My Body by Emily Ratajkowski

Rating: 5/5

Dates Read: 2022 (I didn't mark the dates unfortunately.)

    Emily Ratajkowski is a well-known model and actress who has gained global fame. She is also a political progressive, entrepreneur, and social media phenomenon. In her book, she reflects on her journey from fame and how it has shaped her thoughts on society's objectification of women. Her bold display of her body has been seen as a statement of feminist empowerment.

    "My Body" is a personal and thought-provoking exploration of feminism, sexuality, and power. Emily Ratajkowski shares her own experiences while diving into society's objectification of women and the reasons behind why women sometimes accept mistreatment. These essays shed light on the culture's obsession with female beauty, the troubling dynamics within the fashion and film industries, and the complex intersection between consent and abuse.

    “How had I already been introduced to the concept of competition between women before I had even learned to read?”

    I honestly didn’t know much about Emily before I read this aside from the fact that she was a model. I will be honest, I wasn’t sure I cared enough about her perspective to really connect with her book. I was really touched by her essays. She shares her experiences as a survivor of sexual violence and discusses how her body has been violated in various ways. She talks about the power dynamics she has faced as a model, from dealing with predatory photographers to being pursued by wealthy individuals. Writing this book was her way of reclaiming control over the narrative surrounding her image, which she never had before. It's about giving herself the freedom to be seen as a multidimensional person and to be taken seriously. It's truly empowering.

    I found this book to be a valuable and insightful look into the entertainment industry, offering a unique perspective that I hadn't encountered before. As a woman, I felt a strong sense of connection to many of the emotions and experiences described within the pages. It sheds light on the societal pressure placed on women to compete with one another and constantly scrutinize our bodies. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would definitely consider reading more from her in the future.