Opinions on Rihanna's Pour it up (Explicit) video

PoleRules started this discussion · 10/4/2013

Hello Everyone, Just was wondering about people's views on Rihanna's new Pout it Up (Explicit) music video. In the background it shows various, talented pole dancers doing their hard moves, alongside Rihanna's sexpot, sleazy, stripclub dancing. Does anyone know who those dancers are? Seems to me that this one video is going to undo alot that pole dancing has been trying to do these last years, and that is to change people's perception of the sport. I don't know about anyone else, but I feel that the video just drags pole dancing's reputation through the mud Anyone else care to share their view points on the subject?

73 replies

DestinyPoles · 10/4/2013
I think it does contribute to everyone thinking that every pole dancer is a stripper, which doesn't really matter anyway, because the people who think that way will continue to think that way until they open up to the idea of pole as being more than just night life, and clubbing. A lot of people are limited on the subject, and that's the first thing the mind goes to when you mention anything to do with pole. The people who are open minded about it will understand that stripping is one type of pole, there isn't anything wrong with it at all, and I think it embraces the sexier side of pole, and it is just as empowering as long as you keep it classy ! What I love is that you can take pole, and make it as fitnessey or as sexy as you want. It would be helpful if everyone asked, "Well, what kind of pole dancing are you interested in?" But it seems that most people aren't aware that it can be done for fitness, competitions, etc. So if you were to make them aware that while strip clubs do exist for those who are into the sexier side of pole, there are many others that do it just for fitness in studios, and even some that go all out and participate in worldwide competitions, ever aspect of pole really takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and strength, even flexibility... It'll widen their understanding of the subject, rather than denying the sexier side of pole, and only focusing on pole as a sport. I think that's the direction the pole community should aim for, rather than denying a big part of what pole is about ! (: But that's just my opinion,
Veena · 10/4/2013
Hmmm, I don't think it's undoing anything....... I think many "stripclub" moves have their own difficulty level to them so downplaying those isn't really cool or accepting either. It's not easy to shake your booty!! LOL People have been aware of pole's in strip clubs for a looooong time and I don't think they've suddenly forgotten about those clubs because we have turned the use for a pole into other expressions, as well. So, when a dancer uses a pole in what some might perceive as sexual it doesn't "undo" anything. The strip club was there before and I bet it will still be there in the future. I didn't start poling, teaching or even this website to "change" the publics opinion on what pole dancing is. I enjoy all styles of pole dance and there is room for all styles. I pole because I LOVE it. I personally was not impress with the video, it was a little predicable and a honestly kinda boring. The pole dancers did a nice job though! I would love to see more acceptance of ALL styles in the pole world. For everyone else here's the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehcVomMexkY
Veena · 10/4/2013
I will add, and I have lived in several different states, when I tell people what I do they tend to say "oh, I've heard that's a great workout".....
IrishOrla · 10/4/2013
People who don't pole or are on the outside of our hobby will never understand. In my opinion they will just never get it. No matter what videos are out there putting us down or on the other hand explaining why we do it to benefit our bodys and for muscle growth. People are always going to believe what they want to believe no matter what, for example my best friend. I asked her to start poling with me when I first started an her reaction was "no way! It's really slutty is it not?" , now she sees me on my pole and says it looks amazing but she still wouldn't do it because of the stigma. Each to their own. Rhianna is a money making icon. And that's it. Nothing more or less. She's doing what she does best to keep the $$$$ rolling in. In all honesty I was a bit annoyed watching it, but at the same time I doubt she done it to put all us serious polers down. She's making money how she knows best. Exploitation. She wasn't thinking of our poling community while she was at it.
IrishOrla · 10/4/2013
I just watched the full video there, and seriously I thinks it's rubbish like all her music and videos. Not because of the pole or anything, just in general I hate all modern day "singers" because they are only singers for either of two reasons-1: they get naked to get the ratings or -2: they can't sing and every note is computerised. That Is all :)
Kira · 10/4/2013
It just comes across a little desperate most likely because of the fact she needs to remind the general public she's still around - you've got miley stealing all her attention and also britney's made another comeback song - so she's got to make her next video 'memorable' for good or bad. Honestly, were people expecting most the video being 'artistic' pole dance like her doing an amazing janeiro into a rainbow marchenko? the song's about strip clubs.... It doesn't make me feel much to be honest, it's just funny seeing all the pole sport advocates going into a proper rage about it ;)
IrishOrla · 10/4/2013
