Sarah Jessica Parker: “I find personal criticism so distasteful”

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These are some new photos of Sarah Jessica Parker, out and about in NYC yesterday. I hate to admit it, but I really think her outfit is cute. I couldn’t pull this off, but it looks good on a petite little woman like SJP. The jeans, the heels, and especially the hot pink cropped jacket… it all works on her. Usually, SJP’s casual, out-in-NY outfits aren’t this cute, but I think she might be pouring herself into fashion after the commercial and critical failure of I Don’t Know How She Does It. She promoted that film for weeks internationally, she became the face of the ensemble film, and so she’s getting the bulk of the blame for its failure. Part of me feels bad for her, genuinely, because I think she tries and it would be nice to see her succeed. Another part of me thinks that if she’s going to be hellbent on convincing everyone that she’s a movie star who can carry her own film vehicles, she needs to work on finding better scripts.

SJP was recently talking about failure to Stylist, saying that she finds personal criticism “distasteful” and “vulgar”: “I’m criticized all the time. I’m not even circumspect about it. The idea of it all is very painful because I think, ‘How can they make assumptions about me that are so untrue?’. Proper film or theatre criticism is part of what I do; I don’t read them but I don’t begrudge a critic an opinion. But personal criticism I find distasteful. We think it’s funny to be mean and women say awful things about other women and use terrible language and call each other awful names. It’s so uncivilized and vulgar; it’s not good for our souls.”

Part of me agrees with her about the difference between personal criticism and legit film critiques. But the problem is bigger than people just being mean to SJP – her biggest problem at this point is that people no longer give a crap about her, or they are actively annoyed/filled with hatred when they see her on-screen or read one of her interviews. I’ve said it before: I would like SJP a lot more if she stopped talking. I would also like SJP a lot more if she stopped trying to be a big movie star. Her best career move was doing television – she’s a stellar television actress, especially when she has a great ensemble around her.

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Photos courtesy of Fame.

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43 Responses to “Sarah Jessica Parker: “I find personal criticism so distasteful””

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  1. atlantapug says:

    I guess she didn’t really care for the episode of South Park where they said Matthew Broderick brought a donkey transvestite to the Oscars.

  2. brin says:

    Being a pretentious phoney is distasteful too.

  3. Raven Sparrow says:

    I love what she said and she’s right. I totally agree with her. I love her.

  4. saintdevil says:

    @brin
    I read: “Pretentious pony” 😉

  5. gee says:

    I love Carrie Bradshaw, I like SJP. Eh. She’s probably loads better in person, but on print (when she tries) she just doesn’t sound right.

  6. LOVE ANGELINA says:

    I love SJP and I don’t think name calling is appropriate even if you don’t like someone. Like SJP has done nothing to no one. There are people who STILL like her and IDC if anyone else doesn’t you have the options to not pay her any attention. So I don’t think not liking her is a valid excuse. She gets called some horrible names for no reason. Also while SJP was in Sex and the City she did some awesome movies. SJP can do movies. She needs to find a better project or one that takes her far away from NYC or anything SATC like.

  7. whitedaisy says:

    I agree with her. However, in a world where people in her business make tens of millions of dollars for acting in a film that takes 3 months of “work”, they can expect a little bit of unreasonable criticism.

  8. Anne says:

    I like the outfit; I wish she would gain several pounds. She looks way to thin to be healthy.

    This site is called celebitchy for a reason.

    The whole point is to talk smack about women we don’t like as far as I can tell.

    That’s what women do.

  9. joann says:

    @Anne

    I agree with your comments about the site.

    Also, I disagree with SJP’s comment that she doesn’t read “proper film or theatre criticism” b/c, to a certain extent, I think that you should so you can improve as a performer. If you refuse to even read what you yourself have already qualified as “proper” criticism, then are you doing your job with blinders on? There’s a reason most of us have at least annual reviews at our jobs. I realize as an actor you need to get pretty tough to handle the constant rejection and judgement, but to completely shut out ALL criticism is what gets many actors into the head space where they just live in their own world where they can do no wrong (I’m talking about you, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow).

    I like SJP, but I do think she needs to make a return to television. There are probably better scripts for her there.

  10. Catherine says:

    @ Anne – that isn’t “what women do”. It’s what mean, horrible, insecure people do. Don’t lump an entire sex into that kind of mindlessly cruel crap.

  11. mannequin says:

    I think she’s a wonderful actress and what’s even more charming about her is that she doesn’t play the Hollywood rag game. Although she’s often the brunt of “distasteful, vulgar” criticism, she’s always a lady.
    As far as the new movie goes, I think that was just extremely bad timing, up against The Lion King. It’s kind of ironic but if mom has to choose between entertaining the kids this weekend or seeing “I Don’t Know How She Does It”, Lion King will win. That’s how she does it!

