With the launch of Mayim Bialik’s non-Goop-esque lifestyle website, Grok Nation, I had a feeling she’d start doing heavy press, and that’s starting to happen. Mayim isn’t afraid to speak out against Hollywood’s trends. She last took issue with Botox, cryotherapy, manicures, and gym obsessions in a larger discussion about body modification. Mayim’s blog isn’t so much a lifestyle site as a collection of her own essays. She’s good at starting discussions.
Mayim sat down with Fox News to reveal how her super-religious ways make it difficult to fit in with the tv-star crowd. She does fine, I assume, with her Big Bang Theory co-stars, but Mayim says she receives a lot of heat for her Orthodox Judaism. When she visited Israel this summer, she felt a huge backlash. Mayim also peppers her discussion with more notes on modesty:
The difficulty of being religious in Hollywood: “I think in general it’s never going to be trendy to be observant or religious in Hollywood circles. There are people I know of faith and we tend to congregate together. I study Jewish texts weekly. That’s something really positive to me when you’re a person of faith, it stays with you all the time.”
The backlash: “I’ve gotten a lot of negative attention for visiting Israel. That’s what’s amazing … simply by going to Israel this summer and saying nothing more than, ‘I’ve gone to Israel,’ I got the same amount of hatred and threats and anti-Semitism for actually making a statement trying to support people whether I like it or not are serving in an army. That reveals the truth. It really doesn’t matter what I support or believe the fact that I’m Jewish and go there is enough – that should be alarming to most people.”
She believes in science and religion: “Being a scientist and a person of faith, people want to know how that is. It leads to a lot of interesting conversations that I welcome but a lot of people want to open up a conversation just to tell you, you’re wrong.”
Her style: “Being a modest dresser, that for me is a certain amount of my religious faith — privacy and chastity. Just because I have a body, doesn’t mean it means to be on display. It’s important, especially for children and men and my sons to hear I’m not ashamed of my body, I just don’t feel the need to display it with two tiny pieces of fabric when I want to go swimming.”
[From Fox 411]
Mayim’s red carpet style has been described as frumpy by many a fashion blogger, myself included. She dresses for her own preferences, so she must be comfortable. And it’s nice to see someone who stays true to their own beliefs, even if the fashion itself isn’t very exciting. I think we see enough racks on display at the events (and elsewhere) that Mayim may be the one who’s truly shocking people. Does she seem a little judgy here? Not really, but you may feel differently.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet & WENN
I think her attitude actually contributes to women feeling bad about their bodies. She also strikes me as the type of woman who engages in copious amounts of “sl*t shaming.” I genuinely wish I could get behind Mayim, but there is something about her that doesn’t quite sit well with me. I guess, to me, she does seem hyper-judgmental.
I get your point. I really want to like her. She’s smart, she’s different, she’s not afraid to engage in discussions, but… she sounds so judgy. And I don’t “get” superreligious people in general. I don’t make fun of them or whatever, I just don’t get it.
well u sound way more judgy than her
@lana No she doesn’t.
She sounds judgy, how? She’s not saying everyone should believe as she does, or shaming those who feel differently. How does a simple statement about the way she lives her life and dresses her own body translate into shaming others who don’t do the same? Again, she’s talking about her OWN body and choosing not to put it on display, so you’re actually the one who sounds hyper-judgy and also ignorant (you don’t “get” religious people…who cares? If religion isn’t for you, what difference does it make if someone doesn’t feel the same? I can just hear the backlash if someone said they don’t “get” *non*-religious people. Ay yi yi). But apparently talking about how she handles her own body would be ok only if she were saying instead that she takes pride in barely-there outfits?
@Pinky, lana is absolutely correct. Both you and Valois sound absurd.
@Acid Now you sound like you’re joking. You are joking, right? My one statement “No she doesn’t” makes me sound absurd. Thanks for the laugh!
I don’t think she sounds judgey either. And, come on, don’t you all get a little tired of seeing crop tops and skinny jeans everywhere? They look great on some people, but, yikes, some of these girls look they are shoe horned into with muffin tops galore.
I’m sorry for giving that impression, Lana. English isn’t my first language, that might contribute to it.
AcidRock, I’m sorry, but you’re reading things into my words that I never said. I’m not judging her for being religious and I don’t have to understand it, I never said that.
(By the way, I didn’t come up with that impression after reading this particular interview, it’s just a combination of things she said in the past.)
Nobody is shaming her for dressing modestly. People are just noticing that she does have a history of painting herself as smarter, more moral, more talented, and more progressive than other women because of style. Because of that, people are likely to be a little less receptive toward things she has to say about modesty. I dont see this comment as slut shaming though, and it doesn’t seem like people are calling this statement slut shaming.
You can’t express a view of finding someone judgy who is being asked by another if you find them judgy without being judgy yourself. We all sound super judgy here. Be it because we’re judging someone’s views to weigh them and form an opinion. Or because we’re judging a comment clearly judging us.
It doesn’t sound as aggressive as I think people are reading into it too much or being too judgy on if the statement is too aggressive or not 😉
She seems a bit judgy. This is mild. She’s said far worse. Kinda non-issue imo.
@FLORC – you win for most uses of judgy/judging in one comment. I like it! 😉
I get what you are saying and don’t get me wrong I don’t agree completely with her on almost everything and I’m a huge fan of rocking some questionable outfits and doing questionable things by her standards but where is the whole women may feel bad about their bodies coming from? And the sl*t shaming thing really needs to end. Such an overly used term for sure. I mean maybe im missing something but All she said is she covers herself up. Soooo….? She has some wacky views just like we all do. No one has to listen to them.
quite frankly I wish more people would cover up. I’m so tired of seeing half naked butt cheeks while I’m trying to pick out apples at the grocery store. Is that really necessary ? Wait is that sl*t shaming? 😑 #sarcasm but seriously There is nothing wrong with covering yourself up from time to time and people can have a view without this shaming nonsense. Having sexual agency or feeling confident or being a feminist doesn’t mean you have to dress a certain way or not have an opinion or not be allowed to receive one.
I didn’t say that covering oneself up is equal to slut shaming. She just strikes me as someone who looks down on other women who are more overtly sexual than society “likes.”
