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Get Over Yourselves, People.

Of all the complaints I would've expected to hear from people about the live-action adaptation of Disney's Beauty & the Beast, questions about its star flaunting her sexuality was at the bottom of the list. Sadly, that's where we are, as two items are taking center stage ahead of the March 17th wide-release of the classic story of bestiality between a young woman and a hairy beast that makes John Holmes look more attractive by comparison. Jokes aside, the first part, where star and eternal crush of mine Emma Watson posed nearly topless for Vanity Fair, leading to questioning whether or not she's a hypocrite for posing half-nude while promoting feminism.

The photo in question, lensed by British shutterbug Tim Walker and styled by Vanity Fair fashion and style director Jessica Diehl, features Watson in a cape, sheer shirt and lace skirt from Burberry's February collection. It has sparked debate on social media about whether or not the image, which casts Watson as an object of the male gaze or perhaps as a #FreetheNipple crusader, depending on your point of view, runs counter to her role as a women's rights advocate. She's addressed the United Nations on the topic of women's rights, and is a spokeswoman for its HeForShe campaign, which calls on men to promote gender equality.
Here's the short answer: No.




Here's the longer answer: being a feminist and exploring ones' sexuality are not mutually exclusive. A woman should be able to raise the flag for gender equality around the world and still do something like this without being shamed for it. Nina Hartley is a legend within the adult film biz and is a self-proclaimed feminist; does her openness with exploring her sexuality take away from her beliefs? Sex and feminism aren't like oil & water: the two can mix without being contradictory to ones beliefs. And, as aside: Ms. Watson's getup kinda reminds me of a citizen of Panem from The Hunger Games universe - the unique and outlandish fashion sense + the stylized hair-do feel very appropriate to the style of District One's culture.
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