I am not against the idea of looking sexy. But I don't like
I am not against the idea of looking sexy. But I don't like women being looked at as mere objects of sex.
Padmapriya Janakiraman, actress of courage and voice of conscience, once proclaimed: “I am not against the idea of looking sexy. But I don't like women being looked at as mere objects of sex.” In this declaration lies the eternal struggle between expression and exploitation. She does not scorn beauty, nor the joy of self-expression, but she warns against the reduction of a woman’s being to flesh alone. For to be admired is one thing, but to be dehumanized is another; and the line between them is drawn by respect.
The origin of her words rests in the world of cinema and performance, where women have long walked a narrow path between artistry and objectification. In the glamour of the screen, their presence is often celebrated, but too often stripped of dignity, made to serve the gaze of others rather than their own voice. Padmapriya’s statement challenges this falsehood: a woman may embrace allure, but she must never be chained by it. Sexiness, she declares, is not surrender, and it must not erase the fullness of womanhood.
History bears witness to this truth. In ancient Greece, women like Aspasia of Miletus were celebrated for their beauty but reviled for their intellect, dismissed as courtesans when they dared to engage in philosophy. Their worth was measured by appearance, while their minds were silenced. So too in modern times, countless women in the arts have seen their achievements overshadowed by commentary on their form, rather than their substance. Padmapriya’s words strike directly at this injustice: the human soul must not be hidden beneath the veil of objectification.
The power of her statement also lies in its balance. She does not denounce sensuality, for to do so would deny the truth that beauty is a force of nature. Rather, she insists that dignity and desire must coexist, that the body and the soul cannot be torn apart. To celebrate only the body is to deny the human spirit; to deny beauty altogether is to reject one of life’s gifts. Her wisdom is that the two must walk together, honoring the wholeness of woman.
Therefore, O seekers of truth, let her words be a guide. Do not fear beauty, but honor it rightly. Do not reduce a woman to a vessel, for she is also a thinker, a dreamer, a creator, a warrior. To see her as mere object is to blind oneself to her true power. But to see her as whole—body, mind, and soul—is to witness the divine itself reflected in human form.
DPDuy Pham
This quote speaks to the tension many women feel in navigating their appearance in a world that constantly reduces them to their looks. If being ‘sexy’ is seen as empowering, why does it still often feel like a double-edged sword? How can society support women in expressing their attractiveness without the expectation that they must conform to narrow, objectifying standards? How do we reframe beauty and attractiveness to include a broader range of qualities?
DVDang Vu
Janakiraman’s statement addresses a very real issue: the sexualization of women in various forms of media. But what happens when women are encouraged to embrace their sexuality as a means of empowerment, rather than feeling it is something imposed upon them? Can this shift in perception change the way we view ‘sexiness’ in society, allowing women to own their image without fear of being reduced to their physicality?
UGUser Google
I appreciate Janakiraman’s perspective that a woman’s appeal should not be confined to her sexual allure. However, what about women who choose to embrace their sexuality openly? Does choosing to present oneself as ‘sexy’ mean they are automatically objectifying themselves, or is it about reclaiming autonomy over their own bodies? How do we navigate the fine line between self-expression and objectification, especially when societal norms still often prioritize appearance?
HNHienf Nguyen
This quote feels like a powerful call for balance—celebrating femininity and self-expression without reducing women to mere sexual objects. But how can we create a culture where women’s worth is not contingent on their looks? Is it possible to embrace sex appeal while rejecting the limitations placed on women by objectification? How can society empower women to feel sexy without reinforcing harmful stereotypes?
TMNguyen Tuan Minh
Janakiraman’s view touches on the ongoing issue of objectification in media and culture. While there's nothing wrong with embracing beauty or feeling attractive, how do we ensure that women are not only valued for their physical appearance? Is the portrayal of women as more than just ‘objects of sex’ something that can be achieved through media, or does it require a deeper societal shift in how we view gender roles and empowerment?