Today’s celebration of women behind the lens reeks of corporate media’s desperate attempt to co-opt authenticity for clicks. Sure, let’s give a nod to talented figures like Jennie Kim and Rachel Zegler—who knows how to strike a pose—but can we just stop with the pandering? The mainstream narrative pushed by outlets like CNN and NBC often tries to frame these women as empowered icons, while conveniently glossing over the real issues women face in entertainment. Is displaying skin truly the pinnacle of empowerment, or just another way to feed the machine?

Then there’s Sailor Brinkley Cook, whose topless shot seems tailor-made for Instagram algorithms. Major networks happily amplify these moments, but I challenge you to consider: what’s the underlying agenda? Fox News will nod at this openness while ignoring the double standards women navigate in the industry. Male photographers capture alluring moments, and suddenly it’s art. When women embrace their bodies, it’s empowerment—until they’re derided for not fitting a particular mold.

The narrative here is clear: while claiming to uplift women, these platforms often commodify them instead. By celebrating only the surface-level achievements without addressing deeper issues, they risk perpetuating a cycle of exploitation disguised as empowerment. So, let’s question this so-called celebration. Are we lifting women up, or just propping them up as distractions in a world hungry for something more substantial?