I know, I know, some will immediately rush to "critic" stance upon even reading of somebody trying to connect Carly Henley with the somewhat polarizing 13-year-old Rebecca Black, who took a song offered to her by a company and created a catchy YouTube video. But hear me out:
So many of the unfair critiques of Rebecca Black relate to the simplicity of the song "Friday", to which she doesn't even lay claim in the first place. Others are dissatisfied with the idea that what amounts to little more than social momentum has brought sooooooooooo much attention to young Rebecca.
The melody of "Friday" is considerably catchy even if the words are extreme in their simplicity. The song fits a 13-year-old girl very well, and nothing about the song requires her to over-play her age too much (save for her circle of "friends" seeming to drive to school).
Rebecca Black gets her high marks from merely putting herself OUT there... and taking her chances by inviting all of the attention, both good and bad, to fall upon her shoulders as it may. Yes, Rebecca is attractive, and that allows a lot of that attention to keep recycling with new waves of supporters turning up even when the pens of critics get sharper and sharper.
Watching Rebecca Black adjust so deftly to her newfound fame helps me to be more thankful and content about the special feelings that Carly Henley got to know during her life.
You can sit and watch YouTube for a long while and see Carly evolve toward similar rushes of feelings and satisfaction over a period of years as she forged her path in the "real world" (a world to which you and I can relate, unlike the whirlwind path from landing on YouTube to reaching the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in one month).
Something in Rebecca Black just inspires her to take the microphone and keep going... as seen in her segment on The Tonight Show, and that is what Carly Henley had in her as well. Carly was revered in her close-knit circles and her path as an entertainer was more personal and far less meteoric than that known to Rebecca Black. Carly got the satisfaction of serving up music of her own creation while doing so largely in front of audiences which meant a whole lot to her, at least in large numbers.
Looking back on Carly's life it seems reasonable to be thankful that with such a relatively controlled environment Carly was seldom subjected to the harsh critiques which could wreak havoc on any teenage girl. Indeed Carly Henley and Rebecca Black share exceptional beauty and indeed SOME of that allowed each a slightly easier path when exercising instincts to accept all of the attention and keep striving.
I read through the extreme comments around the web relating to Rebecca Black, watched the "Friday" video, and then watched the 6-ish minute clip from Jay Leno (it's in two parts, and only part two is linked above - here is part one) and I'm glad that Carly didn't have to take her chances in the giant waves of internet society all at once.
I do think their shared beauty allowed the two to more easily navigate the waters of being 'out there' and somewhat vulnerable to the harsh expressions of others (expressions often motivated by things not directly relating to either girl). A giant element to the appeal of either was that they each allowed everyone around them to witness their own respective boldness as performers. Thankfully the internet can preserve that about each of the two to be enjoyed by friends and family for a very long while.
Carly's music seemed to emanate right from her heart and for their being her own songs, Carly's music gave anyone watching a glimpse into the wonderful and fortunate person that she seemed to be.
There is plenty of time for Rebecca Black to surf the giant waves of popularity or opt to retreat into a mostly private life of her own choosing. The elements of Rebecca's quick rise to fame really help to underscore a certain vibe that must've made Carly Henley somebody very special to those who were fortunate enough to know her or to see her perform.
Factor out having one's own music, factor out the beauty on each side, and factor out a rapid wave of internet frenzy and you're still left with a vibe of performer's confidence shared impressively by young Rebecca Black and the late Carly Henley. Indeed it looked great on The Tonight Show on Tuesday March 22, 2011 but it probably seemed a whole lot better at Seattle's Hard Rock Cafe and other venues when Carly was right there feet from loyal friends and fans who were warmed by her presence.
Carly Henley was someone I'd never even heard of before she took her own life at the age of 20 while a talented, popular and attractive junior at university. She seemed the person nobody would ever guess for such a fate. The media doesn't generally cover suicide but Carly Henley could inspire so much caring and understanding and it has to start somewhere... I attempt to present this blog without hurting or offending Carly Henley's family or anyone else but suicide is a delicate subject.
I learned of the death of college student Carly Henley two days after her passing, on October 6, 2010. In the days soon to follow it became clear that scores and scores of people were wounded to the core by the loss. Wonderful evidence around the internet serves to almost suspend Carly Henley's personable allure, her impressive musical talent, and a short life the likes of which most anybody could envy.
Various reports tell of her short term struggle with depression of perhaps three months in duration. Significant in that was the introduction of anti-depressant drug Zoloft via prescription some two weeks before Carly took her own life.
Not lost on me now, finally, is the wording in the "Black Box Warning" with Zoloft, which states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in persons younger than 25. Risk is especially heightened during the first two months of taking anti-depressants.
The labels on anti-depressant drugs in the U.S. were altered to reference young adults aged 18 to 24 just three years earlier - in 2007.
It is my belief, now, that Carly just happened to land among the small percentage of anti-depressant users who are susceptible to being so affected by a powerful drug such as Zoloft.
One need not ever have known such a remarkable woman to feel the pain all around at the loss of Carly Henley.
So many life lessons are so well represented by Carly Henley's compelling spirit. Let me see if I can help some to gain fuller appreciation for a woman who continues to inspire everyone who ever knew of her.
Various reports tell of her short term struggle with depression of perhaps three months in duration. Significant in that was the introduction of anti-depressant drug Zoloft via prescription some two weeks before Carly took her own life.
Not lost on me now, finally, is the wording in the "Black Box Warning" with Zoloft, which states that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in persons younger than 25. Risk is especially heightened during the first two months of taking anti-depressants.
The labels on anti-depressant drugs in the U.S. were altered to reference young adults aged 18 to 24 just three years earlier - in 2007.
It is my belief, now, that Carly just happened to land among the small percentage of anti-depressant users who are susceptible to being so affected by a powerful drug such as Zoloft.
One need not ever have known such a remarkable woman to feel the pain all around at the loss of Carly Henley.
So many life lessons are so well represented by Carly Henley's compelling spirit. Let me see if I can help some to gain fuller appreciation for a woman who continues to inspire everyone who ever knew of her.
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