This phenomenon isn’t limited to Kidman and Bates. It’s a widespread issue in Hollywood, where aging gracefully has become an almost unachievable ideal, especially for women. The pressure to maintain a youthful appearance is so intense that many actresses resort to cosmetic procedures that leave them looking like caricatures of their former selves. The irony is palpable: in an industry that thrives on expression and emotion, these procedures often erase the very features that make these actresses unique and relatable.
The male counterparts, though not as heavily scrutinized, are not immune to this trend. Actors, young and old facing the same pressures, are rapidly following the footsteps of their females colleagues, perpetuating a cycle that distorts the natural process of aging.
In Thailand, the most popular cosmetic surgery aims to make eyes look more European. This trend, like Hollywood's obsession with youth, underscores a global issue: the rejection of natural beauty in favor of a standardized, often Westernized, ideal. It's a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained and widespread the fear of aging has become.
We must ask ourselves why society, especially the entertainment industry, clings so fiercely to the notion that old is ugly. Why do we prefer to see a distorted, youthful visage rather than the natural beauty of age? The answer lies in a pervasive culture that equates youth with value and beauty, marginalizing those who dare to age naturally.
The impact on younger generations is particularly concerning. They are growing up in a world where the norm is to reject the natural aging process and strive for an unattainable ideal. The rejection of oneself. These distorted representations of beauty send a harmful message: that self-worth is intrinsically linked to physical appearance and that aging is something to be feared and fought at all costs.