  12. Raven Sparrow says:

    @whitedaisy I don’t think that just because she’s an actress and has had success and made alot of money through her work that it makes it ok to say she looks like a horse.(you didn’t say it). She’s a human being. Imagine all you read about her was said about you? I know if it were me, it would hurt me.

    You (in general) can hate her acting all you want and it’s your right to an opinion but name calling is just so low. Not just for SJP but all the others as well.

  13. trish says:

    She’s a doll. I’ve always liked her down to earth personality & her work.Her “look” is natural, she’s satisfied with what G-d gave her. People that critique others looks need to take it up with G-d. She’s been in the business along time and will always be one of my favorites.

  14. Bermuda Blues says:

    I’ll say something nice. I have always been immensely envious of the way her legs look in pants. They’re great legs.

  15. kay says:

    I agree with her.

    There is a fine line between discussing gossip and being cruel. I often wonder if people are filling a void within themselves when they feel the need to be so cruel about others.
    An example that springs to my mind is Kate, or McWaity, as this site loves to call her. She just cannot win, and it seems SJP can’t either.

  16. Kitten says:

    Her point was well-taken and it was more a general statement about women sh*tting on other women than it was so much a commentary on the entertainment industry being cruel to celebs. I think she was just using herself and her present situation as an example of a larger problem. She said it’s just plain bad for the soul and I agree. As was stated above, I disagree that it’s “what women do”. Women who think that it’s ok to harsh on other women because they’re not physically perfect contribute to a larger endemic issue of prevalent self-hatred among women. So yeah, the sh*t talkers help to encourage plastic surgery and eating disorders…sorry but it’s time some of you got put on blast.

  17. Jayna says:

    I adore her outfit. She’s not movie star material at this age and quality of scripts she gets. But I still watch her movies because she is good in them. But I think she is truly a nice. very gracious person. I like her. I will forever watch and rewatch Sex and the City. Those were the days waiting for the new episode on Sunday.

  18. You Dont Know Jack says:

    @ Raven

    I think she looks like a horse. Not a pretty girl at all. I would not give her the time of day on her good days. Kinda like that Madonna baseball clove look.

  19. Anne says:

    @Catherine – 10

    Then this site is mainly made up of horrible, mean insecure people, of which, I assume, most will be female.

    This isn’t a site like Jezebel, where body-snarking is not allowed. We are encouraged to bitch. That’s the point of this site.

    Unless of course, it’s a racist ginger prince and then only fawning is allowed.

  20. saintdevil says:

    Maybe there’s a site called “Celebenice” for all the sanctimonious people out there?

  21. Kitten says:

    Yeah you have the right to talk sh*t about a woman’s physical imperfection. It’s free speech. But yeah, people are gonna call you out for it. That is all.
    If it makes you feel better to put all that negativity out there then have at it, you only have yourself to answer to in the end.

  22. i.want.shoes says:

    I like her outfit butI find the shape of the jacket wrong.

    I think SJP should read “proper film or theatre criticism”, it might help improve her acting. And she might want to try to play another character than the one she plays in every. single. movie.

  23. Kelly says:

    @saintdevil, LOL.

    I love her outfit too – the colors of the jacket and pumps are amazing, and the jeans are really hip.

    Re: whether she is beautiful or ugly or whatever… IMHO, she is jolie-laide. The first season of SATC, I thought she looked really beautiful – her hair and makeup really worked. After that, the show’s stylists made some horrible choices. Plus she was aging, obvs. However, I think there’s room in the world for actresses who are more beautiful, less beautiful, “interesting,” strange-looking. I know she’s held up as an exemplar of beauty by the media, advertising, etc., which is what I think people have a problem with. But she’s not a 21-year-old model, so I guess she’s an alternative that one can evaluate and either embrace or dismiss.

    Does that make sense? I’m sure there are some people out there who question using Queen Latifah (or even Drew Barrymore – the chin, ugh) as spokesmodels.

  24. becky says:

    “stellar” is pushing it
    she was the weakest actress in that show

  25. Leigh says:

    @21 kitten – totally agree.

    Talk all the smack you want – be as terrible as you choose to be, but know that it IS terrible and you will eventually be consumed by that negativity.

    What I like about most of the stuff the authors of Celebitchy write – is that they don’t often make sweeping statements. They are more questions, and admissions – and when they make nasty comments, they frequently apologetically admit to their negativity.

  26. ladybert62 says:

    being my shallow self – she looks old and ugly in those photos. Get a decent haircut and that would help!

  27. It is ME!! says:

    @brin: YES. THIS. GOOP is in this same category as SJP with the pretentiousness.

    You win a cookie!

  28. velourazure says:

    i find it distasteful when overpaid entertainers complain about ANYTHING. does she not see the long line of actresses behind her who would kill for her roles?

    if she wants anonymity, she can go do community theater in cleveland.

    stfu, sjp.

  29. cat says:

    How many women wear heels like that when they are out running errands in NYC? No one I know. Yes, she’s a celebrity but it just comes off as trying too hard in my opinion. Love the jacket and the jeans but what’s wrong with wearing shoes that look like they are made to run around town? – they can still be fashionable.

