Beauty

15 Beautiful Women Who Embraced Their Smaller Breast Size Instead Of Opting For Implants

In a world saturated with images of idealized beauty standards, the pressure on women to conform to a certain body type can be overwhelming.

By Simone Sydel6 min read
Getty Images/Frazer Harrison

Breast size has sadly been the topic of many debates and even more insecurities for decades. And, due to the media's relentless portrayal of a certain breast size as the epitome of beauty, many women have fallen victim to this premise and resorted to painful and life-altering breast augmentation surgeries in order to meet said standards, often at a high personal cost.

But amidst the clamor for uniformity, a growing number of influential women are championing the beauty of natural bodies and embracing features that are often considered unappealing yet completely natural. So we would like to highlight 15 beautiful women who stand as beacons of positivity and unrelenting confidence, despite many of them being shamed for their body features or downright asked to change them.

Keira Knightley

The British actress, despite being considered one of the most beautiful women on the planet by many, has openly expressed her discomfort with her physique due to insecurities fueled by the pressures of Hollywood beauty standards.

In a lighthearted but nevertheless poignant way, Keira Knightley has queried if being called a "tomboy beanpole" should be flattering and pondered the possibility of a "sexy beanpole," highlighting her approach to discussions about her body.

The actress has also stated that she's had her body manipulated for many different reasons, whether for film posters or paparazzi photos, and has even claimed that she'd only go topless "so long as you don't make them any bigger or retouch."

Audrey Tautou

French actress Audrey Tautou, celebrated for her role in Amélie, possesses a timeless beauty that challenges contemporary norms. So much so that her petite figure and natural appearance have become her trademark, showcasing that charm and allure come in all sizes.

However, like many gorgeous women in the industry, Tautou's body has been the target of criticism, which is, unfortunately, a factor that deterred the actress from pursuing a Hollywood career because she did not want her body being scrutinized.

"People staring at every single millimeter of your body and what you wear, it is a huge pressure. Some people are happy with that, but me, non," says Tautou, who remains steadfast in her body positivity while continuing to champion the beauty of being true to yourself.

Natalie Portman

From a delicate ballerina to sporting mighty Thor arms, Natalie Portman's body has been through many changes throughout her career. But, despite millions of fans admiring her talent and beauty, Portman has also faced her share of body scrutiny and has been taunted with speculations of going under the knife after her breasts suddenly increased as a result of pregnancy.

But despite this, Portman remains an advocate for natural beauty and a sense of self that is grounded in authenticity and serves as an inspiring example of self-acceptance and confidence, both as an actress and in her personal life.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson wears her petite frame with undeniable poise. However, that's not to say that she hasn't experienced firsthand how society's expectations for women's bodies can be toxic. In fact, the actress has openly spoken about her frustration with sexualized media scrutiny and the relentless objectification of women's bodies that she endured, even when a minor.

What's more, Watson has frequently been the target of AI-generated images of a sexual nature, often portraying her with massively enhanced breasts and followed by comments about how perfect she would be if that were her reality.

Through it all, Watson has remained a trailblazer in championing women's rights and celebrating natural beauty while encouraging young women around the world to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and reject society's narrow beauty standards.

Zendaya

Former Disney Channel actress-turned-Marvel Studios star Zendaya has grown into a beautiful and iconic figure in Hollywood. But despite being a relatively unproblematic persona in the entertainment industry, the young actress has, similarly to many on this list, been on the receiving end of speculations over her physique.

While Zendaya has never outright denied getting plastic surgery, the Euphoria star has a reputation for her confidence and has said that "becoming comfortable within yourself takes time and is a process," whereas pretending to be something you're not is much more exhausting.

Ana De Armas

Though not a stranger to changing her appearance over the years, Ana De Armas' figure and chameleon-like ability to transform her physique have been the subject of much debate. And despite numerous speculations on the work she has or hasn't done, the Blonde actress has never commented on her body or surgeries and is much more focused on building a career that doesn't prioritize her body. Instead, she offers an inspiring example of being comfortable in your own skin and embracing the beauty that comes with authenticity.

Margot Robbie

Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie has become known not only for her talent but for her breathtaking beauty as well. But despite being considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Robbie has also faced her fair share of objectification. In fact, she has openly expressed her frustration with being sexualized, pointing out that this was a major concern of hers during the filming of the massively successful Barbie movie. "She is sexualized. People can project sex onto her," Robbie told Vogue in an interview.

Yet, despite the challenges of being a woman in the film industry, Margot Robbie remains a strong advocate for women's rights and has continued to break barriers with her talent and unwavering confidence, regardless of how many people may think she is “mid” or would look even better if she enhanced her breast size.

Eva Longoria

A far away cry from her best-known role as Gaby Solis, a desperate housewife obsessed with her looks and absolutely terrified of aging, actress Eva Longoria has not only utilized her platform to encourage body positivity and reject the toxic standards perpetuated by Hollywood but lives by her standards by rejoicing in the beauty of aging and not folding under the pressure to enhance her body.

“I associate aging with wisdom and experience and maturity,” Longoria said in an interview.

Proud of her body and the journey it's been through, Eva Longoria has become a symbol of strength and empowerment for women of all ages, proving that true beauty arises from within.

