Connie Britton Wants to Talk Feminism, Not Hair

Emmy red carpet reporters, take note! Don’t expect Nashville star Connie Britton to dish on her gorgeous hair; the star really wants to talk about more substantial topics. Britton pokes fun at the media obsession with an actress’s appearance in a cheeky mock commercial she made with the Representation Project’s #AskHerMore campaign. “After years of being asked about my healthy, shiny hair, I am thrilled to share my beauty secret with you. It’s feminism!” Britton gushes in the “ad.” “When used regularly, feminism has been known to produce amazing results such as: a woman’s right to vote, a woman’s right to her own body, a woman’s right to become a kick-ass athlete, the Violence Against Women Act … and more.”

The “Connie Britton’s Hair Secret” video was written and directed by Britton’s Nashville co-star Laura Benanti (who makes an appearance). The #AskHerMore campaign went viral during last year’s awards season and prods reporters to go deeper than questions about hair and makeup, instead focusing on a woman’s accomplishments. “While the red carpet is glamorous and can be fun, it is also a major cultural event, watched by millions of people,” says Representation Project founder Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “We want the red carpet to celebrate artistic achievements and not send the message that a woman’s value lies only in her youth, beauty, and sexuality. It is critical that reporters talk to these brilliant women about their ideas and not just their appearance.”

Britton has made a career playing strong, confident women. In a recent interview with Yahoo Beauty’s Editor in Chief Bobbi Brown, Britton reflected on why not focusing on the superficial has been a bonus for her. “I think I’m really fortunate because I never thought that my career or my value was based around my looks. I’ve always admired actors and actresses who are real chameleons, with work that is really much more about character and recreating themselves each time. So I think that has been a huge advantage for me. As I’ve gotten older, other friends of mine who are actresses, who are stunningly gorgeous — I see the toll that it takes if you place your value on [beauty].”

With actresses like Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Aniston, Elisabeth Moss, Reese Witherspoon, and Julianne Moore saying “no thanks” to the Mani Cam (or in Moss’s case giving it the finger), it looks like the conversation is shifting. Britton’s hair video is timed perfectly to get people talking in anticipation of the Emmys’ red carpet. Britton explains why she wanted to take the focus from hair to feminism: “Let’s destigmatize the concept of feminism and instead celebrate the true value of what women have to offer and the cultural importance of equality for all,” said Britton. “It benefits everyone … and makes your hair so shiny!”

Related:

Why ‘Nashville’ Star Connie Britton Stopped Looking in the Mirror

Why ‘Be a Man’ Is the Worst Thing You Can Say to a Boy

Patricia Arquette Is Fired Up About Women’s Rights and Ignoring Vanity

#AskHerMore: Why the Questions Shouldn’t Stop at the Mani Cam