DOES Jennifer Aniston's battle cry against the media ring hollow to you?
The American actress came out all guns blazing last week voicing her frustrations about the constant speculation and scrutiny she faces from the media over her looks.
She described it as a tabloid obsession with her body and those of other female celebrities, fearing the impact of the "objectification and scrutiny we put women through".
In an open letter published by The Huffington Post, entitled 'For The Record', Aniston began by openly stating she is not pregnant.
It came after paparazzi recently photographed the 47-year-old in her bikini with her husband actor Justin Theroux as the couple holidayed in the Bahamas.
The photos sparked a storm of tabloid speculation about whether Aniston was expecting her first child.
"I wanted to participate in a larger conversation that has already begun and needs to continue," she wrote.
"For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up.
"I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism', the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news'."
Going further Aniston noted it was not just the media pushing unrealistic ideals onto women, but society is buying into and believing it.
The star said the attention on her body sent a negative message to young girls and women across the world.
"Every day my husband and I are harassed by dozens of aggressive photographers staked outside our home who will go to shocking lengths to obtain any kind of photo," she said.
"I want to focus on the bigger picture of what this insane tabloid ritual represents to all of us.
"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing.
"The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."
Another powerful subject she addressed was the sheer amount of truly newsworthy events that have taken place over the time-frame where instead so many resources have been spent tracking her "boring" life.
But there are several flaws in her argument.
Aniston has enjoyed celebrity status since becoming a household name in Friends and with subsequent movie roles is a regular member of the A-list celebrity circle in Hollywood.
With that she has carried out countless interviews, graced the covers of even more magazines and endorsed products from hair care to clothes and holidays. And she has been handsomely rewarded for her time.
Some would say she has fed the media a narrative on her life, from what she eats for breakfast to her gym sessions and how she deals with being voted the world's most beautiful woman.
Yet in her open letter she portrays herself as a victim of cultural objectification.
With fame comes the pressure of being a star, Aniston is not the only celeb to face constant criticism of her looks, weight and personal life.
Maybe she's right, why should she have to face such an onslaught of scrutiny?
Perhaps it is time that someone fights back against the pressures faced by women in the spotlight, is it time someone really urged people to stop body-shaming women?
The media needs to look at the amount of time dedicated to assessing how a woman looks or acts.
It is important that celebrities such as Aniston highlight how important events around the world can become overshadowed by gossip and other trivial topics.
The less we allow ourselves to be consumed by such 'celebrity' stories and headlines that really have no bearing on our lives then perhaps it is less likely that such articles will be produced.
We need to remember that the world of entertainment and celebrity is a business and that business, like all others, will only produce what we as the masses willingly consume.
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Competition
Located in the heart of Stranmillis Village, with a quirky styled interior and large heated outdoor seating area, Loteria is the gateway to South American fusion food.
Pull up a stool at the bar and grab one of their awesome award-winning signature Margaritas and discover the Latino inspired menu.
Start off with mix and share small plates of totopops and dips or Padron peppers to whet the appetite and feel the temperature rising before crossing over to the starters of prawns pil pil or buffalo chicken wings.
If you're a meat lover, Loteria prepare their own pulled pork, pulled chicken and pulled beef which you'll find in quesadilla and tacos or feast on the pork baby back ribs, slow cooked and glazed in the house made bbq marinade served with a hot sriracha sauce.
Loteria host Margarita Monday and Taco Tuesday each week alongside bottomless brunch at the weekend.
I have five three course meals for two - including a Margarita on arrival - to give away. To be in with a chance to win, simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday July 26 at noon.
(Q) What is the name of the event that Loteria hosts on a Monday?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot!
Belfast Guitar Festival - Guitar and live music enthusiasts are in for some great performances at this year's Belfast Guitar Festival. With some world-class international acts, the event runs from today until Sunday at the Blackbox in Belfast. Visit www.facebook.com/belfastguitarfest for further information.
Natural glowing skin - Korres have launched a new product combining five skincare benefits in one. The Wild Rose CC Cream is a must have for those who crave a naturally radiant complexion, even skin tone and sun protection in one step.
What's Not!
Kept waiting - Game Of Thrones fans will have to wait a little longer for series seven of the show. HBO bosses confirmed that instead of the traditional April air date, the show is being pushed back to summer 2017 to accommodate shooting schedules.
Row - The ongoing dispute between Taylor Swift and Kanye West appears to be escalating with Swift accusing his wife Kim Kardashian of 'character assassination'. It came after the reality TV star released a recording of her seemingly approving a controversial line in Kanye West's song Famous.
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Competition winners
The winners of last week's Alfaparf Milano Semi Di Lino competition are Veronica Connolly from Dungannon, Loretta Hegarty from Kilrea, Laoise Hannan from Belfast, Liz Patterson from Comber, Janina Lieghio from Lurgan and Orla Ferguson from Belleek.
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is Jerk Pork Loin Sandwich, courtesy of Clément Pavie, development chef at Musgraves MarketPlace.
You will need:
120g Pork loin
1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk paste
10g crispy fried onion Bits
1 baked ciabatta
1/2 lime
1/2 pepper
1 crushed garlic clove
1 red cheddar cheese slice
3 sliced tomatoes
To make:
Brush the jerk marinade over the pork loin and leave to marinate overnight.
The next day, cut one finger thick pork chops from the loin.
Cut the pepper in 4 and toss in a bowl with the crushed garlic, olive oil and a pinch of rock salt and cracked black pepper.
Grill the pork chops and peppers on a hot BBQ for a minute or two on each side.
Place the pork and 2 pieces of peppers in a large piece of tin foil, add the juice of half a lime and wrap loosely.
Place it back on the BBQ to finish cooking.
Turn the heat down and close the cover for 5 to 10 minutes.
Toast the ciabatta on the BBQ.
Open the tin foil, collect the juice and spoon over the bottom part of the ciabatta and brush a little marinade on the top part.
Place the pork chop and pepper in the sandwich, top with mature red cheddar, fresh slice tomatoes and crispy onions.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Suzanne McGonagle,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com
