A 54-year-old has been blasted for stripping off online – flaunting her figure in colourful, but often skimpy, outfits.
Lou Featherstone regularly shares snaps and clips with her 98,000 Instagram followers, garnering praise from women who admire her confidence.
However, a recent video of her dancing outside in a tiny leotard, recreating a scene from the 1983 film Flashdance, sparked division.
Lou’s comment section was flooded with requests to cover up, with many pointing out her age and calling her “embarrassing.”
While not everyone appreciates her parading the streets in her underwear, Lou insists it’s all about empowerment – both for herself and for other women.
“My whole mission is to empower women to be themselves, find their confidence, and embrace their power in midlife,” the Londoner told What’s The Jam.
“It’s such a huge time of transition, and menopause is a journey.
“I try to inspire and motivate women to turn this next chapter into the best time of their lives instead of the dry, sexless, painful, grief-filled chapter we’re told it will be.”
Her way of doing that? Posting bold, colourful looks and embracing a no-topics-off-limits approach.
That includes donning lingerie in the streets of London, skiing in a swimsuit, or openly discussing unsolicited explicit messages online.
Making light of a company offering her a shower chair – typically used by elderly individuals or those with mobility issues – Lou wore a leotard and leg warmers while dancing to Maniac, the hit song from Flashdance.
“Initially, I said no to the job because I didn’t think I was old enough for a shower chair – and honestly, I was a bit insulted!
“But then I realised that if I was truly about busting age myths, I couldn’t only do it while I was fit and healthy.
“I’m either authentic in my message or not.
“So I took the job and decided to take the chair down to the local fountain in the park and recreate the most iconic shower scene I could think of – Flashdance!”
The video amassed over 225,000 views, but Lou was disheartened to see the flood of negative comments.
One read: “Put clothes on, please. Eww.”
“Someone arrest her,” another viewer wrote.
Another person commented: “Great to do this, but please cover up the old body… ya ain’t in yer 20s, love!”
“Maybe you could dance a bit more modestly. I don’t want to see your bare nanna cheeks,” another critic added.
Speaking about the backlash, Lou said: “The comments were horrendous.
“The worst part? Most of them came from women.
“Our internalised patriarchy has set us up in competition with each other. If we expect men to respect us, we have to stop tearing each other apart.
“I’m a self-love and confidence coach, and so many women are crippled with fear and anxiety because they worry about what others think.
“They live half a life, fearful of judgment, while sitting in judgment of another woman who’s living her best life.
“Not everyone wants to dance in a fountain in public – I do it to inspire and show people what’s possible.
“We are steeped in shame and fear, handed a rulebook as children about how a woman should behave and act.
“It’s outdated and ridiculous!
“So when some women see another woman being free and strong, they feel threatened, scared, and lash out.
“It’s classic bullying behaviour, but it’s so dangerous.
“I don’t get upset by men’s reactions and comments – sadly, I expect it from them.
“Often, men assume a sexy woman is simply after them or trying to be more attractive to men – when in reality, as I’ve learned to love myself and stepped into my midlife power, I want to dress sexy and be sexy for myself.”
Despite the backlash, Lou remains committed to sharing her journey openly.
She said: “I share my story in such a personal way because it took me so long to find my own confidence – I don’t want other women to go through that.
“I wonder how different my life could have been if I’d found my voice and loved myself harder in my younger years.
“My biggest hope is that I give women permission to love themselves.”
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