Why Global Citizens Should Care
A basic tenet of gender equality — and of the UN’s Global Goals — is that women’s bodies are their own, and theirs alone. But there will always a man with an opinion about what women can and can’t do with their bodies, and there will always be feminists on hand to show him the light. Take action here to stand with women around the world. 

First, Piers Morgan came for Ellen Degeneres, without reply.

The British television personality wasn’t happy that he was criticised for complimenting the legs of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here host Holly Willoughby — so he called the Ellen host a “hypocrite” for celebrating men with a “drooling” montage on International Men’s Day. 

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Then, he came for Little Mix —  the all-girl group whose track “Joan of Arc” on new record LM5 features an accusatory male voice questioning, “Oh, you are the feminist type?”, with the lyrical riposte, “Hell yeah, I am!”

Previously, Morgan had squealed in hysteria at the naked photo shared by the band as they announced their new album. It provoked Little Mix to call Morgan an “idiot”, among other things, in an interview with Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1. Morgan then played the clip on his daily TV show Good Morning Britain, demanding an apology.

“There's no need for young female pop stars, with millions of young female fans, to use nudity to sell records,” Morgan later tweeted on Wednesday evening. “It's tacky and sends the wrong message.”

Read More: Piers Morgan Mocked 'Emasculated' Daniel Craig — But Dads Everywhere Fought Back

But then, Icarus-like, he came for Jean Grande, mother of Ariana, arguably the world’s biggest popstar.

Think The Wizard of Oz — with a very large house slowly circling overhead, ready to crash down at any moment.

The two exchanged barbs about motherhood, freedom of speech, and what women can and can’t do with their own bodies.

Until Ariana Grande came for Morgan, that is, with seven silver tweets. 

That’s seven shots fired — one for each of Morgan’s horcruxes.

If God is a woman, does that make Morgan a heretic? Or worse — irrelevant?

Millions of likes later, and the internet is on fire. Comedian Ricky Gervais called it “2Pac & Biggie all over again.” Even the Burger King brand account got involved. 

Ellen Degeneres joined the fray, offering her support to the Grande’s with trademark good vibes and a scithing subtweet — which Morgan duly retweeted with green sick face emojis. The sisterhood grew stronger as they were joined by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the US policitian who will become the youngest Congresswoman in history when she takes office in January 2019.

Read More: Caitlin Moran Asked Men What's Troubling Them — and the Responses Were Beautiful

Oh, and Grande’s fanbase couldn’t resist a few jabs too.

So what have we learned?

Well, ICYMI, Little Mix are fighting Michael Bublé and Mumford & Sons for their second UK #1 album this week; Ariana Grande will have a Mean Girls inspired music video for “thank u, next” coming out any second; Ellen Degeneres is still very nice; and Piers Morgan will soon find something fresh to moan about.

But also: if you’re an old dude, don’t hate on younger women for how they express their sexuality. It’s not for you; it will never be for you; and it’s weird that you want to talk about it all the time. Next.

Maybe we should just let Little Mix have the last word.

“Take off all my makeup, ‘cause I love what’s under it,” they sing on “Strip” from LM5. “Rub off all your words, don’t give up, I’m over it.”

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.... n I’m so good with that

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on

TopicsGender EqualityFeminismPiers MorganTwitterLittle MixAriana GrandeEllen DeGeneres

Opinion

Demand Equity

Ariana Grande and Her Mum Aren't Here for Piers Morgan Telling Little Mix What to Do With Their Bodies

By James Hitchings-Hales