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Armpit Hair: Why Emma Corrin’s Cover Sparks A Conversation On Body Image

Emma Corrin shows armpit hair on Harper's Bazaar's cover
Image: The Harper Bazar June / July 2024 Freedom Issue

From a young age, societal expectations paint a very clear picture: smooth skin is beautiful, and body hair is something to be hidden away. This pressure is relentless, bombarding us through movies, commercials, and even the seemingly innocent world of social media. But what if we challenged these manufactured ideals?

Enter Emma Corrin, gracing the cover of Harper’s Bazaar with a bold statement – visible armpit hair.

Emma Corrin, an actor who identifies as non-binary and LGBTQ+, made headlines with their recent Harper’s Bazaar cover. The star of “The Crown” donned a simple beige tank top and briefs from Miu Miu, but it was one detail that sparked the most conversation: their visible armpit hair.

Corrin’s pose, with one arm raised, confidently displayed their body hair. This choice drew a wave of criticism on the magazine’s Instagram page. Some commenters expressed disapproval of Corrin’s unshaved look, calling it unhygienic, while others took aim at the pose itself, deeming it inappropriate.

Emma Corrin shows armpit hair at 2021 Emmys
Image: Instagram/emmalouisecorrin

Emma Corrin has consistently showcased underarm hair on the red carpet, a bold choice they’ve maintained for years. This included the 2021 Emmys, where Corrin was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for their portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown.

Corrin’s choice ignited a firestorm of reactions, exposing the discomfort some feel towards body hair, particularly when it disrupts traditional notions of femininity. It becomes more than just aesthetics; it becomes a symbol of rebellion, a rejection of the pressure to conform.

This discomfort highlights a deeper issue: the policing of gender expression through body image. For many, visible body hair signifies a threat to the status quo, a transgression against societal norms.

But what if we reframed the conversation? Body hair is, after all, a natural part of the human experience. Corrin’s act of self-expression isn’t about hygiene or respectability – it’s about reclaiming the right to choose how we present ourselves to the world. The true revolution lies not in shaving, but in the freedom to embrace our bodies, however we see fit.

Applauding celebrities like Corrin who challenge these beauty standards is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and accepting world.

The message is clear: our worth isn’t defined by a razor. It’s about celebrating individuality and shattering the narrow beauty ideals that have held us back for far too long.

Celebrity Armpit Hair

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams armpit hair
Image: Mark Seliger

Corrin follows in the footsteps of other celebrities who have made similar bold statements on magazine covers. For instance, in April 2018, Rachel McAdams did a photoshoot for Bustle where she proudly displayed her underarm hair. McAdams requested minimal editing of her images, stating, “This is my body, and I think that’s so important to reflect back out to the world.”

As a mother of two, her decision came from a place of self-love rather than trying to prove a point to the public. She also asked that the accompanying images in the interview be edited minimally, ensuring her underarm hair remained prominently featured.

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski showed armpit hair on Harper's Bazaar's cover page in 2019
Image: Miguel Enamorado/Harper’s Bazaar

In a personal essay published in Harper’s BAZAAR’s September 2019 issue, model and actor Emily Ratajkowski explored her own perspective of her femininity and sexuality, expressing that if she decides to shave her armpits or grow them out, it’s her choice.

She views body hair as another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose, based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair. Ratajkowski explained that on any given day, she tends to like to shave, but sometimes letting her body hair grow out is what makes her feel sexy.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg's armpit hair
Image: Instagram/malcolm.marquiez

Actor and activist Amandla Stenberg has consistently championed the acceptance of body hair. Back in 2018, during the premiere of their film The Hate U Give, Stenberg confidently posed in Valentino attire, proudly displaying their underarm hair. This bold choice remains a part of Stenberg’s style, as evidenced by recent Instagram shoots.

Julia Michaels

Julia Michaels's armpit hair on the Cover of a digital magazine
Image: Instagram/juliamichaels

Singer-songwriter Julia Michaels has been vocal about embracing her natural body hair. In 2020, she announced her decision to no longer shave her armpits, reflecting on the societal norms she once adhered to.

Michaels confidently displayed her natural body hair at the 2021 Grammys and has continued to challenge traditional beauty standards by creating her own monthly digital cover titled YOU.

Madonna

In 2014, Madonna took to Instagram showing her armpit hair
Image: Instagram/Madonna

In 2014, Madonna took to Instagram, captioning a selfie in lacy lingerie with the words, “Long hair … don’t care!” The ’80s pop icon has consistently challenged expected beauty standards and gender norms throughout her career.

Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand showed armpit hair in 1962
Al Ravenna/Wikimedia Commons

Even as far back as 1962, acclaimed EGOT winner, singer, and actress Barbra Streisand championed her natural body hair, as evidenced in this picture.

Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin on Glamour UK cover in 2020 showing her armpit hair
Photographs Aitken Jolly

Emma Corrin proudly featured their armpit hair as the focal point when they appeared as the digital cover star for GLAMOUR UK in November 2020.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams showed armpit hair on Bustle cover
Bustle/ YouTube

Rachel McAdams proudly displayed her armpit hair in a minimally-retouched photoshoot for Bustle, showcasing her confidence and breaking away from conventional beauty standards.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga armpit hair 2017
Lady Gaga / Instagram

In 2017, Lady Gaga shared a selfie on Instagram proudly displaying her stubbly underarms, challenging societal expectations and embracing her natural self.

Haley Lu Richardson

Haley Lu Richardson embraced her armpit hair
Image: Instagram/haleyluhoo

Haley Lu Richardson embraced her armpit hair during a tropical getaway, sharing carefree snapshots of herself in a vibrant bikini and sunglasses. Her relaxed demeanor sent a clear message: body hair is natural, and it’s perfectly fine to let it be.

Alyson Stoner

Alyson Stoner showed her armpit hair
Image: Instagram/alysonstoner

In September 2023, Alyson Stoner discussed the connection between body hair and body image. Sharing on Instagram, she addressed societal pressures to remove female body hair, emphasizing the norms dictating femininity and desirability.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham showed her armpit hair
Image: Instagram/ashleygraham

Ashley Graham has been upfront about her choice not to shave. She mentioned it during an interview for Elle’s August 2020 cover story, mentioning she stopped during pregnancy. Later, in November 2020, she posted a nude selfie on Instagram showing her underarm hair. Then, in March 2021, she shared another photo proudly displaying her body hair.

Rowan Blanchard

Rowan Blanchard showed her armpit hair
Image: Instagram/rowanblanchard

Rowan Blanchard proudly displayed her armpit hair in a photo shoot for Cultured Mag.

Paris Jackson

In 2017, Paris Jackson took to Instagram to reveal she had been growing out her armpit hair
Instagram | parisjackson

In 2017, Paris Jackson took to Instagram to reveal she had been growing out her armpit hair for two months. Her post faced criticism, prompting her to respond in a video, expressing her love for natural body features like hair, sweat, and body odor. She emphasized their naturalness and urged people to accept it as such.

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