THARIN BEEMAN

These pictures were taken when Girls Gone Wild came to Rochetser, NY in search for “The Hottest Girl In America”. The women participating in this night were fighting for attention amongst one another. In certain aspects of Female American Culture, this is a form of societal validation. I saw it with my own honest eyes that night.

I went to great lengths to make sure that I attended this event, with my camera in tow. I got out of work early, mentally prepared myself and had enough anxiety for even the largest of men. I smoked a cigarette as my heart beat faster driving there.

I arrived far before the camera crew came out of the Girls Gone Wild Bus. I acted like I had no documentary intentions walking in and kept my camera stowed away in my purse. I went to the bar and got a drink. I tried to blend in and look as if I was comfortable.

It was difficult to say the least. Then, at last, the camera guys came out of hiding and the attention seeking women followed. This was their time. This was my time. I followed the cameras with my camera. No one questioned me.

The women followed in suit and did what they knew was to be expected of them. It was a sad reality. To see how far Feminism has fallen. To see women do exactly what is expected of them, we cannot win therefore we will give in. Acceptance in the worst form.

(Reference picture #7, The guy smiling behind the girl dancing) The man in the picture is this woman’s soon to be husband. The camera men wanted to film her on the bus, they both agreed. She was obviously intoxicated.

I was persistent all night about getting onto this notorious bus. I think they were weary of me because I was not trying to be a “girl gone wild”. A man came off of the bus that I hadn’t pestered yet. He was my ticket in, I think he thought I was harmless. I made it onto the bus by the time that the couple came on.

I took the next two sequencing pictures of the future husband walking behind his bride to be into “The Room”. I found out about their engagement through some friends who were yelling outside to get their friends and soon to be husband and wife out of the bus.

During the filming, I sat in the front of the bus with the other employees. They gave me a Girls Gone Wild DVD, a shot of shitty vodka and said that porn would fulfill me. I laughed at all of them in my head and continued forward with my mission. If only they new.

After the couple exited “The Room” and walked off the bus quickly and awkwardly, the bus driver asked me if I wanted to see “The Room”. Of course I did. He took the last picture of me on “The Bed” with my camera.

I wonder if they found the Hottest Girl In America?

I have a feeling that they will keep looking.

July 7, 2011