In a powerful essay, actress Jennifer Aniston has hit back at the relentless onslaught of intrusion into her personal life.
The 47-year-old star and wife of Justin Theroux has been subjected to fierce speculation of late that she’s pregnant.
So, clearly fed up at the harassment, she penned an open letter for the Huffington Post, refuting the rumours.
“For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up. I’m fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of ‘journalism’, the ‘First Amendment’ and ‘celebrity news’,” she wrote.
“Every day my husband and I are harassed by dozens of aggressive photographers staked outside our home who will go to shocking lengths to obtain any kind of photo, even if it means endangering us or the unlucky pedestrians who happen to be nearby.”
She goes on to say that she used to brush off the tabloid rumours, but it’s gone too far this time.
“In this last boring news cycle about my personal life there have been mass shootings, wildfires, major decisions by the Supreme Court, an upcoming election, and any number of more newsworthy issues that ‘journalists’ could dedicate their resources towards.
“I have grown tired of being part of this narrative. Yes, I may become a mother some day, and since I’m laying it all out there, if I ever do, I will be the first to let you know.
“But I’m not in pursuit of motherhood because I feel incomplete in some way, as our celebrity news culture would lead us all to believe. I resent being made to feel ‘less than’ because my body is changing and/or I had a burger for lunch and was photographed from a weird angle and therefore deemed one of two things: ‘pregnant’ or ‘fat’.”
“Not to mention the painful awkwardness that comes with being congratulated by friends, co-workers and strangers alike on one’s fictional pregnancy (often a dozen times in a single day).”
She continued: “Here’s where I come out on this topic: we are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child. We get to decide for ourselves what is beautiful when it comes to our bodies. That decision is ours and ours alone.”
Well said, Jen!
You can read the full essay here.