Oh I’m sure she does but I couldn’t care less if this one thinks I’m a slut or a Puritan and I don’t think most do either. But that doesn’t mean she’s sl*t shaming either. Talking about slut shaming was more in general not just in response to you, but covering up or not is also part of the slut shaming “cry” if we are going to be honest. While shaming does happen and should be called out. I think people take it way too far and over use it for most things. Criticizing someone regardless of whatever It is shouldnt be just trumped up to shaming like it most often is. I just find everyone has an opinion regardless what we do are we going to call everything shaming in some matter?
Personally, Women’s fashion in their modesty from the 30s-60s were so amazingly flattering and wonderful to behold. A lot of our clothes now…well, there’s a lot of tacky.
“Women’s fashion in their modesty from the 30s-60s were so amazingly flattering and wonderful to behold.”
They were strapped in under those clothes, though, with girdles and other harsh shape wear.
I think that a lot of what she says lends itself particularly well to the kind of slut shaming consistently espoused by Rashida Jones, Tina Fey and the like.
What’s with this “slut shaming” nonsense? I think it’s tacky how so many young women dress. I’d like to think it’s empowering but it looks needy and subservient. “Slut” doesn’t come to mind but talent free and attention seeking, yes.
@ Ann
People can dress however they want without us making moral judgments about them based on their clothes.
@Algernon curious how this proclamation of not making judgments about people based on their clothing only goes one way, though. Just a few comments up are people essentially shaming Mayim because she *doesn’t* show all her bits. Isn’t this the same as slut-shaming, just aimed at those who cover it up instead of take it off? This double standard nonsense is so typical of this site. I really thought posters here were more intelligent than this.
I grew up on the outskirts of this religion (atheist parents with religious family/friends). I always objected to the concepts of modesty, but I grew up in a time when we all wore high waisted jeans and baggy shirts, so I didn’t see the need for religious modesty. I still don’t believe in religion as an excuse for modesty, but I feel bad for girls who are pressured to dress provocatively when they’d be having more fun in comfy clothes.
@ Acid Rock
She can dress however she likes. I agree with some posters that sometimes her style veers into frumpy, which is just about choosing unflattering clothes, and not that she prefers to cover her shoulders or whatever. Other times, though, she has worn some interesting and stand-out pieces because she’s willing to look beyond the strapless trumpet gown for red carpet wear. But she has also criticized other stars for how they dress, making a clear judgment call on clothing equating to morality.
@Ann, we tacky Youngs could just as easily make a sweeping generalization about all people like you who choose to dress modestly being subservient and needy in another way. But that would be another narrow minded, divisive, ridiculous assumption. For sure there are women who dress modestly for needy, subservient reasons surrounding traditional attitudes about morality, proper womanhood, female self respect, respectability, and male sex crimes just like there are some women who will be somebody else s vision of sexy even though they’re not ok with it. But there are also women who dress the way they do, modest, immodest, or in between, because a look is attractive to them, because it’s a statement, because it’s an act of rebellion or empowerment, or because it’s what they’re comfortable with.
she has a right to have on opinion of what SHE wants to wear and finds appropriate. Since when a woman dressing modestly is offensive lol? Also, there r plenty of celebrities starving themselves or indulging in plastic surgery – if anything, thats what “contributes to women feeling bad about their bodies”. In fact, all the fotoshopped doll-like sexuality which is unleashed on us from everywhere is the most depressing tool of making u think u r nothing but sexbot, also u r probably to fat for a sexbot, lol.
AMEN! If these women are so freaking “empowered” why are they constantly dieting, botoxing, exercising to keep looking younger than they really are?
@meme, You can be empowered by not having to present in a chaste, ladylike manner and still have some insecurities about your body. But in Hollywood whether or not a woman dresses modestly has nothing to do with whether or not she has work done. Jane Fonda, Bristol Palin, Ashley Tisdale, and feminist Gloria Steinem are all modestly dressed women who have had work done, while one of the most immodest celebs around, Miley, has not.
@Otaku fairy
You lost me at Bristol Palin.
I didn’t find her that judgmental in this interview. You may know more about her than I do, but I just thought she was saying that she feels that dressing modestly is the best fit with her religious beliefs, but she doesn’t want to give anyone the impression that it’s because she feels the human body is shameful. I guess the part where she says she doesn’t feel the need to display her body in two tiny pieces of fabric was a little judgy sounding, but maybe not to the level of “slut-shaming.” But, as I said, I don’t know that much about her.
I just wish she would wear better looking clothes. I think you can dress modestly and stylishly, too.
You’re right, it’s not just this interview on which I am basing my opinion.
Plus, I read below that she is anti-vaccine, so yuck.
Anti-vaccine?? The horrors! Stupid, stupid people. Arg.
She doesn’t refer to anyone else and only references her preferences. How is this sl*t shaming? People need to calm down about this kind of stuff and recognize that not everyone feels the need to share their bodies with the world and that doesn’t mean they look down on someone who does. I don’t care what others wear and am only concerned that my fashion choices suit me and this is what Mayim is saying.
Yeah, maybe I’m missing something but I don’t see what she is saying is slut shaming. She is is just talking about how she prefers to dress, which I guess is actually against the norm these days. I’m all for a person dressing however they want and not feeling shamed about it, whether they are wearing dental floss or a sack.
No one said she’s slutshaming, some just feel like she’d be the type of person to do that. They didn’t state facts.
Actually, she DOES refer to other women – and very specifically to a certain style of swimsuit they wear: “…I just don’t feel the need to display it with two tiny pieces of fabric when I want to go swimming.”
In the sentence above, she is implying – by comparison – that others “need” to display their bodies; she is also making a judgement call & qualification on the fabric (“tiny”).
There are other ways she could have said what she did – referring to her own preferences – without the comparison in referencing others; perhaps that is why people hear an implied (albeit indirect) judgement in some of her statements.
I agree with belle de jour.
The fact that she has a style platform means she’s judging and trying to sell her style. I know lots of women in the “I don’t care” camp. What I can’t abide is morality equals modesty, and yes, she’s judging in a back handed manner.
@ladyg, you’re right, her attitude DOES contribute to women having bad feelings about their bodies. I’m sure we’ve all met really smart women and men who spoke down to us like we were somehow beneath them. As I noted in the last post about Mayim’s judgy behavior, my best friend is beautiful and on her way to becoming a doctor. She is the smartest person I know and regularly gets treated terribly by her classmates who will sit there and talk sh-t about her to her face for the most ridiculous things, like if she happens to have mascara on when she shows up for class. It’s like adult, intelligent people bullying. Mayim is the kind of person who sizes other women up based on their appearances and immediately considers them morons if they care too much in her opinion about what they look like.
