MADONNA, EAT YOUR HEART OUT
Of the thousand words painted by this picture, two immediately come to mind: simply beautiful.
The photo of 83-year-old Daphne Selfe (via The Daily Mail) says more than the infinite number of platitudes published in facile fashion magazines.
With high cheekbones, a slim build and thick hair, Daphne is genetically blessed. But she refuses to mess with Mother Nature.
Her beauty regime consists of a dollop of Boots face cream, a truckload of confidence, and a sense of humour.
Daphne’s big break came in the late 90s when a stylist suggested she go to Vogue, which was doing an issue on ageing: “I think they needed someone to represent ‘ancient’,” she laughed.
Now the world’s oldest supermodel has posed as Madonna, wearing the iconic conical bra, to raise money for Oxfam.
She leaves The Material Girl looking just that: a shallow fake.
“It’s very unforgiving!” Daphne joked to a reporter from London’s Daily Mail. “But what the hell, it’s all for a good cause.”
Unlike 81-year-old model Carmen Dell’Orefice (pictured below), who’s had plastic surgery, Daphne Selfe is, well, herself.
Ms Dell’Orefice once told HBO, “Well, if you had the ceiling falling down in your living room, would you not go and have a repair?”
In stark contrast, Ms Selfe told the newspaper, “I’ve never had anything done… not that poison, not a facelift. I think it’s a waste of money!”
She doesn’t dye her hair because it’s “too much of a bother”.
Sadly, cosmetic surgery is becoming the new normal.
Yesterday, figures came out of the United States confirming chin implants as the fastest growing trend among men and women.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 10,000 women had the procedure in 2011 – up 66 per cent on the previous year.
These days, instead of confronting ageing by ‘taking it on the chin’, we’re taking it in the chin. You’ll have to look a little lower to see where the most money is being spent. Some 307,000 American women had boob jobs last year alone. I can understand the temptation.
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36 Responses to this article
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julie April 17, 2012
Love the line ‘Her beauty regime consists of a dollop of Boots face cream, a truckload of confidence, and a sense of humour.’ It is distressing to hear gorgeous looking women being so insecure about their looks, their abilities and their sexual abilities. Certainly a given that her genes are an enviable set- but so is her attitude. While men are visual creatures, it also seems they appreciate what the Daphnes of the world bring as opposed to the Madonnas and Elles.
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Vanessa April 17, 2012
Why has it become okay to trash Madonna? It seemed that once she turned 50 people felt that she should just fade into the shadows, perhaps sitting on her rocker and crotcheting tea caddies. I don’t understand. She is a very succesful woman who is leading the way for other talented woman who just want to get on with their careers the best way they can. I think it will be very interesting to watch how she evolves from here on as she really is a pioneer leading the way for future female entertainers. I’m just sad that the media may play a part in her demise as older woman, obviously should neither be seen nor heard. Oh but hang on…then there is Daphne Selfe. Why on earth would you do a story about a wonderful octogenarian, by putting down another woman? We woman really are our own worst enemies.
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Jacqui H April 17, 2012
I have to agree with Vanessa. Do we have to keep doing this? Trash one woman for her choices while discussing another. Fine, you and I might not like plastic surgery but other women are more than happy with their decision to embrace it. We all age – how we decide to deal with it is up to us and we have to cop that not all women are going to make the same choices we will. Do Madonna’s choices suddenly negate everything she’s ever done or achieved?
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CP April 17, 2012
You think Sonia Kruger looks the same age as Delta Goodrem?? What were you drinking??
Must admit, I too would have liked to see a story on Daphne without trashing other women who make different choices. I don’t give a toss about Madonna and I’m not interested in cosmetic surgery in the slightest, but isn’t that what we are always banging on about? Freedom of choice? -
Judy April 17, 2012
This woman is totally sensational. We need to somehow get the media to stop all the photoshopped photos of attractive women over the age of 20, it is doing enormous damage to women in this country and their self esteem. A recent well read blog, written by a woman who should know better, quotes women who have obvioulsy had botox and work done as good role models. No. They are not. Women are their own worst enemies. Saying that Sonia Kruger looks the same age as Delta Goodrem is just rubbish. Freedom of choice is fine, but let’s not use those who have facelifts, use botox and fillers as role models for ageing gracefully and naturally. Sending all the wrong messages. Their is nothing wrong with ageing naturally. Nothing.
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leah pallaris April 17, 2012
MOTHER NATURE WINS ALWAYS… LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO TAKE CHANCES WITH BOTOX AND FALSE LIFE STYLE enhancements… truly people don’t notice all the false outside appearances, but the person’s kindness, and understanding nature…
I go with NATURE, and that makes me happy, because the best facelift is a smile….
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Jacqui H April 17, 2012
I totally agree with going with nature. what am i questioning is whether our choices give us license to sh!t can women who choose otherwise.
