For over three decades, Malaika Arora has been the ultimate symbol of fitness, fitness and style in the entertainment industry. In a poignant new interview, Arora pointed to the patriarchal mentality that subjects women to constant scrutiny regarding their age and intrusive questions that she notes are rarely, if ever, directed at men.
Malaika Arora talks about the gender gap in aging
During an appearance on The Right Angle podcast, Malaika Arora highlighted the stark disparity in how society and the media treat older men versus older women. Arora pointed out that while men are allowed to age without explanation, women are forced to constantly “check” their attractiveness levels.“What I find interesting is that women are constantly asked these questions about age, beauty and desirability, while men are rarely subject to the same scrutiny.
Women are always expected to justify their appearance, “Do you still feel beautiful?” Do you still feel wanted? How does it feel to be at this age? “These questions are never directed at men,” Arora said.Speaking about the evolution of her appearance, Malaika emphasized that her motivation comes from within, beyond the “sculpted” image the world sees on screen or social media.“For me, it was never just about physical appearance. Of course, that’s what the world sees first, but there’s so much more to it than that.
It’s about how you feel mentally, emotionally and spiritually. “It’s about what drives you, what motivates you to get out of bed every morning and seize your day,” Arora said.
Malaika Arora talks about challenging the age narrative
One of Malaika Arora’s strongest points was to criticize indirect compliments. She urged a shift in dialogue where a woman’s fitness or success is not qualified by her age.“She looks great for her age,” “She is very fit at this age, why is age always in the headline?” “I was myself then, I am myself now, and I will still be myself twenty years from now because I feel good, I feel strong, and I feel good,” Arora said.Malaika Arora, 52, insists she is nowhere close to being done yet. She describes her current stage as her “peak,” fueled by the desire to build a lasting impact for her family and her sense of accomplishment.“I don’t wake up thinking, ‘I look good today.’ That’s not how most women work. We wake up wanting to create, to contribute, to build something meaningful and to leave behind a legacy that our children and families can be proud of…
“I’m enjoying this phase of my life, I feel like I’m at my best, and I’m still hungry to do more,” Arora stated.It ended on an empowering note, as the businesswoman and yoga enthusiast encouraged women to stop apologizing for their ages and instead embrace their journeys with pride.“I think women everywhere need to wear this confidence like a badge of honor, without apology. We should celebrate ourselves, our journeys, and everything we continue to become,” Arora concluded.
Malaika Arora is on the work front
Malaika Arora was recently seen as a judge in the latest season of the leading dance reality show.