Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her ‘Puffy’ Appearance
Ashley Judd’s 'puffy' appearance sparked a viral media frenzy. But, the actress writes, the conversation is really a misogynistic assault on all women.
April 9, 2012
The Conversation about women’s bodies exists largely outside of us, while it is also directed at (and marketed to) us, and used to define and control us. The Conversation about women happens everywhere, publicly and privately. We are described and detailed, our faces and bodies analyzed and picked apart, our worth ascertained and ascribed based on the reduction of personhood to simple physical objectification. Our voices, our personhood, our potential, and our accomplishments are regularly minimized and muted.
Richard Drew
(cont)
As an actor and woman who, at times, avails herself of the media, I am painfully aware of the conversation about women’s bodies, and it frequently migrates to my own body. I know this, even though my personal practice is to ignore what is written about me. I do not, for example, read interviews I do with news outlets. I hold that it is none of my business what people think of me. I arrived at this belief after first, when I began working as an actor 18 years ago, reading everything. I evolved into selecting only the “good” pieces to read. Over time, I matured into the understanding that good and bad are equally fanciful interpretations.
I do not want to give my power, my self-esteem, or my autonomy, to any person, place, or thing outside myself. I thus abstain from all media about myself. The only thing that matters is how I feel about myself, my personal integrity, and my relationship with my Creator. Of course, it’s wonderful to be held in esteem and fond regard by family, friends, and community, but a central part of my spiritual practice is letting go of otheration. And casting one’s lot with the public is dangerous and self-destructive, and I value myself too much to do that.
However, the recent speculation and accusations in March feel different, and my colleagues and friends encouraged me to know what was being said.
Consequently, I choose to address it because the conversation was pointedly nasty, gendered, and misogynistic and embodies what all girls and women in our culture, to a greater or lesser degree, endure every day, in ways both outrageous and subtle. The assault on our body image, the hypersexualization of girls and women and subsequent degradation of our sexuality as we walk through the decades, and the general incessant objectification is what this conversation allegedly about my face is really about.
A brief analysis demonstrates that the following “conclusions” were all made on the exact same day, March 20, about the exact same woman (me), looking the exact same way, based on the exact same television appearance. The following examples are real, and come from a variety of (so-called!) legitimate news outlets (such as HuffPo, MSNBC, etc.), tabloid press, and social media:
One: When I am sick for more than a month and on medication (multiple rounds of steroids), the accusation is that because my face looks puffy, I have “clearly had work done,” with otherwise credible reporters with great bravo “identifying” precisely the procedures I allegedly have had done.
Two: When my skin is nearly flawless, and at age 43, I do not yet have visible wrinkles that can be seen on television, I have had “work done,” with media outlets bolstered by consulting with plastic surgeons I have never met who “conclude” what procedures I have “clearly” had. (Notice that this is a “back-handed compliment,” too—I look so good! It simply cannot possibly be real!)
Three: When my 2012 face looks different than it did when I filmed Double Jeopardy in 1998, I am accused of having “messed up” my face (polite language here, the F word is being used more often), with a passionate lament that “Ashley has lost her familiar beauty audiences loved her for.”
Four: When I have gained weight, going from my usual size two/four to a six/eight after a lazy six months of not exercising, and that weight gain shows in my face and arms, I am a cow and a pig and I “better watch out” because my husband “is looking for his second wife.” (Did you catch how this one engenders competition and fear between women? How it also suggests that my husband values me based only on my physical appearance? Classic sexism. We won’t even address how extraordinary it is that a size eight would be heckled as fat.)
This post was modified from its original form on 10 Apr, 6:30
(cont)
That the conversation about my face was initially promulgated largely by women is a sad and disturbing fact.
Five: In perhaps the coup de grace, when I am acting in a dramatic scene in Missing—the plot stating I am emotionally distressed and have been awake and on the run for days—viewers remarks ranged from “What the f--k did she do to her face?” to cautionary gloating, “Ladies, look at the work!” Footage from “Missing” obviously dates prior to March, and the remarks about how I look while playing a character powerfully illustrate the contagious and vicious nature of the conversation. The accusations and lies, introduced to the public, now apply to me as a woman across space and time; to me as any woman and to me as every woman.
That women are joining in the ongoing disassembling of my appearance is salient. Patriarchy is not men. Patriarchy is a system in which both women and men participate. It privileges, inter alia, the interests of boys and men over the bodily integrity, autonomy, and dignity of girls and women. It is subtle, insidious, and never more dangerous than when women passionately deny that they themselves are engaging in it. This abnormal obsession with women’s faces and bodies has become so normal that we (I include myself at times—I absolutely fall for it still) have internalized patriarchy almost seamlessly. We are unable at times to identify ourselves as our own denigrating abusers, or as abusing other girls and women.
