Hollywood news bites this morning included talk about Twilight: Eclipse taking home the most golden popcorn buckets from the MTV Movie Awards last night – an unsurprising feat considering the franchise’s record. The unexpected moment of the night was when Reese Witherspoon shared her thoughts on scandalous young Hollywood stars.
Entertainment news sites posted part of the Generation Award recipient’s speech online. Here’s what she said:
"I get it, girls, that it's cool to be a bad girl. But it is possible to make it in Hollywood without doing a reality show. When I came up in this business, if you made a sex tape, you were embarrassed and you hid it under your bed. And if you took naked pictures of yourself on your cell phone, you hide your face, people!
"So, for all the girls out there, it's totally possible to be a good girl. I'm going to try to make it cool."
After the speech, Twitter started buzzing as fans posted agreeing tweets. Former Dancing with the Stars dancer and Country music singer Julianne Hough was one who agreed.
LOVE Reese Witherspoon!!!!! Good Girls do exist and CAN make it in "Hollywood"! :) Thx for being a great idol! And one of mine! :)
Witherspoon’s remarks encourage teens to pursue their dreams without relying on scandal to make them famous. Her bold words hit the heart of the matter – on reality TV and mainstream America – we’ve lost our dignity.
Remember when your parents or grandparents used to say, “Have you no shame?” It’s a common phrase that doesn’t adequately address the problem or give encouragement for positive change. The question we should ask is, where’s your dignity?
Shame signifies an awareness of wrongdoing, but dignity goes beyond that. It’s a mindset that sidesteps disgrace because we understand how valued we are – in God’s sight, a lifestyle that places an importance on one's reputation. Being a “bad” girl is contrary to how life is meant to be lived. We were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
Sex tapes, nude photos, binge drinking, drug benders. These aren’t Hollywood problems; they affect millions of teens around the world. These incredibly down-spiraling lifestyles can push young people toward suicide, cutting, prison, and overdosing. What kind of a life is that?
Though Witherspoon’s earlier comments about Robert Pattinson and past lifestyle choices aren’t 100 percent in line with what God’s Word teaches, her wake up call to young girls was a bold statement; one that needed to be made.
None of us can claim we’re as pure as the driven snow in our own right – not me, not Reese Witherspoon, not anyone (John 14:6, Romans 10:13). What the Oscar-winning actress comments said should be taken to heart. Compromising isn’t cool.
Be smart girls. Don’t get yourself into situations that rob you of your self-worth and reputation. It’s not worth it. Instead, read what God has to say about true beauty and success.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. I Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)