Demi Moore's always been a polarizing figure; either you love her particular brand of ballsy, unapologetic, women-can-do-anything-men-can and -oh-yeah-they'll-do-it-while-wearing-high-heels-too success, or you find her obnoxious, over-confident, narcissistic, and unworthy of all the fuss. Plastic surgery rumors have dogged Demi for years, and it doesn't take a genius (or a surgeon) to determine that, yeah, she's had some...despite her recent denials. (Anybody in possession of a pair of eyes and an internet connection can quickly drudge up evidence of assorted procedures. Has she had her knees done? Who knows? Who cares?) What I find much more interesting is the attitude toward cosmetic enhancements in Hollywood -- or in general. I'll let you in on a secret: nearly everybody you see on a movie or TV screen has had something done, whether it's a few minor injections of botox or a sampling of more intensive procedures like rhinoplasty, eye lifts and breast implants. Plenty of people, both famous and non-famous, do it... yet almost nobody fesses up. Why the zipped lips and fear of judgment, celebrities? You're not out there raping and pillaging! Of course, there are many problems with the increased plasticization of our society, and the fact that Hollywood and the media are hell-bent on churning out female "stars" that were made from the same Playboy Approved! rubber stamp is reason enough for massive concern. The hysteria over plastic surgery and botox paints with overly broad strokes, however, placing women with healthy self-esteem who have made informed, confident decisions about improving an aspect of their appearance in the same category as, say, Pamela Anderson. Or the Cat Lady. The celebrities I most respect are the Patricia Heatons and Aisha Tylers and Jamie Lee Curtises -- some of whom have had surgery, some of whom haven't -- who all are vocal about the fact that what you see onscreen and in magazines isn't real. It takes a village to look like that: hairstylists, makeup artists, colorists, fashion assistants, art directors and, yes, sometimes plastic surgeons. There's nothing wrong with wanting to realistically and objectively improve your appearance. But if you lie about it, celebs of the world? That's when I'll start judging. The women who, for better or worse, look up to you deserve the truth -- and it's not "I was born looking like a porn star."
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