The faux feminist Hollywood movement

There's a new wave taking over Hollywood: women claiming to want to empower and care about women, identifying as feminists but really seeming quite confused with the concept of feminism. We think it's time to calm down with the fake sisterhood image, because to be perfectly honest, it's becoming tiring.





It almost seems like a fashionable trend for the rich and famous to claim to be a feminist, perhaps to gain fans? Taylor Swift is an example of a celebrity who has used the idea of feminism to promote her own fame and image. When Taylor Swift was once asked if she considered herself a feminist, she replied; "I don't really think about things as guys versus girls." Swift not only completely missed the point in feminism (the equality of genders) but also actively spoke against the movement - so what changed?


Do we really need another photogenic, cis billionaire to only show female solidarity when it's in an upcoming album? Why not show complete true support for women all over the world - the ones who are struggling finding education and equality as well as those who are going through a heartbreak? Swift needs to be told that there is a lot more to feminism than realising that you don't need a boyfriend.

Photo: @taylorswift / Instagram

Fahmida Riaz, a progressive poet and feminist from Pakistan, defined feminism as "simply that women, like men, are complete human beings with limitless possibilities."


Feminism has been manipulated by celebs for their own personal gain, almost like they are caving into peer pressure to name themselves a feminist without even properly understanding what it means. Labelling yourself  a feminist will make you more popular to the wider female demographic but most of these celebrities don't actually live up to everything they say and do, or practice what they preach. Don't brag about being a feminist but then call your fellow females "bitches" and don't completely buy into patriarchy and dominance whilst calling it feminism - this can be more damaging than anything. Historically, women have been reduced to walking talking bodies. As important as it is to show how confident you are with your body - show young girls that their brains, political alliance and opinions on issues are equally as important.


To buy into this singular type of feminism, the one where women 'own their sexuality' by sitting on a wrecking ball naked or dancing in underwear as examples, means that the girls who don't believe in showing a lot of skin or those who would rather sit behind a book  feel that they are not filling this norm. When your music video depicts a half naked woman giving a lap-dance to a fully-clothed man whilst saying "fuck you skinny bitches" you're sending out a clear message - and not a positive one.


Obviously, women are free to wear and do whatever they want, without any societal pressure. Feminism is about knowing that all women have different flaws, qualities, doubts, ambitions, dreams and heritage. Which means, if you're going to stand for women who want to 'free the nipple' you have to stand for those who want to wear a hijab. We don't all have to own our sexuality, confidence and aspirations in the same way.