Lol raven you are spot on. My thoughts too. She wasn't thinking of all us die hard pole fanatics when she was making the vid. She wanted the wow factor. She wanted viewers to remember her. So yeah you could say she done it well ;) lol Pity about all the polers who are now going to hunt her down with pitch forks and burn her on the stake. Lol. Getting carried away haha.
chemgoddess1 · 10/4/2013
Have any of you watched the making of this video? They name all of the dancers and make up people and pretty much every person who was involved. Personally I do not see what the big deal is about the video. There were 2 things that stuck out.....one, I WANT that rhinestone bra in the worst way and 2 , in the making of video one of the girls drops down into splits in the water and booty bounced (I don't think it is in the final video). Oh, forgot, I was kinda impressed with Rhianna's booty pop at the end.
Kira · 10/4/2013
Oh yeah nothing against any of the performers I loved Nicole's audition tape esp the ceiling sit and that drop, she's got a fierce attitude! And I wish I had a butt like moneii haha I just think there was a lot of expectation on this for some reason?
Veena · 10/4/2013
I think I saw that drop split into booty n water. Also love that bra Chem! I hate to admit it but I like Brittany's new video.
Ninja Sarah · 10/4/2013
I got one word for that video...TRASHY! I'm sorry but that is all I could think of during the entire video, and yes, I DID watch the entire video. How could you not? It's like a train wreck; you want to look away but afraid that if you do you'll end up missing something essential. Hey, seriously, I'm not a hater. In fact I'm usually the first girl to stand up for all our young pop singers out there taking chances, making risky videos, putting themselves out there a little more than others, and whatnot. But, honestly, I think Rihanna's gone a little too far with this one. As a whole actually, she just seems to keep getting skankier and skankier every day in everything she does. Take her recent holiday/vacation/whatever trip she recently took out of country with a bunch of her "friends". She rode along with a giant festival parade, in the middle of the city, in front of hundreds of people, wearing nothing but a huge sparkly headdress, pore excuse for a bra, and matching g-string panties with high heals. She was 3 sheets to the wind almost the entire time running around humping anything that moved. I mean, I get that she's young and carefree, rich and famous, and that it's her life and she can live it how she wants, but for god sakes, have some freaking dignity once in a while while. It's just starting to get a little ridiculous, her balls-to-the-wall behavior all over national television in magazines, it's just pathetic.
chemgoddess1 · 10/4/2013
So my question is why we even discussing something that really has no effect on our personal lives? I mean really, I could care less what any celebrity does or says. It has no effect on my life or the way I live it. I am only responsible for myself. I think a lot of people would be happier in life if they stopped being so concerned about the actions of others.
kmccool · 10/4/2013
I watched the video and although I personally didn't like the song or the video, I don't think it will do much "damage" as other videos that show case pole dancers in the same kind of light would. My Darkest Days "Porn Star Dancing" and Enrique Iglesias "Dirty Dancer" are a couple examples I know of that don't make me think any less of the dance. Those who don't know what pole dancing is really all about, they wouldn't see the power behind the holds or the flexibility in the dances as we see them. We shouldn't let their ignorance slow us down one bit. The culture of pole is growing beautifully strong on it's own without having to defend it self against pop culture icons and their displays.
Jag5303 · 10/4/2013
I'm jealous they can mix pole and water!?LOL I keep trying to talk my husband into mounting a pole on our boat.
PoleRules · 10/4/2013
Thanks everyone for expressing your opinions. I was just curious about the different view points out there.
Lilyxxx · 10/4/2013
I know one of the pole dancers' names is Candace Cane, I believe she's a KOD dancer, and her pole work is AMAZING! I was only disappointed in the video because I expected to see her making a better appearance doing some of her cooler tricks. She's on instagram: sweetmscandace and she has some pole clips up. As far as the stripping thing goes.... Would there be pole dancing without the strippers? Showing strippers pole dancing in a pop music video doesn't "undo" anything about non-stripper pole dancing: strippers were there first. I wonder how THEY feel about a bunch of people jacking their art and then griping about the "stigmas" and oh Rihanna wasn't thinking about the "pole community" when she made that video. Of course she wasn't. The song is about strippers. What do good strippers do? Shake their ass and dance on a pole. Be grateful to the strippers and stop the whining. xo
Runemist34 · 10/4/2013
