Bruce Jenner’s new life as Caitlyn Jenner is under way,
fulfilling what she has said is her fondest wish: to live the rest of her life as a woman.
Jenner’s decision rocked her world and the people she shares
it with, especially her children, some of whom have declined to participate in
a forthcoming reality show that will feature Caitlyn’s journey to this point
and beyond. Their parent’s transition
was not a complete surprise, as gradual changes in Jenner’s physical appearance
had been under way for some time. Her previous spouses were aware of her
feelings and had discussed them with their children, according to news reports.
But the Vanity Fair cover featuring Jenner in a bustier had
to be a shocker. Family and friends will
eventually get used to this new image, as will the public. The question is whether the person inside
Caitlyn Jenner will be able to accept the white-hot scrutiny she’ll face about
how female and feminine she is. Every
wardrobe malfunction, accessory choice, hair style, and social interaction will
be studied for her female bona fides.
Her appearance will be judged – endlessly – as is that of most women in the public
eye. But the bar will be set higher for her. She will have more to “prove.”
Already the advice is pouring forth on how Jenner can appear
even more feminine. Within hours of the
Vanity Fair images’ release, this press release appeared in my inbox: “Dr.
Suzanne Levine, Celebrity Podiatrist on Park Ave in NYC, speaks out on Caitlyn
Jenner’s transformation surgery. In the Vanity
Fair cover shot she is shown wearing fabulous stiletto heels. Dr. Levine asserts the feet have not been
feminized and must have been airbrushed.
Is it possible the entire photo was photo shopped? Her feet look too dainty in the heels – hint,
hint – it’s all about the feet. Dr. Levine states in many male to female
transitions, the feet feminizing procedure is one of the most overlooked
factors in creating a feminine appearance, and can be the true defining change
to create the most feminine appearance possible. Dr. Levine is available for interviews via
phone or skype.”
Of course the photo was photoshopped. To the max.
And now we’re talking about feminizing feet.
You can’t miss the irony in all this. What Caitlyn Jenner
has described as a long-delayed journey to personal authenticity will be
compromised by a struggle that will be new to her, if not to her Kardashian
family: the harsh judgment meted out to
celebrity women and the requirement that they conform to unrealistic expectations. Their looks
are critiqued by the entertainment industry and savaged by celebrity web sites
and magazines that trade in gossip and innuendo. Pile on the bandwagon comments
from “experts” urging this and that physical adjustment to make Jenner "more of
a woman." Add snarky comments from fans who become weirdly invested in the
personal lives of their idols. Throw in
a new reality show and you have a full-blown spectacle held together by botox
and as many beauty tools as Jenner can afford.
Jenner’s “authenticity” will be under tremendous pressure from those who
will judge how well she measures up to what they think she should be like.
That doesn’t allow much latitude for her to enjoy being a
girl.
