'Descendants' Actress Dove Cameron Defends Her Bra-Less Selfies In The Name Of Feminism
If only she gave a sh**!
Instagram Dove Cameron — whose birth name is actually Chloe — is a 23-year-old Disney star. The other day, she posted two sexy photos to Instagram that showed the outline of her nipples. She was immediately bombarded with comments and criticisms by multiple concerned individuals. Her response? She changed the caption to feminist teachings from the book Singing Woman: Voices of the Sacred Feminine. Who is this badass young woman? Who is Dove Cameron?
1. She’s a Seattle, Washington native.
Cameron was born on January 15, 1996, to Philip Alan Hosterman and Bonnie Wallace. The two divorced before her father’s death in October of 2011. Her mother is a Bainbridge Island, Washington native, author, podcast host, entrepreneur and mother of two daughters — Emmy-Award-winning actress and singer Dove Cameron and acclaimed Hollywood vocal coach Claire Hosterman.
Before fame, Cameron attended Sakai Intermediate School. She started acting in community theater at Bainbridge Performing Arts when she was only eight-years-old. As a teenager, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she sang in Burbank High School’s National Championship Show Choir. She also spent some years in France!
2. She plays Mal in Disney’s “Descendants” franchise.
Mal is Maleficent’s daughter in Descendants, Disney Channel’s musical fantasy adventure-comedy films. She was very close with the late Cameron Boyce, who suffered from epilepsy and passed away from a seizure. Cameron also had a small role on the iconic TV series Shameless as Holly Herkimer for two episodes back in 2012. Other acting undertakings of hers include: a dual role as the eponymous characters in the Disney Channel teen sitcom Liv and Maddie from 2013 to 2017; Bekah in the 2018 movie Dumplin'; and the voice of Ella in The Angry Birds Movie 2 in 2019, according to IMDb.
3. She had the best clapback to her haters.
She changed her photos’ captions and then reposted supportive comments from her fans. Here are the fantastic quotes she included: “Women HAVE a history that has been systematically suppressed. Our collective spirituality has largely been tainted to fit the needs of men and those in power. This has a profound effect on the self-esteem of girls and the women they become. This influence can be seen in their life choices, partners and financial security for the rest of their lives. It also has an effect on the way their future partners will view them — and ultimately treat them. Our girls deserve better. The time to introduce feminism and woman-centered spirituality to ALL children is now.”
She also posted this one: “This is the age of the ascendant Feminine Principle. In such times as these, women are able to look at themselves with new concepts of value and brilliance. However you inhabit and express being Woman, embrace yourself in that way today!”
4. She’s dating fellow actor and Descendants co-star Thomas Doherty.
They’ve been together for more than three years, according to one of her Instagram posts. Despite urges from fans to “just get married already,” Cameron and Doherty are living their best lives, unencumbered by terrible relationship advice from strangers on the internet. Needless to say, marriage is not in the works. He’s extremely supportive of her and her career. In one Instagram caption, he wrote, “I’ve been in awe watching you grow as a performer/actor/singer, and inspired to have watched your dedication and commitment to your craft. I’m honoured to be your boyfriend, and experience your unconditional love, compassion, kindness and shocking yankee banter on a daily basis.”
5. Halle Berry received similar backlash for a gorgeous photo of her in a “NO BRA CLUB” t-shirt.
Get this — she’s not wearing a bra in it either. And why should she? It’s one thing to suggest that a particular outfit would look more flattering on someone with a bra on. It’s another to say that, on principle, females have to wear one every time they appear in person or on camera to the public. In court? Sure. In synagogue or church? Okay, yeah. On the personal social media page of a famous actress? Geez, back off. They’re not in high school, and you’re not the bra police.
6. Cameron is now part of a larger collective of actresses and artists who don’t give a damn.
Included in this list is: 1) Wendy Williams, who defended a picture Bow Wow posted of her in a black bikini to her audience on her show. “Please refrain from your body shame," she said. "You don't have to like it, but someone does." Her audience then burst into applause. 2) Camila Cabello, who avoided social media as much as she could earlier this month so she wouldn’t see hurtful comments and headlines, but unfortunately ended up glancing over one that body shamed her. In response, she set the record straight for what female bodies actually look like: “Girls, cellulite is normal. Fat is normal. It's beautiful and natural. I won't buy into the bulls--t today!!!! Not today satan and I hope you don't either.” 3) Bebe Rexha, who posted a video of herself performing at Hangout Music Festival in a black leotard that prompted tweets from individuals concerned about her weight. 4) Grant Gustin, who is indeed a male, also received backlash for not looking absolutely perfect in his Flash suit. I mean, how could he, right?
7. Dove's real name is Chloe.
According to IMDB, Dove' given name is Chloe, but her dad called her Dove or Dovey. After he died, she legally changed her name to Dove to honor him.
Leah Scher is an ENFP and recent graduate of Brandeis University. She's an alumna of the Kenyon Review Young Writer's Workshop the Iowa Young Writers' Studio. She's passionate about Judaism, poetry, film, satire, astrology, spirituality, and sexual health.