The Emperor Has No Clothes, And Neither Do Many of Our Famous Stars

There is a famous story about an emperor who was convinced he was wearing magnificent clothes, when in fact, he was wearing nothing at all. Everyone around him saw the truth, but no one dared to say it. Why? Because they didn’t want to look foolish. They didn’t want to stand apart. They didn’t want to challenge what everyone else was pretending to believe.

Until a child spoke up.

The emperor isn’t just in the parade anymore. He’s on the red carpet.

Looking at some of today’s most high-profile public events and awards shows, whether the recent Met Gala, the Cannes Film Festival, the Grammy Awards or Academy Awards, it’s hard not to feel like we are watching a modern version of that story unfold. Many of the outfits worn by celebrities (and let's tell the truth—we are talking about women’s clothing, or actually, lack thereof) are designed to shock, to reveal, to push boundaries, often leaving very little to the imagination. At a certain point, this isn’t fashion. It’s…something else. These sartorial choices are frequently framed as bold, empowering, and liberating. And perhaps, in some cases, they are intended that way.

But it’s worth asking: are we seeing genuine empowerment? Or are we witnessing a different kind of pressure at work?

The issue is not simply about modesty in a narrow or old-fashioned sense, even though that is certainly an issue. It’s about culture, influence, and the messages being absorbed, especially by young people. When the most visible and celebrated figures in society present themselves in increasingly revealing ways, it subtly shapes expectations:

• About what confidence looks like
• About how value is expressed
• About what it means to be seen and admired

What begins as “freedom of expression” or empowerment can quietly become a new kind of standard to live up to.

In the story, the truth was obvious, but unspoken.

Today, there is often a similar hesitation. Many people may feel uncomfortable with what they’re seeing, or unsure about its broader impact, but remain silent because the dominant narrative labels it as progressive, empowering, and beyond criticism.

But not every widely accepted idea is beyond questioning. There is value in being willing to say that something about this deserves a closer look. It is not about judgment but responsibility. There is value in saying that freedom doesn’t eliminate pressure.  But it does change where the pressure comes from.

This insight feels especially relevant in this time of the Jewish calendar, between Passover and Shavuot. Passover celebrates liberation, but the story does not end with freedom from Egypt. It continues toward Sinai, toward the giving of the Torah, celebrated on the holiday of Shavuot. In our Jewish tradition, freedom is not defined as the absence of all boundaries, or the ability to run wild in the desert. Rather, it is the ability to live within a framework of meaning, values, and purpose.

It is not freedom from all structure—but freedom to choose the right structure.

If we reject older norms—such as modesty—what replaces them? Are we creating a culture where individuals are truly freer? Or are we replacing one set of expectations with another?  These pressures may be less obvious, but they are no less real.

The issue is not only immodesty. It is also finding the answer to a deeper question:  What kind of culture are we creating, and what pressures come with it? That is worth far more attention than the strange, amusing, and increasingly…minimalist clothing worn by many stars at public events in recent months. 

Honesty begins with the willingness to say the obvious.  Like the crowd in the emperor’s parade, we all see something, but hesitate to say it out loud. And that’s too bad, and an abdication of our responsibilities.  After all, meaningful conversations don’t begin with silence. They begin when someone is willing to look clearly, and speak honestly.