Iconic rocker Shirley Manson hits back over ‘unrecognisable’ tag

Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson is hitting back after an outlet declared her “unrecognisable” at 58 years old.

Shirley Manson is clapping back at her haters.

The lead singer of the rock band Garbage took to Instagram in response to a recent article criticising the crew’s appearance.

Manson posted a screenshot of the story’s headline, which states, “Iconic American rock band look unrecognisable in new album promo snaps as they promote its first single” above a black-and-white photo of the band.

“Look — I’m nearly sixty years old,” the Scottish singer continued. “Of course I’m not going to look anything like my late twenties self?!? Quite honestly I think it would be a bit creepy if I did but hey that’s just me.”

Manson on stage last year. Picture: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns

Circa 1998.

“Either way — this kind of language is weaponized to put a woman like me in my place,” she added.

Manson then shared that she’s decided to “reject this gift,” calling it a “fail” and ensuring fans that “I shall continue to age as I am.”

Manson, seen here circa 1999, is one of rock’s most iconic frontwoman.

She says she won’t be made to feel bad about growing older. Picture: Getty

“I will continue to wrinkle and flub – lose an inch of my height here and gain a new inch or two there – but I will still look cute in my pyjamas with bed head and no make up on and I will always,” she insisted.

“No matter what I look like – no matter what they say about me – I will always – and forever – rock HARDER than most,” Manson concluded.

“Of course I’m not going to look like I did in my 20s!” Picture: Getty

Leading Garbage in the mid-90s.

Fans were very much supportive, with one calling her “unapologetically fierce” and another “eternally beautiful.”

“What a relief to see one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the blessing to know-show us how beautiful it is to be herself,” a third person wrote.

In addition to Manson, Garabage (which formed in 1993) includes American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig.

The musical group announced their eighth studio album titled Let All That We Imagine Be the Light in February 2025, which is set to release on May 30.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Iconic rocker Shirley Manson hits back over ‘unrecognisable’ tag