Ashley Judd fires back at media over "puffy face" speculation

Ashley Judd attends a Conversation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on March 14, 2012, in New York.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Ashley Judd is firing back at the media in a new op-ed piece, addressing recent comments made about her appearance.

It all stems back to March when the actress was photographed with what some media outlets called a "puffy face," prompting blogs and news organizations to question whether Judd had gotten work done. At the time, a publicist said Judd bad been taking a host of medications to battle a sinus infection.

Although her rep explained the reason behind the star's look, Judd still felt compelled to address the larger issue surrounding the media frenzy. In The Daily Beast op-ed article, Judd explained that she chose "to address it because the conversation was pointedly nasty, gendered, and misogynistic and embodies what all girls and women in our culture, to a greater or lesser degree, endure every day, in ways both outrageous and subtle."

Judd added, "The assault on our body image, the hypersexualization of girls and women and subsequent degradation of our sexuality as we walk through the decades, and the general incessant objectification is what this conversation allegedly about my face is really about."

The 43-year-old Judd then detailed five instances in which the media had questioned her appearance - from calling her a "cow" and a "pig," to saying Judd had "lost her familiar beauty."

Read the entire op-ed here.

Tell us: What do you think about Judd's stance?

[Jus_Sayin]

I agree with Ms Judd's comments about the media's hypercritical focus on women's appearance & the negative impact that has on women and girls But, Ms. Judd's face does have a puffy quality. As a fan of her new show I've noticed & wondered about it myself; not did she have work done, but is she taking some kind of medication. (Allergy meds doesnt's seem credible.) I think people can wonder about this without the curiosity being synonymous with criticism.

[Mike_in_USA]

Judd added, "The assault on our body image, the hypersexualization of girls and women and subsequent degradation of our sexuality as we walk through the decades, and the general incessant objectification is what this conversation allegedly about my face is really about."
This is Hollywood and the entertainment industry. If you don't like it, get a job!

[mari1963]

Her face has always been puffy. Big deal. You look fine, sweetheart!

[Nuff__said]

She has had a puffy face for longer than "recently".

[Bekahspice]

We all like to think we don't care what other people think, but the fact is we do. You can have 100 people tell you that you are beautiful, but it's the person who says you are not that you will remember. Ashley Judd is amoung the most beautiful women in the world... and a class act.

[LunaNana]

I agree whole heartedly. Women are judged by their looks too often, but we all are and guilty of judging others. Too often the media is unkind. Anything goes. Good for Miss Judd! I love her show and she is a beautiful woman. Doesn't do any good for younger girls and women to see this done to someone they could admire. She is so powerful in this show. Great going Ashley. I am a fan now more than ever. I am 68 and may have looked half as good as you when I was younger and wore make up. LOL Keep shoting that nasty media down. We are all with you. Besides what they call puffy looks young to me. Take care...A great-nana and loving it!

[judysworld]

Truer words are seldom spoken.....go get 'em, Ashley!