A Star is Born...Without Makeup

In the new movie, A Star is Born, featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga stated that during her audition Cooper wiped the makeup off her face to show the authenticity of the character. Now, many people are criticizing Cooper for trying to 'control' the way Lady Gaga expresses her individuality through makeup. While some believe that makeup is a way to force women to conform to beauty standards, others believe that makeup is actually a way for people to express themselves and make themselves feel more confident. In the past makeup was viewed as a way for women to hide their insecurities and flaws, but now people accept makeup as a way to have fun and be creative.

This is also enforces the idea of heteropatriarchy. As a straight, white man, Bradley Cooper wiping the makeup off of Lady Gaga's face and telling her to be more authentic, is extremely problematic. If Lady Gaga is comfortable and confident in the way she looks, it is not up to a man to decide whether she fits his standards of beauty or how she should look. I understand that when making a movie, actors portray themselves in a way that reflects their character. However, Bradley Cooper expressing that he thinks the only way a woman can be authentic is by being bare-faced, portrays women who wear makeup in a negative light. People should be able to wear whatever they want without the constant concern that others will judge them because they don't fit the traditional expectation of beauty.