Yes, as blackjack said it is Michell without the 'e'....
That used to be my name before it was shortened
What is it now? =)
Shanelle Loraine in Finals of Women's World Qualifier
- Thread starter Spade
- Start date
Yes, as blackjack said it is Michell without the 'e'....
What is it now? =)
Congratulations.
Who said anything about having an urge to possess?
When you get together with your adult male friends do you all hold up your favorite pinup photos while you speak? Does every conversation about a pretty sports figure include everybody's opinion about how hot she is?
Those things make this place seem more like a high school boys' locker room than an adult discussion forum. Maybe I just overestimate everybody's age here...
pj
chgo
I see your point... I hope you see mine.
pwd72s,
I agree with you.
The majority of men when they are together and see a pretty lady are going to talk about her. We are sexual creatures and it is a way of bonding. Old men in nursing homes still try to pick up the ladies. If most men do it I find it funny when someone wants to label it as immature. It is more normal than not. I guess that would make most men immature. Labels are great it makes the labeler feel superior by disassociation.
I do see how the avatars could offend some on the forum. I do like looking at them but if it offends some I could certainly live without.
As my Aunt used to say about my Uncle... "When he stops looking start shoveling dirt on his face, he's dead!" :wink:
Steve. <== Hopes his avatar isn't offensive.
Sure. I just think all the "manliness" around here is pretty childish for a public forum - it's not offensive or a big deal to me (although I can see how it could be for others).
pj
chgo
You're kidding me. Aren't you?
All this controversy over a girl?
To the ladies: Sex is everywhere. Always has been and always will be. You should probably just learn to deal with it because you're never going to change the fact that the world loves pretty girls.
To the men: I can understand the obsession. She looks good and plays pool. But let's be honest, there are women who play better pool. There are also women who look pretty damn good and show more skin (pm me for URL's).
To the ladies: Sex is everywhere. Always has been and always will be. You should probably just learn to deal with it because you're never going to change the fact that the world loves pretty girls.
To the men: I can understand the obsession. She looks good and plays pool. But let's be honest, there are women who play better pool. There are also women who look pretty damn good and show more skin (pm me for URL's).
FWIW - I was at Cornerpocket on Saturday for the first WTB qualifier. I saw Shanelle having a very bad day. She wasn't playing well at all. However, she was still very cheerful, approachable, and nice to everybody despite her poor playing.
Less than a day later, she obviously got her game back in gear and finished very well.
Some people may not like her, but she is definitely one of the nicest players and nicest people playing today. Like Adam said in his post, she works a full schedule and still meets all of her obligations with playing and making appearances. She does a great job representing the game internationally - she may not be the best player in the world, but neither are any of us.
Less than a day later, she obviously got her game back in gear and finished very well.
Some people may not like her, but she is definitely one of the nicest players and nicest people playing today. Like Adam said in his post, she works a full schedule and still meets all of her obligations with playing and making appearances. She does a great job representing the game internationally - she may not be the best player in the world, but neither are any of us.
I don't disagree with what you're saying about the fact that sex sells, but for the record Maria Sharapova is a 3 time Grand Slam champion with wins at Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2006 & Australian Open 2008.
Comparing Shanelle to Sharapova is the equivalent to comparing a Mini Cooper to a Ferrari.
The pool world is an interesting place and there seems to be room for anyone who is ambitious, talented and/or personable. Everyone who so desires seems to find their own niche, whether it be playing pool professionally, owning a billiard room, giving lessons and putting on exhibitions, making videos/DVD's, writing, commentating, producing events, making cues or pool tables, or whatever else they can create. I have tried many of the above and still look for new worlds to conquer within our industry.
I remember a young Asian gal who so badly wanted to play in an event I was putting on in Los Angeles. I had no idea who she was, but she was so persuasive I told her I would save a spot for her. This young gal told me that she would be the world champion one day. Right, I thought. Within a couple of years she was the number one women player on the planet and signing all kinds of lucrative endorsement deals. Her name was Jeanette Lee.