A case in point is that this conversation was initially promulgated largely by women; a sad and disturbing fact. (That they are professional friends of mine, and know my character and values, is an additional betrayal.)
News outlets with whom I do serious work, such as publishing op-eds about preventing HIV, empowering poor youth worldwide, and conflict mineral mining in Democratic Republic of Congo, all ran this “story” without checking with my office first for verification, or offering me the dignity of the opportunity to comment. It’s an indictment of them that they would even consider the content printable, and that they, too, without using time-honored journalistic standards, would perpetuate with un-edifying delight such blatantly gendered, ageist, and mean-spirited content.
I hope the sharing of my thoughts can generate a new conversation: Why was a puffy face cause for such a conversation in the first place? How, and why, did people participate? If not in the conversation about me, in parallel ones about women in your sphere? What is the gloating about? What is the condemnation about? What is the self-righteous alleged “all knowing” stance of the media about?
How does this symbolize constraints on girls and women, and encroach on our right to be simply as we are, at any given moment? How can we as individuals in our private lives make adjustments that support us in shedding unconscious actions, internalized beliefs, and fears about our worthiness, that perpetuate such meanness? What can we do as families, as groups of friends? Is what girls and women can do different from what boys and men can do? What does this have to do with how women are treated in the workplace?
(cont)
I ask especially how we can leverage strong female-to-female alliances to confront and change that there is no winning here as women. It doesn’t actually matter if we are aging naturally, or resorting to surgical assistance.
We experience brutal criticism. The dialogue is constructed so that our bodies are a source of speculation, ridicule, and invalidation, as if they belong to others—and in my case, to the actual public. (I am also aware that inevitably some will comment that because I am a creative person, I have abdicated my right to a distinction between my public and private selves, an additional, albeit related, track of highly distorted thinking that will have to be addressed at another time).
If this conversation about me is going to be had, I will do my part to insist that it is a feminist one, because it has been misogynistic from the start. Who makes the fantastic leap from being sick, or gaining some weight over the winter, to a conclusion of plastic surgery?
Our culture, that’s who. The insanity has to stop, because as focused on me as it appears to have been, it is about all girls and women. In fact, it’s about boys and men, too, who are equally objectified and ridiculed, according to heteronormative definitions of masculinity that deny the full and dynamic range of their personhood.
It affects each and every one of us, in multiple and nefarious ways: our self-image, how we show up in our relationships and at work, our sense of our worth, value, and potential as human beings. Join in—and help change—the Conversation.
Now, there's a surprise Buck 
I think Ashely Judd is a beautiful woman, but mostly she is an intelligent, caring woman. I saw her do an interview recently, she's impressive.
I will get back to this later, I didn't read it completely. Good topic though, I could associate with it.
This post was modified from its original form on 10 Apr, 12:23
She's in an interesting position to comment on this issue, given that her success is in part due to excelling at the standard she is discussing while she moves into the part of her career where actresses find it difficult to compete for the lead roles because they are not younger.
A male actor at the same age is still playing the romantic lead, and has a good decade left to do so before he has to worry about being pushed aside. And yet, there are also socially constructed expectations about those men.
"A male actor at the same age is still playing the romantic lead, and has a good decade left to do so before he has to worry about being pushed aside. And yet, there are also socially constructed expectations about those men."
Michael Douglas Richard Gere- twenty years older?
Nancy, you're right in that it can stretch out well beyond a decade for men. It's interesting to get on IMDB and look earlier in their careers at the women who played romantic leads opposite prominent men, and ask whether she is still getting roles as a lead. You mention Michael Douglas and Richard Gere, and you might ask what happened to Kathleen Turner and Debra Winger.
But it can be self imposed because they won't get the leading role of the heroine but other roles are there for good actresses and always have been .
To mention 2 from awhile back Jessica Tandy, Angela Lansbury.
Then theres Glenn Close and inimitable Meryl Streep, 65&63
"Shaddup..."--Buck
Now you're proving other points, but this time about yourself rather than about actresses and women.
"But it can be self imposed because they won't get the leading role of the heroine but other roles are there for good actresses and always have been .
To mention 2 from awhile back Jessica Tandy, Angela Lansbury.
Then theres Glenn Close and inimitable Meryl Streep, 65&63"--Robert
While there are some roles for older women, and some successful older actresses, they are far fewer than roles for older men AND men in their 40s and 50s regularly play romantic leads in major motion pictures whereas it is rare for women.
Meryl Streep is of course the exception that breaks the rules but Mamma Mia was a romantic musical tour of force for her. Just watched Iron Lady and in her hands the Baroness story is a tempestous menage a trois with husband Denis and political power
And yet, the average age of male leads are still far higher than that for women.
For every Meryl streep there is a half dozen Michael Douglases, Richard Geres, Pierce Brosnans, Harrison Fords, Liam Neesons, Antonio Banderases, etc.
