Elliot Spitzer’s “Kristen” is Becoming a MySpace Millionaire

I wasn’t planning on writing about the Elliot Spitzer sex scandal. Really. Writing about someone’s fall from grace is not my forte.

But the subject of the scandal caused by the soon-to-be-former New York governor is causing the call girl’s MP3s to sell like hotcakes on her MySpace page, now that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax.

Now I’m not recommending that you start a scandal in order to sell your CDs and MP3s, but as writing about indie music promotion is my forte, it’s my job as “The DIY Diva” to provide

“The DIY Diva” Case Study: Ashley Alexandra Dupré

Fact: Elliot Spitzer, Governor of the American state of New York was shown to have solicited sex with a 22 year old call girl, known as “Kristen”.

Fact: “Kristen”, also known as Ashley Alexandra Dupré, is an aspiring singer with songs available for purchase on the internet.

Fact: After the scandal hit, Ashley’s Myspace page has 5 million visitors and growing, and her MP3s have been selling like hotcakes.

Fact: JJ, a disc jockey for New York City’s Z100, the most widely listened to radio station in the U.S., and one of the most influential in pop music, played her song “What We Want” on Thursday.

Z100 quote: “Z100 is all about playing what’s hot, and we can’t think of anything hotter than a song from the woman at the center of a scandal that took down the governor of New York,” says Tom Poleman, SVP of Programming for Z100 New York. “On top of that, it’s a surprisingly good song. Looks like she may have a new career; this time in music.”

[Editorial comment: And why is her music considered “surprisingly good? Is the assumption being made that a woman who sells sex couldn’t possibly be a good musician too? Oh please!!! What is that all about???]

Do you understand now why keeping your rights and not selling out to a traditional record label can be a good thing? The quality of her music doesn’t even come into play here. She’s an unsigned artist, therefore she doesn’t have to share much of her royalties.

If she has a digital distribution deal with a company like CD Baby, 91% of each sale would be hers to keep. If she sells her MP3s directly from her website, she keeps 100% of her royalties. If a million people buy her “What We Want” MP3 for 98 cents simply out of curiousity, Ms. Dupré’s dream of a career in music will quickly take hold.

Of course, she’ll get book deal offers, as well as the standard Playboy nude centerfold offers, but as far as music deals are concerned, she’s well-positioned (ahem) to get those too. The call girl formerly known as “Kristen” could leverage this scandal into a big win.  She’s already added a new MP3 called “Move Ya Body” to her MP3 music site, so she’s taking advantage of her newfound notoreity.

I have to add that there’s no guarantee for longevity for her success, and she’d be a fool not to milk this moment. Especially as the press is camping outside her apartment anyway. But life is short, and you never know when opportunities like these will come again.

I do feel bad, however, for Elliot Spitzer and his family, who must be going through an awful time right now. He has a lot to lose, but Ashley Dupre has much to gain.

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