We Need to Stop Calling Women “Unrecognizable” in Our Headlines

Please stop using dangerous language toward women’s bodies.

Photo by Cleo Vermij on Unsplash

I saw an article the other day that bothered me.

Selena Gomez wore sweatpants and Elle called her “unrecognizable.”

Hmm.

You’ll find a lot of articles labeling celebrities as “unrecognizable” when they’re preparing for a role. Yet somehow, journalists now think it’s okay to apply this term to celebrities’ real lives now, too.

Here are the most common things female celebrities do to earn this label:

• Lose weight
• Gain weight
• Wear baggy clothes
• Change their hair
• Age
• Change your appearance in any way whatsoever

This didn't sit well with me. What are we trying to say here? We’re using the same descriptor for Selena Gomez’s sweatpants that we use for Joaquin Phoenix’s weight loss for the Joker?

Let’s unpack this.

Elle: “Selena Gomez Was Almost Unrecognizable During Her Low-Key Disneyland Visit”