ICYMI a few days back it was reported on Australian website Woman’s Day that ELLE cover star Rebel Wilson was lying about her age.
How did Rebel respond? In the most badass awesome way, naturally. The Pitch Perfect 2 star took to Twitter to shut down the shamers, saying: 'OMG I’m actually a 100 year old mermaid formally known as “CC Chalice” …..thanks Australian press for your tall poppy syndrome x'.
She swiftly followed it up with the equally brilliant: 'Okay but all jokes aside…my real name is Fat Patricia x'.
It was the perfect response. Of course, we didn’t expect any less from Rebel. But frankly, who cares how old Rebel is anyhow? She could be 17 or 100 – what matters is she’s hilariously funny, hugely successful – oh, and all-round totally badass.
Why are we still so obsessed with how much someone has achieved by a certain age? And then are horrified if they’re too young, or disturbed if they’re too old?
A few weeks ago, we all became totally obsessed with How Old – the app that scanned your face and then told you exactly how old you actually looked, according to a slightly dodgy bit of tech. We then posted the pictures on our Facebook feeds, proudly declaring we looked 7 years younger, or whatever. It’s true that I’m a tad bitter as in one picture attempt of my own the app named me as 49 (when I’m actually 20 years younger) - but why did I care? It wasn't true. And even if it were, it didn't matter.
In a time when we’re all achieving different things at different ages – when teenagers like Tavi are starting hugely successful magazines from their bedrooms at 15, and the formidable Iris Apfel is still ruling the street style scene at 93 - does it matter what numbers are in the DOB box of someone’s passport?
No, in short, it doesn’t. Rebel, you are flawless – however old you really are.
And, just in case you need more proof of that, watch her on our cover shoot below.
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