And as for all posters who are defending Mayim, I suggest you read the last post about her on CB covering Mayim’s blog post when she goes down the line bashing men and women who choose to wear Spanx, people who go to the gym which she refers to as an “obsession,” women who get manicures, women who opt to get plastic surgery for things like hooded eyelids, and women who dye their hair. There is such a massive difference between saying you personally choose not to do something and bashing others who do those things. She takes passive aggressive shots at others all of the time.
She is not refreshing, she is judgmental and perhaps this is why her career went nowhere after Blossom to begin with until this (overrated, IMO) show come along and revived her career.
@daria im not defending her but everyone has an opinion on all of those things. No one feels the same. We just know hers because she’s in the public eye. I mean so she says people shouldn’t wear spanx, get plastic surgery or be a gym rat that she doesn’t like it and it’s ridiculous to her. So what? I mean that’s shaming? So opinions are now shaming? Where is the line? She’s not walking in front of some one holding a sign trying to embarrass them. I mean I don’t like crazy neon blue eyeshadow so does that make me a shadow shammer because I’m vocal about it? This is where I get lost with this shamming thing and being responsible be for women’s bodies because of someone’s opinion which btw she was talking about both sexes. She’s not a politician standing on national stage trying to change law or keeping women down by taking away healthcare. She’s a mediocre actress giving her views. This is where we need to think for ourselves and decide what’s right for us not what some celebrity thinks we should do.
Errr…she did a lot of voice over work post Blossom while she was working on her BSs and PHDs. I wouldn’t exactly call that nowhere.
She doesn’t appear to be actively shaming others, merely giving her thoughts and views on her own choices. Opinions are not shaming. If that’s the case then we’re all shamers.
No, I don’t think she’s shaming anyone. She’s talking about herself and how she doesn’t feel she needs to wear a bikini or make her life about how her body looks. She’s a modest person and she’s speaking up for modesty. In a world where we wait to see if 18 yo Kylie Jenner releases her first porn tape, I have to say, nothing wrong with modesty.
I would rather she be an example for young women than the Kartrashians, who have altered their bodies to such a disturbing degree that if they weren’t in Hollywood they would need treatment for serious psychological issues.
Going to university and getting a science degree or two is not easy feat. This is no James Franco getting special privileges situation. Now I don’t agree with some of the stuff she discusses, but she is in an environment where women are expected to be on display at all times. She is probably being more judgey than she should, but if you were surrounded by women who only valued themselves on their physical looks, wouldn’t you be a bit cranky?
Every single actress, even Meryl Streep, is judged on her physical appearance, despite acting ability. But there are lots of ugly guys who have careers and no one cares how they look. Adam Sandler is an example, and that Paul Blart mall cop guy.
In this selfie obsessed world, we could use a few more Blossoms.
@lana. I’m with you. I think women putting their body on display is actually doing a lot of damage to objectifying women.
I agree with you 100%. These women who constantly pose naked/semi naked or wear clothes that barely cover their lady parts are objectifying themselves and they WANT to be looked at and envied for their bodies. It has nothing to do with feminism or empowerment. It’s a narcissistic attention grab.
It makes me shake my head when people equate nakedness with empowerment. When was the last time you saw a businessman come to a meeting in speedos and a midriff? Never. And you won’t because they know if people are ogling their bodies they aren’t going to pay any mind to what they’re saying. Wear whatever the heck you want and show off little as you like. I don’t care. But don’t pretend it’s because you’re empowered.
Immodesty is not objectification. This slut shaming and victim blaming tendency to blame womens oppression on women who dress unchastely and to label women who don’t practice female modesty with negative character traits like narcissism or immorality is what really harms women. And it’s obvious that you don’t know what narcissism is either, otherwise you wouldn’t go around diagnosing people with it just because of their style or their rejection of a biblical value. How feminist.
Narcissistic is also an adjective that doesn’t denote a diagnosis of a disorder. I also missed the part where anyone said anything about immorality. Not everything is slut shaming or victim blaming.
@Absolutely, You don’t get to decide who’s empowered and who’s not, or what is or is not empowering for others. And victim blaming and slut shaming aren’t as simple as calling someone a slut and blaming them for a sex crime directed at them. If you’re blaming women getting treated badly on women not presenting chastely (as these commenters did) you’re participating in victim blaming, and if you’re labeling a woman with a negative character trait for not practicing your female sexual modesty, you’re slutshaming.
To me it’s the persecution mentality that speaks from all that she says. Dude, you’re not the victim of liberal America here, you can actually choose to live life the way you want to, so stop trying to paint yourself as a lone voice in the desert.
Also would love it if we knew her opinion on certain hot button issues.
Wait, she’s a scientist?
ETA: PhD, I did not know that.
She has a Doctorate in Neuroscience.
Are you a scientist if you’re on a TV show instead of doing actual science though? I studied history in school, still read history, but I don’t call myself a historian. Dunno.
Plus, body shaming bikini wearers. Bikinis are comfortable! I prefer them to one pieces, personally. Lay off, Blossom! ; )
@ Wellsie
I don’t think so. She has a PhD, she’s highly educated. That’s great, and she should be proud of that accomplishment. But you’re not a scientist if you’re not actually doing science. I have a PhD in philosophy but I don’t call myself a philosopher. My cousin has PhDs in history and literature but he calls himself a farmer because he works a farm. She uses her “I’m a scientist” thing to cover the fact that she’s anti-vax.
I’d say you’re a scientist. She earned her degree and it’s a PHD to boot. We can’t take that away from her. And she’s not calling herself a scientist. She’s entitled to call herself Dr. Bialik.
I want to open up the discussion to this – what if Mayim was “beautiful?”
(And I put that in quotes because everyone is beautiful to someone and I’m not saying otherwise.)
However, what if she were known for being a beautiful actress, one who everyone wants to see dressed a certain way, instead of someone known for her brains and voice and not so much her body/face and personal style? Would her comments and attitude mean more? Less? Would it be more of a source of discussion?
Part of what led me to this is the BBT episode where Bernadette is asked to in a “Hot Scientist” article and Amy (Mayim’s character) shuts down the whole thing because (see her quotes above). Bernadette wonders if she’s so against it because no one is banging down her door and asking her to pose.
