Orange County Register

Photo: Julianne Moore  in New York in September. (AP photo)

GOING TOO FAR

Actress Julianne Moore, 47, is an outspoken opponent of Botox, and now she has harsh words about plastic surgery.

She says it’s like the ancient Chinese practice of foot binding, which left women crippled. But she doesn’t go so far as to rule it out for herself.

Moore told British-based Tatler magazine:

“The analogy I use is ancient Chinese feet binding. At what point did they decide that small feet were more beautiful? People started making them smaller and smaller until they were stumps and not beautiful at all.

“I feel we have decided that being expressionless and young-looking is the most beautiful thing. In pursuit of that, it becomes more and more exaggerated and totally obliterates what we look like.”

People magazine notes that Moore leaves open the possibility that she will eventually decide she needs plastic surgery: “So will the 47-year-old actress refuse to go under the knife – ever?  She may be idealistic, but Moore won’t go that far. She admits, ‘Never say never.’ ”

Plastic surgeon / blogger Dr. Tony Youn says Moore’s comments are excessive:

”I think the Chinese foot binding analogy goes a bit far. Much of plastic surgery is meant to restore the body to a previous state or remove excess skin that can become both a cosmetic and functional problem, such as tummy tucks and thigh lifts.

The aim of good plastic surgery is a natural rejuvenation, not abnormal deformation like in Chinese foot binding.

Maybe Julianne should stop being a moral compass and get back to acting.”

Moore says aging isn’t a problem, even in Hollywood:

“Age is only bad in so much as it pertains to death,” she says, insisting that roles for older women are not scarce. “So far, so good. I’m really happy I’m working on things I want. Everything is really great.”

In the past, she has empathized with actresses who feel a need to smooth every wrinkle:

“It’s hard for actresses. Our faces get to be blown up 50 feet wide, and you see stuff that otherwise you wouldn’t. People freak out.”

Related links:

• Julianne Moore joins ranks of Botox nay-sayers
• Archive of Julianne Moore posts
• Plastic surgery opponent Cate Blanchett says wrinkles can be sexy
• Botox-bashing celebrities vs. hypocrisy watchdogs
• Heidi Klum prefers ‘dinosaur’ look over plastic surgery
• Anna Kournikova says no to breast implants, Botox (with photos)
• ‘Mamma Mia’ star Julie Walters thrives on menopause, no Botox
• Meryl Streep tells male actors to resist plastic surgery
• Jane Seymour explains breast implants, eyelid surgery

Slide shows:

• Paris Hilton’s styles from jet set to jail and back
• Top celebrity slide shows of all time
• Angelina vs. Halle vs. Ava
• The good, the ugly in photos of tattooed makeup
• Many facets of Angelina Jolie
• Cindy McCain photos highlight cultural divide

For more on celebrities and cosmetic medicine, see links on the right side of this blog.

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