Shania Twain, the iconic country-pop singer known for hits like Man! I Feel Like a Woman and You’re Still the One, recently found herself at the center of social media scrutiny—not for her music, but for her choice of outfit during her Las Vegas residency. Critics compared her ensemble to Depends, an incontinence product, and questioned whether it was “appropriate” for her age. “Is that a rhinestone Depends?a critic wrote on TikTok. Another critical commentator on X said, “I didn’t know Depends made such a sexy option.” The backlash has reignited conversations about societal expectations of aging women, especially in the entertainment industry, and the glaring double standard faced by male celebrities.
Twain, at 58, is no stranger to pushing boundaries in her performances. She has always embraced bold fashion choices, a signature aspect of her artistry. Yet, the ridicule she faced for simply expressing herself on stage raises the question: why is it that female celebrities, particularly those who are no longer in their 20s and 30s, are subject to such intense scrutiny over their appearances and wardrobe choices?
Ageism in the Spotlight
Women in the entertainment industry often face a cultural expectation to “age gracefully,” a euphemism that subtly insists they should fade into the background and adhere to conservative norms as they grow older. Twain’s critics suggested that her outfit was inappropriate for her age, a sentiment that implies there’s an invisible expiration date on personal style and self-expression for women.
This sentiment is not unique to Twain. Madonna, Cher, and countless other female icons have been similarly criticized for daring to defy traditional notions of what women “should” look like or wear past a certain age. The backlash often stems from deeply ingrained societal discomfort with women who refuse to conform to ageist standards.
The Double Standard
The treatment of male celebrities starkly contrasts with that of their female counterparts. Male performers, regardless of their age or appearance, rarely face the same level of scrutiny for their on-stage attire or physicality. Mick Jagger, now in his 80s, continues to strut across stages in tight pants and flamboyant outfits without much commentary beyond admiration for his energy and longevity. Keith Richards, with his weathered appearance and unapologetically eccentric style, is celebrated as a rock legend. Nobody discusses how they look or what they were.
This double standard highlights the cultural bias that prioritizes youth and beauty in women while valuing talent and experience in men. Women are often expected to maintain an unattainable balance of looking youthful yet “age-appropriate,” a concept that shifts and narrows with every passing year. Twain is also being criticized for looking “different” as in changing her hair color and style and having work done which is surely in direct response to society and her fans wanting her and other female celebrities to look perpetually youthful, yet they still aren’t happy and criticize her for it. Men, on the other hand, are allowed to age publicly and are often praised for doing so with “dignity,” even if their physical appearance would 100% draw criticism if they were women. How irrational AND unfair.
A Conversation Worth Having
Twain’s response to the backlash has been characteristically confident. In interviews, she has expressed her commitment to staying true to herself, regardless of public opinion. This attitude serves as a powerful reminder that societal expectations should not dictate how women present themselves, especially in spaces they’ve worked hard to claim.
The conversation around Twain’s outfit should not be about whether it was “appropriate” but rather about why such judgments persist and whom they serve. By calling out the double standard and pushing back against ageism, society can create a space where individuals—regardless of gender—are free to express themselves without fear of ridicule.
Twain’s Vegas residency is not just a celebration of her music; it’s a testament to her resilience and creativity. Her bold fashion choices are part of her identity as an artist, and she has every right to embrace them without the constraints of ageist or sexist expectations. After all, as Twain herself might say, that don’t impress her much.
We need to start shifting the criticism of women as they age, to criticism of those doing the criticizing, and being negative. This judgmental thinking of aging and beauty has gone on long enough. As a society we need to embrace aging in a more positive light. Fans need to honor Twain’s enduring legacy while challenging the cultural norms that hold women to a different, and unfair, standard.
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