Part 7/14:

Hollywood’s evolving approach to beauty is intertwined with industry ageism and gender norms. While men often retain roles and status into their 50s and beyond, women face a much narrower window for relevance, especially after their mid-30s. Despite this, some actresses—like Alicia Keys—have experimented with natural looks, possibly as a statement, but often face backlash or are criticized for not conforming to beauty standards.

The cultural production of “ugly” aesthetics is seen by critics as an ideological effort to diminish traditional standards, replacing them with a confusing mix of authenticity and grotesquerie. This “anti-beauty” movement is believed to be rooted in activism but also influenced by a Marxist-like desire to overturn societal hierarchies based on appearance.