Jessica Simpson has hit out at Natalie Portman for commenting about an old bikini picture of her, in a recent interview.
The actress name-checked Jessica in an interview with USA Today, in which she said she was “confused” when she was younger, after seeing a snap of singer in a bikini, beside a title that said: “I’m a virgin.”
The mother-of-two has since hit out at the 37-year-old, as she took to Instagram to address Natalie’s comments, and even tagged the actress in her post.
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“I was disappointed this morning when I read that I “confused” you by wearing a bikini in a published photo taken of me when I was still a virgin in 1999,” she wrote.
“As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in.”
“However, I was taught to be myself and honor the different ways all women express themselves, which is why I believed then — and I believe now — that being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex.”
“I have always embraced being a role model to all women to let them know that they can look however they want, wear whatever they want and have sex or not have sex with whomever they want. The power lies within us as individuals.”
“I have made it my practice to not shame other women for their choices. In this era of Time’s Up and all the great work you have done for women, I encourage you to do the same,” she finished.
Following her statement, Natalie has apologised for her comments, as she told People: “I would never want to shame anyone and I fully respect her and her choices.”
“I was talking about the confusion I felt as a young girl seeing the messages that I felt the media was sending out to young girls about very specific ways we should be. I made a mistake to say a name. It was absolutely not directed at her. I feel bad that she was hurt.”
