Hollywood stars came out to support Jennifer Aniston on Wednesday after she penned a scathing blog post railing against years of tabloid scrutiny of her figure and persistent pregnancy rumors.
The "Friends" star complained about daily harassment by paparazzi and questioned a celebrity news culture that objectifies women, insisting: "For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up."
"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing," she wrote in the Huffington Post piece, published on Tuesday.
"The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."
The 47-year-old actress's article comes three months after she spoke of her excitement over being named for the second time by People magazine as the world's most beautiful woman.
"We use celebrity 'news' to perpetuate this dehumanizing view of females, focused solely on one's physical appearance, which tabloids turn into a sporting event of speculation," said Aniston, who posed nude on the cover of GQ magazine in 2009.
"Ghostbusters" star Melissa McCarthy spoke out in support of Aniston, saying she was "one hundred thousand billion percent" behind the "Horrible Bosses" star's call for a change in the way women are judged in Hollywood.
"It's a ridiculous thing," the 45-year-old told celebrity magazine Entertainment Tonight. "I just hope it gets to the point where it's embarrassing for people to have such a shallow thought."
Aniston's husband Justin Theroux, 44, took to photo-sharing platform Instagram to show his support for his wife, posting a black and white image of the actress at a bowling alley and linking to her piece.
She was also backed by fellow actresses Olivia Wilde, Anna Paquin, Margret Cho and "The Vampire Diaries" star Nikki Reed, who described Aniston's blog post as "beautiful, eloquent, and a true dose of kickass."
But British television presenter and journalist Piers Morgan, who is editor-at-large of the US edition of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, published a counter-essay entitled "My dear Jennifer, if you're so fed up with having your body judged, stop trying to make it look so Photoshop-perfect on magazine covers."
"There's another reason why the media objectify and scrutinize famous women, and why little girls get confused about beauty and body image," he wrote.
"It's this: female stars like Jennifer Aniston deliberately perpetuate the myth of 'perfection' by posing for endless magazine covers which have been airbrushed so much that in some cases the celebrity is virtually unrecognizable."
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Jul 14 2016
Jennifer Aniston penned a scathing blog post railing against years of tabloid scrutiny of her figure.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.