A lead singer of a nationally known band:

-is a "public figure" with respect to a defamation action against a newspaper.

-is a "public official" with respect to a defamation action against a newspaper.

-may win a defamation case against the media if she can prove the media acted negligently in reporting an untruth about her.

-is not subject to the "actual malice" test in defamation actions against the press.