CrotchGate Part II: Camille Paglia says Madonna Gave Britney the "Kiss of Death"

Yesterday we spoke with Paris Hilton’s waxer on the recent trend of Hollywood actresses going bald. Today we take a more intellectual approach (no, really). We called renowned feminist author and culture critic Camille Paglia and asked why starlets like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are flashing their goodies for the camera. And what does it all mean? As usual, Paglia didn't mince words.

On how it’s affecting feminism:
“These girls are lowering themselves to the level of backstreet floozies. It angers me because I fought a bitter fight to get feminism back on track and be pro-sex at the same time. This is degrading the entire pro-sex wing of feminism.”

On how it’s affecting their reputation:
“I am completely appalled by what these young women are doing because I think that they are cheapening their own image and obliterating all sexual mystery and glamour, which are the heart of the star system.”

On how Hollywood’s changed:
“These are women who are clearly out of control because the old studio era is over. The studio system...guided and shaped the careers of the young women who it signed up. It maximized their sexual allure by dealing it out in small doses and making sure you don’t have -- what has become here -- a situation of anarchy.”

On Madonna:
“Madonna was able to flash her breasts and play peek-a-boo because she is an authentic, creative artist who churns out song after song, project after project… but Britney seems like she’s lost and the career track is obliterated.”

On “The Kiss”:
“A great promise was contained in the moment when Madonna kissed Britney at the MTV Awards. She in a sense was saying,”I’m passing the torch to you.” It was a fabulous moment. Britney looked toned, in control of her career and it was up to her to take the next step. Literally from that kiss, from that moment onward, Britney has spiraled out of control. It’s like Madonna gave her the kiss of death! Britney is throwing it away!”

On Paris Hilton:
“Paris Hilton I feel a little bit more benign towards because she doesn’t really have a vocation. She is basically a celebutante. She changed fame by mining high-fashion poses learned from drag queens.”

On Lindsay Lohan:
“Lindsay is alienating too many serious actors and when you are not performing and causing problems on a shoot, that’s not good. I think Lindsay Lohan is more in the downward spiral for sure.”