‘Authentic’ Is Avril Lavigne’s Favorite Word

Eva Friede of the Montreal Gazette profiled the image that is Avril Lavigne, and whether she is or isn’t a marketing gimmick. “I don’t think there’s anything authentic about the pop-music business,” said Robyn Diner, who teaches feminist theory and pop culture at Concordia University. “She’s a commodity.” Max Valiquette, president of Youthography, a Toronto firm that tracks youth said, “Authentic. It’s her favorite word. She’s authentic and the people need that. She’s authentic and the kids like that. She’s authentic, she’s authentic, she’s authentic.”