In the current and already debated documentary ‘Sexism in the Music Industry,’ which has just premiered on DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), singer and songwriter Pernille Rosendahl is one of the 13 female musicians sharing their experiences in an industry marked by sexism. The documentary paints a grim picture of the conditions for female musicians in 2024 and emphasizes how little has changed over the past few decades. Rosendahl, known for her time in Swan Lee and the rock band The Storm, as well as her successful solo career, talks in the documentary about the serious downside of the constant focus on the appearance of female musicians. “It takes focus away from being a talented songwriter, a good performer, saying something relevant,” she says. She reflects on how she and other women are judged on their beauty, youth, and sex appeal instead of their musical talent.
One of the most heartbreaking moments in the documentary is Rosendahl’s account of her reaction to a newspaper article in connection with her 50th birthday. The article focused solely on her romantic partners over the years, which led her to fall into a deep depression. “It made me fall into a really, really deep hole,” she says. In a longer post on LinkedIn, Pernille Rosendahl also explains her participation in the documentary. She acknowledges that speaking out comes at a cost of jobs and opportunities, but she sees no other option than to speak up. “My fear right now is that when I step forward, I become a picture of the problem again. And it costs jobs and opportunities,” she writes, continuing: “But there is no other option. For I dream of an industry with a proper work environment.”
The documentary, based on in-depth reports from 2022, sheds light on an industry where female musicians still face inappropriate behavior and lack of equal opportunities. Rosendahl hopes for a change that will create a more inclusive and fair music industry. “I dream of an industry that can produce music that is richer, more diverse, original, and relevant than what we hear today. An industry we can safely send our children and young people into,” she writes. Pernille Rosendahl’s participation in the documentary is a courageous step in the fight against sexism in the music industry. She and the other female musicians who come forward are paving the way for a necessary debate and change. It is a fight that requires courage and perseverance, but as Rosendahl emphasizes, is crucial in creating a more just and sustainable music industry.