Debate over sexist red carpet questions continues; should fashion-talk be banned at the Daytime Emmys?

Posted Monday, April 20, 2015 2:25:33 PM
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Debate over sexist red carpet questions continues; should fashion-talk be banned at the Daytime Emmys?

More and more Hollywood celebrities are questioning the absurdity of fashion-related red carpet questions, even going so far as to call the trivial drivel sexist. With the Daytime Emmys quickly approaching, should the soap opera community take note?

"This is a movement to say we're more than just our dresses," explained Reese Witherspoon, who has tweeted in support of the #AskHerMore campaign and believes reporters should be asking actresses more thought-provoking questions than which designer they're wearing.

"Ask her about the causes she supports, not her support garments," says Lena Dunham in agreement of the campaign.

Even Shonda Rhimes, a writer for fan favorites like Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice, chimed in, tweeting, "Stop asking women questions about what they wear to cover the containers they carry their brains around in."

Red carpet questions should, of course, maintain gender equality. But the question is, do audiences agree with the sentiment that fashion-related questions are usually sexist? And would viewers and readers of this year's Daytime Emmy coverage be just as interested in other red carpet topics as they seem to be in red carpet fashion? (Other topics being, as Witherspoon tweeted, questions like, "What's the biggest risk you've taken that you feel has paid off?" "What accomplishment are you most proud of?" and "What potential do filmmakers and characters have to make change in the world?")

Those suggested questions have nothing to do with the traditional fashion-related inquiries and instead focus on who actresses are as human beings. And it's a turn Julianne Moore (ex-Frannie Hughes, As the World Turns) supports, as well, having recently refused to take part in certain fashion-related antics, including E!'s mani-cam at the SAG awards. "I'm 54 years old... I can't make my fingers walk. It's humiliating!" the Oscar-winner and former soap actress told Harper's Bazaar. "A guy asked me to lift up my skirt to show them my shoes, and I said, ‘I don't need to do that. Let's keep some dignity.'"

What do you think of fashion-related questions during awards events? Are they truly sexist? Do you think reporters should refrain from focusing on those types of questions and focus more on other topics? Or do you look forward to the fashion element in Daytime Emmy and other award show coverage? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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