Amber Tamblyn candidly discusses her childhood surgery, struggles with beauty standards, and the importance of self-acceptance.
Amber Tamblyn opened up about going under the knife at just 12 years old. She got her ears pinned back after facing bullying at school in Southern California.
In a candid piece for The New York Times, she reflected on how, despite being a “fiery young feminist” who fought against patriarchy, she still felt pressured to conform to beauty standards.
She vividly recalled, “As a little girl, my ears stuck out like big butterfly wings” and how, because of the teasing, she often wished they would lie flat against her head.
In her first book, Tamblyn also discussed the absurd lengths women go to for societal approval, calling out how many end up with “noses like dead poodles” after such procedures.
She admitted that changing her body made her feel like a hypocrite, especially when it felt like she was wielding a knife in defense of her own worth.
It was all about fitting in and not standing out, as her ears once did.
Now at 41, she sees parallels with Demi Moore’s character in the film “The Substance,” who takes an experimental drug to regain her youth.
Tamblyn often wonders if she’d be happier today if she hadn’t succumbed to that youthful pressure.
She emphasizes that her experience—and the film’s message—go beyond Hollywood; they resonate with every woman, highlighting how societal sexism is ingrained from an early age.
She dreams of a different narrative for “The Substance,” one where Moore’s character embraces aging instead of chasing youth.
Such a story might seem radical now, but it’s a critical reminder of how far we still have to go in valuing self-acceptance and imperfections at any age.
Ultimately, Tamblyn doesn’t regret her choices; instead, she embraces a healthier relationship with her body, advocating for the collective strength in resisting societal pressures.