Wow. Art/Life. Life/Art. (Religious beliefs not-with-standing)
Yea! She either has a PhD (I”m pretty sure) in neurobiology or neurochemistry.
PhD in Neuroscience.
She’s not a scientist. That really bugs me. She has a PhD, but that doesn’t make her a scientist. Working as a scientist would make her a scientist. She’s an actress on a lousy sitcom.
She PLAYS a scientist on a sitcom, though.
In my opinion, a PhD in neuroscience makes
Someone a scientist. She is not practicing research, but she can use any of the transferable skills acquired during her PhD.
sorry, double post.
No she’s not a scientist. Her PhD is almost 10 years old. Which means she is 10 years behind the technology used in labs and 10 years behind the theoretical developments and new research. It’s like me saying I am a teacher because I have a education degree…but I haven’t taught in 10 years and my certification is lapsed (which is true).
Exactly. She studied to earn a degree, but she’s no longer a student and she’s not working in that field. She’s an actress.
Wow. We’re shading a woman for having a PhD?
We have to shade her for something, right? 😉
I didn’t see anyone shading her for having a Phd. All I’ve seen in this discussion is trying to decide what constitutes a scientist.
No working scientist would consider her a scientist. I think her pursuit and achievement of the PhD are certainly laudable, but since she isn’t currently working as a scientist …. she’s not a scientist! Should could certainly be called a “neuroscience PhD”, but “scientist” implies a current profession, not a prior achievement. I also have a science PhD and I don’t call myself a scientist anymore, mainly because I no longer work in research. I still work in the field I did my PhD in, and I do have a field-specific job title, and use the knowledge/skills from my PhD, but I don’t really feel “right” calling myself a scientist.
Semantics! Regardless, this is impressive.
I don’t think modest and covered (which, of course, is absolutely a fine personal choice) has anything to do with….unattractive. Mayim makes conservative fashion choices. No problem. She also makes butt ugly fashion choices most of the time. I would never think of making a judgement on someone’s faith or their observance of that faith. But if you’re an actress, trotted out for display at many events, and you put on some of the fugly horse blankets Mayim does, you’re going to get some criticism. You can cover up and still look fantastic. If you can’t do it yourself, and find the criticism hard to hear, then hire a stylist. If you find a stylist ‘frivolous’ then buck up and take the heat.
BLOOP! There it Is: , cover up if you want to, but if the stuff looks Fug, well.. we don’t gotta like it
“horse blankets”. lmao
I find her refreshing in a sea of cookie-cutter Hollywood types that give the same interviews over and over.
Right? God forbid she has views that deviate from the Hollywood norm.
Absolutely!!! I love her even though I think some of her ideas or practices are a little kooky for me.
Right? As a feminist, I can’t believe that people don’t see her as refreshing. She doesn’t feel the need to buy into the male dominated Hollywood view of women as objects in skimpy clothing. She is proud of her education. She puts her sons first. She’s a proud, strong, smart female. And nothing is more threatening to those men in charge than that.
Maybe it’s just me but I agree with most of the things she said in this interview.
I also agree with her on several points.
She was so tone deaf last summer about the whole Isreal thing. People weren’t critiquing you for being Jewish, they were angry about her supporting an oppressive regime. Jon Stewart is Jewish and he constantly showed Isreal flaws while staying true to his religion.
She’s also an idiot who’s a scientist and anti vaccine?????? How could someone with her education be so stupid?
she can be educated and also obtuse, and also not have a true clear understanding of how vaccines work.
Ah yes, she’s anti-vaccine. More proof that getting a PhD doesn’t make anybody smart.
Mayim’s stated more recently that her children have received all their vaccinations. They wouldn’t have been allowed to travel to Israel otherwise.
She’s just in favor of making informed decisions. When the final research came out, her fears were more than likely put to rest. Because… science.
She should, in my opinion – not post anything remotely political on her site, because she never clarifies her own point of view and the comments always explode with discussions about Israeli politics. (Criticizing Israeli politics is not antisemitism) She currently has a post up about the Iran nuclear deal – wondering/questioning its effects (being aware, I hope, that both Israel and the US own nuclear weapons). I mean really, of all the things that are going on in this world …
She should stick to stuff where she is comfortable giving her audience her pov or where she can share her personal experiences (as with clothing, her faith, nursing …) or discuss recent scientific news (using her ‘scientific actress’ status for more than just marketing).
And she should get a sensible editor for her site.
Why is it okay for you to express your opinion of her but she isn’t allowed to share her thoughts and feelings on her own website? Such absolute tosh!
if you say so.
So she can only post what you agree with? Yes, Israel and the US own weapons. And neither has expressed the genocidal and homicidal intentions that Iran has. You are aware, I’m assuming, that Iran is closely allied with Syria, who is committing genocide on its own people?
Right, and Israel are practically on a path towards intended extinction of the Palestinians and the US has committed countless atrocities, entered into multiple unjust wars, continues to use drones to bomb civilian targets and is the only country in the world to have actually used a nuclear weapon on its enemies to devastating consequences with absolutely no regard for innocent casualties. But hey, you’re still the good guys right?
“I think in general it’s never going to be trendy to be observant or religious in Hollywood circles. There are people I know of faith and we tend to congregate together. I study Jewish texts weekly. That’s something really positive to me when you’re a person of faith, it stays with you all the time.”
But how different is this from non-Hollywood circles? I grew up in a community that was predominantly Jewish, but not Orthodox, which is what she practices. Most of my high school friends were Jewish but only one was Orthodox. The dietary restrictions and strict observance of the Sabbath, starting at sundown on Friday nights set her apart from anyone who was not following the same rules, including the other Jewish girls, who were observant within their own practice of their faith. This seems to happen with any individual or group who follows a more orthodox path to religion.
Good point.
She didn’t come off as judgy to me. She’s wise to stick to “I” statements about the way she dresses.
Yeah she didn’t say well you’re a bad person if you wear a bikini. She just said she doesn’t feel the need to wear one. Neither do I but it’s because I’m chunky.
She has never told anybody else what they should do, she’s just saying what she does. She works in an industry where most women who have looks to exploit, do. Nothing wrong with that imo but her point is that it shouldn’t be a mandatory requirement for all women. That’s what I hear anyway.
I think she always looks nice, she’s not hidden away, she’s just not half naked.
