Paulina Porizkova says there's 'no need to feel bad' about selfies: 'Brilliant'
Paulina Porizkova is getting real about taking selfies.
On Tuesday, the 57-year-old supermodel took to Instagram to share a filter-free photo of herself paired with a powerful message about the meaning behind selfies and the science behind why humans are wired to "look for faces."
"Are selfies a show of narcissism, a desire to be validated — or to connect? I believe they may be all of the above," Porizkova penned to her more than 867,000 followers. "Did you know we are programmed to look for faces?
"The human brain is wired for face recognition so explicitly, in fact, that we even see faces in inanimate objects! This is called face pareidolia. ... This is why lovely photos of landscapes, interiors, art and objects get less traction on social media than a face. Being good at interpreting faces and emotions is a social skill that helps us survive."
Porizkova pointed out that because it is in our human nature to be drawn to faces, there is "no need to feel bad" about taking and sharing selfies, "whatever your motivation is."
She concluded by urging her fans to share a "selfie of your beautiful self with no filters," adding the hashtag, "#PaulinasNoFilterChallenge."
Porizkova's post was met with applause for her compelling perspective.
"Thank you for sharing this! What a thought-provoking post. I think there's a lot of truth to what you're saying! Selfies can definitely be vain, but they can also be a form of expression or a way of connecting with others and feeling seen. No shame in the game!" one Instagram user commented.
Another wrote: "Wow! Interesting read! As I am an interior/landscape designer and hate posting pics of myself! I'm thinking about this! Thank you, beautiful lady!"
"Beautiful, brilliant and insightful!" a fan added.
"Gorgeous, and I love this reflection. Fascinating!" another shared.
One person commented, "Well said!"
In September, the anti-ageism advocate shared another inspiring note with her Instagram followers, admitting that, at times, she misses the attention she received for her beauty when she was younger, and that no longer meeting societal beauty standards due to aging "is not easy to accept."
"I do miss the attention," Porizkova wrote before revealing that as a model, her life revolved around representing "the physically perfect woman," but it was impossible to "measure up" and compared herself to her peers.
"It was probably when I felt the worst about myself," she explained. "Walk into a room and sweep everyone's breath away? More like, walk into a room knowing some people are whispering that you're not all that hot up close or in real life, that Elle has a better body, that Christie has better teeth, that Cindy has a sexier mouth.
"And now, when I finally appreciate what I had been given, it's in society's opinion I'm losing my beauty. God d—, I feel in my prime now!"
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
