Celebrities like Demi Moore, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts are some of the few stars who’ve worn swimwear bracing themselves from social media’s criticism. Luckily, they’ve not only received mean responses but also some supportive opinions that paint them in a good light.
Taylor Hackford and Dame Helen Mirren at the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors after-party on October 16, 2008, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
People like Helen Mirren, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Goldie Hawn, Eva Longoria, Susan Lucci, and Demi Moore, have faced social media’s wrath for daring to wear their swimwear in public. Pictures of the stars dressed for the beach had netizens divided in their opinions.
Helen Mirren’s Bikini Shot Was Taken by the Paparazzi
Dame Helen Mirren went on the record to multiple outlets to explain the photo of her posing in a red bikini with a white trim that went viral in 2008. That year, Mirren and her husband, Taylor Hackford, were on vacation on an Italian beach.
Dame Helen Mirren and her husband Taylor Hackford at the 79th Annual Academy Awards on February 25, 2007, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
The star said she and her director husband braved brought terrains going over cacti just to get to a swimming spot where nobody else was around, just the way Hackford liked it. The actress initially took a photo of her husband and, in turn, struck a pose for him. However, the moment she sucked her stomach in, she saw a flash in the distant hills and immediately dropped down “spread-eagle” on the rocks to get out of the shot of a perceived paparazzo!
When Hackford turned around, the photographer had hidden behind the cacti, leading the director to call his wife “paranoid.” Three days later, a photo of a 63-year-old Mirren looking into the distance hand held over her brow in a red bikini, was uploaded by a tabloid and went viral!
Helen Mirren at the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony and red carpet for the film “Jeanne du Barry,” in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Speaking about the incident a few years later on season seven of “Ellen,” the dame said the shot was “pure luck.” She shared, “I look at that picture and say, God, I wish I look like that. But I don’t.”
The actress explained that a week before the image was taken, she had been on a public beach with hundreds of people around in France, and no one bothered to take her picture! The host of the show, Ellen DeGeneres, joked about how we knew why Mirren was in such great shape from “scaling cactuses and mountains.”
Taylor Hackford and Helen Mirren at the 10th Annual LMGI Awards Honoring Location Managers on August 26, 2023, in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
Years later, people are still inspired and thrilled by the image. When the snap reappeared and Mirren was asked about it on television in 2019, the star, once again, clarified how she had posed for her husband:
“I tried to suck my cheeks in. I tried to look… good.”
Taylor Hackford and Helen Mirren at the red carpet for the movie “Madres Paralelas” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival, on September 1, 2021, in Venice, Italy | Source: Getty Images
In the comments of a Daily Mail post, readers expressed their appreciation for the stolen moment. “I can only hope that I look that good at 74!!” one gushed. “I would love to look that good now – let alone when I’m in my 70s!” another seconded. It should be noted that she was in her mid-sixties when the photograph was taken, which is by no means unimpressive.
“WOW, she looks amazing. I could only wish to look that good at that age,” one said. “She looks fantastic. If I sucked my stomach in, I still wouldn’t look that good in a bikini, and I’m 20 years younger than her,” an admirer pointed out. A second agreed:
“I’m at a loss for words. She looks gorgeous!”
“Now this is what aging gracefully means….. “ a reader ruminated, “Natural with no plastic bits. She knows her age and appreciates it and doesn’t hide from it. Good for her!” “She’s fantastic. And to all the other fake boob & booty gals out there, take a page from Helen’s book!” someone else added. “Finally, someone I can complement who actually deserves it!” a commenter wrote.
The Oscar winner has turned down all opportunities to monetize the viral photo. She said in 2014, on the dawn of her 68th birthday, “The truth is I don’t really look that good, it was just a flattering picture,” noting:
“I am beyond the bikini-wearing age, really. I wouldn’t normally wear one. I look like a woman in her 60s. I’ve always looked awful in a bikini, even when I was young.”
Likewise, on her reputation for being “sexy,” she conceded on another occasion, saying, “I think it’s probably going to follow me to my grave.” However, Helen Mirren is likely to keep making headlines with her view on rules. “It’s good to break your own rules on a regular basis,” she says. Next up is Julia Roberts.
Julia Roberts Judged for Being a “Plastic Princess” for Her Swimsuit Look
On December 25, 2021, Julia Roberts was spotted spending Christmas Day with her kids, twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and youngest Henry, and husband, Danny Moder, in Sydney. The movie star looked stunning along the sunny beach in a pink swimsuit. She glowed in the sun and appeared toned and tanned.
Roberts, who had just emerged from the sea after a swim, had dark sunglasses and looked relaxed as she took in the glorious sight of the beach. Fans who saw her gorgeous pictures were stunned by how amazing the actress looked.
