dirty filthy love

This just in from the Bible's celebrity news:

Manson Pays Wood Highest Video Salary in History

Marilyn Manson made sure his girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood became the highest paid actress in music video history for her sex scenes with him in new promo "Heart-Shaped Glasses." Manson, who split from his wife Dita Von Teese last December, reportedly as a result of his relationship with Wood, was determined the 19-year-old should be properly compensated for her raunchy appearance. The first two minutes of the "Heart-Shaped Glasses" video feature Manson and Wood writhing around naked, having passionate sex - with many believing the couple actually made love for the cameras. Manson tells MTV News, "I did insist that Evan be paid the most that any actress has ever been paid in music-video history to be in this, even though she wouldn't have asked for it. There's no one else that could've been in it, because it was inspired by her."

I'm not going to write about this shocking pair or the fact that Marilyn Manson is twice her age (I am actually older than she is!). What I take issue with is Manson's behavior or attitude toward the project. In effect, he is pimping her, even if he's her costar. It may superficially appear to be porn, but by paying Wood (so much) for appearing in the video, which she apparently wouldn't have asked for, he is prostituting her.

I do not know much about music video casting or what actors are generally paid, so I am naturally curious as to how much she was in fact paid. I don't think this is something most people know, but we know the actors/dancers/eye candy/objects of sexual exploitation must be compensated in some way. That Wood was paid is probably not a problem, but making a big deal about her becoming the highest paid actress for a music video because she appears in raunchy sex scenes with the musical act, who just happens to be her real-life lover, really shouldn't make the news. Calling attention to her paycheck sounds like Manson was paying her for, let's face it, using her body. I doubt their relationship is like that, so why make a big deal about paying her so much? Oh, he must be eternally grateful for something she might have done for free, eh?

If you don't agree with me, consider this: he wouldn't have paid someone else as much. And yeah, he might not have asked someone else because she supposedly "inspired" it. But the point is: he paid his girlfriend to have (unsimulated?) sex with him publicly. They can do whatever they want, but doesn't this complicate their relationship? Or is it just them both acknowledging it's a business? In any case, I think it's a bit weird. Just look at what happened with The Brown Bunny (2003).