At the 2018 Golden Globes, Hollywood celebrities dressed in black in solidarity with the Times Up movement, although there were a few who did not get the memo and were criticized — including actress Blanca Blanco.
Blanco did not to take part in the initiative and wore red to Sunday's 75th Golden Globes. She wore a revealing crimson red dress that left little to the imagination. The dress had a thigh-high slit and a plunging neckline. Of course, her wardrobe caused a stir on social media.
The Latin actress received various reactions after she walked and posed for photos on the red carpet. There were those who criticized her for not wearing black. Some even went as far as suggesting that she was trying to promote sexual harassment with the dress she wore.
"......black or otherwise, #blancablanco's dress is vile. Cheap, tacky and attention-seeking. #goldenglobes #TIMESUP," wrote one person on Twitter.
"Blanca Blanco doesn't necessarily have to conform to the #WhyWeWearBlack dress code, yet to show up in a gown that's not only bright red but extremely skimpy seems like a crass f**k-you to the whole movement," added another on Twitter.
However, some also defended Blanco and said that she does not have to wear black to show her support for the Times Up movement. Her outfit also does not necessarily say that she is not against sexual harassment.
How hypocritical of people to criticize Blanca Blanco for wearing a dress that they say supports "sexual misconduct". I thought it doesn't matter what you wear?? If you're going to believe in something, believe it at all times, not when it's convenient for you.
— Natalie (@ilockyouforlife) January 8, 2018
Love the dress! Apparently we have a lot of people who find it appropriate to shame a woman for not conforming. It's ridiculous to claim that just because she didn't wear black to an award show she supports sexual harassment. Guess we're back to blaming the woman for her attire. — Amy Bennett (@aeb082917) January 8, 2018
Blanco herself has responded to the criticisms on Twitter. She also defended her outfit at the 2018 Golden Globes, saying that she loves the color red. She reasoned that just because she skipped wearing black it does not mean that she is not a supporter of the Times Up movement, an initiative that supports the victims of sexual abuse and harassment in Hollywood.
The issue is bigger than my dress color #TIMESUP
— Blanca Blanco (@blancablanco) January 8, 2018
"Wearing red does not mean I am against the movement. I applaud and stand by the courageous actresses that continue to break the cycle of abuse through their actions and fashion style choices. It is one of many factors leading women to a safer place because of their status. I am excited about the #TimesUp movement; true change is long overdue," Blanco said in an interview.
Blanco said that the criticisms hurt her feelings but acknowledged that it is part of being in the industry. She added that "shaming is part of the problem." There are those who appreciate you and there are those who do not.
Instead of getting worked up by the negativity, the actress thanked her designer Atria Couture for the amazing job done on her dress at the 2018 Golden Globes.
