In a world where those who don’t conform to ridiculous beauty standards are shunned, Lara de Matos applauds Alicia Keys’s bare-faced bravery.
|||A VIEW FROM THE TOP
THE SUBJECT of the female form has always been a contentious one.
From the way she wears her hair, the thickness of her waistline and the length of her legs, to more serious contemplations like those associated with religious practices that require her to cover up, how a woman chooses to present herself to the world has provided a plethora of politically charged fodder through the ages.
But where previous (and contemporary) manifestations of this debate have revolved around sobering concerns more closely linked to women’s lib and their on-going battle for equality, rather than what they necessary look like per se, the current controversy centres on make-up.
Not in so far as how it relates to men wearing it (be they gay, metro, transsexual or simply sweet transvestites), whether to apply or touch-up in public (yes, there have been actual studies conducted on this riveting topic), or even, if you should opt for a classic image or go all-out Lady Gaga with your guise…
Instead, the burning question at present is whether to slop on the war paint, or step out into the big, bad world sans even the slightest hint of lippy. And what would any pertinent socio-political cause be, without a trusty celebrity to spearhead it?
That honour goes to Alicia Keys in this instance who, post the open letter she penned on Lena Dunham’s site in May extolling how the constant pressure to be make-up-perfect made her realise “just how much I censored myself”, was inspired to get real (to paraphrase).
Since then, the songstress has been parading her freckled, foundation-free face across her various social feeds, on the set of America’s The Voice (for which she’s a judge), at every promotional event for her new album and at every official entertainment gathering – this past weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards being a case in point.
It’s a move that has some heralding her for her bravery (somewhat of an overstatement, but okay), others questioning her motives (publicity stunt for aforementioned album, anyone?), while still others deliberate over whether her decision can be deemed some sort of new-age feminist movement.
That such a superficial subject could even make headline news notwithstanding, personally, I applaud the multi-Grammy winner. Not because I, too, have never been one for the whole powder/mascara/ eyeshadow/lipstick daily schlepp (much to my always-impeccably-put-together mother’s chagrin).
But largely because, in a world where plastic people (literally and figuratively) have come to define our societal notions of beauty and those who don’t conform to these ridiculous standards are shunned, that someone who swims in the same pool of stardom should see fit to push back and say “no more!” is a stance worthy of support.
In the words of Bette Davis, a woman known less for her looks and more for her chutzpah:“Hollywood always wanted me to be pretty. But I fought for realism.” And I think it’s safe to say, Bette won that battle!