Montana Fishburne’s sad choice

By Michael Vass | September 3, 2010

The policy of this site is to avoid discussing the families and personal lives of entertainers and celebrities whenever possible (which is almost always). But there are times when such is not possible. Montana Fishburne is one such case.

I must be getting old or something since it seems I was the only person in the world unaware that Montana Fishburne was the daughter of Lawrence Fishburne, and that she had made a porn video. But having heard the news, I’ve done a bit of homework – on what she has said publicly and not viewing her video.

I am struck by several things. The first is that this news is sad. Not that I believe porn is worthy of the demonized status it holds in America, but that I am sure that her father’s status would have allowed her to have so many opportunities (especially in a nepotistic industry like Hollywood), which her actions has effectively destroyed. She stated, in terms of her motivation to do this,

“…That is what I want to emulate: having a tape come out and still being seen as a positive person. Not just, “She’s a porn star.”

Yes, indeed she is not being seen as “a porn star”. She is being seen as a famous actors porn star kid. The difference is moot to me, but I suppose it makes a difference to her.

But that just goes to the other thing that struck me. Montana Fishburne seems to want to be just like Kim Kardashian, or Paris Hilton. She has stated that both are individuals that inspired her, and led her to contact Vivid (the adult film company). If a worse choice of idols could be selected, it would be hard to identity.

Truely it terrifies me that Kardashian and Hilton, 2 women known simply for their fame based on nothing, 2 individuals that exemplify wasted potential and hollow stardom, are affecting the lives of young women in such a manner. It’s like the star-gazing that some ghetto youth have for the idea of drug dealers and the “thug life”. It’s a corruption of the facts, a wishful vision of reality, and a corruption of the freedoms the nation provides everyone.

Worse yet, Montana Fishburne seems to be filled with anger and a belief held among many young people today.

[Responding to a question about reconciling with her father] “Until he respects me and accepts me for who I am, I don’t think we will have much of a relationship.”

Respect is not something given because it is an obligation. Respect is earned. Through actions and words and character, respect is a reward. Until Montana, like many of today’s youth, learns this she doesn’t deserve respect. Civility though is common decency – though the 2 are not the same.

Montana has also stated that her passion for porn has evovled from her early loss of virginity at 16 and her “sexual exploration”. Given that both are private issues, things that all people must learn for themselves, somehow exposing this “exploration” to the world hardly seems justification. In fact it sounds like an excuse. Coupled with the fact she was arrested for prostitution in 2009, it seems far more likely that there are other problems Montana is avoiding dealing with. A thought further implied by her article in As Is magazine (whatever that is) titled I’m Not Doing Sh*t To Him, But Fu*king and Having My Career. Again, where is the respect being earned?

The one bright moment in learning about this was the news that a friend of Lawrence Fishburne tried to buy out all the tapes before they reached the public. That is truly an act of a friend. sadly it was not successful.

Reportedly Montana has made $250,000 due to her famous father and the tendancy for tabloid news to generate hordes of cash. Montana is being offered various roles in mainstream film and of course additional porn roles. But the reality is that she is just the joke of the month in Hollywood. Her fame is fleeting and based on the controversy. If nothing else she has attained her dream of equaling Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashinan – a target so low that she could have tripped and still attained the same effect.

If this is the passion of her life, which it does not sound like it is, then I wish Montana all the success she can handle. If it is possible for her to move forward with her life and achieve greater things, to exceed the Paris Hilton-esque life of vaccuous fame and celebrity based on being an empty shell of a human being, then I hope that as well.

To the rest of the Fishburne family I give my heartfelt condolences. I sympathize with Lawrence Fishburne and the anger he must feel. Going forward I cannot imagine the troubles and stress that will face him.

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)