Yesterday’s “Supermodel Legends” episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show was a hit for some and a miss for others. The supermodel reunion, which featured catwalk greats like Christie Brinkley, Beverly Johnson, Stephanie Seymour and Cheryl Tiegs, gave us a glimpse back over their modeling careers and insights on how they feel about aging.
Women have been very vocal in their opinions about the show. Some were inspired and thankful to see the supermodels, whom they had idolized as teenagers. Others were less than impressed, feeling that the show lacked true depth.
Now ladies, I have to warn you against the dangers of using actresses and models as the standard for beauty or the standard for aging. With access to the best of everything; stylists, makeup artists, personal trainers, airbrushing, and the best cosmetic surgeons in the world – it’s an unrealistic expectation of beauty based on nothing more than fantasy and illusion.
“Nothing ages as poorly as a beautiful woman ego.”
I so appreciate Paulina Porizkova’s candid discussion of how she’s coping with age related changes. During her supermodel heyday Paulina was regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world. But yesterday, the soon to be 46 year old, spoke of what it feels like to walk past a man and not receive that acknowledgment. Her transparency was a breath of fresh air and just what women need. “I could go away and just Botox it all…but then I’m just delaying the process. It’s going to happen anyway. I just have to get over myself”
When women are real, and honest, and lay ego down, and just bear it all – like Paulina did yesterday – it allows other women, who may be suffering with similar issues in silence, to feel validated and less alone.
“One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each others’ stories.” ~Rebecca Falls
Great article Sondra. I wish all women would own and bask in their uniqueness whatever that is, whether or not it has wrinkles, soft flabby bodies or a few aches and pains which all come with age. We have an aging population – maybe over the next 20 years as we grow old together, we will be more comfortable in our wrinkled skin and still call it beautiful. tina
Your warning not to use these glam women as icons or “models” of aging for most of us is wise. I loved Paulina’s comments and thought that Beverly Johnson was also transparent and being real. It may not be fun to look in the mirror no matter who we are or were so many years ago that’s why it’s important to look inside, past the image, to the heart, the wisdom and the who we are right now.