Beyonce Knowles: Singer, Actress, Wife, Fashion Designer and....Role Model?

For the second time, First Lady Michelle Obama has publicly labeled Beyonce as a "Great role model."  I took some issue with this.  I mean, role models don't have to be a paragon of perfection, but still, I think that the wife of the President is smart enough to know that there are plenty of people who she could have said this about who wouldn't elicit a "Really?  Really, Michelle?"  type of reaction.  Anyway, my friend posted something about it on facebook a little while ago, and this was my reply:


I think Michelle Obama made the wrong call. I think Beyonce is a good role model if you compare her to some other performers today, but in general she is not. She proudly embraces the hypersexualized image of the black female body under the guise of feminism. I'd take her "Girl Power" meme a lot more seriously if she didn't sing about empowerment while simultaneously gyrating in hot pants. She seems like a sweet person but doesn't come off as exceptionally intelligent or philanthropic. I'm not saying she's dumb (I don't think this at all, but her interviews leave much to be desired) or selfish (she does do SOME charity work, but should do so much more since she's worth hundreds of millions of dollars) but there are plenty of celebrities who set better examples for young women. If Michelle Obama wanted to publicly commend a famous black woman, there are several others to whom she could have uttered those words.


Anyway, what do you think?  Is Beyonce a good role model?  It's true that she has made a name for herself and is financially savvy, etc. but was the First Lady correct?

Sidenote: To date, This is probably my shortest entry on this blog, and I'm proud of that.  I know I write too much and I'm trying to get into the habit of writing pithier posts.