I know just about as much about Shanelle as I did about Jeanette all those years ago. I don't hold it against her that she is attractive. In fact I give her a lot of credit for her appearance. More often than not, true beauty emanates from within. Every photo I see of her she is smiling and upbeat. From what I've read about her, she carries herself with class and dignity wherever she goes. And has a friendly demeanor to boot. I think she is an asset to the pool community and it remains to be seen what she will accomplish. For all we know, she may turn out to be a Godsend for women's pool and bring some major sponsorship onboard.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad she chose pool and is finding a role in our sport. It couldn't hurt to have an attractive, ambitious and personable woman holding a cue wherever she goes. 'A' player, 'B' player or 'C' player, makes no difference to me.
Minnesota Fats packed 'em in wherever he went, and was the leading man in the pool world for three decades. He kept our sport in the news time and time again. In his sold out exhibitions he rarely made a ball, mostly talking non stop. He never played in any tournaments either. He didn't even look that good. But he had charisma and I hope Shanelle does too. My wish for her is that she graces the cover of magazines, makes many appearances on TV and makes a lot of money doing it. And always with a pool cue in her hand. God bless her!
I remember a young Asian gal who so badly wanted to play in an event I was putting on in Los Angeles. I had no idea who she was, but she was so persuasive I told her I would save a spot for her. This young gal told me that she would be the world champion one day. Right, I thought. Within a couple of years she was the number one women player on the planet and signing all kinds of lucrative endorsement deals. Her name was Jeanette Lee.
I know just about as much about Shanelle as I did about Jeanette all those years ago. I don't hold it against her that she is attractive. In fact I give her a lot of credit for her appearance. More often than not, true beauty emanates from within. Every photo I see of her she is smiling and upbeat. From what I've read about her, she carries herself with class and dignity wherever she goes. And has a friendly demeanor to boot. I think she is an asset to the pool community and it remains to be seen what she will accomplish. For all we know, she may turn out to be a Godsend for women's pool and bring some major sponsorship onboard.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad she chose pool and is finding a role in our sport. It couldn't hurt to have an attractive, ambitious and personable woman holding a cue wherever she goes. 'A' player, 'B' player or 'C' player, makes no difference to me.
Minnesota Fats packed 'em in wherever he went, and was the leading man in the pool world for three decades. He kept our sport in the news time and time again. In his sold out exhibitions he rarely made a ball, mostly talking non stop. He never played in any tournaments either. He didn't even look that good. But he had charisma and I hope Shanelle does too. My wish for her is that she graces the cover of magazines, makes many appearances on TV and makes a lot of money doing it. And always with a pool cue in her hand. God bless her!
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Little known fact: Anna Kournikova was a great tennis player. In doubles. Doubles is a totally different game that requires MUCH faster reflexes. She won 16 pro doubles tournaments including 2 grand slam wins at the Australian open. My hats off to her.
I wouldn't bother pointing out that a really great straight pool player or one pocket player never won any of the pro 9 ball tournaments that he entered. Just because 9 ball and singles tennis is what you mostly see on tv doesn't mean the other big wins in the other games shouldn't be noted as an endoresement deserving player.
I wouldn't bother pointing out that a really great straight pool player or one pocket player never won any of the pro 9 ball tournaments that he entered. Just because 9 ball and singles tennis is what you mostly see on tv doesn't mean the other big wins in the other games shouldn't be noted as an endoresement deserving player.
Marissa,
I am sure you are right that the attention is not for her playing ability. I have seen her on Spike TV and she was both professional and articulate. The host treated her in a respectful manor. It was nothing but positive exposure on a channel that would otherwise ignore our game.
The only time I see comments about her bust or face is on this forum.
If somehow she qualifies and makes it to the WPBA TV matches’ it would only help the ratings and bring in more sponsors. Anna Kournakova never won a pro tennis tournament but she sure was good for women’s tennis. Better ratings and more money would help all the players.
In the mean time she still needs to qualify.
RunoutalloverU2
Banned
The best poster AtoZ has making an outstanding, thoughtful observation. You are a true assest Jay, may you never leave.
