Model Paulina Porizkova is holding her ground after she posted a photo of herself wearing a bikini on Monday.
The 57-year-old fashion model has never been shy about sharing topless and “barely clothed” photos on Instagram, but it looks like she is starting to get more and more critical comments ever since she reached one million Instagram followers on March 1.
Paulina Porizkova Addresses ‘Unkind’ Comments On Her ‘Barely Clothed’ Bikini Photo
On Tuesday morning, the “Anna” actress took to Instagram to share a post filled with six screenshots of critical comments that take aim at her looks, her age, and her “privileged” lifestyle. One user told her that she “set a bad example” while another added, “You are NOT representative at all of what 58 looks like for most of us so why don’t you sit down?”
The comments came only one day after she posted a photo that featured her standing in front of a fireplace in a black bikini. She topped off her look with black knee-high boots and a red sweater that she knitted herself.
“Some thoughtful readers comments…” Paulina wrote in the caption. “I post a barely clothed photo of myself, it gets a lot of attention, and then come the comments. Most of you are wonderfully supportive and understand what I’m trying to do in representing an older woman as still sexy and viable, and certainly not invisible.”
“Then there are the naysayers. This of course when a conversation actually begins,” she explained. “Many of the unkind comments seem to focus on me needing validation – which is true in part, I do need to be noticed in order not to be invisible. You also call me out for promoting the objectification of women. This is also partly true, I am working within set constraints thousands of years old.”
“The comments that I like the least however, are that because I’m tall and slim, I do not have the right to represent women my age because I don’t look like a typical woman my age. I’m not trying to represent all women of my age. How could I? How could anyone?” she asked. “Don’t we all look different and isn’t that where our beauty lies? In our uniqueness?”
“What is truly sad here are the obvious insecurities of women who cannot find space to love themselves for who they are. For what their bodies can do. For what they can feel,” she added. “Instead, they will compare, feel wanting and ashamed for not measuring up, and turn around to shame those who made them feel this way.”
“We can all only walk with our own feet, making our own unique imprints in the sand,” she concluded, wrapping up her post with a variety of hashtags that included #sexyhasnoexpirationdate, #betweenjloandbettywhite, #graypride, #trolls, #foodforthought, and #celebratetheskinyourein.
Fans Flood Her Comments With Positive Messages: ‘You Keep Doing You’
Fans flooded Paulina’s Instagram page with messages of support. “It’s interesting that there are directly opposing criticisms (‘you look better than other women your age because of genes/beauty treatments/etc’ and also ‘you look older than your age and need better grooming’ (??),” one fan pointed out. “What that says to me is that as women, someone’s always going to have a problem with us, so we might as well do what we want.”
“All of these negative comments say more about them than about you. They need to deal with their own hang-ups. You keep doing you. We live in a paradigm that worships youth and beauty,” another follower wrote. “I’d imagine being a supermodel where your looks were hyper-focused on, makes it even more challenging to accept aging gracefully. I think you’re doing an amazing job of it.”
“Paulina you are a beautiful woman. Most women in large cities and chic towns get treatments themselves. Aesthetics are more affordable these days so there is no reason for the hate to be thrown your way. Other than jealousy…” a third fan chimed in.
“Such honest words you speak. So many of us grapple with body issues that seeing someone with less of them, triggers old trauma around our bodies and our worth,” another follower wrote. “Your words and practices are freeing for us though – so keep it coming. We might just face that mirror sooner than we think.”
“I love your posts because it’s important for us all to express ourselves, accept ourselves, love ourselves, and encourage others to do the same. I am a completely different shape and have no illusions I will ever/could ever/should ever be tall and slim,” another fan shared. “It’s just not me, but it looks fantastic on you! Nothing but positivity and support for all women! Thank you!”
“So many things I want to comment here. But I’m going to keep it classy. It’s your IG page. Post what you want,” another follower chimed in. “The haters and those who disagree should just silently unfollow.”