Three cheers for Judd.
And shame on all the women who run to a plastic surgeon at the first sign of anything that looks aged. That's only falling into a trap set by men.
Women! Think more of yourselves!!!
"For every Meryl streep there is a half dozen Michael Douglases, Richard Geres, Pierce Brosnans, Harrison Fords, Liam Neesons, Antonio Banderases, etc."
And Sean Connery!
Sophia Loren
40s Jennifer A, Halle , Sandra, Cate, Helena, Courtney, Salma, Nicole, Queen, Sarah J, Marisa, Rachel W, Julia R
50s Annette B, Angela B, Juliane M, Michelle P, Tilda, Emma T,
60s Siguourney, Helen M, Judi D
Yeah Buck, I was just trying to find a link but Hellen Mirren won some type of best body contest in a male magazine- J.Lo was one of the runners up and I don't remember who esle.
Here is a link to her bikini pictures from a few years ago.
Because I know that you are all interested in reading the article. 
OK, Robert, the claim that older women get just as many leading parts in major motion pictures as older men is no more absurd than any number of other absurd claims you make.
But rather than go back and forth posting the names of famous people (Seriously, what was Sophia Loren's last leading role?), it seems far more reasonable to look at who stars in major motion pictures and compare the leads' ages between men and women.
Do you really insist that we would find more older men or women? Would there be more men in their 40s, 50s and 60s or women?
Nancy mentioned Sean Connery, who I think is great, but how many similar comparisons can you find to his romance with Catherine Zeta Jones in "Entrapment"? (Or any number of other older men paired with younger women)
I think there have been women who have gone from being that young seductress or whatever to being the young mother, then the older mother, grandmother etc. But that reinforces the point.
To my knowledge of Sean Connery, I don't think he has played a grandfather. But he certainly has played the older sexy leading man. As have all those others we have mentioned.
And more so- nobody had compalined when he used a toupee or didn't use a toupee. Nobody complained when Richard Gere went grey. And so on and so on. Just reinforcing Ashley Judd's point.
If you narrow it down to May December romances I'm sure you're right though from 40 carats to the current "cougar" theme on some TV shows its done but not as often. As I note earlier good actresses should be maturing with their age. The tragedy of too short of a career when an actress thinks she can get the ingenue role forever as great mature actresses showed us on screen in All about Eve, Sunset Blvd etc
Now you're proving other points, but this time about yourself rather than about actresses and women.
Shaddup...
Sean in the Rock reunites with 30 year daughter.Sean was childless and his aging wife died of cancer which leads him to defect as commander of Red October, Dragonheart nary a romance in it for him and so much the better for all Miss Zs wiggling with lasers in Entrapment. As Jones Sr he does bed the Nazi seductress but that doesn't take much and Indy replaces him there soon enough in the Last Crusade but the good part is the umbrella scene with the fighter planei and of his intonation of the clues, only the penitent man shall pass
Dang he has been playing the aging warrior since Robin and Marian in 1976 while climbing a castle " getting too old for this"!!!
"current "cougar" theme"
Well, some of those "cougars" are 40- not the 60-80 age range for men.
"If you narrow it down to May December romances I'm sure you're right though from 40 carats to the current "cougar" theme on some TV shows its done but not as often. As I note earlier good actresses should be maturing with their age. The tragedy of too short of a career when an actress thinks she can get the ingenue role forever as great mature actresses showed us on screen in All about Eve, Sunset Blvd etc"--Robert
And yet, none of that changes the fact that roles and options narrow for actresses a lot earlier in their careers than men.
Women can't play the ingenue forever, but men can play the action hero for a long time past when women of the same age have been cast as mother or evil stepmother to the ingenue.
The very standard that you express that a wise woman would quit competing or expecting these roles as they age demonstrates the point about the double standard.
Sure, whatever.
Why wouldn't I get into a jovial mood by being told to shut up by someone who has been a jackass to me for years?
Why wouldn't I get into a jovial mood by being told to shut up by someone who has been a jackass to me for years?
It was a jovial "shaddup."
But you could not see it.
And I think you have been equally as jackassy to me.
XOXO...
COOL!!!! I hope he returns your loving gestures.
I doubt he will.
I think he genuinely hates me...
I think he will ...
maybe not ... 
It is possible ... 
You never know, just the other day Robert said Kevin was warm and fuzzy (I believe that was it). It must be Spring... 
"It was a jovial "shaddup."
But you could not see it.
And I think you have been equally as jackassy to me.
XOXO..."--Buck
Perhaps, but that just means were not at the point where there is such a thing as a jovial shut up if you're trying to be just saying it for fun.
I did see that it was feigned joviality, but it was no more actually friendly than your Xs and Os were actually meant as hugs and kisses.