My take on it (kind of long)
Well said Jay. I have never weighed in on the Shanelle issue before...but I've got to say that I feel sorry for the poor girl. She takes a lot of heat...and I don't feel like she deserves it. I understand that she does not play on the same level as WPBA pros...but should that stop her from accepting an endorsement from a cue company or invitations to overseas events organized by her sponsor? She's like a spokesmodel for Poison..who happens to have ambitions toward playing great pool. Would people have a problem if Poison hired a beautiful girl to be a non-playing spokesperson for their line? I doubt it.
The fact is...she made it to the finals of this qualifier. That is all that was posted originally...and that is news. That post would have been acceptable to all if it had said "Jane Doe" had made it to the finals. Shanelle is being discriminated against simply because of her bust size and her good looks...and that really isn't fair IMO.
I'll tell you a story that few know. When Jen Barretta first came on the scene...she faced a lot of unpleasantness on tour...and in the forums. Many thought that she was receiving too much attention for her skill level. It was said that she didn't deserve to be featured in BD when she had never won anything...nor had she made any mark yet on the WPBA. And when she did the FHM spread on the pool table in a bikini...well, I am surprised that she wasn't run out of town by a mob wielding pitchforks.
I was one of the people that knocked her. Not publicly...but I definitely has a green-eyed monster on my back. I would watch her play (and our styles are completely different) and rain down judgment about her game and then talk to my friends about how she only got the good PR because she was hot. It was crappy. I didn't like her...but I didn't know her.
Jen Barretta is one of my very best friends now. She knows about the past...that I was one of the haters...but we have worked past that and will be lifelong friends. That really says something about her character. And yes...she's hot...but she also became a terrific player with the support of her friends, her family and eventually...the rest of the billiard community.
We should do the same for Shanelle. There is no doubt that she would be good for women's pool. It cannot be denied that hot women bring attention to sports. Danica Patrick, Anna Kournikova, Natalie Gulbis...even though they all compete at a pro level....they also all have used their feminine attributes to sell their sport...and merchandise. So Shanelle isn't at that level yet...so what? With enough support...hopefully she will be one day. She isn't asking to be given a spot in the pros...she is trying to earn her way there. Shouldn't that be respected?
And for the record...I don't disagree that there have been a LOT of posts showing photos of her...talking about her "assets"...and so on and so forth. But that is men being men...and no one is being forced to read any of it.
That's my story...and I'm sticking to it.
Melissa Herndon
Well said Jay. I have never weighed in on the Shanelle issue before...but I've got to say that I feel sorry for the poor girl. She takes a lot of heat...and I don't feel like she deserves it. I understand that she does not play on the same level as WPBA pros...but should that stop her from accepting an endorsement from a cue company or invitations to overseas events organized by her sponsor? She's like a spokesmodel for Poison..who happens to have ambitions toward playing great pool. Would people have a problem if Poison hired a beautiful girl to be a non-playing spokesperson for their line? I doubt it.
The fact is...she made it to the finals of this qualifier. That is all that was posted originally...and that is news. That post would have been acceptable to all if it had said "Jane Doe" had made it to the finals. Shanelle is being discriminated against simply because of her bust size and her good looks...and that really isn't fair IMO.
I'll tell you a story that few know. When Jen Barretta first came on the scene...she faced a lot of unpleasantness on tour...and in the forums. Many thought that she was receiving too much attention for her skill level. It was said that she didn't deserve to be featured in BD when she had never won anything...nor had she made any mark yet on the WPBA. And when she did the FHM spread on the pool table in a bikini...well, I am surprised that she wasn't run out of town by a mob wielding pitchforks.
I was one of the people that knocked her. Not publicly...but I definitely has a green-eyed monster on my back. I would watch her play (and our styles are completely different) and rain down judgment about her game and then talk to my friends about how she only got the good PR because she was hot. It was crappy. I didn't like her...but I didn't know her.