Fans said the actress was “aging gracefully” and wished her good health and happiness. Someone else pointed out that the star was “naturally beautiful.” One online user commended Roberts for not turning her natural body into a “plastic princess.”
“She is still pretty woman,” another fan wrote. However, some fans felt Roberts’ swimsuit wasn’t flattering for her body. Still, a fan penned, “But for a woman that’s carried twins she looks amazing.” Fans who disagreed said the actress looked like an old lady who never worked out. The next celebrity who became viral for their beach look is male.
Matt Damon’s Called a “Perfect Jolly Fat Man” after Seeing His Beach Body
On September 24, 2023, Matt Damon, who starred alongside Julia Stiles in “The Bourne Identity,” and his wife, Luciana Barroso, spent time together at the beach. The film producer was pictured standing on the shore wearing sunglasses alongside his love.
Luciana and Matt Damon at the Clooney Foundation For Justice’s “The Albies” on September 28, 2023, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He appeared fit while walking shirtless on the coast of Miami, Florida. The actor, who was 52 then, showed off his six-pack abs and donned a gray knee-length swimsuit. Meanwhile, the mother of his kids, stunned in a light blue string bikini. She looked slim and toned in the attire that displayed her flat tummy.
The mom of four sported a white billed cap over long brown locks and accessorized with large hoop earrings and sunglasses for the outing. She and her famous husband were spotted conversing with other people during their outing.
That same day, the Daily Mail also shared a snapshot showing Matt Damon checking out his spouse on Facebook, alongside a caption that read: “More in love than ever.” Online users commented on the post, with one person writing:
“All husbands should look at their wives that way.”
While someone said, “Love is so delicious when you’re with the right person with you.” People have discussed Damon’s physique online in the past. In July 2022, one individual penned on Twitter now X, “So Matt Damon put on some serious weight.”
“[…] HIs wife looks amazing!” one Facebook user wrote. Meanwhile, one online user commented on Damon’s physical appearance, “Sorry, but Matt does not have a 6 pack. His wife, however, has an amazing body.”
“Matt Damon put on some weight,” wrote another person in February 2023. “Man, what happened to Matt Damon?” one user asked on the platform in July 2023. “Matt Damon is a perfect jolly fat man he’s just starting the process,” said another social media user in August 20223.
Meanwhile, some penned on X, “Matt Damon’s wife looks amazing.” The following star who showed off her bikini-clad body was criticized by some social media followers for how she looked.
Goldie Hawn Judged Harshly for Showing off Her Body
Hollywood blonde bombshell, mother, and grandmother Goldie Hawn was 77 in June 2023, and her dashing beau Kurt Russell was 72. The happy couple was spotted enjoying some seaside fun on a vacation trip to Greece.
Hawn sported a chic black one-piece swimsuit that showed off her legs, arms, and chest, while Russell wore some black and white board shorts. The iconic couple is known for their fun and carefree attitude that enables them to focus on living their lives to the fullest.
Hawn, in particular, is known for her happy-go-lucky personality, which she continues to embrace fully to this day. As soon as pictures of the couple’s Greece vacation surfaced, X or Twitter users took to social media to hatefully comment on the star’s appearance. Many mean-spirited people wasted no time in calling Hawn nasty names:
“No, not attractive. Look what happened to Goldie Hawn after she got her lips fattened. UGLY.”
The hate continued to swirl around social media as more pictures were released. Some commentators pushed the ugly narrative further and started discussing how Hawn’s appearance would give them nightmares before bed, stating:
“Goldie Hawn’s face is going to give me nightmares tonight.”
What haters have to say is entirely disregarded by not only Hawn herself but by her biggest fan, her partner, Russell. The happy couple has been in love and committed to each other for 40 years, and still treat their relationship as though they just first fell in love.
Eva Longoria Described as Getting Fat upon Wearing Her Bikini on Vacation
Hollywood star Eva Longoria is well known for her acting prowess, which has been showcased in numerous film and television projects. She has also made a name for herself as a film producer. Aside from her illustrious career, Longoria is a doting mom to her only son, Santiago Enrique, whom she shares with her husband, José Bastón.
The mama bear was spotted enjoying some sun on her Spain vacation in 2023. Pictures of the 48-year-old showing off her stunning physique in a pink bikini surfaced online. As the “Desperate Housewives” star had her “Baywatch” moment on the beach, she set the record straight, saying age is nothing but a number.
When people saw the photos of Eva Longoria rocking her two-piece, many began to state their opinions on what they thought of her appearance. Some were not pleased with how she looked. One person made a nasty comment about her body:
“She gettin’ chubby.”
