“I think that I started hating my body when I was about 14.” In a recent Hollywood event, something truly intimate and unexpected happened that left everyone astonished. Emma Thompson, the 63-year-old actress, made a bold and empowering appearance, defying ageist stereotypes and challenging conventional beauty norms.
Older people are frequently overlooked in movies.
According to SAG, actors who are 40 or older had only about a third of the acting jobs in films and TV shows. But the numbers were much worse for older women compared to men. They said that 37% of all guys cast in movies and TV shows were 40 or older, while only 24% of the ladies in those shows were in that age group.
The difference is even more significant when it comes to leading roles. SAG found that only 21% of the main female characters were over 40, while 34% of the main male characters were that age. Another example of Hollywood’s mistreatment of older bodies is when in scary movies like X, older people without clothes are used to make the audience feel uneasy or scared.
Several stars have spoken about this issue.
Many famous stars have raised their voices against ageism in the entertainment industry, and they’ve also criticized the unrealistic beauty expectations they’ve had to deal with. Esteemed actors such as Julianne Moore, Jessica Lange, Jane Fonda, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Winslet have openly discussed the challenges of age discrimination in Hollywood.
Their efforts have sparked meaningful conversations about the need for more diverse and authentic representations of people of all ages on screen. Notably, Kate Winslet’s stand against unrealistic body standards is evident in her refusal to allow the director of Mare of Easttown to edit her belly in an intimate scene. This bold move further underscores the importance of portraying natural and genuine bodies in media.
Emma Thompson decided to show how a real older body looks like.
Emma Thompson’s courageous decision to portray an authentic older body unclothed in the film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande speaks volumes about the prevailing issues of body image and ageism. She reflects, “It’s very challenging to be nude at 62, especially in a world where nothing has changed in the dreadful demands made on women to look a certain way.”
Thompson shares, “I realized that if I’m not near any mirrors and I look down at my body, it looks fine. I can see my toes, and it doesn’t look horrible. But as soon as I look in a mirror, I see nothing but flaws. It was definitely an interesting thing to experiment with.” Through her insights, Emma Thompson advocates for more authentic, compassionate, and diverse representations of older bodies in cinema.
Many other Hollywood’s beloved actors have opened up about the journey of aging in the glamorous yet challenging world of entertainment. In a candid collection of experiences, these stars share their triumphs, struggles, and insights on breaking through age-related barriers.
A heartfelt father-son duet by Phil and Nic Collins
As the Not Dead Yet Tour approached, legendary drummer Phil Collins began to experience nerve problems in his hand that made drumming increasingly difficult. To address this problem, he enlisted his son Nic Collins to take over drumming duties for the tour from 2016 to 2019. During a tour stop in Houston, the father-son duo shared a memorable moment when Nic walked up to the piano after Phil introduced him to the audience.
Phil revealed to the audience that Nic had discovered a song from his debut solo album, You Know What I Mean, that Phil himself liked. In a playful exchange, Phil joked about the number of songs Nic liked, and Nic clarified: “Two songs… mainly just one”. They then delivered a soulful performance of the song, with Phil on vocals and Nic on piano.
The performance was warmly received by Phil Collins’ fans, who were happy to see him perform live despite his health issues. The video of the performance has been viewed over 2.7 million times and many viewers were touched by the father-son collaboration. Comments praised the emotional connection and Nic’s obvious musical talent. One viewer remarked: “Wonderful to see father and son together like this”, and others confirmed: “Nic Collins has inherited Phil’s musical talent”.
The tour also allowed Nic to showcase his diverse musical skills, especially on the drums. At the same show in Houston, Nic demonstrated his drumming skills in a duet with percussionist Richie Garcia, impressing even his father. When Nic joined Richie and Phil for a cajon performance, the group developed into a dynamic drum trio.
After the tour ended in 2019, Nic continued to support his father as a drummer on the Genesis tour from 2020 to 2022. He also joined Mike and the Mechanics, the band led by his father’s Genesis bandmate Mike Rutherford, and showcased his drumming skills with them. In 2022, Nic released his solo project “Better Strangers”, which offers a deeper look into his drumming skills. With a promising future ahead of him, Nic Collins is ready to further his musical career while continuing his father’s legacy.
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