Opinion Editor- Soph White
Here I stand—making the demand of the century. CAB, I see you. You let students vote for the artist for the concerts you put on, but I think you need to cut students off. Where is the nostalgia factor? Where is an artist who is single-handedly the most interesting human to exist? CAB bring me Bridgit Mendler or else. Stop stomping on my dreams.
I remember my freshman year when Dr. Bridgit Mendler was on the list of potential artists, and I want you to know that I’m still upset. Clearly, there was a mistake made or perhaps a misunderstanding about the skill and pure awe of Dr. Bridgit Mendler. To clear up this misunderstanding, let me inform you:
Dr. Bridgit Claire Mendler has achieved more in her 34 years of life than CAB could possibly imagine doing themselves. She is an actress, singer, and entrepreneur. She did a graduate program at MIT. She went to Harvard and got a doctorate in law. Mendler opened a satellite data startup called Northwood Space with her husband, and she has been known for her activism and philanthropy efforts. Simply put, Mendler is awesome.
Gustavus Adolphus needs some good role models, and I’m tired of only listening to male artists who don’t really say much of anything good about women unless it’s about their bodies. We need a feminist to get in here and a role model who can show us the many intersections life can take you after college. She is such a good example, like, come on.
If CAB writes to me after this saying they tried and couldn’t get her, I’m not taking any excuses, and I don’t believe you. I’m entirely content being a ruthless Bridgit Mendler stan. We all know that the songs she sang in Lemonade Mouth were absolute bangers. My personal favorites are “More Than a Band” and “Breakthrough” as they represent some pivotal moments in the storyline of the classic Disney movie. Like, I still cry when Bridgit’s character, Olivia’s cat dies (which is an important plot point as she held onto that cat with greater emotional importance because it’s the last thing she has of her mom who died), and her friends come to comfort her. Although Olivia used to depend on her grandmother and cat for emotional support, the band members tell her that she can depend on them and “cry on [their] shoulders.” Honestly, #profound.
Beyond the incredible nostalgia of Lemonade Mouth, she has put out her own albums in the past. Let’s just say that they blew up because of kids like me born in the 2000s era who were obsessed with Mendler. Let us not forget the glory that is “Hurricane” and “Ready or Not.” The girl knew how to make bops.
Each song encapsulated the confusing and fun aspects of adolescence and getting older. She was in her 20s by this time. She was exploring the world and life’s many opportunities. Like us, she tried on all kinds of potential professions and was open to the media about her changing ideas of her future–nothing was set in stone. Beyond her achievements, this has been an aspect of Mendler’s character that has become increasingly relatable as I go through life. She is the perfect person to have singing those songs about confusion and joy on a college campus, because she came out on the other side successfully, even after she changed her mind several times.
So CAB, maybe take some time to think through who you TRULY want at your next concert. I implore you, the reader, to also make the correct decision the next time the form for concert voting comes out. I will be watching.