Florence Pugh, a Hollywood celebrity, has once more addressed the criticism she received last year for donning a translucent garment that revealed her nipples, claiming “It’s the freedom that people are scared of.”
The actress from “Oppenheimer” revisited the body-shaming comments she received after wearing the sheer pink, tulle, halter-neck Valentino gown at the brand’s presentation in Rome in July 2022 in an interview with Elle magazine, which was published on Wednesday.
Pugh explained her reasoning for wearing the garment and her response to criticism.
“I speak the way I do about my body because I’m not trying to hide the cellulite on my thigh or the squidge in between my arm and my boob: I would much rather lay it all out,” she said.
“I think the scariest thing for me are the instances where people have been upset that I’ve shown ‘too much’ of myself.
“When everything went down with the Valentino pink dress a year ago, my nipples were on display through a piece of fabric, and it really wound people up. It’s the freedom that people are scared of; the fact I’m comfortable and happy,” added Pugh.
“Keeping women down by commenting on their bodies has worked for a very long time. I think we’re in this swing now where lots of people are saying, ‘I don’t give a sh*t,’” she continued. “We need to keep reminding everybody that there is more than one reason for women’s bodies [to exist].”
After winning the “British Icon” award at the magazine’s Style Awards, Pugh spoke to Elle.
The 27-year-old actress has responded to the criticism her dress received in July before. In an Instagram post at the time, she talked about the “aggressive” and “vulgar” remarks that were made about her breasts and nipples.
“What’s been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a woman’s body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see,” she said.
“It isn’t the first time and certainly won’t be the last time a woman will hear what’s wrong with her body by a crowd of strangers, what’s worrying is just how vulgar some of you men can be.”
Then Pugh asked, “Why are you so scared of breasts?”
