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Olivia Culpo has responded to backlash over her makeup choice for her recent wedding to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
In an interview with FashionThe publication referred to what the former Miss Universe wore to the nuptials, commenting on her makeup: “Her beauty was also toned down: she wore her hair down with a simple middle part and skipped mascara, lip liner and eyebrow makeup.”
The article sparked some criticism, and content creator Jessica Weslie Arena posted a TikTok video about the coverage.
“Olivia Culpo Fashion “The wedding post says she's not wearing mascara, eyebrow pencil, or lip liner which is giving me 'pick me' vibes,” the text that appears on the screen at the beginning of her video reads.
A “pick-me” is a term for a girl or woman who seeks male validation specifically by using the assertion that she is “not like other girls,” for example, she doesn't wear much makeup or is a sports fanatic.
“For Fashion “Pointing these things out gave me a very strange feeling,” Arena said. “Because, obviously, Olivia Culpo did something about not wearing mascara, not wearing lip liner, not wearing eyebrow pencil. Be honest, FashionStop being a “pick me.”
Arena's TikTok video had racked up more than 500,000 views as of Saturday morning and prompted Culpo herself to leave a comment.
“It was an interview… they asked me what my makeup was like……………………………” she wrote.
Other commenters pointed out that Culpo had probably dyed her eyebrows or eyelashes before her wedding. “She probably has some dye on her eyebrows. I do it with henna and it leaves my skin dyed for a week. I don’t need to use anything on them either if I’ve had it done,” one commenter clarified.
“She has lip fillers, Botox, lash lifts and microblading brows so I can understand why she doesn’t need makeup for that,” another comment read.
Some commentators thought Culpo's appearance was not worth highlighting.
“I really don’t understand why people are making such a big deal about this, like… let her enjoy her wedding,” one comment read, while another wrote: “You guys are worse than men. Let women do what they want!”
Culpo and McCaffrey tied the knot on Saturday, June 29, in Culpo's home state of Rhode Island. The star-studded ceremony (attended by Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark, Victoria's Secret model Devon Windsor and several NFL players) took place at Rhode Island's Watch Hill Chapel.
She walked down the aisle in a modest white gown with long sleeves and a high neckline, custom designed by Dolce & Gabbana. “I didn’t want it to exude sex in any way,” Culpo told Fashion.
“I wanted it to feel like it came easily to me and complemented me, not overpowered me. There’s so much beauty and simplicity.”
The former Miss Universe also noted that, for her, marriage is a “covenant” and that’s why she wanted her dress to reflect that milestone. “It’s the beginning of the rest of your life, and it’s the union and the bond of two people forever,” Culpo said. “I wanted something that felt as serious as that commitment.”
