Why does Madonna need to act her age? When Madonna fell down a few steps at the BRIT awards, the Internet erupted with nasty comments about her age.
In response, she said, “It’s still the one area where you can totally discriminate against somebody, and talk s**t. Because of their age. Only females, though. Not males. No one would dare to say a degrading remark about being black or dare to say a degrading remark on Instagram about someone being gay. But my age – anybody and everybody would say something degrading to me. And I always think to myself, why is that accepted? What’s the difference between that and racism, or any discrimination? They’re judging me by my age. I don’t understand. I’m trying to get my head around it. Because women, generally, when they reach a certain age, have accepted that they’re not allowed to behave a certain way. But I don’t follow the rules. I never did, and I’m not going to start.”
Criticize her all you want, but Madonna does have a point. Racist or bigoted comments aren’t acceptable, but for some reason ageist comments are.
People criticize Mick Jagger for performing at his age too. Yes, he does look a bit weathered from years of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, but he’s in good shape, and he can still strut, dance, sing, and put on an amazing performance that people pay big money to see. So what if he’s 70 years-old?
Madonna has always projected a sexual image. Generally, that’s not acceptable for women over a certain age, according to ridiculous societal norms. Combine that with her wealth and power, and she becomes a target.
Is it about envy?
Perhaps, since some people don’t have the discipline to eat a healthy diet and exercise, or incorrectly assume you need to be able to afford a trainer and chef to look good, it’s easier for them to attack others who make an effort.
But if she didn’t exercise, eat a healthy diet, color her hair, do facial refreshing and other things to look and feel her best, people would criticize her for looking too old or out of shape. She still has a better body than most 30-somethings, so why does she need to look “age-appropriate?” And what would be appropriate for a 56 year-old, a baggy gown that covers every inch of her body and a short grannie haircut? She’s earned her body and she can still look good in sexy clothes, and that seems to piss off a lot of people. For those who call her vain for wanting to look as good as possible, consider my post about how everyone is vain.
We’re all mirrors for each other.
Remember Madonna’s book Sex? So many people were outraged over the photographs, which were sexually suggestive, but not overly explicit. Now she’s a mirror for everyone about aging; what you see in others is sometimes more about you and your issues.
Madonna is ahead of the curve.
In 20 or 30 years, it’s very possible, with the advances of anti-aging procedures, you will be able to look much younger (without looking like you’ve had work done), especially if you take good care of yourself now. It’s also very possible that such procedures will be far more common than Botox is today. In 20 or 30 years age 50 or 60 really will be the new 30, and attacking a 56 year-old for being “too old” will appear immature and silly.
Many people think that after a certain age it’s okay not to make an effort to feel and look your best through diet and exercise and whatever else. Madonna doesn’t accept that philosophy or think you must look your age (whatever that means), and I don’t either. Why does Madonna need to act her age and grow old “gracefully?” If it means giving up, screw that.
Copyright © 2015 Stephen Petullo
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photo credit: Madonna – Amsterdam ArenA 2008 – 26 via photopin (license)