I'm really enjoying this topic :) You guys have some really good arguments and some very interesting points to make. Mine may not be so insightful, but... watching that video, I actually had a hard time watching or finding the pole dancers, let alone figuring out what the heck they were doing! Some really awesome, advanced moves that are basically lost in the visual effects and the focus on Rhianna herself. I also found myself totally confused... why would she have fingernails on the outsides of her gloves? What the heck kind of top is that to wear, especially with those awful cut-off jean shorts? Why does she have a giant throne in a big, watery room? Why is that sort of booty popping considered "sexy"? It just looks violent! If I was a guy, I would fear for my manhood, thinking a girl would do that. Soo... yeah, I honestly don't think that our "reputation" will be tarnished by this one. I agree with Lilyxxx! Where would pole dancing be without strippers? They invented it! That's like saying "Do you think Burlesque does bad things to the strippers reputation?" Burlesque created strippers, who then got on a pole and made pole dance, and now we're doing it! And we love it! Thanks, strippers! You're awesome! That's... basically how I see that, lol
Cherished · 10/4/2013
For myself I'm a Rihanna fan and I love Nicole Williams of Allure Pole dance (whose in the vid) I don't think it sets back pole dancing. In the song she's singing about strip clubs which she regularly visits them on her down time. I think the video did suit the context of the song since it's supposed to represent stripping/strippers/clubs and not pole fitness. Also on Rihanna's channel they did take the time to put up Nicole William's audition clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5yInyWTzPo which is now over 1 million views and exposes a wide audience to a skilled pole demo which has a lot of positive feedback in the comments section. So I think the video actually ended up benefiting the pole community.
BadNewzPoleDanca · 10/4/2013
Just my two cents... I'm confused by people who wanted the video to focus more on the pole dancers..it's about Rhianna. Kudos to her because she does execute some nice (though not advanced) pole moves in there. (I believe she's the chick with the hat on.) Even moving around the pole with some attitude is something to be proud of. If she wants to demonstrate the proper way to twerk, let her! I didn't think it was a big deal...I mean it goes with the song. Congrats to Nicole and the other dancers..they did a good job. And yeah, that bra thingy she wore was really cool!
Carrington · 10/4/2013
I love RhiRhi. Leave that girl alone and let her do her thing. I believe poling is an art of self expression and yes it can be sexy as hell. I have never felt more alive in my own skin since I've been poling and its only been a few months. So I say....pour it up... pour it up!
Black Orchid · 10/4/2013
If I had to pick a music video that really repped for pole dancing and was shot well and had a great song etc I would pick Diplo's "Set It Off". This video is not quite on that level for me but other than that I thought it had a lot of pretty visual moments. I liked the outfits, the pole dancers and yes, the strippers. There are pole dancers in strip clubs! The song is about going to a strip club! I don't think people are going to get any kind of "wrong impression" from this video. And also, YES to everything Veena said. And YES to the fact that the "making of" and Nicole's audition videos are probably what are more valuable to us as far as driving students to studios. Win-win situation. PS After our student showcases we GO to the strip clubs and have a good time watching the dancers and playing on the poles. No one is confused about the difference. No shame in the game.
Anya123 · 10/4/2013
Poling is always going to be stereotyped as slutty and associated with stripping/strip clubs, always.Just depends on if someone who is judging is ignorant to the fact that there are different kinds of pole dancing.Before I got into poling and actually seeing youtube videos of competitions or people doing it for fitness i thought that's all a pole was used for was in strip clubs. Rihanna's video didn't set back anything. Until someone like me actually researches or knows someone they know does poling for fitness that's all they will know..
PhnixxRed · 10/4/2013
Ninja Sarah, the pictures and incident you're referring to is Carnival. It's a huge thing in the Caribbean and it's common for women to dress provocatively. There are also mini festivals like this in the USA, but they don't have as much notoriety and recognition as Carnival. There was one a few weeks ago in New York and I wish I could have been there to experience it. I was expecting more out of the video as far as the clips, but it is a music video at the end of the day. I hope that the dancers' audition videos are released! I'd love to see their talents!
Phoenix Hunter · 10/5/2013
I liked her bra, I liked the booty popping in the water. song was ok. I thought it was kinda cool to see a female singer display pole dancers in her video. Usually it's just the men who have the pole dancers in their video as they are throwing money at them. I think alot of female singers won't have pole dancing in their video because the dancers would outshine them. Rhianna doesn't seem to be afraid of that, she seems to celebrate the sexiness of other women. She strikes me as the kind of woman who goes to strip clubs and has a good time. Stripping is a part of pole dancing and we should not deny that. There is nothing wrong with being sexy. People are gonna think what they think until they know better. Her video is not gonna undo anything. Did I mention I liked her bra!!! yes I did. I love it!
platformsanddubstep · 10/5/2013
It absolutely will tie pole dancing to stripping, but as many said, sexuality is the purpose of the video. I so wish we could have seen more dancing but I'll take what I can get with pole in the media :) I would always dance to this in the club... where was my water at... the water twerk is everything!

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