This Actress Won't Stand For Photographers Taking Invasive Photos Of Her Body
By Jaime LutzUpdated
Actress Natalie Morales is one of the stars of the new Billie Jean King biopic Battle of the Sexes, and at the red carpet premiere of the movie she wore a gorgeous Maria Lucia Hohan dress.
But even though her movie is about a high-profile feminist victory, that apparently didn't stop someone from taking a photo of her that she alleges was intentionally angled to get an upskirt photograph. Morales, though, quickly called the guy out.
Before this gets watered down or the word "vagina" gets censored out, here's my statement on this "wardrobe malfunction" b.s. pic.twitter.com/nE6CNAsovB
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 27, 2017
“Some places have been asking me for a statement about the tweets I posted yesterday regarding the photos of my ‘wardrobe malfunction,’” the statement reads in part. “I guess I could say ‘no comment,’ but I have a lot of comments so here goes: When I was sent the photos my first instinct was to ignore them and move on. But then I realized this must happen to women all the time, and this time, I am not going to let it slide. I am not going to let that photographer or the people that buy their pictures continue to believe that it’s ok. It’s not ok.”
The statement in full is just as fiery as the tweets Morales sent about the "wardrobe malfunction" the previous day.
So someone sent me photos of me having what they called a "wardrobe malfunction" at last weekend's premiere of Battle of the Sexes... 1/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
.. which was one of the happiest moments of my life thus far. These are pictures they PURPOSELY took up my skirt TO GET A SHOT of my vag 2/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
These are photogs who go to red carpets to take photos of women.. to what, embarrass them? Because they have bodies under clothes?... 3/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
So you're gonna come to an event that I've waited my whole life for, that I'm super proud of, to try and exploit my body? For your gain? 4/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
Not that it would be ok at any time, but you know, this specifically, is a red carpet, so I'm there for you. There's a silent contract..5/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
I'm there to promote my movie, you're there to take pics you can sell. Pics I'm POSING for, that I've agreed to. 6/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
Pictures of my face and body, covered in whatever way I see fit. I didn't pose for you to angle your camera up my skirt. And yeah, 7/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
It's a high-ass slit because I like the way my leg looked & I wanted to get me some of that Angie look, but I wasn't showing you my bits 8/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
Also, JOKES ON YOU, I was wearing skin colored underwear so you can't actually see my bits. But if you could? I wouldn't be embarrased 9/
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
But YOU should be. What a disgusting, horrifying job you have. 10/10
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
Morales also clapped back at Twitter users who tried to defend the photographer.
I didn't hold it open & show my vagina. I was walking. If they "accidentally" took a pic of something unintended they shouldn't sell it. https://t.co/hLWsUokcEG
— Natalie Morales (@nataliemorales) September 26, 2017
“So you’re gonna come to an event that I’ve waited my whole life for, that I’m super proud of, to try and exploit my body? For your gain?" Morales asked. Not on her watch, it seems like.