While it’s true that the “First Lady” has no official duties and responsibilities, previous “First Ladies” have set an unwritten curriculum that is expected by the populace to be fulfilled during their husband/ significant other’s tenure as President/ leader of a country, state or city.  Although “First Lady” serves as an officially unofficial companion and representative for the President during ceremonies and functions (with or in place of the President), “First Ladies” world-wide are known for their humanitarian and charitable work. 

Married to power

Being wife to the President entitles such ladies to many privileges and duties.  They’re definitely no ordinary housewives.  And while it’s nothing compared to the drama and problems that the desperate ones from Wisteria Lane have to endure, being a “First Lady” is something that requires full-time attention, energy, and focus- sort of like an unpaid internship. 

High expectations

As much as we’ve learned not to expect much from anything, especially when it comes to anything that has to do with politics, we seem to forget all about it and set our expectations high.

Leave it the people, the regular every-day John and Jane Doe’s to stick to archaic views of marriage and women’s duties. 

Being a public figure, the “First Lady” has to submissively give in to the whole charade and carry on with charity work, community service, motivational speeches, guest appearances, and such- yes, those tasks are greatly appreciated, empowering, and certainly help out the communities and help raise awareness to whatever issue is brought to the table.  But with so much going on, the rest of their lives have to take the backseat.  Being a mother, a wife and a woman become (sin querer queriendo) a secondary thing for a “First Lady”.

“First Lady” all the way

With that in mind, most (if not all) “First Ladies” have their “regular” careers in stasis, devoting all their time to being a “First Lady”. 

So what happens when a “First Lady” steps away from the norm and continues with her career? 

It can go both ways- the masses will either love it or hate it (depending on the job).   Unfortunately for Carla Bruni, France’s “First Lady”, anything that has to do with the entertainment industry is just too frivolous and unacceptable for the wife of a President.

Bruni 101

Carla Bruni got hitched to French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February of 2008.  Even before becoming “First Lady” and dating the President, Carla Bruni and the media had an affair.

Bruni made her media debut as a model for Guess, and quickly captured the attention of high-end designers such as Christian Dior, Givenchy, John Gallyano, Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel, Versace, and many more.

However, in 1997 Carla Bruni exchanged her stilettos for a microphone and made her way as a pop star. Indeed, her first album was a huge success; however, her second album was victim of the sophomore slump. 

Third one’s the charm

Even with the “First Lady” title and duties, Carla Bruni decided to keep her day job and recently released her third album “Comme si de rien n'était”.  Frivolity aside- Carla Bruni announced that the earnings from the album sales would go to charity.  

Regardless of that somewhat selfless act, she has been deeply criticized not only by the French media, but by the global press as well. 

Her album “Comme si de rien n'était” totally bombed thanks to negative reviews- which mentioned the poorly constructed songs, but mainly satirized Bruni as a pop star bombshell not only “playing” housewife, but “playing” “First Lady” as well.

One thing is to criticize poorly made and produced albums- those come out as if music is going out of style.  But truth be told, certainly “Comme si de rien n'était” is nowhere near decent, but it’s not as bad as stuck-up conservatives point it out to be.   

Apparently for Carla Bruni, the third one didn’t come out to be so charming after all.  Blame it on her “First Lady” status or on the fact that “Comme si de rien n'était” was a failed attempt filled with French folk squander… whatever the reason is, it proves that just like religion and government shall be separated, there should also be some sort of law entailing the separation of music and politics (or at least music and politicians- spouses included).  

For more info on Carla Bruni and to listen to music samples visit her official site:
www.carlabruni.com