Another person commented on her age and sarcastically referred to the media outlet reporting on her bikini photos as news. Although some had less pleasant things to say about the brunette beauty, others complimented Longoria. Some people shared that they thought the actress looked healthy and that her skin looked radiant. One Instagram user gushed:
“Omg, she looks amazing. She used to be tiny. Now she has curves in all the right places 👏”
Despite the negative comments concerning what people have had to say about Longoria’s appearance and age, the film producer has remained unfazed and continues to march to the beat of her own drum. In past interviews, the star has shared some insights into her perspective on late motherhood and aging.
By the time Longoria gave birth to her son, she was already in her 40s. Although some play into society’s controversial view on mothering a child past a certain age, the star felt differently. Of welcoming her child later in life, she disclosed:
“Santi was meant to be with me at this stage in my life. I’m patient, I don’t work as much—even if it doesn’t seem that way! It’s the right time.”
Regarding what she tells people who may struggle with embracing aging, Longoria says it is a mistake to waste any decade of your life worrying about becoming old. The sixth star who was criticized by netizens for her swimsuit look is Susan Lucci.
Susan Lucci Criticized for Bikini Look but Die-Hard Fans Come to Her Defense
In mid-2020, Susan Lucci posted a photo from the beach of her brushing her signature long brunette locks out of her face. The beaming 73-year-old was wearing a Michael Kors one-piece swimsuit with a light wrap around her waist.
“You look too thin and fragile,” a worried fan wrote. “Please take care of yourself.” Someone asked, “What happens to you? You are skin and bones! Are you sick?” A third agreed, “You are way too thin!!”
Daily Mail readers also had thoughts on her figure. “Tiny and very thin,” one opinioned, to which a user replied, “I agree – looks very unhealthy.” Another deemed the post “depressing.”
“Always elegant and beautiful!” an Instagram user countered. “She has always been very petite except when she was pregnant, and even then, she wasn’t very big,” one wrote in support. “Frankly, staying on the slim/thin side is far better for her.” They added:
“Certainly less wear and tear on your joints when you aren’t carrying excess weight. Glad to see that this lovely lady is doing well after last year’s heart issue.”
That was not the first time she sported the revealing designer swimsuit. The star was photographed wearing it in Harper’s Bazaar in 2018. Susan Lucci admitted to the magazine then that she felt as good as she had in her 20s and 30s!
Demi Moore’s Body Called “Saggy” by Online Critics for Wearing a Swimsuit
Demi Moore is now busy in her grandma era. The “Striptease” star was spotted on June 7, 2023, taking a family walk with her daughter Rumer and granddaughter Louetta in Los Angeles. Days earlier, on June 4, 2023, Moore had also taken a trip with her family to the farmer’s market.
The “Ghost” actress was accompanied by her daughters Rumer, Louetta and Tallulah, granddaughter Louetta, and the little girl’s father Derek Richard Thomas to Hollywood’s Farmer’s Market. As much as she is a grandma and spends more time with family, and also takes time to soak in the sun in her bikini.
The next time Moore was spotted in a swimsuit was when she was enjoying a Greek holiday in the Mediterranean on August 12, 2023. The then 60-year-old showed off her body in a sage green bikini. The bikini with a halter top and V-shaped bottoms showed off her flawless complexion.
The actress, who seemed to be makeup-free, had styled her long dark hair in a high but loose bun was having fun on the open waters, and splashed around the ocean while hanging on to a purple noodle floatie. After swimming, she went back on board.
Moore wore wide aviator-style shades to protect her eyes from the glaring sunshine, then toweled off and let her hair loose down to her neck. The star styled her bikini with a large blue pendant on a long gold chain around her neck.
Fans who saw her pictures criticized Moore for donning a bikini and showing off her “Alligator skin” and “droopy muscle tone.” Others said the actress looked “skinny” and “flabby” and had “wrinkles and cellulite.” One person noted that the star’s body was “sagging” except for her “fake boobs,” while another advised the actress to cover up, “Come on granny put your clothes on!!”
Some claimed Demi Moore should have worn yoga pants and crop tops, while another person said it would have been more appropriate if the actress had kept her clothes on. However, one fan defended Moore, “She looks amazing. No idea why people want to nit pick (sic) her.” Other fans said the actress’s body looked great at 60, while another individual said it was wrong for the paparazzi to take invasive pictures of her:
“She did not pose for them in an attempt to solicit comments on her body.”
Regardless, Moore seems to be enjoying life in her 60s. The actress doesn’t shy away from wearing bikinis despite previous negative comments from fans. She is also a doting grandmother who spends time with her granddaughter and kids.
