Ivy Mena: Brazilian porn star, 60, hits out at critics of her clothing
A former lawyer turned 60-year-old porn star who was voted the world’s most beautiful influencer by Playboy has hit back at critics who said she was "too old" to wear a short red dress for Christmas.
Ivy Mena criticised the "ageist comments" after posing for festive photographs on December 22 in the city of Goiania, in the Brazilian state of Goias.
Ivy, who wore a short, skin-tight red dress accentuating her stunning figure, said that many people had told her the dress was "too young" for her. According to Ivy, the comments were not limited to clothing choices, but involved questioning what women her age should or should not wear.
She said: "It wasn't about the dress. It was about telling a woman my age what she can or can't wear."
She believes the reaction reflected ageism, which she described as using someone’s age as a way to restrict behaviour and personal choices.
She explained that she chose the dress because she felt comfortable and because it matches her everyday style.
Ivy assured: "I don't dress to fulfil a social role. I dress for myself."
She also argued that the remarks seem to be directed to women only, adding: "When an older man dresses in a youthful way, it's called charming. When it's a woman, it becomes inappropriate."
Reflecting on the episode, she said linking age to personal limits reinforced stigma.
She also said that if age was being used to limit her, then the problem was not the dress but the mentality of people who thought women had an expiry date.
Ivy was recently voted the "Most beautiful 60+ content creator in the world" by Playboy South Africa, and the magazine said the result followed a global search for profiles in that age group who stood out for presence, aesthetics and influence in content aimed at an adult audience.
The announcement described her as a woman of confidence, sensuality and timeless presence, and Ivy previously revealed she felt flattered by the title.
Ivy had previously worked as a family law attorney before changing fields, and she recalled hearing colleagues commenting on her beauty during a virtual meeting when the microphone was left open.
She said the experience stayed in her head and that over time she realised she could pursue a path focused on self-esteem and empowerment. She now produces adult content and said she was prepared to handle criticism.
She added: "Many women support me, but many others also criticise me. They tell me to go wash dishes, take care of my grandchildren...
"But that doesn't affect me emotionally. I've worked on that a lot in my mind. Today I focus on the positive opinions. My work is for the women who praise me, who are inspired by me to take care of themselves and love themselves, not for those who try to tear me down."
Story: Newsflash