London - Tottering onto the stage in her eight-inch stilettoes, frock designer and former pop star Victoria Beckham made her inaugural speech as a United Nations goodwill ambassador on Thursday.
We knew things were serious because she had her hair in a bun and wasn’t wearing sunglasses for the short address, in which she spoke of the need to help women and babies with Aids.
“For some reason, people will listen to me,” she said oh-so-modestly. “This is an incredible journey for me.”
It goes without saying that helping to alleviate the suffering of Aids victims is a noble cause. But I can’t help thinking that Victoria’s new-found humanitarian mission is more about ‘me, me, me’ than those she’s trying to help.
Was it a coincidence that just as she was speaking at the UN in New York, her husband turned up to the opening of her new designer shop in London’s Mayfair? Both ended up grabbing the headlines.
Victoria had visited South Africa in February and seen pregnant mothers with HIV receiving treatment as part of the Born Free campaign. “I knew I had to do something,” she said. “I’m going to lend my voice.”
Yes, yes, I know it’s all very noble, but I can’t help feeling that all these self-serving celebrities who join the charity bandwagon demean the very causes they’re championing. Posh turned the plight of Aids victims into the Victoria Beckham show, while hubby was back home flogging £1 500 VB dresses and handbags.
What’s depressing is that the United Nations thinks it’s necessary to appoint such a vacuous clothes-horse as its ambassador. After all, her knowledge on health matters amounts to little more than where to get the best boob job.
The UN used to be a serious organisation. Now, it offers platforms for preening celebrity ambassadors like Posh and Harry Potter star Emma Watson, who’s only 24.
Nelson Mandela was over 70 when he first addressed the UN in 1990. Mother Teresa was already 75 and had done 35 years of selfless missionary work before she spoke to the Assembly. She talked of the importance of providing tender love and care in charitable missions, adding: “No money can give that.”
The trouble is that the one thing Victoria really seems to love and care about is Brand Beckham — and its millions.
Daily Mail