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Serin April 17, 2012
It is personal choice issue I agree with those who have said that- after all it is the woman’s own body. But where I have problems is when it (surgery or cosmetic enhancements and/ or both) becomes celebrated and pushed as being the “norm” . Where it really matters is when surgically enhanced individulas are used as models for- do this and you too will look like Elle Delta- etc- who imo both have flown to close to the sun and now look very unlike their original gorgeous selves. This is these women’s choices- but lets not kids us that they are in the GaGA camp- in that They were born this way and are ageing gracefully- it is setting the bar way too high- and making others feel inferior.
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MrsP2011 April 17, 2012
‘Madonna, Eat Your Heart Out’? Where did that come from? I think both Daphne and Carmen are absolutely gorgeous – with or without cosmetic surgery. I remember when Carmen came to Australia several years ago and I found her to be hypnotising. This business of judging women who have cosmetic surgery has got to stop. You turn on the tv – it’s inevitably a topic of conversation because the producers can’t find anything else worthy of putting to air. You open a magazine – any trashy magazine – and inevitably there is one story about so and so’s ‘obvious’ cosmetic surgery. You go to any social networking site such as The Hoopla and Mamamia for example and someone feels the need to be critical on this issue and write about it. If it’s not cosmetic surgery it’s whose photo has been tampered with. Give it a rest. I am not a Madonna fan but it is also none of my business, nor anyone else’s business either, whether she has botoxed or had surgery. And Delta Goodrem and Sonia Kruger look about the same age? No, they DO NOT look about the same age. Put your specs on Tracey.
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Sharon April 17, 2012
I don’t have a problem with choice. Choose surgery if that’s what will bring you happiness. But just don’t lie about it. I don’t buy the “fresh food, lots of water and a good nights sleep” when your forehead doesnt move and your lips/nose/chin/cheekbones look entirely different to the ones you had a year ago. If it’s just about choice, then embrace your right to make them and feel no shame. When people feel the need to fib about their enhancements then you have to wonder…
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Caity April 17, 2012
As a grey haired 44 year old I’m just thrilled to see ANYONE with grey hair in the media – call me shallow, but have you noticed how few of us there are?
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Jackwafabwa April 17, 2012
There will always be people who take things to the extreme and thus too far in some peoples eyes. But lets face it, most ladies like to dabble a little bit with our appearance be it dying our hair, acrylic nails, or just makeup. So why do people feel the need to judge those who have Botox or cosmetic surgery so much harsher than those who frequent the hairdresser or the nail salon? It’s still all chemicals, and fundamentally the motivation is the same – feeling better about how we look.
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Serin April 17, 2012
Mid 50′s Madonna may have left the building Wendy- that depends on your view of the current 50. It has to be said that previous 50 year olds or indeed current “telly tubby” 25 year olds(or sadly, even younger sofa huggers) could not do cartwheels on narrow bleachers without missing a heartbeat in high heel boots as Madonna recently did in her dynamic half time performance at the super bowl . I thought as I watched her- what a gal- and a lot of my younger friends agreed she has got a lot of sheer guts. Imagine the stereo types that gal has to fight? There is so much us middle aged women can celebrate about Madonna’s achievements. Lots of my women friends admire her longevity and sheer guts to not be boxed in by ageist attitudes. Lets be honest the need to compete physically in her sphere (pop) is just so intense. She talks the talk and walks the walk- when it comes to not settling for second best- and expressing herself. All Power to her.
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The Huntress April 17, 2012
I wonder if we can allow these women to be the strong, intelligent individuals they are and allow them to make their own informed decisions without us judging them? I think all of these women are sensational and plastic surgery is such a personal decision it should be up to the individual to decide whether they chose to have it or not. I am planning to have cosmetic surgery later this year – after having pre-eclampsia during pregnancy I gained a massive amount of weight in a short period of time and promptly lost it, leaving behind stretch marks that have to be seen to be believed and skin that sags worse than an old souffle. I was fortunate enough to meet a man after going through this who decided he liked me enough to marry me anyway, however for my own confidence I want to have a torsoplasty procedure done. This is completely my own decision, my husband doesn’t mind what I do either way and if anyone else chooses to judge me, well so be it. It’s not their happiness that matters to me and I hope other women can feel confident in themselves regardless of whether they have or have not had cosmetic surgery.
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Daphne Alaksa April 18, 2012
Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have so much confidence. As an old lady I don’t actually anything to try and make myself look younger. In fact I think this would be impossible, but I always wear make-up when I go out. That is, except for one day when we were going out in a hurry. On that particular day I got dressed in my shift and combed my hair. During the day while we were out the light of my life told me how good I looked that day. It was very odd, however. Later on when we were home I got a mirror out to clean my makeup off. Lo and behold,
what did I see. My face was completely bare of make-up.
Having mentioned this to my darling he threw his arms around me and told me that he thought I was always beautiful, and he hadn’t even noticed the lack of make-up. The words he said are those that I think all women want to hear sometimes, and I really appreciated it very much.
