Can We Please Stop Cruel Attacks on Older Stars?

Certain phrases are catnip to today’s headline writers.

  • “Breaks His/Her Silence”
  • “So-and-So Celebrity Stuns”
  • “Star Claps Back”

I’m no stranger to the grind. This platform, like me, has dipped its toes into the murky waters of sensationalized content on occasion. Navigating this tough terrain requires determination and resilience, as we both strive to break through the foggy digital landscape.

Instead of just using trendy phrases, some media sources take it a step further by directly resorting to vulgar or offensive language in their headlines. It’s high time we held them accountable for this behavior.

Discuss the latest news about Steve Perry, a renowned musician from Journey. At 76 years old, he may not appear as he did during his peak in the ’80s. This report was recently featured in a UK publication.

Seldom encountered ’80s rock icon is virtually unidentifiable during a casual stroll in Los Angeles, four decades following the success of his chart-topping tune.

Instead of performing on stage in an unfavorable rock group, Perry was simply carrying out his usual routine. However, a photographer managed to capture him during this moment.

As a die-hard movie buff, I must say the most disappointing aspect is the spread of misinformation. Any true Journey enthusiast would instantly recognize Perry in those pictures – yes, he’s aged, packed on some pounds, and his once-black mane has turned to silver.

The face is the same, as is the hair style.

The Daily Mail joined in by criticizing actress Pamela Anderson. Notably, the 57-year-old former “Baywatch” star usually foregoes makeup when appearing in public. Additionally, she received some of the best reviews of her career for her lead role in last year’s drama “The Last Showgirl.

Regardless of the significance, The Daily Mail showed no regard for Anderson. Instead, it labeled her as “Frumpy” in a harsh headline and followed up with an X-rated post.

Initially, there was some hesitation within the publication team. As a result, they revised the narrative in their original story and deleted the tweet that used the word “frumpy.

It never should have run in the first place.

Recently, The Daily Mail once more made headlines with their commentary. They portrayed a 65-year-old Academy Award winner, Allison Janney, as unrecognizable. In the accompanying picture, she was seen wearing a ballcap and sunglasses.

We might not recognize our own mother if she was wearing both.

On a relatively uncommon occasion, an actress who won an Oscar left her admirers somewhat bewildered upon her appearance in Los Angeles on a Wednesday.

In a casual setting, the sentence could be rephrased as follows: The 65-year-old legendary actress, who won an Oscar for her role as Tonya Harding’s tough-as-nails mom in I, Tonya (2017), was spotted wearing sunglasses and a cap while buying pastries at a fancy coffee shop in Santa Monica.

It turns out celebrities are just like us! They age.

Some manage aging more elegantly than others, but some resort to cosmetic surgeries in their battle against time’s passing. Unnecessarily highlighting this, merely for the sake of increasing views or clicks, is not considered journalism. Instead, it shows a lack of compassion and sensitivity.

The monkey trick: So and so celebrity is “unrecognizable.”

In recent times, I’ve noticed that whenever Bridget Fonda makes a public appearance, she does so as a woman who once captivated audiences with her performances in movies like “Single White Female” and “Jackie Brown.” Now 61 years old, it seems she has retired from acting. Her last notable role was in the 2002 miniseries “Snow Queen.

Page Six tried to soften its messaging with this description:

For the outing, she opted for a relaxed style, donning a roomy white pullover, some black capris, and a pair of blue athletic shoes.

As a movie lover myself, I wasn’t making a spectacle; instead, I was simply living my day-to-day life. Unexpectedly, a flash went off as a photographer captured me on film.

It’s only normal for fans to observe the changes in their beloved celebrities over time. What’s fascinating is when some, such as Ralph Macchio, seem hardly changed since their early stardom.

It’s only natural for us to ponder our own lifespan as we witness the aging of the stars we behold.

It’s far less so for media outlets to cruelly pile on for a few sour clicks.

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2025-05-16 18:03