Sarkozy's model behaviour

The news that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is dating (and perhaps even married to) former model Carla Bruni is one of those bits of pop culture trivia that reaffirms suspicions that the world has gone topsy-turvy.

Rock stars date models. Actors date models. Donald Trump marries them. But heads of state are supposed to dally with women who spent their twenties writing their dissertations, not sashaying down a runway to the thump of house music.

This is a rule. For sure, it is based on stereotypes and jealousy. Models are dumb. Models aren't interested in health policy or agriculture subsidies.

None of it is fair but it is hard to get all sniffly about it. Because models have won a genetic lottery — having been blessed with long legs, fast metabolisms and faces that can move millions of units of unnecessary goods — they get to date the likes of Mick Jagger. (Ms Bruni did.)

Models already get the star athletes. The bookish debate-team captain should get the prime minister. And all will be right with the world.

There are several aspects to the Sarkozy-Bruni relationship that are disturbing, not the least of which was their decision to go public with their coupledom in December at Disneyland, Paris.

Were all the tasteful cafés full? And Bruni was not merely a model. She was a really famous model at a time when models had the high profile of Hollywood starlets.

Bruni posed and pouted for fancy European houses and, in the late 1990s, she cashed out and embarked on what has been described as a singing career.

Alicia Keys she is not. But no matter. It is fair to say that she is an ex-model who has gone on to other adventures.

But that is no excuse for snuggling up with a world leader. Paul McCartney is available. Why not date him?

There is no set number of years that must pass before a modelling career is safely in one's past.

The more successful the model, the more time required before the aroma of superficiality dissipates.

Consider Iman. No one would consider her shallow. But she retired from modelling almost 20 years ago.

She built a cosmetics business and launched a charitable campaign for AIDS awareness: “I Am African''.

And still Iman had the decency to marry a rock star — David Bowie.

Models and heads of state simply don't go together. There was a time when models were pretty socialites who could hold an elegant pose.

But then came the 1960s youthquake, waifs and drugs chic. Mothers, don't let your babies grow up to be models!

Naomi news

The news that Naomi Campbell had interviewed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for a story in British GQ was enough to prompt snorts of disdain.

Some of that is because Campbell is also well known for flinging communication devices at those unlucky enough to be in her employment.

Did Chavez's security detail confiscate Campbell's cellphone?

But the vast majority of the shock and dismay over a model being sent to do Christiane Amanpour's job is due to the fact that this is a woman who recently posed without clothes alongside designer Marc Jacobs — who was wearing a tutu.

“She'' gets to have a tête-à-tête with a world leader?

The stereotype is that there is little of substance behind a model's pretty face.

It is a stereotype exacerbated by the fact that many models are so young they haven't had the time to get a formal education or develop thoughtful opinions.

Instead, they've been forced to ponder over their body, hair and face. Modelling rots the brain.

There is a word in popular culture for men who are obsessed with models: model-isers. They aren't drawn to the individual person but to the fantasy.

And they're perceived as being just as shallow as the women they date are assumed to be.

Trophy and Mr Shallow

The dismay over the relationship between Bruni and Sarkozy, whose second wife, Cecilia, had once modelled, is a magnification of the reaction to the sight of a bookish man with a bombshell woman.

The juxtaposition doesn't do either of them any favours. She is likely to be considered a trophy. And he is Mr Shallow. Oh, the terrible burdens of beauty!

It is easy to swallow hard and not make a fuss when musicians chase models or when famous actors do.

It almost seems like a prerequisite in their industries. But a world leader? Et tu? It is only natural that Sarkozy would like a pretty face as much as anyone.

But if a law degree was featured as prominently on Bruni's résumé as supermodel, all would be right with the world.

We asked French expats if they were uncomfortable with the idea of their head of state dating a model and singer and here's what they had to say:

Personally, I don't have a problem with Sarkozy dating Carla Bruni. I think they are a good match.

People are free to do what they want so long as they are doing their job. I think that what people dislike is the way they are making a show of it.

But again, I don't know if this is their fault or the media's. As they say, never criticise a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.

I think that most people don't have a problem with Sarkozy's personal life but are using it against him for not delivering on his promises.

Fatme Khalife Al Kharusi

Sarkozy's private life is by essence his own choice. I don't think it is relevant for me to feel any comfort or discomfort on that matter.

My discomfort lies in the fact that when officially travelling, he sometimes brings his girlfriend along.

Whatever the occupation of his girlfriend: model, GM, housewife, etc ... she is not officially part of the presidential family, which can certainly offend some cultures and that is not acceptable from the chief of any country.

Laurence Brillault

Have your say

Do you think Carla Bruni would have been more acceptable if she had, say, a law degree? Or is it time we changed the way we think? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com