Sienna Miller | Head Editor
March 21, 2025
The constant media interest in the physical appearance of women distorts the public perception not only in the visual sense but also diverts attention from their notable achievements.
Women are leading the way in all fields whether it’s in business, arts, science, technology, and sports, women all around the world are making history. But far too often, the spotlight is eclipsed on their professional expertise to highlight their looks, sense of fashion, and even weight. This uneven focus takes away from the reality that makeup, fashion, and beauty are powerful forms of expression, not the pinnacle of one’s talents or accomplishments.
Take Mindy Kaling, for example. With her monumental work as a writer, producer, and actress, Kaling has revolutionized the face of Hollywood with her creativity. She created, produced, and starred in The Mindy Project and also developed the beloved Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Even her outstanding body of work is diminished to discussing her weight and if she’s on Ozempic, rather than the wonderful cultural and artistic success that she has achieved. In the same light, Emma Watson, a famous social campaigner and United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador, has her efforts promoting gender equality diminished by her looks, style, and figure being discussed as much as her work. As Watson grew up in the spotlight, her puberty was sensationalized, with even a countdown to her 18th birthday being launched. Additionally, SNL created skits that mocked her natural physical changes, including her breasts growing, turning puberty into a source of ridicule. The boys in Harry Potter never faced this same level of scrutiny.
“As a woman, it’s frustrating to see how often our accomplishments are overlooked,” senior Bella Noble said. “Women face an immense pressure to look a certain way in any field on work, overshadowing their skills, intellect, and contributions.”
In the realm of sports, Serena Williams is a giant of greatness on the tennis court, unarguably one of the all-time greatest athletes. Even she cannot escape a popular culture fascinated with her powerful body and interrogating her femininity, rather than being amazed at her unparalleled success in a sport that demands physical and psychological strength.
This is juxtaposed sharply with what their male counterparts experience. Men in the same locations, whether Hollywood, sports, or activism, are largely respected for their professional acumen and output. For example, male actors like Ryan Reynolds or directors like Christopher Nolan are largely talked about in terms of their work and artistic vision, with far less focus on how they look. In sports, it is LeBron James or Tom Brady whose sporting ability and leadership are appreciated, with the media never shifting focus to how they look. Even when male celebrities get the newest plastic surgery or alter their image in some unusual manner, the media hones in how these actions support their profession and not how they define them.
“I’m very passionate about this issue and I see it all the time,” continued senior Elora Aguilar. “Men are often held to a lower standard than woman when portrayed in the media. A beloved male celebrity can go on tangents about controversial issues and yet the second a woman in media mentions the same topics she’s scolded and made out to be a villain. I think many people don’t realize how embedded this inequality is to our society but once you start noticing it, it’s everywhere.”
The difference in media handling reflects a deeply entrenched social bias. While women are compelled to live with a double standard, performing professionally while adhering to strict standards of beauty, men are accorded the freedom to be celebrated foremost for their achievements. This imbalance not only sustains harmful stereotypes but also perpetuates the notion that a woman’s value is equal to her looks. When actors are male, their impact and legacy are based on the merit of their work, not their looks.
It’s time to shift culture. The media must expand its reach to celebrate women for their intellectual, creative, and professional accomplishments. Instead of reducing exceptional talents like Kaling, Watson, Williams, and Brown to arguments over their appearance, society should embrace and honor their trailblazing efforts. In honoring merit and achievement, we can build a more equitable world—a world where future generations of women are empowered to pursue greatness without having to constantly suffer through the pressure of living up to impossible standards of beauty.
nicely done!