Hollywood Feminism: Sandra Bullock & Other Classy Role Models

Paris Hilton is celebrated for a sex tape. Kim Kardashian is thrown in our face for the same, almost daily. And recently it was reported that “Laurence Fishburne’s 19-year-old daughter Montana is making a serious push to break into Hollywood — and she’s doing it with a hardcore sex tape.” Gawker reports: “I’ve watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape.” I think

I felt a collective shudder from parents everywhere when they heard about this.

When did woman start reaching so low to find their heroes, giving up what the feminists fought so hard for in the 60s and 70s? Wouldn’t it be nice to go back just 10 years or so, before reality TV and the Internet, before any Josephine was celebrated for displaying slut behavior? It seems like the norm for women in Hollywoodland and pop culture is to use their sexuality, savvy and gifts to seek celebrity with an abandon of self-respect, integrity and class. Whether Lindsey Lohan’s endless partying, drinking, drugs, and prison; to Ashley Judd’s belligerent, political tirades.

Whatever happened to women showing character and integrity when making choices and exhibiting decorum in debate? Wouldn’t it be nice to see them exercise the brain God gave them and work at the top of their intelligence? Granted Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Montana Fishbourne wouldn’t have careers if they had character, but TMZ would be much more palatable.

Rather than feeding these lower life forms with any more of the publicity that provides their sustenance, I thought I would celebrate a few exceptions to the rule.

Sandra Bullock has always been beyond reproach. She has used her savvy, intelligence, charisma, and contagious, self deprecating sense of humor as an actress, producer, daughter and wife, while keeping her private life as private as possible. Being a HUGE movie star while maintaining that air of mystery is a quality that is so missed in the industry. She has shown tremendous intelligence in choosing her roles and crafting her career. (Well, except for “What About Steve”…and oh, wait…”The Lake House.” But everyone has a career blunder here and there). When her then-husband’s affair made all the headlines and TV news lead ins, she held her head high while maintaining a low profile; and demonstrated gracious stoicism when her mother was ill and died.

Reese Witherspoon made her break-out role in Hollywood at 14. She has become an accomplished actress, producer, children’s and women’s advocate, wife and mother, all in the public’s eye. From growing up and marrying in Hollywood, to her highly publicized divorce; Reese has displayed Southern charm, wit, poise and inner strength.

Cynthia Nixon, one incredibly talented and versatile actress was quite the role model when she came out as a lesbian. She didn’t get on her pedestal in an angry rant to make everyone accept her lifestyle, or shove it in our faces. She went about her life and shared her story in interviews with radiant joy and happiness, warmth and charm.

Then there’s Angelina Jolie. An actress who’s lived both worlds. Her early days were fraught with odd and dangerous behavior and poor personal choices. She now uses her savvy and intelligence, beauty and glamour to promote humanitarian causes; to inform and inspire.

I can’t leave out Helen Mirren, who at 65 is still one sexy, intelligent class act! She’s used her sexuality, talents, sophistication and intelligence to work for her, without compromise and with class. She’s been playful in interviews regarding her nudity in film and does not apologize. Reminding us that on the big screen she is playing a scripted character; directed and professionally and artistically lit which shows it’s more about art than nudity and is anything but pornographic.

You may not agree with their political views, religious affiliations or sexual preference, but you can’t refute that these woman need to be celebrated for their intelligence, beauty-inside and out, self-confidence, savvy and character. So let’s turn off the rag mag shows and reality TV and leave the gossip in the supermarket check out aisle. We can only hope that slut behavior in Hollywood is nearing the end of its 15 minutes.