There are many things that can be said about Madonna, but being a follower is not one of them. Recently the music and fashion icon, and budding director shared some interesting things about her grooming habits (or lack there of) high school years in an interview with Harpers Baazar:

“The boys in my school would make fun of me. They called her “‘hairy monster.’ You know, things like that,” she recalls. “And then, going to high school, I saw how popular girls had to behave to get the boys. I knew I couldn’t fit into that. So I decided to do the opposite. I refused to wear makeup, to have a hairstyle. I refused to shave. I had hairy armpits.”

I love it! clearly she has always authentically pushed buttons and boundaries in the concept of beauty, the body, sexuality and what is it to be a powerful woman. Whether you agree with all of her choices or not, or whether you think she is a positive role model in any or all areas of you have to admit that she has always represented the empowered woman, a woman who says, and does exactly what she wants and cares little what others thinks about it. That is a My Body My Image type of Lady!

She also spoke about her age, and how the referencing of it connotes that what she has to offer has an expiration date of sorts:

 “I find whenever someone writes anything about me, my age is right after my name,” she muses. “It’s almost like they’re saying, ‘Here she is, but remember she’s this age, so she’s not that relevant anymore.’ When you put someone’s age down, you’re limiting them.”

I have never thought of it that way but she has a point, stating someone’s age as a qualifier whether to highlight someone youth (which could imply- don’t take them too seriously) or their maturity (which as she states, might make what one has to share a moot, outdated point) it is in a way limiting. It’s like saying that someone looks good for their age…what does that mean? What exactly does any age look like anyway!

Two great concepts to think about and possible use to shift our concepts of our bodies our images, and ourselves. Thanks M.