Authenticity, Nostalgia, and the Search for Originality
By Amy Walter
The word “rip off” gets thrown around a lot online. Addison is a Britney rip-off, Remy Bond is just the next Lana Del Rey, and Sabrina Carpenter seems a little too similar to Ariana. But when did taking inspiration from your peers quickly devolve into being labelled a copycat and even unoriginal? And why is it that women have trouble defining an image without being compared to another in their field? Having to reinvent yourself a million times, it's surely no surprise that one of these curated versions of yourself seems similar to another.
Image Sourced through Pinterest
With the release of Addison’s debut album, many became solidified in their belief that she had become somewhat of a Britney copycat. The outfits, being mistaken for her and a particularly 2000s album cover, led to a pretty strong case on TikTok. Comments were mostly focused on her “sudden” rebrand, from 2020 Renegader to an indie, 2000s-inspired singer. Many labelled the move “inauthentic,” claiming her visuals, fashion, and even mannerisms did not reflect who they had come to know and, well, hate on.
Being one of the most famous girls on the internet during 2020, it's no surprise, she received a lot of hate. But even now, people are surprised when I mention she now makes music and good music at that. “That’s her?” they say in response as I show them the ‘Aquamarine’ music video, shocked at how different she looks. But that's the thing: of course, she's different. Think about how much we change between the ages of 18 and 24. Her persona was hardly a rebrand but merely an exploration of her interests, experimenting with the opportunities that came her way at such a young age.
It’s no coincidence that young women are often the ones being labelled as copycats or inauthentic. It's the same age-old debate women have over wearing an old band shirt and being interrogated to know all the songs, and in the case of Addison, being debated as to whether or not she’s a true Britney fan or just mirroring her aesthetics. Such 2000s aesthetics that we see not only in the new branding of singers but increasingly in marketing, television, and photography, Addison is creating a wider discussion of how many aspects of our current pop culture are based solely upon references.
Image Sourced through Pinterest
Whether it’s a re-release of a 90s favourite, independent movies reverting to the time of 35mm film, or sequels of 2000s classics bombarding the cinema, it seems everyone’s got a taste of the nostalgia bug. And businesses know this. Whether it was COVID, the economy, or an increased availability of past media, it seems collective tastes are more sporadic than ever. Maybe you're an ‘80s girl and opt for Madonna, or perhaps someone who prefers the days of 2010s Tumblr music. There's a place on the internet for you, and consequently, a modern equivalent who can take your favourites’ place.
This nostalgia has become the backbone of modern marketing as well. Key examples range from HAIM’s promotional photos for their upcoming album ‘I Quit’, taking inspiration from iconic 2000s Paparazzi photographs, to Lancome recruiting 2000s legends like Rachel Bilson (known for the ‘O.C’) and Ed Westwick (known for Gossip Girl) to promote their lip gloss, the ‘Juicy Tube.’ A product so synonymous with the 90s and 2000s, that Lancome labelled the gloss as able to “revive the 90s.”
Image Sourced through Pinterest
Similar marketing aimed at people’s nostalgia high can be seen in the current cinema line-up. At my local cinema, five out of the seven movies currently available are either live-action remakes, sequels, or movies inspired by books/beloved stories. Disney can be traced back to the cause of the influx of their now-loathed format of reimagining their animated classics, which started back in 1996 with ‘101 Dalmatians.’ However, the remakes took off with 2017’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’, where there has now been a Disney live-action film released every year since. Lucky us. But can we blame Disney? I mean, for Disney adults… sure we can! But, I also could understand the want to secure funding from the guaranteed successes of live-action remakes, to fuel newer and exciting projects. Although looking at their 2025-2028 release line-up, it’s hard to see quite when these “newer” projects will come to fruition.
Image Sourced through Pinterest
Yet, the regurgitation of old stories, re-releases of old products, and emphasis on references begs the question: have we all just gotten lazy? Relying far too heavily on the inspiration of Pinterest boards and our favourite pop-culture moments rather than coming up with new and exciting ideas. “Where are all the thinkers?” was a question asked by FKA Twigs. And whilst most are in college or hindered by a lousy 9-5, there are many original thinkers, even reading this now, who just haven’t been given their chance, currently writing the next big thing or pitching a new show, just waiting for that green light.
Image Sourced through Pinterest
I think for many, new media inspired by the past is harmless. Rather than “lazy,” many view these nostalgic revivals of past music, films, and TV shows as comforting. A welcome familiarity in a world seemingly full of more uncertainty than ever. At this year's Glastonbury, some of the most beloved performances were from 90s icons like Pulp, Alanis Morissette, and Weezer, and this year's most anticipated tour is arguably Oasis. Their music, having the ability to transport us back to a time now regarded as far simpler, looked back on through the hazy eyes of nostalgia and the label of “better times” many now yearn for.
