Why it’s such a big deal that Susan Sarandon is L’Oréal Paris new ambassador – and why it shouldn’t be. Ageing is natural, it’s a part of life, it’s something that happens to us all – so why do we constantly shame and crucify people for doing something that is inevitable?
Lately, Carrie Fisher has been experiencing the wrath of internet trolls, all because of how she has aged and looks in The Force Awakens. (She looked beautiful, for your information). A problem she predicted, and summarized perfectly in her memoir, Shockaholic, “What I didn’t realise – back when I was this 25-year-old pin-up for geeks – was that I had signed an invisible contract to stay looking the same way for the next 30 to 40 years”.
This is why this piece of news is so refreshing; it has just been announced that the gorgeous and talented Susan Sarandon is L’Oréal’s Paris latest brand ambassador. It shouldn’t be big news, but it is – because women over 40 are grossly underrepresented in mainstream media. In a world where actresses in their twenties are portraying middle aged women in big Hollywood films, this is wonderful news.
Seeing a 69-year-old badass, who also happens to be an inspiring human being and one of the greatest actresses alive, landing a beauty contract is hence a huge deal. Sarandon revealed that it was the brands slogan, that drew her to the job. “When L’Oréal Paris and [Brand Global President Cyril Chapuy] first approached me, I was so flattered,” the actress said in a statement.
“The brand has always been a leader in helping in the empowerment and development of women. The very first time I heard ‘Because I’m Worth It,’ it definitely was a shift in the framing of why you should look good. It had to do with women becoming the master of their own lives and decisions. It’s an extremely powerful statement that has transcended time”.
She also added, “I look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less and less an issue and what you are is the point”. Wise words. Stories like this shouldn’t be atypical. These stories should be regular occurrences in the vast media landscape. That this is seen as celebratory proves that we have a long road ahead of us. Let’s hope that these stories only become less and less surprising.
Ett filmklipp publicerat av L’Oréal Paris Official (@lorealparisofficial)
#Peace.Love.SusanSarandon
