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Jessica Simpson Responds to Natalie Portman's Bikini Comments, Says We Shouldn't 'Shame Other Women for Their Choices'


Jessica Simpson posted a pointed response Wednesday (Dec. 5) to a comment made by Vox Lux star Natalie Portman about the impact a bikini pic of the singer had on her as a teenager.

The post came after Portman described to USA Today feeling torn by the "virgin/vixen paradigms" played up by the music industry around the turn of the millennium. "I remember being a teenager, and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine saying 'I'm a virgin' while wearing a bikini, and I was confused," she said. "Like, I don't know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl."

In Simpson's Instagram response, she wrote in part: "I was disappointed this morning when I read that I 'confused' you by wearing a bikini in a published photo taken of me when I was still a virgin in 1999," Simpson wrote.

Portman's quote, from a profile in support of her over-the-top Vox performance as a pop diva in the film that tackles the price of fame and scourge of gun violence in America, appeared to upset Simpson. In her Instagram post, the "With You" star added, "As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in. However, I was taught to be myself and honor the different ways all women express themselves, which is why I believed then -- and I believe now -- that being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex."

Simpson said she's always embraced being a role model for all women and encouraging them to look any way they want and wear anything they want and to have sex, or not, with whomever they want. "The power lies within us as individuals," she wrote. "I have made it my practice to not shame other women for their choices. In this era of Time's Up and all the great work you have done for women, I encourage you to do the same." A spokesperson for Portman -- who earlier this year shared a #MeToo story about an incident of "sexual terrorism" as a 13-year-old -- could not be reached for comment at press time.

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[Barbie Dangerous]

Love them both but Jess? def booked!

[D.I.E.G.O.]

The multi-millionaire business mogul has spoke. And that?s pretty much that.

[BAPHOMET.]

Natalie needs to watch her fucking mouth

[Vonc2002]

Natalie sounds dumb

[Kurama]

she kinda booked, who knew Jess' had it in her!

[The Brandy Barbie]

I don?t think she was dissing Jessica necessarily. That was the image that was being pushed by all the record labels and such back then. ?I?m so cute and innocent. Why don?t you bend me over and spank me. I?ve been a bad girl.? Mess that was in back in ?99. Britney was like 16 and posing with teletubbies in her underwear and swinging from poles in performances.

The world of pop doesn?t provide the best images for girls growing up. But it?s not really the girls. It?s the people behind them.

[BigDawg]

Natalie sounds ridiculous

[Freemala Harris]

[Barbie Dangerous]

Guys, not too much on Nat? she?s Kwee too. She just gave her experience with what she saw but Jess pulled it alll together.

[CHOKE]

I mean that?s cute and all but that still doesn?t stop a teenage girl from being confused by the contradiction of selling sex and promoting virginity

[long-timeXMasPartyFor2Fan]

welcome back Jessica! haha

[GLOCK]

Natalie please

[I. Hate. Monica.]

b at Natalie back tracking

[I. Hate. Monica.]

UPDATE: After this story was published, Natalie Portman took to the comments section of Jessica Simpson's Instagram post, writing, "Thank you for your words. I completely agree with you that a woman should be allowed to dress however she likes and not be judged. I only meant to say I was confused ? as a girl coming of age in the public eye around the same time ? by the media's mixed messages about how girls and women were supposed to behave. I didn't mean to shame you and I'm sorry for any hurt my words may have caused. I have nothing but respect for your talent and your voice that you use to encourage and empower women all over the globe."