Not true, she’s openly advocated anti-vax. She uses her PhD and “I’m a scientist!” line to give legitimacy to anti-vaxxers. Amazingly enough, she stopped talking about vaccines and then a few months later launched a lifestyle site…where she promotes a specific way of living as being better than other ways (which is the inherent concept of all lifestyle sites/gurus, that their way is best way).
While I don’t agree with her anti-vax stance, she’s allowed her own opinion, even as a scientist. Not all scientists come to the same conclusion on every bit of science.
But she has been held up by the anti-vax specifically for her “I’m a scientist!” thing. They use her to give legitimacy to their non-science nonsense. Not every scientist comes to the same conclusion on all things, but they are overwhelmingly united on the science of vaccines and herd immunity. She can have her opinion, but she is going beyond “opinion” when she uses her PhD to give credence to a non-scientific belief.
I haven’t read her views directly on vaccines, but most people I’ve heard of who are anti are because of side effects and whatnot, not because they don’t believe in the science of herd immunity.
She’s also openly anti-c-section. In her belief system, they believe that babies that need to be born by c-section should just be left to die rather than go through the “unnaturalness” of a c-section. Having had an emergency c-section that saved my son’s life, I find her ignorant and dangerous. I’m not into co-sleeping until the kid doesn’t want to anymore or breastfeeding a 5 year old, but her views on those issues don’t put people in danger (although I do find them repressive for women). But being against c-sections in all instances is just plain vile.
@ Absolutely
But they don’t believe in the science of herd immunity. Anti-vax parents don’t think there is any real repercussion to not vaccinating their children. They ignore the very concept of herd immunity. The side effects of vaccines are often misreported, too. Are some kids allergic? Yes, which is why herd immunity is so important, to protect the few individuals who really can’t be vaccinated. Mayim Bialik has an advanced degree and calls herself a scientist and the anti-vax crowd holds her up as a defense for their irresponsible beliefs that endanger other people and their children.
Her site isn’t a lifestyle site. Criticise her for being anti-vaccine all you want, but have the decency to visit her site before you slam it.
I haven’t seen that, but if it’s true, anti-vax is beyond irresponsible.
She should dress exactly how she wants to dress- and extend the same courtesy to others. If they want to wear a two-piece or a modest cover up to go swimming, neither should be judged.
I like what she said about science and faith, and it’s great she pursued a career outside of Hollywood too, but her scientist cred gets deeply damaged when she ignores the science of vaccines and herd immunity.
Lucy, is it confirmed that she is against vaccination? I read her book “Beyond the Sling” and I don’t remember that specific issue being adressed. Admittedly, I probably skipped some rambling parts … 🙂
Yes it is she was on talks shows a few year about taking about it as well as blogging about it.
@Neah – Thanks for that info. I completely missed that, as I’m not stateside.
While I don’t agree with her stance on anti-vaccination, she does have some other good viewpoints to share.
I like her. I think she came across as real, not judgmental in this. She’s a brilliant woman, and seems to be accepting of others choices, even if she choses to be different.
+1
+2.
I find her bleating about clothing really annoying. She wears tight, revealing clothing. That blue dress isn’t showing skin, but it’s skin-tight and unstructured…not leaving much to the imagination. In that photo of the BBT cast, she’s wearing the most revealing clothing by far. The only thing that sets her apart from her peers fashion wise is that she doesn’t get anything properly tailored and she has no clue how to dress for her body shape. She’s frumpy but her fashion choices rarely reflect her faith.
I think she’s dressed modestly. I don’t know if that’s necessary for her to tell us why she dresses modestly (I figure the actions will simply speak for themselves), but I don’t think she looks un-modest in any way.
I am not Jewish I am not a religious person, was raised as a catholic, but I would love to visit Israel too if I had the chance.
Anti-vaxxer. Anti-vaxxer. Anti-vaxxer.
It cannot be said enough.
THIS. Also she’s super judgmental of women who don’t give birth at home. And is a EXTREME attachment parenting person. As in she admitted in interviews that having her kids sleep in the family bed until they were 5 or 6 ruined her marriage.
When the separation was announced she clearly stated that attachment parenting was NOT to blame. She wrote a book in support of attachment parenting. When did she start saying otherwise?
I believe that she explicitly posted on her Facebook that she did not oppose vaccination and that her children are vaccinated.
That was after the backlash and she tried to hem and haw and say ‘well not all at once-but sure”
But the first interview she did made it very clear that she hadn’t orginally vaccinated her children. And supports people who opt not to do that. I’m all about not-judging parents for different choices (although her home birthing interview are scary) EXCEPT for vaccines. It’s a health risk and you are risking the lives of others. She’s a nutter.
Except it is false. She’s come out in favor of vaccination based on the current science and her children are vaccinated.
but don’t let that stop you from being wrong.
Do I know much about HER or the show? No, I don’t. But I she looks nice and appropriate. Not everyone is interested in making some big fashion statement. I also find her attitude about being covered up refreshing. We are confronted daily with pictures of half naked people ( I am no prude) instagramming their big behinds and boobs and these pictures (unfortunately) reach other news sites. I am sick of seeing naked, self absorbed pseudo celebrities who have no talent other than making pictures of themselves. There has to be something better.
I think she’s awesome! Not the typical fake boobed, botox Hollywood bimbo.
Disagreeing with what the Israeli government is doing does not make someone an anti-Semite. It just makes your argument weak, We are all capable of flawed logic sometimes When there is something we are passionate about, sometimes we ignore facts and reason to keep holding onto a belief. I don’t know, like say, vaccines for example.
I’m all for her blog. I think it’s refreshing but she does have some serious blind spots for a scientist. which will make for great think pieces by other bloggers and press attention and then revenue stream. Just because she doesn’t have a ‘shop’ doesn’t mean she isn’t making money.
I dislike the anti-vax movement and disagree with anyone who pushes it. With that said, there have been many instances of anti-Israel being a cloak for anti-Semite. And it doesn’t make her argument weak; it’s just your point of view. Having an opinion doesn’t make the other person wrong, it just means you’re strong in your own beliefs.
She sounds judgy, but only between the lines. Still, I get that she, just like many women, are tired of hypersexualized outfits. Women are always expected to be sexy, but in their world the pressure must be overwhelming.
I agree with you here. Women are expected to dress like their bodies are on sale, especially in entertainment. And it is vulgar and demeaning.
Even in science or business, when talking about an accomplished woman, if that woman is also very goodlooking everyone would notice that, talk about it and compliment her along with her accomplishments. Like her body is somehow a bonus to her other achievements. If someone did that to a man it would be embarrassing for everyone.
