CULTURE
We Should’ve Listened to Julia Fox
By: Arieza Maglalang Edited by: Rezi Ubogu
The Grammy Awards are always a hot topic, and this year, the buzz wasn’t just about the winners—it was about the unexpected arrivals, with some guests leaving little to the imagination. Bianca Censori’s sheer nude look definitely stole the spotlight, but not for the reasons she probably hoped. The internet couldn’t stop talking about it, and let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly glowing praise. It brought to mind a similar situation from a while back with none other than Julia Fox.
Back then, Fox was under heavy scrutiny for her eccentric fashion choices and her very public relationship with Kanye West. The media essentially treated her like a side character in his storyline, and all anyone could focus on were her outrageous outfits. But fast forward to today, and those same people who once mocked her are now chanting “I’m so Julia,” the iconic tagline line from Charli XCX’s Brat album. What changed? Well, Fox did. She stopped being seen as just Kanye’s girlfriend and started owning her own narrative, embracing her individuality and building a dedicated following who loves her for her unapologetic, offbeat style.
Fox’s rise to fame was tied to her relationship with Kanye, but it was clear that it was mostly Kanye’s doing. At the time, she was a constant subject of the media’s focus, largely due to Kanye’s controversies. Yet, what the media overlooked was that she was more than just his arm candy. She had her own career, like her standout role in Uncut Gems with Adam Sandler, but nobody was talking about that.
Fox, however, quickly caught on to this reputation. What the world saw as her quirky PR moments, she saw as compromises. After their relationship ended, Fox revealed that she felt like a puppet, or circus act. Kanye had pushed her in controlling ways, such as suggesting cosmetic surgeries. When Fox and Kanye split, she made sure to step into her own spotlight and establish herself as a confident, bold figure.
Fast forward to the present with Kanye’s current girlfriend, Bianca Censori, who’s arguably in a similar place Julia Fox once was. Whether or not Censori personally picked that nude look for the Grammys red carpet, Kanye’s influence lingers. When he defended her outfit on X (formerly Twitter), saying it was “her choice,” it still felt like he was still pulling the strings. This dynamic puts Censori in a difficult position, where every mention of her and Kanye together seems to reinforce how much control he has over her. The optics of her standing beside him in a barely-there outfit while he’s fully suited up don’t exactly send a message of empowerment, rather one of imbalance and control.
Now, Julia Fox has proven that you can break free from being someone’s accessory and make your own path. Her journey from Kanye’s arm to owning her image is exactly what sets her apart. Bianca, on the other hand, still seems tied to the narrative Kanye’s crafted for her, and that’s where things get tricky. The real conversation needs to shift away from just looking at her through the lens of Kanye and instead focus on her, her choices, and how she can carve out her own identity—just like Fox did.
It’s no secret that we’re in an era where women’s bodies in the media are getting more attention, and the conversation is starting to shift towards empowerment and choice. Pamela Anderson has made a huge splash with her new role in Showgirls, a project that celebrates her body in all its glory, and the praise has been pouring in. Further, Mickey Madison's performance in Anora is getting major buzz this awards season. These successes alone prove that women’s bodies aren’t the taboo topic they once were.
But here’s the thing: the conversation isn’t just about showcasing a woman’s body. It’s about choice. Women like Julia Fox, Pamela Anderson, and Mickey Madison are getting attention because they’re confident in their choices and unapologetic about expressing themselves. They have control over how they present themselves, and that’s what makes them empowering figures.
So, while we’re in a time where women’s bodies are more visible in the media, it’s all about whether those women are making choices on their own terms. Bianca Censori still has a long way to go before she can gain public trust in her claims to autonomy, and it’s time we let her start telling her own story, free from Kanye’s narrative. A person’s real power lies in owning their decisions, and that’s something Julia Fox knows all too well.
