Elizabeth Hurley couldn’t have rung in her 60th birthday in a more fabulous way than with this incredible nude photoshoot. She posted a breathtaking photo of herself in a field on Instagram, confidently rocking her “birthday suit.” The legendary actress and model comes to life with her timeless beauty and unapologetic confidence. She has a unique perspective on aging and body self-image which she shares with confidence.
In her latest post, Hurley is unapologetic about her body and clearly celebrates her beauty and maturity. She honors the liberation and self-love that come with reaching 60. The picturesque setting of the meadow complements her bold statement as she encourages others to embrace their natural selves.
Hurley’s painfully honest take on the high cost of beauty goes much further than her own experience. She referred to non-celebrities as “civilians.” This starkly underscores the public’s double standards when it comes to celebrity bodies versus the bodies of real, everyday people. This remark further underscores her appreciation of the unique challenges women face in the political limelight. It’s particularly timely as they confront the realities of aging.
During her career, media personality and Olympic swimmer, Dara Torres has been candid about her eating patterns and weight control behaviors. In 2012, she made waves after publicly discussing her unusual diet. She only ate one meal and filled her day with “very tiny little snacks… maybe six raisins.” Indeed, though she has not publicly detailed her new dietary restrictions, it is clear that being healthy, slim and youthful is still quite the catchphrase.
The trend of celebrities shedding their clothes to embrace their bodies at any age has picked up steam over the last few years. At 40, Jennifer Aniston shocked the world with her naked shots for GQ. Gwyneth Paltrow similarly gambled and won, sharing nude photos for three straight years, culminating in a striking gold-painted shot at 50. Amanda Holden threw herself into the mix, stripping naked on boulders aged 53. Even Martha Stewart got in on the act, posting semi-clad pictures of herself at 83.
The current “nude celeb arms race” raises troubling issues about what society already asks of women’s bodies. It places ridiculous expectations on women to maintain their infantile looks. As these brave celebrities open the conversation around aging and acceptance, they contribute towards a larger movement to expand the public conversation around self-acceptance and self-image.
“tiny little snacks … like six raisins” – Elizabeth Hurley