Pop girls who maintain an immaculate track record; earning consistent acclaim and success without a hint of controversy, are a rare breed. However, some have found themselves at the center of commercial decline, with critics panning them, and endless controversy. But has it reached the point where these missteps have permanently tainted their legacies? If so, who are these pop girls, and why exactly have their reputations suffered? More importantly, can their legacies be salvaged, or are they forever overshadowed by these blips in their careers?

 

Katy Perry comes to mind immediately. Lizzo, too.

Nicki is now remembered as a paranoid has-been whose career stats were eclipsed in one era by a reality tv star and who willingly married a murderer and convicted sex offender. 

 

Katy Perry 

P!nk

I can't think of anyone really, even Katy has Teenage Dream to fall back on. I mean, no one is going to remember the mess 143 was in 2045.

If people don't drag you that means you're boring. So I'd rather Stan an MPG with a "tainted legacy" that means she's not afraid to be themselves 

In a way, Madonna. A lot of people even from her own generation are turned off by her weirdness in recent years. And the younger generations don't really get her either. She'll always be a legend but I think a lot of people view her negatively 

@glitch fave Tulisa 

Britney

Katy Perry. Even apologizing for her actions won't erase all the tainting but she doesn't seem to have it in her to read a room and even apologize to begin with.

 

Nicki for being Nicki.

 

P!nk tainted herself with her Israel comments but she's also not that relevant anymore outside of touring so who knows if that even made enough traction to fully taint her.

 

I don't consider Madonna's musical and artistic legacy tainted and it'll be revered long after her time but her personality won't be remembered fondly.

Madonna & Britney for sure. 

 

 

Janet, Katy

Most pop girls have repairable legacies. Britney is the only one who will always be remembered for 2007 and then her Instagram posting. She'll essentially not be able to live that down as people will always remember it. 

2 minutes ago, Tropez said:

Most pop girls have repairable legacies. Britney is the only one who will always be remembered for 2007 and then her Instagram posting. She'll essentially not be able to live that down as people. 

Would you say Katy's is repairable? 

 

Britney.

Sadly Britney! She's known more for being a hot mess & OBCESSED with Xtina than her music.

Edited July 11, 20251 yr by Appletree

all of them except angel dua lipa

Honestly none after so many years people dont care about those things. 

J.Lo… for the obvious reasons 

Lizzo

Camila

Jlo

maybe Katy too

Edited July 11, 20251 yr by Lemonaade

1 hour ago, PrettyHurts said:

In a way, Madonna. A lot of people even from her own generation are turned off by her weirdness in recent years. And the younger generations don't really get her either. She'll always be a legend but I think a lot of people view her negatively 

Same thing happened to Whitney and then she passed, all the ill-will towards her disappeared immediately after she died. Micheal Jackson too. Madonna will be remembered fondly despite her current antics. Nobody will remember or care in the grand scheme of things. 

Can't think of any. Some say Katy, but as 'tainted' as she might be, the GP is still willing to sell out her arena concerts based only in her strong catalog of hits. Stan world dislikes her for good reasons, but that doesn't speak for the whole GP who keeps streaming her classics.

Ms. Xila Maria River Red unfortunately

Madonna is a mixed case. I don't think her legacy is ruined and lots of new girls are inspired by her, but she's not respected as she should've been by the new generation. 

Katy turned herself into the pariah of pop by running back to Luke. She could repair a lot of the damage with an open and frank apology but 1) I doubt she'll do it and 2) even trying to execute the apology is a huge PR risk in itself.

 

It doesn't bode well for her legacy or when it comes to promoting new music. We saw with 143 that she was limited to giving interviews to outlets that would agree not to mention Luke or to bring it up briefly with no follow-up.