I Wrote this Open Letter to Sara Stewart in response to her open letter against Hollywood sexism in The New York Post back in May 2015.... seeing a piece in the paper that actually celebrated older women in showbiz gave me a glimmer of hope.
An Open Letter to Sara Stewart of The New York Post
First of all, I am OVERJOYED to see an age/female positive piece in The NY Post regarding agism in Hollywood. I was pleasantly surprised to read your open letter, it was brilliant. You see agism against women isn’t just a Hollywood problem… it’s an all around media problem. Unfortunately, it is occasionally a New York Post problem. I have been in the New York Post four times. Two of those times, I was age-shamed by the paper itself.
I spoke to The Post when a stranger sued me for $10,000,000 for singing in a P!NK Tribute Band he was once a part of. The 112 complaint had 13 very serious allegations against me including “Conspiracy For Fraud”. I came to the New York Post because my legal bills were over $3,000 defending myself simply for doing my job. I was told by my lawyer I could be fighting this for years. Despite the serious nature of the case, The Post focused on one small detail. He stated I was “too unattractive” to front the band. There was no mention of my age in the case, the NY Post decided to make it an issue, when it wasn't one. I woke up to the headline “Singer Sued for Being Too Old and Too Ugly for P!NK Tribute Band”.
http://nypost.com/2014/06/09/10-million-suit-bids-to-boot-mediocre-singe...
I was shocked to say the least. I tried to laugh it off and keep a brave face, but the devastation hit me months later. I had made it clear to the journalists that the Plaintiff had no way of knowing my age both before and after the piece ran. I wrote to the editor repeatedly to let them know that my age was a non issue. In fact, the band leader who hired me stated he was shocked when he learned I was 40. I honestly look like I am in my early 30’s.
The NY Post wrote about my case two more times. At this point, I had made it clear that my age was a non issue on countless occasions. Despite my clarity, I opened the paper to see my face AGAIN with the words “Too Old and Ugly Collette McLafferty…” underneath my photo.
When I reached out to the Post, they refused to retract their decision to make an issue out of my age. This story went viral worldwide…Perez Hilton, Daily Mail Uk, Star Uk, Hollywood.com, Arise Xchange, CBS Radio… all reporting that I got sued for being “Old and Ugly”. It is the first headline that comes up anytime a potential employer googles me.
It’s simply not true. I was defamed doing a job I loved. And there is nothing old nor ugly about me. Not by a long shot.
The combined shock and trauma of the lawsuit and viral media coverage resulted in Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD and loss of wages. At one point I was so traumatized by the situation that my room mate took care of me while I stayed in bed for close to 2 weeks. I have been working with a therapist to heal from this and there is a lot of work ahead. Writing has helped a lot. I have been writing like crazy.
I reached out to The Post because I needed help. I will always be grateful to The Post for covering my story, as I didn’t want to suffer in the legal system in silence. Now that I see the Post is open to standing up for older women in showbiz ,howver, I hope they will consider revisiting my story in a more respectful and truthful way. At the end of the day, this is a serious political story and The New York Post is more then capable of treating my situation as such. The "Old and Ugly" shtick sure did create a sensationalized 3 day viral story... but in a time when legal reform and corruption in Albany is making front page news, they could instead cover my story in a manner that could truly educate the masses. I'm sad they are going for the cheap shot.
I didn’t deserve the lawsuit and I didn’t deserve the caption “Too Old and Too Ugly” underneath my photo. I make it a point to say my age in interviews, so other older artists can see that age is something to be proud of, not ashamed of. But if the paper you write for is willing to shame me for my age (when it is unwarranted), how can Hollywood really hear what you have to say in your open letter?
It is my sincere hope that this issue is addressed and fixed one day. Thank you for reading my letter.
Collette McLafferty
