An ex-model has hit back at ageist trolls on Instagram after they shamed her for posting bikini snaps.
Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova took to the social media platform to call out another user for calling her "old and ugly" in the comments section.
"I've always thought that getting old and ugly is hardest on the pretty people," the troll wrote in their bizarre, ageist comment, adding: "We all get old and ugly..."
Suffice to say, the comment didn't go down well with Porizkova, who reposted a screenshot of it alongside a gorgeous pic of her in a bikini and a lengthy caption.
She began by explaining that she'd felt the need to call the commenter out because their words were "echoing a few others", saying: "I get comments like these every time I post a photo of my body."
Porizkova went on to slam the criticism as ageist and called out what she felt was a double standard. "This is ageist shaming that sets my teeth on edge. Older men are distinguished, older women are ugly," she said.
She then explained that just because someone isn't pretty doesn't mean they can't still be beautiful. "People who believe prettiness equals beauty do not understand beauty. Pretty is easy on the eyes, partly because it’s a little bland, inoffensive. It’s easy to take in and easy to forget. Not so beauty. Beauty can be sharp. It can wound you and leave a scar," the former model explained.
"This is why I believe we get more beautiful with age. We have earned our beauty, we understand what it is, and we can see it so much better. There is no such thing as ugly and old. Only shortsighted and ignorant," she added.
Porizkova rounded off her post with a postscript, writing: "PS. I’m not posting this because I feel bad and need sympathy- quite on the contrary! I’m posting this because this is a pervasive sentiment that needs to be done away with. So we can be proud of ageing, as we deserve to be!"
Unsurprisingly, Porizkova's followers were quick to jump to her defense.
"Dang woman you are strong to repost that hateful fool's post . I’m loving it. You have not fallen from anywhere. If that’s ugly I want to be ugly," one wrote. Another agreed, commenting: "If this is OLD & UGLY, sign me up!!"
A third added: "It’s only ugly to denigrate someone for feeling beautiful."