  30. danielle says:

    “I find personal criticism vulgar – when it’s directed at me.” Well, yeah! Who enjoys being criticized?

  31. Kim says:

    She chose to be a celeb and celebs will be criticized. Everyone gets criticized at some point in their life. You have to have enough self esteem to ignore it and not care. Sticks and stones right. It doesnt make it right but hey life isnt fair.

  32. Coucou says:

    I HAVE THOSE SHOES, can’t wait to wake them up from their winter’s rest and put ’em back to work, me likey!

    You’re dead right about her being a great TV vs Film actress…i admire her chutzpah, but she’s like one step ahead of Madonna, and i just don’t see her carrying a big film on her boney shoulders…Blame it on Blake, she’s the next big thing…

    and oh sheeeit does she look pissed in that first pic, it’s like she’s already premeditating the eventual viper vibe…i probably would be too…ok, back to my shoes, something that’s REAL and exists JUST FOR MOI…byeeee

  33. Ally says:

    I think one should avoid saying in any way that a woman is more likeable if she doesn’t talk. This is a weird echo of patriarchy, where women were like children, to be seen and not heard, without the right to vote or have their own bank account.

    How about, she would be more likeable if she didn’t say prissy, self-aggrandizing things, while being delusional about the quality of her recent projects and acting performances? I think we could all get behind that.

  34. jamminatorr says:

    Yeah well, she should stop making movies about pretentious, overpaid whiny little see you next Tuesdays. This woman has zero depth, and she plays characters along the same lines. God forbid something actually BAD happen to her that she can whine about other than men issues and taking care of babies (only when the nanny’s not doing it for her) that she didn’t even push out herself, because she’s too good even to be a mammal.

    Sorry, but this new movie just pisses me off. I watched my mom have two kids and work her ass off, even after losing her parents early in her life and I don’t see any movie for her life. That and the last Sex in the City Movie made me stabby. No depth or substance here.

  35. pinns says:

    mmmmmm those SHHOOOOOOOOOEEEEZZZZ!!

    @Coucou – where did you get them???!!!

  36. Firecracker says:

    I saw a Sex and the City re-run from 10 yrs ago, and SJP looked amazing. It looks like she’s lost maybe 10-20 pounds since then, I agree with the comments that she looks too thin.

  37. Ani says:

    Yikes, that really resonated with me and made me feel pretty awful about reading celebrity gossip. I understand that celebrities make tons of money, but who cares? I shouldn’t make ad hominem attacks or read websites/publications that do such.

  38. Penguin says:

    @ # 18 – I doubt she’d give u the time of day either

  39. Becky says:

    I agree with SJP’s comments. I’m not a big fan of her as an actress, but she seems like a nice person.

  40. sammi says:

    For some reason, SJP has kind of brought this on herself. She has appointed herself the crusader of women everywhere based on her role in SATC. If she would just do a movie and stop doing interviews about what her character represents, she would sound much less self involved. She likes to talk about how her life is so normal like everyone else’s. People don’t buy that. There’s nothing wrong with being rich or famous and having nannies, but she seems to try way too hard to convince everyone that she’s normal. Just make a movie and get on with life. We don’t have to see and hear you every single day. Her manager and agent should be fired…p.s. please eat a bologna sandwich or something!!

  41. Ashley says:

    I was a little surprised to see how many posters here started talking about how unfair it is to harshly criticize women and contribute to the prevalent culture of ‘women hating women’. Don’t get me wrong, I do agree with that. However, I have repeatedly been taken aback by how consistently nasty commentators have been in other posts regarding alternate females (the viciousness spewed forth over Jennifer Garner’s out-of-context motherhood statement serves as one example of many). Either those women are absent from this thread, or there is a note of hypocrisy (and a lack of self-awareness) at work here.

  42. RovingLass says:

    If they don’t want to be criticized for anything other than their work…make a movie, write a book, act in a play, promote that product and then go away for awhile and live your life. There are plenty of actors who do just that.

    Stop with the staged photo-ops to sell your “image” to the public. Then your image won’t be criticized. Stop preaching to the masses because isn’t that a form of criticism in and of itself?

  43. lugasa says:

    SJP you sell yourself so easily to under qualified projects for tons and tons of money, and we dont blame you…people gotta EAT, but APPARENTLY PEOPLE WHO’S JOB IS CRITICIZE AND THE ONES THAT MAKES U RICH NEED TO EAT TOO, SO THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPLOIT,CRITICIZE…ESPECIALLY US, THE CONSUMER…WE CAN MOCK YOU ALL WE WANT BECAUSE IT’S YOUR CHOICE TO PUT YOURSELF IN FRONT OF US. TAKE THE PRICE OF FAME AND STOP WHINING YOU TRANSVESTITE DONKEY WITCH. EAT SOMETHING BEFORE GIRLS FOLLOW YOUR ANOREXIC BEING