Emilia Clarke Selfie Triggers an Important Conversation About Women and Aging
Emilia Clarke received hate comments on a recent Instagram post, sparking a larger conversation about the treatment of women as they age.
On Wednesday, February 22, Clarke posted a glowing selfie on Instagram showcasing a mug her mom gifted her. In the caption, Clarke wrote, “Mum got me a mug. I felt it was important to share this new found wisdom. Use it and reap the rewards,” referring to the cheeky, motivational statement written on the mug.
The actress’s bright smile and adorable caption resulted in a lighthearted, positive post. While many fans had nothing but love for Clarke and her message, others criticized her appearance and commented on her visible signs of natural aging.
Clarke is best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s long-running fantasy series, Game of Thrones. When she started on the series in 2011, she was 24 years old. Over a decade later, people seem surprised that the actress, now 36 years old, looks different from her younger self.
Several internet trolls took to Twitter to post hateful, derogatory remarks about her selfie. However, Clarke’s fans were quick to jump to her defense, praising her natural beauty and strength.
Emilia Clarke is aging like a normal woman and I love it she’s so beautiful we should all be like Emilia 💕🥰
— (squitchy) (@nottradgf) March 4, 2023
Emilia Clarke get behind me right now, I’m not gonna let you all attack my girl for aging.
— Alison. (@stainedmaroon) February 28, 2023
People also pointed out that within the 12 years since Clarke first appeared in Game of Thrones, she has faced and overcome immense challenges in her personal life. In 2019, Clarke shared that she had two life-threatening brain aneurysms while filming. When discussing her health scares, Clarke explained, “It’s remarkable that I am able to speak, sometimes articulately, and live my life completely normally with absolutely no repercussions.”
After multiple surgeries with physically and emotionally taxing recovery periods, Clarke bounced back stronger with a newfound appreciation for life. In fact, the actress is seemingly always radiating positivity. She is rarely seen without a smile on her face, and her Instagram post last Wednesday was no exception.
The disrespectful comments on her physical appearance have opened up a larger conversation about unrealistic expectations of women as they age. On Twitter, people criticized the unattainable beauty standards women are consistently held to, especially as they grow older.
I don’t give a flying fark if Emilia Clarke “took an unflattering selfie”—it blows my mind that women are STILL perpetually judged solely on looks as if our entire value lies in good lighting rather than achievement, intellect, or literally anything else
— Ghost Dog (@JeetoCheesus) February 27, 2023
emilia clarke is a gorgeous human being inside and out 💕 pic.twitter.com/ECtZlvAmsf
— daily daenerys (@dailydany) February 28, 2023
While the initial dragging of Emilia Clarke’s natural aging is quite disheartening, the uplifting comments in her defense are a hopeful sign societal expectations are changing.