I think the point got lost among all the talk about religion and Israel.
Israel is a very controversial topic and tends to drown out everything else.
The same happen in sports. When the athlete is beautiful, they give an extra attention to that, it’s ridiculous. And let’s not forget how they always try to make the female athlete somehow say that she’s vain “like every woman is supposed to be”.
Like her body is somehow a bonus to her other achievements. If someone did that to a man it would be embarrassing for everyone.
A lot of powerful men in business care about their looks as it is just as much part of a carefully constructed image that complements their career achievements. To dress well and look good (having a toned body) would definitely be a bonus.
That also goes for entertainment, men’s looks are very important. Look at how much pity people have for Jonah Hill. Pity is not powerful. Look at the comments about Depp and Dicaprio’s style/appearance.
People notice such things. It becomes unfair when women aren’t allowed to let themselves go like that as it affects their career in a bad way but it’s certainly not embarrassing to look on point, whether it’s strategic or born from natural perfectionism.
Edit to add: I think Bialik doesn’t dress frumpy. If the Olsens can get away with their high fashion garbage bin look than Bialik can get away with looking NORMAL and comfortable. So what if she doesn’t always brush her hair? Is it because it’s not intentionally made to look frumpy (e.g. fresh out of bed look)? When a messy look is not manufactured by a team of professionals, it is not a good look? She’s casual, that’s OK to me but clearly looking human while being semi-famous, does not cut it for some people.
Reminds me of the Garner dislike tbh.
> A lot of powerful men in business care about their looks as it is just as much part of a carefully constructed image that complements their career achievements. To dress well and look good (having a toned body) would definitely be a bonus.
Being attractive is a bonus. But we don’t openly talk about it with men, we don’t objectify them like we do women. It is not done, it is considered rude. Why is it OK with women?
That’s BS. Adele doesn’t sell her body; Julia Roberts never did and neither did Meryl Streep. Or Cate Blanchett…all very successful women in entertainment. The ones who prance around naked or semi naked all the time CHOOSE to do so and they want attention and praise for doing so. This slut shaming nonsense is just that…NONSENSE.
> That’s BS. Adele doesn’t sell her body; Julia Roberts never did and neither did Meryl Streep. Or Cate Blanchett…all very successful women in entertainment.
Are you disputing the point that women in entertainment and in life are objectified? Those actress wouldn’t have been where they are if they weren’t very very beautiful (and talented).
Yes, they don’t prance around naked, good on them. But that is not the point. The point that when they don’t , it is unusual because the opposite is expected.
“Like her body is somehow a bonus to her other achievements. If someone did that to a man it would be embarrassing for everyone.”
I think women are objectified more than men overall (we can point to more examples of it happening obviously), but there are some instances where a man can be objectified if it’s considered unusual for someone to be attractive in a particular field. There’s a math instructor at the University of London who has a Phd, and people have been swooning all over the internet about his looks after a student posted some kind of photo of him on social media. I suppose because it’s considered unusual for a math prof to be that attractive, his looks do seem to be considered a bonus for him in the same way that it would be for a woman. I can’t tell if he or anyone else finds the objectification embarrassing. Although since he’s male maybe he’s still taken seriously whereas a female might have to prove herself more? I’m not sure…
@EN … maybe you don’t talk about handsome men in entertainment but a lot of people do. People has the Sexiest Man in the World cover every year, women drool over Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tatum Channing because they are handsome. Young women in entertainment ALLOW themselves to be objectified by posing naked, semi naked and/or wearing very revealing clothing. No one forced Miley Cyrus to become an exhibitionist freak…she did it all on her own.
If women don’t want to be objectified, how about saying nope, not posing naked for the cover of Maxim.
This is a serious question, but how did she wind up in acting as a child? I’m just wondering, considering her religious background, why her parents would stick her in Hollywood. (I’m assuming she got her faith from her parents?)
That was not always the case. She converted when she got married. She is now divorced but still Ortidox.
She was raised Jewish. Her ex-husband was Mormon and he converted to Judaism.
Has she even read the script for the character she plays on BBT?
she completely drools over Penny, Penny’s body and her looks. So, it’s ok to make millions doing that on a show?
Her character is written by someone else, right? I think she wants yo set her apart from the character she plays.
she accepts money for it, so she condones it. doesn’t matter who wrote it, she accepts it.
makes her a hypocrite, imo.
you can’t say one thing and accept money doing the complete opposite. her body is not on display, so fine, so stop playing a part, taking millions, that objectives another woman’s body.
ok, there are flaws in my logic, I know. I just don’t like her.
I know that someone who plays a serial killer doesn’t condone killing 😛
I just think she’s a whiny, hypocritical woman.
So people who play serial killers are condoning murder? A little flawed logic there.
🙂
Sorry, I didn’t see your next post! Lol.
I know, my dislike overpowered my logic 🙂
I really hope it’s not true about her being an anti-vaxxer, guess I’ll google it…sigh
aggravates me thinking about anti -vaxxer’s children playing happily among all the vaccinated children, depending on the herd immunity to not get sick. ugh
Thats not how it works!
Thats not how it works at all!
Only True question I harbor here is about that last picture: WHOOOO in that group for that Horrendous show was/is in any way deserving of a star in the Walk of Fame?? WHY?? Do they give you one when you collect Cereal Tops?? or???… Help
Uh huh
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513VGUCjamL._SY445_.jpg
oh myyyyy
To be fair, isn’t that photo older? She seems to have gotten more observant and committed to her religious beliefs post-Blossom, so I don’t think it’s quite on the level to throw things in her face she did 20 years ago but wouldn’t do today.
That was also definitely from her show. Maybe it was part of an episode?
Someone thinks modesty is slut shaming. Gimme a break. She looks both sexy and modest in that blue gown…it’s gorgeous.
Less is often “more”–too many people never learn that lesson. And, no, I am most certainly not a prude.
It was interesting to read responses to her comments on ONTD. There were some thought-provoking comments posted re how “modesty” typically gets distorted and equates to “not dressing in a way to incite/distract men”. As noted here, if her comments were “this is how I prefer to dress” vs rather blanket generalizations, there prob wouldn’t be the same reaction. I saw her makeover on “What Not to Wear”-they did a fantastic job with her.