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cate April 17, 2012
She IS lovely. But there’s a lot to be said for good make-up, lighting and photo-editting.
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Debbie April 17, 2012
I think it would be safe to say that the vast majority of Hoopla’s female readers wear make-up, or at the very least slap on a bit of lippy occasionally. Why? To be more presentable, more attractive, more confident. Surely these are the same reasons why women have plastic surgery, they have just taken it to the next level. At what point does it stop being ok to improve on nature, and who has the right to make that decision? Frankly I’d love to do something about my double chin but I’m not sure what scares me the most; the cost of surgery or the surgery itself.
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Louise April 17, 2012
Dahlings…. I wear my haiir silver white au naturelle and would never erase the lines on my face – they are there because I smile alot. At 57 I truly feel more fabulous than ever…..I am stopped in the street to be told how attractive I am…that wasn’t always the case – I was oo intenselt trying. I am now free of the tyranny of trying to look younger and good always… if you are enjoying life that comes naturally…when I think of all the time and effort I have wasted over the years worrying and standing back…… that is my only regret…
Lady Louise -
Joni April 17, 2012
Daphne is beautiful. It’s OK to age naturally!
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handbright April 17, 2012
“With high cheekbones, a slim build and thick hair, Daphne is genetically blessed. But she refuses to mess with Mother Nature.”
should read AND, not BUT. Hell if I looked like this at wouldnt mess with ‘other nature’ either!
So here i am folks, the fairy godmother of aging beautifully to tell you its okay not to look like this even if you are only 50. Some of us just arent genetically perfect- just ask Hitler.
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Serin April 18, 2012
You should have a area for readers of a certain age to pos there pictures- I would suggest these days a lot of us look good still in our 40′s- 50′s 60′s and beyond. My mum is 84 and still looks trendy for her age.
Now if only we could find good affordable clothes that fit us- and entertainment that was more to our taste on radio and Tv- and at the movies, cos when it is on (rarely these days lets face it) it rates. Look at Miss Fisher- rating like anything- yet such a rare event.
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Serin April 18, 2012
Er that would be post their photos- sorry typing with a Springer Spaniel trying to get my attention by banging my arm as I type- she’s good!
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bliss April 18, 2012
I think that Daphne Selfe looks fantastic and she is her self
have considered face lifts as wrinkles make me feel on the shelf
but no funds to do
probably for the best too
as I see girls younger and younger this path take
very sad and with all things that can be done you end up a fake
not good for ego, they are young and beautiful anyway so big mistake.
Think plastic surgery has it’s place too
for people who are injured or features will not do
So they are the ones should get it for free as necessary too -
Alice Shaw April 23, 2012
Yes I’ve noticed a lot of 40 and 50 something women are frighteningly smooth of forehead but I don’t think they look 20 something – I think they looked stretched and shiny and sometimes they look terrific but sometimes they really don’t. I might have a bit of botox in my forehead if I could afford it, just to see you know? But I am just trying to age and accept how lucky I am to still be here…sometimes telling myself that works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve noticed from watching the first season of Modern Family on DVD that Julie Bowen has had some serious botoxing done now.. her upper face doesn’t move, at all..it’s a bit sad really as I think she’s really funny and talented and now all I can see is the stretched, frozen forehead
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Karen April 25, 2012
Im sorry but this is brushing me the wrong way. The woman who says she is against plastic surgery is here being shown in an obviously overly photoshoped image. if this was madonna, and yet she wouldn’t have had any botox, you’d still be criticizing her
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Karen April 25, 2012
Also, Madonna hasn’t touched any botox or gone under the knife until she was 46. And even then, the only thing she seems to have done is some botox – which stars such as kylie minogue have been doing when they were a lot younger than madonna. I remember all the nasty articles Madonna got when she was in her early 40s. You can’t create a monster and then then whine when it stomps on a few buildings. This model has never gone through all the negative media Madonna has, she is never under the spotlight 24/7, people don’t criticize the smallest wrinkle or vain on her arms and hands (or even feet, nowadays)
Its just easier to judge those who are famous, because we all think they can take it or that they deserve a lot of shit for looking good. Honestly, I think many people are just jealous and take pleasure out of seeing successful women not looking their upmost.
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michelle June 14, 2012
How do you know when she did what? This comment makes me laugh. Seriously. Are you her best friend or a relative, maybe? Madonna has certainly had a face lift and her eyes done. Sadly, the media was in waiting for the day she walked out of her house with bruising that could only point to surgery. Knowing someone whose had both of these surgeries (and some) I have seen first-hand what recovery looks like. I could care less what she does. I would do it to if I were her. Like it or not, society leads one to think they are less-than when they aren’t aging how society deems “well”. Imagine if you are in the spotlight (and like being in the spotlight), it seems to me surgery would be inevitable.
And if you are the same Karen, I completely agree with the fact that Daphne is photo shopped to the hilt in the Madonna lookalike shot. In that photo, I would say she had surgery and was lying about it. In the last photo, I would not say the same thing.
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