Megan Fox deserves to find love again. And an apology from Hollywood.
The Internet came to those conclusions after photos of the 34-year-old actress and rapper Machine Gun Kelly canoodling in public went viral, confirming weeks of speculation about their relationship and reigniting frustration over Fox’s reportedly blacklisted career.
It began after she starred in Kelly’s “Bloody Valentine” music video a month ago, where the pop-rock musician appeared to be her captive lover. (The pair’s combined attractiveness, according to many bisexual viewers, was a lot to handle.)
The newly divorced Fox, who amicably split from long-time husband Brian Austin Green, was seen on Tuesday holding hands and kissing her music video co-star in public. The Daily Mail reported the couple had ventured to an L.A. bar for drinks together.
The musician appeared to confirm their status in a tweet, referencing a lyric in the song. “Life imitated art on that one,” he added.
The usual reactions to celebrity relationship updates came rolling in: Fans of both celebrated with look-a-like threads; some envied Machine Gun Kelly’s position, as his romantic life has an illustrious track record; and others were simply happy to see the renowned film actress back on their timelines.
Recent years have seen a gradual shift in how Fox — the target of intense adoration and scrutiny because of her beauty a decade ago — is perceived. She was painted as a difficult employee by “Transformers” director Michael Bay and crew members after she spoke out against her hypersexualized treatment on-set and in front of the camera.
Following the blockbuster films, she starred in teen horror flick “Jennifer’s Body,” critically panned at the time but now recognized as cinematic brilliance. She’s since kept a considerably lower profile, starring in independent projects and minor roles.
Not many supported Fox’s callouts of the sexism she and other women faced at the time. She told the New York Times that sharing #MeToo anecdotes isn’t something she’s keen on anymore, especially given how feminist movements excluded her.
“I just didn’t think based on how I’d been received by people, and by feminists, that I would be a sympathetic victim,” she said. “And I thought if ever there were a time where the world would agree that it’s appropriate to victim-shame someone, it would be when I come forward with my story.”
Given that she’s still yet to receive justice from anyone, many online took the time to call attention to Fox’s situation.
The calls for an apology are nothing new, and Fox herself doesn’t appear to be pushing that agenda. Still, always a worthwhile reminder that the actress is deserving of more than she gets.
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