The year is already 2024, yet it seems like we haven’t progressed that much, have we? Because clearly, society still holds the same exasperating—and hypocritical—double standards when it comes to the way men and women dress.
Recently, the 96th Academy Awards show has been making rounds on the internet–from Robert Downey Jr. winning his first Oscar award and Ryan Gosling’s “I Am Ken” performance, to Emma Stone’s dress being broken and Messi’s, the adorable pup from the Anatomy of a Fall, appearance.
Truly, the 2024 Oscars had some of the biggest highlights, but perhaps the most-talked-about moment was the stunt pulled by John Cena where he appeared naked while presenting the prize for Best Costume Design. He went on the stage with his bare chest and an envelope covering his manhood, uttering “Costumes are…so important,” to the audience.
john cena introducing 'best costume design' NAKED at the oscars 😭 pic.twitter.com/DVCSFDlnto
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) March 11, 2024
The skit was a homage to the 1974 Oscars streaker Robert Opel, who had run naked onstage while David Niven was presenting British-American actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Despite the controversial nature of the act, Cena’s stunt drew bouts of laughter not only from the audience but also from people all over the internet.
Naked John Cena bit might be the greatest Oscar bit of all time
— MovieBoy (@movieboy69) March 11, 2024
Who knew we'd get a naked John Cena at the Oscars giving out the award for Best Costume?? "Costumes are SO important…" 😂 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/lXoZm1S6a1
— Neel Bhatt (@_Neelsreeldeel) March 11, 2024
Overall, very good #Oscars. Good winners, great speeches, a host who kept everything moving, naked John Cena, OPPENHEIMER dominating, and “I’m Just Ken”.
Oh, and it was fast and fun.
What more could we want? pic.twitter.com/niSKAPWqt6
— Kevin Wozniak (@kevflix) March 11, 2024
john cena just saying "costumes…" was funnier than any other joke at the oscars so far lmao
— Gaby (@aflairytale) March 11, 2024
JOHN CENA IS WILDING MAN LMAOOOOOO#Oscars pic.twitter.com/80nyOgrUPT
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) March 11, 2024
This nude John Cena bit is the best Oscars moment in a decade.
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) March 11, 2024
Haha wow #JohnCena
looks pretty naked! 👀😂This is the first good bit of the night #Oscars pic.twitter.com/WBvLlbbLOG
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) March 11, 2024
This kind of energy, however, was not seen when it came to Katy Perry, who was scrutinized for her ensemble at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music event.
The “California Gurls” singer was wearing a red strapless corset top paired with a matching skirt. What made Perry’s outfit bold was in the back of her dress revealing her black lingerie and her faux butterfly tattoo.
View this post on Instagram
This, unfortunately, drew the ire of many social media users, with some commenting that she should haven’t flashed her backside.
Now for some people, this might not be a big deal but frankly, it actually is. The different reactions received by both Cena and Perry exposed how double standards are still prevalent today.
a man does something, it's strategic. a woman does the same thing, it's calculated. pic.twitter.com/eeQoEmwIPL
— radical optimist jake (@giawpoet) March 12, 2024
If that envelope wasn’t there he’d still be praised, if Katy had more coverage she would still be attacked sexism in the flesh y’all…
— jetshark5 (taylors version) (@jetshark6) March 12, 2024
And, unfortunately, this isn’t the only case where men are being celebrated for wearing provocative clothing—or lack thereof—while women are being crucified by the public for doing the same thing.
Another similar example of this issue was when Kristen Stewart posed for a Rolling Stone magazine last February. On the cover, the actress was in a jockstrap with her hand inside her underwear, and predictably, many people shared their distaste for the magazine cover.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3VKCGhuHID/?igsh=MWwzMXJrd2ZmdDJxbw==
In fact, during the Twilight star’s appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert revealed that they were asked by CBS not to show the magazine cover because it “would not be a good idea.”
that was the perfect answer, i love that stephen colbert mentioned that this was against cbs' wishes and i love that he showed it regardless, and i love that he gave kristen a platform to say that. pic.twitter.com/F82DugxD0v
— ice (@kristensfilms) March 12, 2024
But you wouldn’t hear that feedback if a male celebrity did the same thing on the cover of magazines—showing off their bare physique with their hands touching their crotch or inside their underwear or pants. You would hear celebrations and praises because they are embracing their sexuality instead.
And remember when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed at the 54th Super Bowl halftime show in 2020? Instead of focusing on their superb talent, many criticized the two artists because of “what they wore” and “how they moved their bodies.”
But of course, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine—who performed at the 53rd Super Bowl halftime show and sang with no shirt on mid-show—didn’t receive this kind of backlash.
These are just among the overwhelming evidence of double standards plaguing our society. It’s honestly infuriating how these are still normalized, but what can we expect in a society with a patriarchal system?
Of course, they will put women to unreasonably higher expectations than men, undermining our abilities and credibility. And if we fail to conform to society’s standards and try to get out of the certain gender boxers they put us in, we will immediately receive backlash. Men, however, will always be rewarded—even if they only do the bare minimum.
As Taylor Swift, accurately, puts it, “A man does something, it’s strategic. A woman does the same thing, it’s calculated. A man is allowed to react, a woman can only overreact.”
As far as we’ve come a long way in advocating for equality and creating an inclusive space for everyone, there’s no denying that there is still so much work that needs to be done. These double standards are forms of sexism and misogyny, which only reinforces inequality. So it’s time that we put an end to it—for good.
Other POP! stories that you might like:
Commentary: Why can’t we just let people enjoy things?
Hollywood degeneration? Or are we just not accepting of artists’ change in creative direction?
Madonna apologizes after unintentionally calling out a fan in wheelchair to stand up
Olivia Rodrigo giving out emergency contraceptive pills at her concert has the internet divided