Alicia Silverstone

At the height of her fame, Alicia Silverstone was a symbol of sex appeal and teenage idolization. That's not to say she didn't come under the same intense scrutiny for her body as many other women in Hollywood. Despite being known for her stunning figure and beauty, Silverstone has faced criticism and pressure to maintain a certain appearance.

But as she matured and embraced a more holistic approach to health, Alicia Silverstone has become a fervent advocate for body positivity and self-love, even gaining a viral moment for giving a body-shaming photo of herself on social media the middle finger back in 2022.

She has also stood firmly against allegations that she has been under the knife, saying that she wants to be an example of what aging healthily looks like. "I don't want to put anything in my body. I want to age naturally. I think that on film, I would like to represent humans," shared the Clueless actress.

Brooke Shields

From being the face of Calvin Klein jeans to her iconic role in Blue Lagoon, Brooke Shields has been praised for her stunning beauty and sensual appeal. Yet, she has not only faced unfair expectations and criticisms about her body since she was a young model but has had to deal with predatory behavior and exploitation from other members of the industry.

Despite this, Brooke Shields continues to use her platform as an actress and activist to celebrate natural beauty and promote positive body image. In a 2023 interview for Glamour, she shared her journey to self-love and how she has learned to embrace her body in all its stages, from motherhood to aging.

"I think it’s easy to go down the slope of overdoing it," Shields said about plastic surgery. "I’m scared of not looking like myself. I don’t want to chase youth. I want to chase now." 

And by doing exactly that, Brooke Shields has set an example of grace and beauty that comes from within rather than conforming to societal expectations and pressures for physical perfection.

Jennifer Lopez

At 54 years old, Jennifer Lopez is still turning heads and making headlines for her stunning beauty and fit physique. But despite the constant speculation about her body and whether or not she's had cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery, JLo remains proud of her appearance and has been an outspoken advocate for women embracing their bodies.

"As you get older and you have more experience, you become a richer human being, and you have more to offer. The idea of ‘There’s nothing really valuable about watching a woman over 30’ is so ridiculous; it’s the opposite of right. It just makes me laugh," she told Elle in an interview last year.

Besides being proudly natural, Lopez is known for taking what some would call "extreme" measures of self-care, including adhering to a strict healthy diet, regular workouts, and a disciplined lifestyle, all aimed at promoting self-love and a healthy body image.

Gwyneth Paltrow

As one of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow has had her fair share of scrutiny and expectations placed upon her appearance. However, she has also been able to use her influence to promote positive body image and self-love, despite the pressures of the industry.

She has previously opened up about her experience with cosmetic procedures, saying that she appreciates her natural aging process while also focusing on remaining healthy by eating clean and maintaining a regular exercise routine.

The Clean Plate author also advocates for holistic wellness and the importance of taking care of yourself both mentally and physically and puts a strong emphasis on the importance of self-acceptance and not succumbing to societal beauty standards, especially when they come with expectations of drastically changing your body.

Rachel McAdams

Despite being praised for her stunning looks, Rachel McAdams has faced criticism and pressure from Hollywood standards concerning her weight and appearance.

In a fierce effort to stick to her guns about offering a realistic representation of her body, The Notebook actress requested the images from a recent Bustle photoshoot be edited as minimally as possible.

She also represents a rarer side of Hollywood by saying that being a mom is more important to her than anything else and that "everything about motherhood is more interesting, exciting, and inspiring."

Jasmine Tookes

The queen of understated fashion, beauty, and femininity, Victoria's Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes has made a name for herself in the modeling industry while staying true to her natural appearance.

Through her social media platforms, Tookes has been vocal about embracing her natural features, including her freckles and stretch marks, while encouraging women to love their bodies and be confident in their own skin.

Additionally, when she's not inspiring us with her stunning outfit choices on Instagram, she also practices a balanced approach to her health and fitness routine, emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental wellness.

Rooney Mara

While not someone who entertains rumors, especially when it comes to her physical appearance, Rooney Mara has certainly been on the receiving end of harsh comments prompted by her incredible transformation into Lisabeth Salander.

Despite the criticisms and speculation about her weight and potential cosmetic procedures, Mara radiates a strong sense of confidence and self-love, no doubt bolstered by the unwavering support of her fiancé, Joaquin Phoenix, and their shared commitment to living a sustainable lifestyle.

Are Beauty Standards Finally Shifting Toward a Healthier Narrative?

In recent years, we have seen an obsession with harmful cosmetic procedures such as BBLs and breast augmentation, with results that are oftentimes botched and can potentially be life-threatening by causing blood clots, infections, and other complications, including breast implant illness, a debilitating condition that affects thousands of women.

Now, it seems that we are starting to see the downfall of these procedures, as more and more women, celebrities included, are not willing to put their lives in danger to fulfill an idealized version of what their bodies “should” look like.

So, with more celebrities remaining true to themselves when it comes to their looks and influencing their fans to do the same, can we finally start hoping that this shift toward celebrating natural beauty and individuality will gain momentum?

Closing Thoughts

The pressure on celebrities, especially women, to maintain a certain appearance is not a new phenomenon. But it's refreshing to see more and more voices taking a stand against unrealistic beauty standards and instead promoting self-love, acceptance, and individuality.

It's time to accept our bodies for what they are – a unique representation of ourselves – and reject any unrealistic expectations placed upon us by society or even by our own insecurities. After all, true beauty comes from within, and it's important that we recognize that in ourselves and others. 

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