Beyond the Blonde Ambition: New Females Carving Out Their Own Niche

(andPOP) - Say it isn't so? Have the dancing divas of teen pop, (Britney, Christina and Jessica), been replaced by musically gifted female 'artists' ? Avril Lavigne, (17), Michelle Branch, (18), and Vanessa Carlton, (21), have impressed the masses with their writing, playing and singing abilities and not their fancy footwork and provocative images.

Branch broke the mould with her pop/rock songs and proved to be easily adept at playing guitar as well. Pianist Carlton is making waves with her hybrid of classical-infused pop tunes that is garnering her comparisons to Tori Amos. Lavigne is a straight shooter, but she is self-possessed enough to never worry about being over-protected.

Neither one of these girls has stepped onto the stage of the Mickey Mouse Club, nor is Max Martin a personal friend of theirs. Go figure? There is life beyond the musical world of the belly-button bearing blondes. Radio and TV have been ripe for something new besides the tasty (yet predictable) formula that Britney, Christina and Jessica have offered. But even more shocking is the brunette tresses that the newcomers share. Who said that blondes have more fun?

But not to worry, we will soon see the return of that genie in a bottle, Christina Aguilera, who will no doubt push the envelope back to a place that we have all seen before.