dear readers,
yesterday's post on emma stone caused quite the stir. and while conversation and debate are always a good thing, based on the comments that came in, i unfortunately feel as though my original message and intent wasn't clearly conveyed and therefore misinterpreted by many. so i removed it. this site stands as a true representation of myself, but obviously, tone and words that may seem clear in mind don't always translate well via the written word. i in no way meant to convey the popular actress is on a downward spiral of drugs, DUIs, plastic surgery, and a breakdown. i obviously don't know her and don't follow celebrity news often, but as far as i can tell, that's not the case. it was merely a commentary on her looks evolving quite drastically in the past couple of years, particularly with her weight loss, much like those of starlets who have gone before her, when in my opinion, the change is unnecessary as they are all naturally lovely to begin with. and that is all. a war on women, it was was not.
i regularly seek out and promote great female role models for women and myself via the everygirl, and have tried to do it when possible on this site (here, here, and here). and i will, of course, continue to try and do that. thanks for understanding.
- alaina
I was wondering what happened because when I went to comment to agree with you the post was missing. I don't know who tells them to lose as much weight s possible and dye your hair blond but they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteI liked what you had posted regarding young hollywood actresses and I think you're right on. I also get that you were not trying to start something. It's too bad even on a blog people have to defend or explain. I love reading your blog! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI completely understood where you were coming from with that post. And I also agree. I don't know what makes these naturally beautiful girls turn themselves into something completely different... but it is SO disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you meant with the post. She had her own look, and as time passed by, that individuality started to disappear. I still think (as I believe you do too, but I don't want to put words into your mouth) that Emma is a beautiful woman and a good actress, and that she is free to do whatever she wants with her body, whether that is dying hair, getting plastic surgery, or bleaching teeth (not saying she's done any of/all these things). I guess the thing that bums me about a lot of actresses as they become famous isn't that they become tanner or blonder, etc., but the fact that I'm not sure if this transition was their choice. I'm not implying that someone forces these women into salons at gunpoint, but it would be silly to think that there wasn't some force out there that's telling them that they have to change their bodies toward the typical American standard of beauty if they want to keep their jobs. Also, why do we (society) praise only specific attributes? Why do women feel the need to tan or bleach their skin, straighten or perm their hair so that they can feel beautiful? Why are we pushing women into the same Caucasian-based view of what's beautiful? My saddened feeling isn't directed at Emma, it's directed at the mentalities and societal pressures that told her that if she wants be an employed actress she must be beautiful, and that we will only accept one very specific type of beauty.
ReplyDeleteAlaina, I don't believe your thoughts were lost in translation. I totally understood the point you were trying to make, and can't agree with you more. You should never have deleted the post. I believe faithful readers know you well enough to now what, exactly, you were expressing in yesterday's post. Have a delightful weekend, love!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Alaina, I feel bad that you felt the need to delete this post because it was right on. You expressed what so many of us feel. Love you.
ReplyDeleteConnie*
Alaina-I missed yesterday's post about Emma Stone, but by reading the above comments I think I have an idea of what you were saying...and I couldn't agree more. Ali's comment is spot on with my feelings and I'm sorry people judged you negatively. You are adorable and I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work, this is America and thank God we have the freedom to say what we want. I have a daughter studying theater in college and she has her head on straight, but the pressures of Hollywood to be perfect are daunting.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I think a lot of people don't realize is that Emma Stone is naturally a blond - and a light blond at that. She went red because her agent told her she would stand out more when going on auditions. Now that she doesn't need her hair to draw attention, she has actually gone back to her natural hair color...
ReplyDeleteYou struck a chord with people yesterday because they know what you said was the truth. You only speak truth and beauty, Alaina, and for that reason, I love your blog. Don't let the haters bother you, even for a second. I'm glad that I'm an email subscriber and I still have that post in my inbox. I already forwarded it, because I think it was a great point. Maybe some aren't ready to hear it, because they're not ready to be themselves and they need to hide behind hair dye and fake tans. But you've already planted the seed, and it will grow, and more women will see that true beauty is natural beauty.
ReplyDeleteI completely understood it. And it was witty/funny. Now I'm wondering what went down in the comments section. I didn't necessarily agree with the comparison (mostly because I just didn't want it to be true), although I definitely see the similarities. People who religiously read your blog would know you meant no harm in it and that you do (like you said) promote good role models i.e. the Tina Fey obsession.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were expressing your though in the right tone and voice. I am sorry that you had to delete the previous post. I was one of those readers wondering what happened to the one. I cannot wait to read your blog post:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if anyone mentioned this on your other post because I didn't read the comments, but check out Emma Stone's recent interview in Teen Vogue (linked at end). She made a great point about the questions she gets asked in interviews v. her male costar. Not directly related to your point, but it's a smart, thoughtful response and I wanted to share.
ReplyDeletehttp://ocicats.tumblr.com/post/25457512356/emma-stone-but-people-do-always-ask-that-they
It's so hard for me to comment since we've discussed this and I know exactly where you are coming from
ReplyDeleteand that you have such a good heart and would NEVER say anything negative about anyone.
She just isn't the girl she used to be. The cute, adorable, girl next-door. She's gone a little Hollywood, and it's sad to see how much she's changed (even though she still looks great).
I'd like to see someone pull a Diane or Meryl and just continue to be themselves.
Anyway, you know I love you and get where you're coming from.
Wow, sorry it came to this! I read your post early and was one of the first to comment so I apparently missed everything that happened afterwards. I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I definitely understand exactly where you were coming from in the post. It's sad that you can't make posts without people looking too much into your words and makes a scene!
ReplyDeletenone of us really know these people. seems silly to get wrapped up in it all.
ReplyDelete