Came across this list of 7 "hot" actresses who got "ugly" for the big screen today on Facebook (http://celebs.answers.com/beauty/7-hot-actresses-who-got-ugly-for-the-big-screen). The pop culture addict in me was intrigued; however, once I started reading and looking at the hot vs. ugly pictures of these women, the feminist in me was outraged.
First up, Taryn Manning from OITNB, one of my newly favorite shows. The list criticizes her stringy hair and her bad teeth, and while I'm not about to condone using meth (the supposed reason for her OITNB character's bad teeth), what message does this send to people who have dental issues for other, non-drug related reasons? Not only is beauty only skin deep, it's also apparently only enamel deep.
Next, Anne Hathaway with her frizzy hair and untamed eyebrows from The Princess Diaries. So much discussion in magazines and other media goes back and forth on the meaningless issue of what women's eyebrows should look like. One year, the fuller, less tamed look is in... the next, you better be keeping up with your waxing appointments. Couldn't our energy and intelligence as women be put to better use? The list also highlights Hathaway's new(ish) pixie cut, stating that even with her recent lack of hair, she is still attractive. As a woman with short hair, am I supposed to equate beauty with my hair style in inches?
Then there's Charlize Theron in Monster. The website's list makes sure to mention that she had to gain around 30 pounds for the role. What about those of us who have gained similar weight, but not for a role on the silver screen? If we were hot before the weight gain, are we now ugly by Hollywood's standards?
Then, probably the most frustrating to me and the straw that broke the camel's back and made me reach for my neglected blogger account, is Elizabeth Moss and her roles on both Mad Men and Girl, Interrupted. The list indicates that even in her role in Mad Men, the only real reason she gets hit on is basically because she has a vagina that the men might be interested in for their extramarital affairs (I happen to be a big fan of Mad Men, don't get me wrong). However, they highlight that she "got ugly" for the big screen for her role in Girl-Interrupted in which her character has quite a bit of scarring from burns. What does this say about women in "real life" who have burn scars?
Next, the list goes to Rooney Mara from Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Again, the message is that short hair on young women makes them unattractive. This, paired with her character's piercings, is the evidence for her "getting ugly" for the big screen. So ladies, if you'd like to be considered beautiful, please stay away from the needles.
Then there's Emma Thompson from her role in Nanny McPhee, whose "snaggletooth, huge nose, and unibrow" are highlighted as "ugly" features. Again with the teeth and eyebrows... and go ahead and add noses to the list of things women should pay attention to in order to meet the criteria the media has established for beauty. That's what plastic surgeons are for, right?
Last, we have Cameron Diaz from Being John Malkovitch who is chastised for not wearing makeup. I'll remember this next time I begin to leave my apartment without mascara and red lipstick.
All in all, lists like this (as enjoyable as they might be as we're perusing the internet looking for something to distract us from the real work that needs done) are demeaning towards women. Impossible standards have been set for beauty and we spend entirely too much time striving to meet them. Women, we are our own worst enemy in this; after all, this list was authored by none other than a woman. I've said this before and I'll likely say it again... let's stop cutting each other down and start building up ourselves and our fellow females! You are more than your eyebrows, your hair style, your scars, your teeth, your nose, and your body shape. Let your inner beauty, your generosity, your kind heart, your honesty, your integrity shine through... go ahead, girl... let your light shine bright! And hey (this one's for everyone), don't forget to tell the women you love... your mother, your sister, your girlfriend/partner/wife, your friend... or anyone you pass on the street that they are lovely!