Jen Barretta is one of my very best friends now. She knows about the past...that I was one of the haters...but we have worked past that and will be lifelong friends. That really says something about her character. And yes...she's hot...but she also became a terrific player with the support of her friends, her family and eventually...the rest of the billiard community.
We should do the same for Shanelle. There is no doubt that she would be good for women's pool. It cannot be denied that hot women bring attention to sports. Danica Patrick, Anna Kournikova, Natalie Gulbis...even though they all compete at a pro level....they also all have used their feminine attributes to sell their sport...and merchandise. So Shanelle isn't at that level yet...so what? With enough support...hopefully she will be one day. She isn't asking to be given a spot in the pros...she is trying to earn her way there. Shouldn't that be respected?
And for the record...I don't disagree that there have been a LOT of posts showing photos of her...talking about her "assets"...and so on and so forth. But that is men being men...and no one is being forced to read any of it.
That's my story...and I'm sticking to it.
Melissa Herndon
Superb post.
Anyone put in the lime light will be subject to scrutiny.
Shanelle is a beautiful, motivated and dedicated individual.
As Adam posted earlier, she has a full schedule with work and personal life, yet still finds time to practice, travel and compete.
Aside from physical appearance, she has one of the best personalities. She is great for the sport because she is personable. She works hard and trains even harder. She competes fiercely and always gives 110%. She might not be the best player, but how many times have we run across matches where the better player does not always win...it happens...maybe not always but it does. You still have to pocket balls to win, you still have to play safes to gain control.
She beat some tough competition at this tournament (Niki, Jessica and Vanessa) No weight was given, it was heads up races in 10-ball.
She also competed and did well in the amateur event on th KF cue tour and won some tough matches, that were streamed. The event was on tough tables that everyone struggled with and she showed adaptability to pull out the matches that she did. Out of 76 players, I think she got 1 out of the money, that tough...and should prove that she is a fighter.
She has drive and focus that will help her along the way. We are all pool players here and we all know the struggles.
Shanelle is a beautiful, motivated and dedicated individual.
As Adam posted earlier, she has a full schedule with work and personal life, yet still finds time to practice, travel and compete.
Aside from physical appearance, she has one of the best personalities. She is great for the sport because she is personable. She works hard and trains even harder. She competes fiercely and always gives 110%. She might not be the best player, but how many times have we run across matches where the better player does not always win...it happens...maybe not always but it does. You still have to pocket balls to win, you still have to play safes to gain control.
She beat some tough competition at this tournament (Niki, Jessica and Vanessa) No weight was given, it was heads up races in 10-ball.
She also competed and did well in the amateur event on th KF cue tour and won some tough matches, that were streamed. The event was on tough tables that everyone struggled with and she showed adaptability to pull out the matches that she did. Out of 76 players, I think she got 1 out of the money, that tough...and should prove that she is a fighter.
She has drive and focus that will help her along the way. We are all pool players here and we all know the struggles.
Great post. Im glad to see there are at least some girls out there who are willing to give shannelle a chance, rather than bash her for every little thing and bash us every time we bring her up. She IS trying to earn her spot on the wpa and should be commended for that. Not hated on because shes pretty.
It all reeks of jealousy and its sad.
It is amazing to me that because a female expresses their opinion about this particular player, they are accused of jealousy or bashing Shanelle. I, for sure, ain't jealous of this player. What a ridiculous thought! Sheesh!
She is sponsored by Dragon, I think. She has gone to other countries overseas representing the United States with Dragon, I presume. To me, it seems odd that a player of this caliber would be playing in tournaments overseas. If physical appearance is a characteristic that Dragon is looking for to sponsor, then that is certainly their prerogative for sure.
Ewa Mataya, Jeanette Lee, Allison Fisher are three ladies who, in my opinion, are beautiful, but that is not why I enjoy reading about them or watching them cmopete. I enjoy them because they can play pool well -- VERY WELL.
It is nice that Shanelle did well in this recent Florida event, beat a pro player's sister, and made it to the finals in a WPBA qualifier. It shows that she is trying to improve her game, and that is always a good thing.