‘I’ll wear what I like, when I like’: New Zealand TV host Hilary Barry, 50, slams ‘age-shaming’ viewer who told her to cover up after she bared her shoulders
A New Zealand TV host has lashed out at a viewer who suggested she cover up after the journalist bared her shoulders on live TV.
Hilary Barry, 50, who hosts current affairs show Seven Sharp, wore an off-the-shoulder peach toned top on the program on Thursday.
That raised the ire of a viewer, Geoff, who posted on the show’s Facebook page: ‘Please encourage Hilary to dress properly. Exposed shoulders are for the young’.
A look: New Zealand TV host Hilary Barry, 50, lashed out at a viewer who suggested she cover up after she wore an off-the-shoulder top on current affairs show Seven Sharp on Thursday. Pictured with co-host Jeremy Wells
Hilary shared a screenshot of the comment to her Instagram page, along with a biting comment.
She wrote: ‘Some classic age shaming from Geoff. Just for the record, I’ll wear what I like, when I like.’
The TV star further underlined her point with a second Instagram post, this time sharing a photo in which she posed in a swimsuit.
Her outfit raised the ire of one viewer, Geoff, who posted on the show’s Facebook page: ‘Please encourage Hilary to dress properly. Exposed shoulders are for the young’
The TV star hit back with an Instagram post, sharing a photo in which she posed in swimsuit along with the caption: ‘This is for every Geoff who ever told a woman what to wear or what part of her body to cover up. We will not be told. Not now. Not ever’
Looking fantastic in the off-the-shoulder swimmers, Hilary defiantly told the viewer in a caption that she will not be told what to wear.
She wrote: ‘This is for every Geoff who ever told a woman what to wear or what part of her body to cover up. We will not be told. Not now. Not ever’.
Her fans were immensely supportive, with one person commenting under the photo: ‘You. Are. A. Queen.’
In another Instagram post Hilary wrote: ‘Some classic age shaming from Geoff. Just for the record, I’ll wear what I like, when I like’
Another chimed in: ‘Well said Hilary. You look amazing!’ while someone agreed: ‘Put them in their place… You Queen’.
One fan declared: ‘You are an inspiration to all’ while another commented: ‘You are the best! Then, now and always’.
It’s not the first time Hilary has hit back at a viewer who complained about her bare shoulders – in January, another person said her look was not for ‘old women’ and claimed she looked like a ‘street worker’.
Complaints: It’s not the first time Hilary has hit back at a viewer who complained about her bare shoulders – in January, another person said her look was not for ‘old women’
Hilary wrote in response in an Instagram post: ‘I’m not offended to be called a street worker. I’m not offended to be called old.
‘What I do take exception to is being told to act and dress my age. I am a 50 year old woman who will continue to wear exactly what I like, when I like and wherever I like.
‘Enough with the age-shaming. I’m embracing life. I’m pro-ageing not anti-ageing’ she concluded.
Hilary wrote in response: ‘I am a 50 year old woman who will continue to wear exactly what I like, when I like and wherever I like. Enough with the age-shaming. I’m embracing life’