Yeah I saw that episode too and every step of the way she went on and on about how she was too smart to be bothered with her appearance. She is judgmental toward women who care about things like manicures, or wrinkles, or plastic surgery. There is a massive difference between “it’s not for me” and making blanket statements that judge others who choose to do things she wouldn’t do herself. In this interview, she has done that yet again.
But in her case, modesty is very much tied up in not distracting men. She dresses modestly in deference to her religion, and she’s very open to that. Her religion requires modesty because a woman’s body is naturally sinful and elicits desire. She can give it a modern spin all she wants, but religious modesty is all about covering a woman’s tempting flesh, never a man’s. It’s oppressive.
She is basically a very conservative Jewish lady. What is so revolutionary or interesting about her?
She is also very religious, and I make a big distinction between religious and spiritual.
The major Abrahamic religions are pretty restrictive and seek to govern and direct ones life. It is clearly true in her case. There is nothing trendsetting, different, revolutionary or independent there.
She is kind of a person who is solid in her views, a good person who you would like to see as a teacher or caretaker.
But read her website or follow her direction? Not so much.
I do not like this woman. I do not appreciate or respect her incessant need to tear down others in order to try to make a point that no one is asking her to make. Mayim is not a household name, there are no reporters beating down her door begging her to explain why she chooses to dress the way she does or to divulge what beliefs she holds. She makes the choice to talk about these things and passive aggressively throw stones at other women. It’s so counterproductive and I’m sure that she is fully aware of that but throws in a line or two like, “I just want women to know that it’s OK” to try to make up for it.
There was a recent post on CB about her blog post where she went on a tangent about how she can’t be bothered with her appearance essentially saying she’s too smart to care, which was the same thing she said on the episode of “What Not To Wear” that I saw her on. This is counterproductive for women and for young girls everywhere. Women do not need other women perpetuating ideas like this. Mayim seems to subscribe to that antiquated school of thought that has been holding women back for ages– that a competent, beautiful woman only got her position or a promotion because of her looks, or that in order to be taken seriously, women have to completely neglect their appearance and be as homely as possible or else they won’t be taken seriously.
I went to Israel also and had to listen to a ration of sh-t from people about their political beliefs as to whether or not they were pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. She is not alone in having to deal with this sort of thing, and I’m not even Jewish. I was raised a Catholic.
As far as there being barely any religious celebrities, please spare me. Hollywood is notorious for being loaded with Jewish people (forgive me for the express, I’m in a rush and couldn’t come up with a better way to put this). I can rattle off the names of many practicing Jewish actors, actress and and directors. I get it that Hollywood can be super liberal and most organized religions don’t coincide with that sort of thing, but there are plenty of celebrities who practice their faith quietly as well, so once again, she is making a blanket statement.
I’m so tickled by the fact that there are two women who were famous in the 90s who are both employed in STEM fields yet couldn’t be any more drastically different. We have Mayim, from Blossom, who does nothing to uplift anyone and is constantly complaining, find it necessary to jump on her soap box with a message that is really nothing more than “you can’t be smart and pretty because no one will ever take you seriously,” and then we have Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years who has written multiple books to try to ENCOURAGE young girls to take an interest in STEM, mostly mathematics. Danica makes it clear that the message that people like Mayim send out is FALSE, and you don’t have to be some spinster librarian to be a smart woman who can accomplish a lot.
Danica actually did something positive with her knowledge; If I remember correctly, she wrote books to introduce mathematics to teenagers who had trouble following the standard way of learning.
Mayim has what one of my teachers called a “Social Climber Credential”, meaning that some people just go to University to get something that could prove they are above others, but don’t care about the knowledge.
+1! Totally agree. I think Danica is great. She has worked hard to try to encourage and lift up others, whereas Mayim has been very negative.
Great comment
+1
Her problem in Hollywood isn’t that she’s religious (which is way less of an issue than people think it is), it’s that she’s anti-vax. People aren’t challenging her at parties because she has a science PhD and is religious, it’s because she has a science PhD and she’s anti-vax. This interview has been annoying me all weekend because she’s covering the anti-vax stuff with “religion” and that is not her problem. Her problem is that she’s anti-vax.
Much of Hollywood is anti-vaccinations. She has stated her children are vaccinated.
Unless something’s changed recently, her kids had polio vax and some international immunizations that did not include MMR or pertussis vaccines, which are the big ones causing outbreak problems here. That’s the problem with anti-vaxxers, they’ll say, “My kid is immunized,” but all they’ve got is the polio vaccine. that’s not nearly enough.
I’d like to know about the backlash she received for going to Israel. Is it really difficult being religious or is that her perception?
That’s her perception. She probably got a lot of flak on social media from idiots being idiots, but it’s really not as big of a deal as people think to be religious in the film industry. She’s catching hell for being anti-vax, not religious, which is a point I will never let go of. I’ve been around the lot where they make BBT, and people won’t take their kids to set if hers are visiting. She probably does feel ostracized, but it’s because she’s making a choice that affects everyone else’s health.
ETA: It is worth noting that something about the film industry drives people to extremes of religion (like Mel Gibson and his hyper-Catholic sect, or Scientology). I don’t think Mayim sounds particularly extreme, as she openly admits she’s flexible about going to the synagogue, it just sounds like she has to work a little harder, maybe because her schedule, to make practicing her religion a priority. I think that’s where the idea that being religious isn’t tolerated. I don’t want to discard the fact that religious persecution is real, but in general, working in LA in the industry, it takes so much. I just work on commercials and it’s nothing like a 9-5, M-F job. I work weekends, I work 16 hour days on the regular, I work on Sundays. And the attitude is if you’re not willing to do a job for whatever reason, there are a hundred people behind you who will do it, so you feel a pressure to do things you don’t necessarily want to do, just to keep your job. (I recently missed a family member’s funeral because of that kind of pressure.) So for people trying to observe the sabbath, it can maybe feel like persecution when someone is telling you you have to go somewhere, give an interview, shoot something, etc.
Thanks for your comment. I felt she was painting herself as a victim but understand what you’re saying about the sabbath and things like that.
For a post where everyone seems to be taking umbrage with her judging others, there sure is a lot of judgement in these comments.
🙂
🙂
This could be the kombucha talking, but my own take on it is that this is Mayim’s reaction to growing up in the entertainment industry — Miley had her reaction too, albeit a different one. These things manifest in different ways for everyone. I remember her being pretty sexulized on blossom as a teen and we’ve all heard the stories of what it’s like being a kid in the industry — creepy adults, etc. Just my two cents.