If you want to be friendly and so forth, fine and dandy, but why not start with actually friendly instead of feigned jokes with a belligerent undertone?
Think about it. If I ended this post with "Gofuckyerself," would that be a humorous and friendly gesture that would make you in the least interested in changing your attitude? Your "shaddup"s had the same effect on me.
We can be friendly or neutral if you want, but I'm not going to be friendly or neutral in response to jackass.
Even saying any of it implies way too much give-a-crap about any of this, but it's low-investment of either effort or care in something so trivial, so there's my opinion on it.
"You never know, just the other day Robert said Kevin was warm and fuzzy (I believe that was it). It must be Spring... "--Suzanne
Except that he was being sarcastic and implying that I am actually mean.
Which is a fair enough accusation against me if one considers calling an unapologetic liar an unapologetic liar is mean.
It's spring, and it's still the same crapola.
And I'm looking forward to the day when you apologize for your lies, agree to stop lying and then follow through with the promise... but not optimistic about that day happening.
Optimism is as optimism does.
A triilion pollen from blossoming flowers to you this beautiful day
Oh well.... 
I was sincere in my hopes that we would all feel the love, especially the love that Spring brings (rhymes 
)
"A triilion pollen from blossoming flowers to you this beautiful day" - Robert
Nice thought Robert, I don't think it's working. The world is green...
And Hope Floats.
A quirky comedy / drama with Sandra Bullock Harry Connick. But the little girl in it the best, the scene with her dad leaving heartbreaking
And Gena Rowlands played , g-d forbid a grandmother. She seems much better as mature actress than most of the stuff she did with John Cassavettes
Robert, neither Judd nor anyone else argues that there are no roles for women over 40 or even 50. The point is that the number of lead roles decline for women earlier than they do for men.
You believe many things that are ridiculous, but this one has no ideological bent to it (other than the usual right-wing anti-women stuff) to blind you to the reality of it. Do you really dispute that the good, lead roles in major movies decline for actresses as they age more than they do for actors?
There are a trillion good roles for women.
Or there will be once I get my production co going here in Hollyweird
First up, No country for old women.
A science fiction comedy Women in Taupe.
Perhaps, but that just means were not at the point where there is such a thing as a jovial shut up if you're trying to be just saying it for fun.
Yay!
You are back! I missed you!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO...
but I'm not going to be friendly or neutral in response to jackass.
"Jackass" the movie..?
Angela, what do you think?
Do you think Buck is being sincere in his warm affections for Kevin?
Do you think Robert is a big liar, liar pants on fire like Kevin suggests?
Do you think Kevin is being warm and fuzzy to Robert or Buck?
Do you think Kevin is warm and fuzzy like Robert suggests?
This post was modified from its original form on 17 Apr, 10:06
This post was modified from its original form on 17 Apr, 10:08
Let's ask the magic eightball, shall we?
Do you think Buck is being sincere in his warm affections for Kevin? 
Do you think Robert is a big liar, liar pants on fire like Kevin suggests? 
Do you think Kevin is being warm and fuzzy to Robert of Buck? 
Do you think Kevin is warm and fuzzy like Robert suggests? 
This post was modified from its original form on 17 Apr, 10:10
I love magic eightball, always a very accurate source for an answer 
Thank you for bringing such wisdom to this thread.
Gentlemen the magic eightball has spoken...
What I like so much is it always a battle of "lying" with kevin.
He has never lied of course, or succumbed to sensationalist tactics.
He is 100% correct at all times and never intellectually dishonest in any post here at Care2.
How can you not love the perfection that is Kevin..?
xo
"What I like so much is it always a battle of "lying" with kevin.
He has never lied of course, or succumbed to sensationalist tactics.
He is 100% correct at all times and never intellectually dishonest in any post here at Care2.
How can you not love the perfection that is Kevin..?"--Buck
I have never lied on Care2 (at least not intentionally), but when did I ever claim not to have succumbed to sensationalist tactics?
I have many times admitted that I know I have biases and a perspective. No one is 100% objective.
When did I ever say that I am 100% correct at all times?
But, I guess you feel free to put words in my mouth and then criticize me for the words you invented. It's your long-standing commitment to honesty showing itself.
There is this Lemur family I visit with once or twice a month (except winter time). When they see me coming, they start chattering and I swear they are all saying LOVE. They might be saying it because they get apples and grapes cut to perfection from me. But, anyway...
They even feel it.... 
I'm not feeling it here anymore at all. What a shame! 
Makes sense . Maybe the French named the lemur cause it sounds like l'amour
This post was modified from its original form on 17 Apr, 14:53
you.Buck, you made a frowny face (even though you didn't). You never make faces. This is truly devastating. I think things will be okay again one day. Keep the faith 
Kevin, maybe it's still there, but hidden because of your not returning it. Buck even made a frowny face. He's upset...I can tell