A sex symbol is generally defined as a person (typically a celebrity) who is, in simple terms, widely considered to be sexually attractive. In almost all cases, sex symbols are known for not much more than their physical appearance, regardless of how talented they may be or what they stand for as a person. Marilin Monroe, James Dean, and Megan Fox are just a few examples of individuals who are successful in their fields and have accomplished so much in Hollywood. Yet, their main claims to fame seem to be for the oversexualized narratives placed on them by the media.
The lifestyles of sex symbols in Hollywood have been glamorized and idealized for decades with stereotypes and assumptions about their character being broadcasted through the media. However, the reality of sex symbols in Hollywood is not as glamorous as we may assume it to be. This idea was recently addressed by Megan Fox when she appeared on a popular Podcast “Call Her Daddy” hosted by Alex Cooper.
Forced Narratives
In a recent episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast released March 19th, Host Alex Cooper sat down with Megan Fox to discuss a variety of topics including how Fox has been sexualized in the media for years. Fox shares how she never wanted to be viewed as this “Sex Symbol” character that she was painted to be in the media.
“I’m being acknowledged for something that I don’t identify with,” said Fox. “It’s like forcing me to wear a character that I wasn’t trying to wear.”
Megan Fox on Call Her Daddy
“You assign the character to me and then you torture and demonize the character. And I was never her. You created her and then you murdered her.”
This interview speaks to the fact that the sex symbol label that the media places on celebrities can have damaging effects on their mental health and is not a narrative that they choose to have placed on themselves.
The Sexism Behind Sex Symbols
In the same interview, Cooper shares a quote from an article written about Megan Fox in which she was described as “a screensaver on a teenage boy’s laptop, a middle-aged lawyer’s shower fantasy, and a sexual prop used to sell movies.”
While both men and women are hyper-sexualized in Hollywood, the attitudes towards these sex icons and how this label influences their careers are noticeably different. Women who are regarded as sex symbols are often demonized and criticized, two prime examples being Megan Fox and Marilin Monroe. Women tend to be tied to their sexual appeal to the point that it is entwined with every project they are a part of.
‘Many actresses have spoken to this fact, discussing roles where they were unnecessarily sexualized for no good reason. Their sex appeal is always mentioned first and their success and talent second. This is a pattern that is common for hyper-sexualized females in the public eye.
In contrast, for male sex icons their sex appeal is just an added layer to their success. Male sex icons are still commonly cast in highly complex roles that do not require them to be hyper-sexualized, and they are still regarded as talented actors or singers before they are regarded as sex icons. For men their sexual appeal is something to be celebrated, People magazine even has a whole award dedicated to it. Meanwhile, for women, it is more often a stigma they are diminished too.
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