That’s a good point.
Oh how I wanted to like her after she was on What Not To Wear. I see what she’s saying, but she also comes off as a “not like other girls” type, and that is so contrary to her overall message of so-called empowerment. She should be addressing the fact that when a woman goes out in a bikini, she isn’t always on display for consumption. If someone ogles or harasses her, the blame doesn’t lie with her, but the person who is sexualizing her.
I don’t think she was equating unwanted attention with blaming the woman wearing a bikini. I think she was just stating that a bikini is not for her. I actually like her and agree with her statements on clothing and modesty. (Not with the antivaxx stance, if indeed she still holds to that.)
Personally I am tired of seeing women in general and entertainers in particular showing it all off, all the time. I also don’t think that modest clothing must mean frumpy or un-sexy. I have always loved the fashion in the forties and fifties – I thought the clothes were beautiful and well cut and flattered the female form, without showing one’s undies or side boob.
The argument about exposing one’s body is not going to get resolved easily – some argue that it is empowering women, some would say the contrary. I would suggest that if the women who wear the revealing fashions in their daily pap shots or on the red carpet were alone on an island with no camera lens on them, they would likely make a different choice. I may be wrong. Maybe they would still cake on the makeup and false eyelashes and put on a down to the navel décolleté nude dress with a slit up to their thong and six inch stilettos.
I see the false lashes/makeup/heels as different from the modesty part of the argument because even modestly dressed women wear heels and cosmetics. But I’m sure a lot of people would walk around in revealing clothing, underwear, or nothing if alone on an island.
I agree that clothing used to be more flattering and well tailored before. I like when performers are well turned out instead of just putting on whatever, but I think you can have it both ways. I don’t think you can make it as clear cut as empowering or not empowering, either. But when she makes it an issue of modesty and morality, that’s where I disagree.
I think she looks really cute in that first picture. Sometimes she gets it right, sometimes she gets it wrong. Just like pretty much every other actress on a red carpet.
Trust me nobody wants to see that abomination anyway. She should feel lucky for being so hideous and get to have a career in Hollywood.
Yass! Waiting for someone to see what’s going on with her. The curse of being unattractive or less than average while growing up entitled makes some people absolute mental cases as they age. Now imagine being in HW and looking like THAT! I mean, look at Adel. Heavy but stylish and makeup is flawless. How about Dicaprio’s ex from Israel, Bar Somehingi? Swimsuit model, right? This woman here is not only homely but plain lazy and in my opinion a SCHLUB! Hides behinds religion and scholastics. Even with surgery, she’s no chance of achieving looks of just below average. If you read between the lines (like you learn in law school), she’s just raging against women more blessed in the genetic jackpot. See it for what it is.
Damn, y’all, she’s not that bad. I think she’s cute, she just doesn’t know how to or seem to care about styling herself. She’s not hideous.
Most women will feel badly about themselves when they compare themselves to a celebrity or anyone else, because every woman have that One Thing that they hate about themselves and think everyone else does too. The media is always telling you that you’re one step behind, even when you think you’ve got everything. Thin? Well, you’re not thin enough, and your tits are too small, or your ass looks weird. Big boobs? You’re a slut, you’re probably fat, you’re going to sag and get ugly some day. Little boobs? No one likes that, go get implants. Cellulite? Stay inside, even if you’re 95 lbs, cow. It goes on!
If she means “modesty” in the sense of being unassuming, then fine. I think her version of modesty may be more along the lines of “avoiding the suggestion of impropriety or impurity”, which ain’t so fine with me.
The idea that someone has to cover up their body to be respectable or deserve respect is both laughable and horrible. As a guy, I can tell you I’ve absolutely had the same argument with other gay men who think that I’m inviting a lack of respect for wearing hot pants- and not much else- in a gay Mardi Gras parade or dance party. Even IF I put my body on display – for other men- what about the human body is inherently impure? Backwards, Iron Age thinking, IMO.
Exactly! If I’m saying I need all members of a group of people to dress a certain way (in this case dressing chastely) in order for me to respect them as human beings, then there’s clearly something wrong with my thinking, not with the people not conforming to a certain standard of dressing in order to pacify little ole me. Hopefully people would call me out on my problematic attitude instead of enabling me by saying “Ok everybody. You must now present yourselves modestly for Otaku fairies everywhere so they’ll deign to treat you like people.” And I definitely don’t go around thinking, “I’ve seen Nick Jonas and Channing Tatum shirtless, so now I see them and their sex as less than human beings and my personal objects.” No. You can absolutely appreciate someones attractiveness or sexiness and still show them and the group of people they’re a part of their due respect as human beings.
She did mention privacy and chastity, but she did say that is what she feels is best for her — I didn’t get the impression that she was saying others had to the same. I think it’s possible she could be judgmental because of the tone she’s put out in other pieces, but in this particular instance it didn’t seem like she was saying everyone had to follow her lead or had to do the same.
I find her judgmental and holier than thou. It’s all in how she phrases things that tells me that.
Do you think she may be referring to the (insufferable) Daily Mail posting pictures of celebs living life and titling them “Julia Roberts displays PERT DERRIERE on shopping trip in Malibu” or “Amal Clooney displays toned pics while walking from office to car!”
That has always bugged me because these women arent always putting their bodies “on display” they are just humans with bodies, doing things..
That being said, I found her breastfeeding essay VERY condescending and bizarre. I don’t really like her as a person and I don’t believe anyone needs to be modest for religious reasons. If you don’t feel comfortable letting it all hang out, then don’t. But if you like to dress revealing or whatever, that a valid choice too. Nothing to look down upon.
I idolized her as a kid when she was Blossom Russo, but I can’t help but roll my eyes whenever she opens her mouth, now. As others have said above, she always comes across as condescending and judgmental. What really turned me off her was, as silly as this sounds, an “article” she wrote on her mommy blog about why she hates “Frozen”. Now, I can take or leave that movie, but the whole piece was just so poorly written, so contradictory (which she even acknowledged within the text herself! Yeah, way to be a good persuasive writer there, Mayim), so juvenile-sounding, that I was astounded at how an ostensibly educated woman could have written it. It read like some rant an 11-year-old would have written on Blogger.
I just wish she would lighten up already.
She is a fascinating, intelligent woman, but her niche in Hollywood is extremely rare. Hollywood is more often than not in the business of selling looks (including bodies).