𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭 & 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.
Last Thursday, Season 3 of #Bridgerton premiered.
Millions of fans, myself included, gravitate towards this 19th century Regency era period drama with all of its romance, intrigue & sumptuous costumes. 👗
And I found myself wondering what exactly it is that makes this show so appealing, particularly to a female audience.
And I think I figured it out.
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In recent years, we've seen a powerful shift in how women are represented in media, driven by the emergence of the 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐞.
Unlike the male gaze, which has long dominated cinema and often objectifies women as things to be conquered, possessed, and controlled, the female gaze offers a more humanizing & inclusive perspective.
It conveys feelings in a gentle, patient manner, focusing on anticipation, tension, & yearning.
In Bridgerton, it's characterized by a far more humanizing sexualization and allows women to express & satisfy their desires in a way that feels authentic and empathetic, making the series resonate with women who see their own experiences reflected.
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Similarly, #TaylorSwift's music exemplifies the female gaze. Her lyrics articulate the nuances of female desire—whether for love, success, or self-fulfillment— in an authentic & empowering way.
This shift towards recognizing and validating women’s experiences is not confined to entertainment alone.
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Female "finfluencers," are redefining financial literacy and independence.
Thought leaders like Tori Dunlap, Simran Kaur or Rachel Rodgers motivate women to take control of their financial futures, normalizing discussions around wealth and financial autonomy in a relatable and empathetic manner.
By doing so, they provide a framework for women to express and pursue their ambitions on their own terms, much like the narratives crafted by Swift and the creators of Bridgerton.
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Speaking of show creators: The one and only Shonda Rhimes (Bridgerton, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder) previously shared that a room full of old men (tv execs) had once told her that no one would watch a show about a woman who would sleep with a man the night before her first day of work.
It’s 2024 and Grey’s Anatomy is in its 20th season, making it the longest-running scripted primetime series in ABC history.
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So what does that leave us with?
We need to rethink how we treat women as consumers, (business) partners, employees, & overall contributors to society.
Respect over objectification.
Listening & acknowledging over patronizing & underestimating.
Flexibility, recognition & reward over ticking boxes.
The success of the female gaze in media underscores the power of empathy, authenticity, & inclusivity—qualities that should be integral to our professional lives.
Ignoring this is not just a missed opportunity - it’s a recipe for failure.
YESSSSSSSS! I can't wait to see the recordings! Tope ‘Icie’ Chiedozie CIPD.- looking Paxman-esque as always. 🤣