For a while now, the rumor mill has been saying that Channing Tatum and Jessie J are dating. And it looks like the are finally ready to take their relationship public. Last week, we reported that they both shared IG stories about each other, a move which seems to confirm the rumors. TBH, the two seem really happy… but some fans aren’t. And the media apparently is fueling this. Through Instagram, Jessie pointed out a disappointing news story, wherein she—or her looks, more specifically—was being compared to Channing’s ex-wife, Jenna Dewan. She said it talked about “people picking who they think is prettier.” The singer called out the unnamed outlet in the post, saying “You only have to look at a few of the comments to see these stories are not inspiring women supporting women but mostly women ripping other women down.” She added, “I am so disappointed and embarrassed that my name is even involved. It’s not something I stand for, at all.”
She stressed the fact that there is no point to the story at all, other than invite women to think that this is somehow okay. She also pointed out how this pushes for the already prevalent view that a woman’s value is based primarily by her appearance, while citing her own experience of struggling to accept herself as she was growing up. “I don’t take stories like this lightly,” she wrote. “Because I know the kind of impact it has on young girls reading it. I spent so much of my childhood trying to be comfortable in my skin just like so many other little girls, and when I got older, decided to spend my career making lots of music to try and help/inspire myself and all other women to see their beauty from the inside out and will continue to do so. Man does the world need it. More now than ever.”
Ironically enough, the people’s comments to an article by Refinery29 condemning this very thinking and highlighting their support for Jessie, only confirmed the sad truth the singer so passionately talked about.
Really, how disappointing. We get it, you rooted for Channing and Jenna. But both of them has already moved on—and insulting Jessie in no way changes that. Just the act of comparing the two of them, specifically, is so rude. I mean, imagine being compared to your partner’s ex and people finding you lacking. Feels sh*tty, right? Now imagine seeing it reported in public, and more so, inviting other people to participate in the “discussion.”
Plus, what has her or Jenna’s appearance got to do with it? Relationships are supposed to be based on trust, mutual respect, love—not looks. Seriously, these people need to grow up. As Refinery29 noted, “It encourages the line of thinking that whoever your partner dates after you is a better or worse person as a whole and not a better person for them. To suggest that a woman’s only contribution to a relationship is her appearance, and asking the public to vote on it, is degrading and dehumanizing.” In the end, like Jessie said, what’s the point? Nobody’s feeling good about it. Even Jenna was appalled by this, and showed complete support for Jessie on this one. “Women for women all the way. No need for negativity,” she said on Twitter. “Let’s live in a world where we support each other and raise each other up.”
We all could learn something from these two, beautiful women.
Art by Marian Hukom
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