The Bimbo Strikes Back

No thoughts. Head empty. Be cute. Smash the patriarchy.

( @chrissychlapecka / Instagram )

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2021 has kickstarted itself with one overall mantra: Reclamation.

Whether it's the resurgence of pop culture icons Paris Hilton or Megan Fox, or the fixation on everything fashion and pink, the common theme of our current obsession is all that of hyper-feminine: and one group is at the forefront leading the way— The Bimbos.

In most recent decades, Bimbos have too-often been portrayed as the stereotypically ditzy, lustful, bottle blond who’s only concered about money or sex. Any celebrity or prominent figure who dons the aesthetic is automatically seen as a less intelligent, frilly stock character. Marilyn Monroe, Paris Hilton and Kim K are just a few examples of women who’ve been scrutinized for their usage of looks as a means to make a profit. But here’s the thing — women can be hot and have a brain.

Self-proclaimed bimbos have reclaimed the term, and have created an activist and intersectional community on TikTok. The pink Bimbo wonderland online is full of positive and inclusive content, encouraging viewers to simply live the lives they want to live so long as they continue to spread the good vibes and good fashion. The community labels itself as pro-BLM, pro-choice, and pro-sex work, (not to mention the alterations of its label to accommodate those non female-identify -imbos— Himbos and Thembos).

TikTok user @chrissychlapecka is one of the many faces of this movement. In 15-30 second videos, she simplifies and breaks down feminist and leftist theory all while dressed in mini skirts and bright pink lipstick.

This new movement seeks to destroy the notion that beauty cannot coexist with brains, and wants to undermine the demonization of hyper-femininity. Instead, the community offers both discourse on the downfalls of capitalism and make-up brands, how to educate others on safe sex and make sure you look good while doing it.

The Bimboification of activism though, has garnered scrutiny from other activists online, deeming it as a white-washing and frivaliziation of what it means to be an intersectional feminist. As some online have pointed out, the focus being attributed to this subsect of activism can draw away from those making physical and tangible change (à la Stacey Adams and the movement to register BIPOC to vote). The idea of being a bimbo heavily relies on the nature of being hyper-consumeristic (focusing on fashion, nails, make-up, etc.), so the concept of Bimbo-ism being anti-capitalist can be inherently didactic.

While the Bimbo movement is not necessarily making big waves in government, the TikTok community has openly embraced a diverse group, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, and even body type. The concept of being a Bimbo, while historically used to make fun and alienate the hyper feminine and oftentimes wealthy, has become one-size-fits-all to anyone who wants to embrace that stereotype and use it to fight against the institution that perpetrated it.

While the whimsical, online, hot-pink world of Bimbos may not seem to hold that much political relevance, in the world of 2021, an escape to an all-inclusive, fuzzy, beautiful online fairyland might just be exactly what we need.

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Livv Haut is an Online Writer at Rowdy Magazine. Her passions lie in inclusivity, sketching fairies, watching C-Span, and Joni Mitchell. You can reach her at oliviahaut@ufl.edu or @livvhaut on instagram for more.