"Beyonce's Triple Threat: New Album, Film, Fashion Line Before Year's End"

Am I the only person who’s so very very tired of pop musicians trying so hard to cross over into other lines of work? In particular film and fashion. Is the problem that it’s not time-consuming enough to be a pop star? Beyonce also needs to be an actress. And a fashion diva. Jessica Simpson shills cosmetics. And needs to be an actress. Ditto Brittney, ditto J. Lo, ditto P. Diddy (or insert more recent iteration of his name here), ditto just about everyone else.

I suppose if you’re not writing your material or producing your own music, that leaves some time to kill. And I acknowledge that for the most part these people are entertainers more so than musicians, so perhaps my expectations of them should be different. And above all, I acknowledge that for these people it's all about the money - how best to "leverage their brand". But still, it’s just gotten so damn predictable: Headed up the pop charts? Great – here’s a movie script and an endorsement for a line of clothing. Got a recognizable name? Here's a designer fragrance and a reality TV show. Been on the charts lately? Here's a ghost writer and a book deal. Sign here, here and here, initial here. Congratulations, you’re now a multiheaded commerce institution.