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Whether you like them or not, Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz are in the public eye for singing and, yes, acting. Here’s the neat thing about paparazzi parenting. Remember when Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton proclaimed a long time ago that it takes a village to raise a child? Well, in Hollywood I’d like to think that pap parenting isn’t only limited to parenting. There are siblings, the extended family, and even the people you grew up with who were always like your aunt and uncle (even though they weren’t technically blood-related).

Kudos to Jessica Simpson for sticking up for her sis! When you’re in your twenties it’s not like your parents are gonna come to the rescue 24/7 (nor should they!) so you gotta be the big sis and speak your mind. You may not know this or may not even watch it, but her sis, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz was recently cut from the revival of Melrose Place on the CW.

Although Ashlee did the professional thing and issued a statement essentially saying she was grateful for the opportunity, yada yada, her sister did the opposite. That’s right, she hit up Twitter!

On Sunday night Jessica tweeted, “Who writes this crap? i have had bad scripts to work with, but this? thank God my sister is amazing and got you some press.” Although Jess’s rep did not respond for comments on her behalf, I give her props for speaking her mind and sticking up for her sister. If she doesn’t do it, who will?

That said, do you think it crossed the line and was in bad taste or to heck with it! She has her sister’s back and that’s all that counts.

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Miley Cyrus. Heidi Montag. Britney Spears. Rihanna. Chris Brown. If you haven’t checked out the teen and ‘tween scene in superstardom lately, you’re missing the boat. Sure, the big movie headliners will always remain a la Angelina, Brad, Katie, and Tom. But when it comes to raking in the moolah via movies, music, and television, Hollywood knows where the money is at: targeting the young ‘uns. They have spending power and mojo and, oh yeah, they’re super impressionable.

Hence, the purpose of this post. If you watched the Teen Choice Awards a few weeks ago you may have witnessed Miley Cyrus, teen queen a la Hannah Montana, on a stripper pole. Yes, a pole. Then, of course there’s Heidi Montag. The MTV reality star is promoting her new album and consequently, her body. At a recent Miss Universe pageant she was essentially wearing nada. Although technically reports said she wore a flesh colored body suit, I’m sure there were countless other wardrobe options that would have been less revealing. Need I continue?

I think I shall…

Chris Brown made headlines recently for abusing his girlfriend, megawatt Grammy Award-winning performer, Rihanna. Hopefully a positive message can come out of it such as ways to get help if you are being abused, but what if the message is misconstrued as the 20-year-old Chris certainly has tons of fans younger than him?

Okay, this is where I’ll get on my soapbox: Is anyone old school any more? Do the celebs realize they’re role models to their fans? Do they know what messages they’re sending in terms of body image? Um, hello girls, you need to apparently be a size 0, blonde, and promiscuous. And how about the message it’s sending to boys? Personally, I’m a fan of the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift as they seem talented and pretty darn grounded. Why does it seem for every few dozen stars in young Hollywood, there’s perhaps one that is a squeaky clean role model to their fans? <Sigh>

So, now that you know how I feel, how do YOU feel?  Should we be worried or is this current batch of young up-and-comers ‘tween and teen-friendly?

Okay, consider this a gratuitous post but, you know what? We just can’t resist. Ever hear of the song by Fountains of Wayne called, Stacy’s Mom? You know the tune, right? The frontman croons about having a crush on a friend’s mom: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on. She’s all I want and I’ve waited for so long. Stacy, can’t you see you’re just not the girl for me. I know it might be wrong but I’m in love with Stacy’s mom.”

Well, could you imagine this in reverse? Your daughter is hanging out with Hugh Jackman’s son. And um, in the spirit of the song you can guess what happens next! A little crusheroo perhaps on the boy’s dad?

Maybe it’s the fact that he’s over-the-top talented, good-looking, and seems incredibly sincere. But Hugh Jackman has been happily married since 1996 and has two kids to whom he’s unabashedly devoted.

The Australian superstar recently dished that his nine-year-old adopted son, Oscar Maximillian, has been spotting pretty girls left and right. Now, even though Oscar has a new hobby of scoping out girls, we can only wonder how many of them will end up with a crush on his papa! Apparently his opening line is, “Hey, my Dad’s Wolverine.” And then he proceeds to ask his Dad to do some autographs for his new lady friends.

Hmmmm, do you think there’s anything wrong with Oscar pimpin’ out his Dad in the name of flirting?

(Photo: Stewart Shining)

Could you imagine, if you will, that your daughter is a singing sensation. Check that – a global singing sensation. A line of umbrellas was spawned after a hit song, fashionistas are emulating her style as little kids are nicknaming their dolls “RiRi” in honor of the mademoiselle.

Okay, I totally made up the RiRi part but go with me here, ‘k? So, you have one of the hottest names in music on the front pages. Not for her music at the moment but, sadly, for domestic violence. As you most likely have heard by now, Rihanna and her beau, Chris Brown, got into a spat which turned ugly prior to the Grammy Awards.

We got word that Chris was violent towards Rihanna and some websites even published the horrible pictures. She’s in a difficult, sensitive situation and emerging a stronger woman as a result. She has no choice – the public eye won’t let her escape the photographs or the incident.

Enter Rihanna’s father, a protective father of his child (even if she’s not a toddler or even a kid). Once a daddy’s girl, always a daddy’s girl. While he’s been quoted as saying there is some bruising and she’ll be all right, we can’t help but wonder how helpless it would feel to be a doting dad who hopes his daughter “moves on” from dating Chris Brown as he sees her private photos published and reads about their relationship.

At some point you have to let them fly on their own, but to what point if you see your daughter being abused? We can only hope this gives Rihanna strength to use this horrible experience as a platform to be strong and educate other women. Above all, to realize she does not deserve to be treated like this. Ever. Again.

So, what are your thoughts? Should parents speak out to defend their kids as they’re in the spotlight or should they stay mum no matter what the topic?