In an industry known for its rigid beauty standards, Debra Messing has been a trailblazer in challenging those norms.
During the recent MAKERS conference in Paso Robles, Messing shared a shocking incident that occurred early in her career.
While filming a love scene with Keanu Reeves for the movie “A Walk in the Clouds” in 1995, the director, Alfonso Arau, abruptly halted the shoot.
He exclaimed, “Cut!
How quickly can we get a plastic surgeon in here?
Her nose is ruining my movie!”
This unexpected criticism left Messing devastated.
Having just graduated from acting school and feeling confident in her abilities, Messing was unprepared for such a harsh critique.
She had studied in London and acquired a range of skills, only to have her self-esteem shattered by Arau's comment.
“I was reduced to an un-Hollywood nose,” she recounted.
Over the years, Messing has come to accept and embrace her unique features.
However, this journey towards self-acceptance was not easy.
She realized that the entertainment industry and society as a whole have a narrow definition of beauty and constantly impose unrealistic standards on women.
Messing expressed her frustration, stating, “There is a very narrow definition of what a beautiful, vital, vibrant, interesting woman looks like, and that's the thing we're constantly fighting against.”
At the MAKERS conference, Messing bravely shared her experience for the first time during an after-dinner performance.
She expressed pride in her personal growth and her ability to confront the difficulties she had faced.
“I'm still standing,” she declared.
During her speech, Messing also revealed another troubling incident involving Arau.
He coerced her into doing an unplanned n^de scene and then callously dropped the sheet covering her without a word.
The irony was that the n^dty was ultimately not even used in the final cut of the film.
Messing described this as a “power play” meant to demean and strip her of her pride and power.
Despite these challenges, Messing has persevered, and her career has thrived.
Nine years after “A Walk in the Clouds,” she encountered Arau on the street.
He praised her performance in the film, but Messing chose to leave him behind and move forward.
In closing, Messing proudly declared, “I have a strong nose, I have small bre-sts.
I'm a fucking original.
My nose and I have come this far, and like Barbra Streisand, I'm defiantly keeping it.”
Indeed, Messing has had the last laugh.
Her beloved character, Grace Adler, will be returning to television screens in the upcoming 2017-18 season after a decade-long hiatus.
According to Messing, the reboot of “Will and Grace” will tackle current political, socioeconomic, and pop culture issues, just as the show did in its original run.
Debra Messing's story serves as an inspiration to women everywhere, encouraging them to embrace their individuality and challenge societal expectations.
She has proven that true beauty lies in authenticity and self-acceptance, and her resilience is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself in the face of adversity.
