‘Hot babes with bad legs’: Times of India publishes ridiculous article about women’s bodies
OPINION: Granted, the news cycle is full of some blatantly ridiculous content, but this article is not only bizarre, it’s downright offensive.
WOW. Just wow.
In a week filled with three-breasted women, hoaxes of three-breasted women and people putting their iPhones in the microwave there is one ridiculous article that takes the cake.
“Hot babes with ugly legs” published by The Times of India is a piece entirely dedicated to taking down some of the world’s most beautiful and successful woman because DUN DUN DUN: They have “ugly legs”.
“Some of the prettiest faces in show business fail to get close to a perfect 10 when it comes to their bodies. But then, no one’s perfect, right?” author Nasreen Khan writes, before going on to assassinate Hollywood and Bollywood stars for their supposedly imperfect pins.
Here’s a selection of what she has to say:
Lindsay Lohan — “The Mean Girls star has supposedly lost weight recently, but her heavily freckled legs are quite a sore sight. They not only appear chunky, but she has also been spotted with large, dark bruises on her legs.”
Angelina Jolie — “This Oscar winner is seen as the epitome of style and grace. But her skinny arms and legs with bulging elbows and knees defy her style diva image. Her knees, in particular, could surely use some meat.”
Sarah Jessica Parker “The Sex and the City star doesn’t have the legs to wear short dresses. They are not only thin, but appear to be bow-shaped as well. Her legs often have that over-worked-out look, with veins standing out.”
The article goes on to take a shot at Britney Spears “those muscular legs would look more at home at the wrestling ring!” Katie Holmes “thick legs with muscular calves” and Jennifer Lopez “ugly cellulite on her thunderous thighs.”
Bollywood actors are also graded like cattle at an agricultural show, slamming Aditi Rao Hydari for her “wobbly knees” Aishwarya Rai Bachchan “legs that look better when covered” and Diya Mirza “pointy knees”.
Now we definitely publish our share of celebrity content and WTF stories at news.com.au. And I know there is much hand-wringing in general over the race to the bottom in terms of what constitutes news. (What gets clicked on is a story for another day).
But what gets me about this piece is the tone, the way it’s presented as fact: Hot babes with ugly legs.
As if some of the world’s most exquisite and accomplished women — UN ambassadors, internationally renowned pop stars, actors, models, mothers, sisters and daughters — should be ashamed because they are almost perfect but not quite.
If only they weren’t chunky. Pointy. Wobbly. Bow-shaped. Cellulite-infested.
What a load of sh*te!
To me, it’s a hideous piece of body-shaming and downright nasty to boost.
As if women need any more to worry about on top of their jobs/kids/friends/family/partners plus trying to get to the gym/eat carbs/not eat carbs/dye their hair/keep on top of general maintenance - if that’s what they even want to do.
As if they should be judged on their bone structure rather than what they’ve done with their lives. Great work on that sexual violence summit Angelina, shame about those knees though!
The piece has attracted its fair share of attention with everyone from high-profile magazine editors to readers on Twitter expressing their shock. And maybe that was the point.
@NasreenKhan @TOIIndiaNews @TOIWorld Please explain the rationale behind the title of this article: http://t.co/n4mnzOj4IL
— S Anwar (@sanwar1) September 24, 2014But whether it’s meant to make us feel better or not, it fuels that nasty streak in human nature that gains pleasure from misery. That wants to cut down tall poppies and laugh in their face.
And what it really shows us is that nothing is good enough. Not six kids. Not a great career. Not running a personal empire and making millions of dollars. Not trying to make the world better. Certainly not if you have wobbly knees.
I call bullsh*t. It’s time to stop the hate.
The Times has been contacted for comment.
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