Why Kate Winslet Says No to Photo-Shopping

It's time for another scintillating edition of Celebrity News and Commentary for the Mature Set. Yes, these stars are getting older, but they still know how to grab the headlines, capture our attention, and make us think. In this edition, Kate Winslet says no to photo-shopping. Sophia Loren criticizes today's selfie culture, and Halle Berry proves that those of us over 40 can still have intriguing romantic lives. Let's get to it!

It seems like only yesterday a 22-year-old Kate Winslet stole our hearts as the dewy-skinned Rose in Titanic, but 18 years have passed since that film won the 1997 Best Picture Oscar. Winslet, who recently turned the big 40, has since racked up an impressive six Academy Award nominations for her acting prowess. But, even more awe-inspiring is the stand she's now taking against re-touched images of women in advertising. In her contract with the powerhouse makeup company, L'Oreal, Kate insisted on a clause in her contract that states there will be no doctoring of her photos. No that's a bold move that deserves our respect!

Kate learned about retouching early in her career when she received lots of criticism for a cover shot on Britain's GQ. Those in power at the men's magazine airbrushed Kate – a voluptuous woman who had always been candid about her weight struggles – so extensively that she was a mere shadow of herself with no hips, thighs, or curves. Winslet deflected the criticism, saying the retouching was out of her control. But, quite obviously, the issue weighed heavily on her mind and influenced her strong stance today.

Unlike many of her peers who fail to see themselves as role models for the younger generation of women, Kate fearlessly takes on that role. As the mother of a 14-year-old daughter, she accepts the responsibility that comes with being a famous actress and spokesperson. She believes that presenting doctored images of herself is lying to her young fans. She says: “I would always want to be telling the truth about who I am to that generation because they've got to have strong leaders We're all responsible for raising strong young women, so these are things that are important to me.” Wow, Kate, you blow me away! Thanks for the awesomeness.

Speaking of talented, voluptuous women, 81-year-old screen legend, Sophia Loren, made headlines this week when she bashed today's selfie culture in a recent interview. This woman of incredible substance said what a lot of us older folks have thought as we see the younger generation get caught up in the superficial and often mean-spirited world of social media. Bravo, Sophia, for speaking your mind!

Sophia was an international sex symbol during her hey day, making films in America, France, and Italy. She won countless accolades, including two Academy Awards. She has also been a successful businesswoman with a signature perfume and eyeglass frames.

In her interview with Page Six, Loren laments today's social media driven culture in which people become famous for selfies, not talent (sounds a lot like Kim Kardashian and crew to me)! She says: “In my time...an actress' merit and skill was based on her talent...I do not know much about social media, but it seems that that's what makes people famous. My era of Hollywood was much better – you were known for your skill and talent.”

Hear, hear, Ms. Loren! So glad someone of your class and stature is speaking out on this issue. Now, we need to get the word out to young people about the dangers of social media – how it's tied to depression, how it replaces real-life interaction, and how it supplants time spent on sports, hobbies, and homework.

When they were dishing out beauty and talent, Halle Berry got more than her fair share but when it comes to love, she always seems to come up short. The 49-year-old actress has filed for divorce for husband number three, French actor Oliver Martinez. Married since 2013, the couple have a 2-year-old son. With a penchant for dating sexy men with high-profiles, Berry's romances always seem to end on a similar bad note with her high-powered publicity machine reducing the men to bastards and Halle coming out smelling like a rose. Will it be the same with Oliver Martinez?

Halle married the hunky professional baseball player, David Justice in 1992. They divorced very publicly and acrimoniously five years later with Halle obtaining a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband. There was a lot of talk that Justice had physically abused Halle. She admitted to contemplating suicide after their break-up. When it was all said and done, Halle came out looking good: the heroic survival of a brutal relationship, strong enough to leave a brutal spouse and build a new life for herself. Was it all true or just cleverly concocted spin?

Halle married another high-profile husband in 2001, sexy R&B singer Eric Benet. Once again the relationship ended very publicly and very nastily. Halle received huge amounts of sympathy once again and Benet got branded an out-of-control “sex addict.” Poor Benet didn't stand a chance against Berry and her publicity machine. He was portrayed in the media as both a cad and an idiot for cheating on such a highly desirable woman. At the time of their split in 2003, People ran a story with the following headline, clearly siding with Halle: “Enough is Enough...After Struggling to Rebuild Her Marriage, Halle Berry Leaves Her Cheating Husband, Eric Benet – the Latest in a Line of Men Who've Failed Her. So Why Can't One of the World's Most Beautiful Women Find a Half-Decent Guy?” Who wouldn't want that kind of publicity?

Vowing she would never get married again, but longing to become a mom, Halle Berry chose Canadian model, Gabriel Aubrey, as the perfect male specimen to father a child. Their daughter, Nahla, is now 7-years-old and has seen her parents at war with each other for many years. Given their stormy break-up and seemingly unending battles over custody and child support, Halle may have wished she had just gone to a sperm bank!

Last year, the former couple was back in court over Nahla's hair of all things! Halle accused Gabriel of bleaching and straightening it. Once again, Halle came out looking like a heroine, the strong-willed mother fighting for her little girl's racial identity. Gabriel came out looking like a bigot, who was trying to erase any trace of his daughter's blackness.

It will be interesting to see how Oliver Martinez fares with his divorce from Halle. Will he dare to battle her for custody or will he return to his native France? Let's hope whatever happens, it's civil.

By saying "no" to photo shopping, Kate Winslet shows what it means to age gracefully. By criticizing the selfie culture, Sophie Loren shows what it means to have class and dignity. By having an intriguing love life after 40, Halle Berry shows that it's never too late to find and lose romance.Now wouldn't you rather read about these mature, intelligent, talented women than the Lindsey Lohans of the celebrity world? I'm counting on it because I'm already preparing the next edition. Thanks for reading!