my belief that writing poetry was a crime he committed. Do you get it?
Patricia Grisafi
The dumb protest only burdened the Barnes and Noble employee who had to reshelve them. I still harbor distaste for Franco, but now it's mainly due to the allegations of sexual misconduct against him, rather than his poetry (Franco claims all sexual encounters were consensual). However, my perception of celebrity poetry collections has shifted since the release of actress Megan Fox's "Pretty Boys Are Poisonous" (Simon & Schuster).
Celebrity poetry is an enigmatic phenomenon. Reviewing or passing judgment on it seems rather futile. Unless one is deluded about the economics of publishing, it is difficult to become outraged by their mere existence.
These books simply exist, catering to the satisfaction of fans. However, skeptics may express anger, such as this dismayed commenter who questioned the book deal given to someone like Fox by a reputable publisher such as the Big Five: "Poetry is no longer relevant... it is unjustifiable for this individual to be published while true poets who genuinely care about their craft are overlooked. Simon and Schuster's credibility has been completely eroded..."
Fox, known for her roles in "Transformers," "Jennifers Body" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," is not the only celebrity to have ventured into writing poetry. Other notable figures such as Jewel, Tupac Shakur, Billy Corgan, Alicia Keys, Mary Lambert, Florence Welch, Halsey, and Lana del Rey have also delved into the realm of poetry, each experiencing varying degrees of commercial success.
Britney Spears' "The Woman in Me"
From Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster
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At first glance, it appears that musicians are drawn to poetry more often than actors, possibly due to the parallel between writing lyrics and writing verses. When a celebrity wishes to share their personal narrative or correct misconceptions, they typically turn to memoirs or autobiographies. However, poetry takes a different approach. It cloaks and mystifies, creating a sense of closeness that no other artistic medium can replicate.
Many celebrities build their brand by presenting themselves as relatable. However, Fox was always incredibly unrelatable, being too beautiful and enigmatic. She would make movies and then disappear, saying controversial things and then vanishing. She would leave behind mysterious hints that led to a stunning and slightly menacing cottage in the woods.
In an NBC article, Jude Ellison Sady Doyle reflected on how Fox's lack of likeability caused her to be left behind during the rise of the #MeToo movement in Hollywood. Doyle writes, "It would have been easier to honor Fox's stories if she had portrayed herself as a devastated victim. But she shared her stories with confidence, in a joking manner, just like everything else." The same can be said about her poetry.
Her poems explore the theme of victimization, while also delving into the concept of a mannequin who defies societal expectations and loses sanity. Titled "i didnt sign up to compete in your bulls-t beauty pageant," one of her poems expresses the frustration of not being heard and being judged solely based on appearance rather than her words.
In the introduction of the book, Fox explains that it aims to transform personal experiences into a collective political statement. She states, "These poems encapsulate previously unspoken emotions such as isolation, torment, self-harm, desperation, longing, restlessness, rage, and overall anguish. Through these poems, I give voice to the shared experiences that many of us have endured."
Fox considered her poetic influences during an interview with People magazine, stating, "The inspiration for my poetry comes from various sources. Some of it is based on real experiences, while other parts are metaphorical." Regardless of whether she is conscious of the confessional tradition she is writing in, she expresses gratitude to the women who have paved the way.
Megan Fox at the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Launch in New York City.
NDZ/Star Max/IPx/AP/FILE
Megan Fox addresses her experience with pregnancy loss in her latest poetry book, delving into the realm of confessional poetry. This genre, which emerged in the late 1950s to 1970s, encompasses deeply personal poems that tackle a wide range of challenging topics such as mental illness, abuse, trauma, addiction, relationship struggles, parenting, and grief. Although not exclusive to women, confessional poetry is commonly associated with female poets, with Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton often cited as notable figures within the genre.
Both Sexton and Plath utilized their personal experiences as women to inspire their poetry, crafting art that critiqued a culture that sought to confine them. In her poem "The Applicant" (1962), Plath addresses how the societal expectation for women to conform to domesticity dehumanizes them, reducing them to mere dolls: "It can sew, it can cook, / it can talk, talk, talk." The female figure in the poem loses her humanity and is reduced to an object, performing mindless chores and engaging in trivial conversation.
Confessional poetry, which often explored themes of femininity, womanhood, and even pregnancy and motherhood, eventually became associated with the Second Wave Feminist movement in the 1970s. However, certain critics belittled or disregarded the genre, considering it something to be ashamed of. Today, opinions on confessional poetry still vary depending on the individual.
Content has evolved since the time of Plath and Sexton, now featuring Instagram poets and debates on their worth. There are various subcultures like Sad Girls and Plath Girls, along with merchandise like poetry tote bags and tattoos. At a promotional reading in New York City, Fox was asked by a predominantly female audience what advice she would give her younger self, resulting in tears.
However, misogyny remains a significant obstacle for women addressing taboo subjects such as the persistence of patriarchal structures in dismissing or belittling women's pain and suffering. Fox delves into themes of abuse and miscarriage, portraying male figures inflicting physical, emotional, and sexual trauma on a speaker who yearns for freedom and self-discovery. Within the poem "oxycodone and tequila," the line "you fall asleep on top of me so that i cant / call my family or the police" stands out as incredibly powerful and horrifying in its simplicity.
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Formally, most words are written in lowercase, resembling a whisper. Many poems appear to be tailored for meme-ification. The shortest ones, often single sentences, are ideal for sharing as Instagram posts. While sharing poetry on social media or being an Instagram poet is not a new concept, actively participating in this tradition holds significance as it promotes the consumption of poetry on these platforms. "Certain poems...fulfill the same purpose as memes in online culture," explained Fox in an interview.
The poetry by Fox holds importance because women and their narratives matter. Despite constant reminders to listen to women, the prevailing notion remains that women should remain silent. Just last month, rapper Timbaland suggested that Justin Timberlake should silence Britney Spears following the release of her recent memoir (Timbaland has since apologized for his comment).
Fox has transformed from being a muse for other artists to becoming the creator and muse of her own art. Rather than being a subject of the male gaze, her body now embodies multiple traumas and strives to express itself and create meaning.
One critic recently highlighted the strength of confessional poets by emphasizing their focus on the experiences of a female speaker. These poets shed light on everyday observations that many women can relate to, but are often disregarded as unworthy of being considered art. Fox fits into this tradition as well. Her poems are feminist in nature and carry a powerful message from Fox herself: embracing and rejecting silence.
