Some red carpet moments never fade from memory. For Julia Roberts, one unforgettable night came in 1999 at the premiere of Notting Hill. She waved to fans, and the gesture revealed unshaved armpits. The image quickly turned into one of the year’s biggest celebrity scandals.
More than two decades later, the conversation looks different. As Parade reported, the old photo recently resurfaced online, and fans now feel she deserved better. Instead of criticism, many expressed regret for how harshly Roberts was treated. For audiences who adored her in Pretty Woman or My Best Friend’s Wedding, it feels like a long-overdue apology.
Julia Roberts’ Notting Hill Premiere Controversy
STAR MAX
2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / ImageCollect
In 1999, tabloids seized on the moment and made it front-page news. Julia Roberts became the subject of endless chatter for something that would barely make headlines today. At the time, however, the sight of a Hollywood star attending a major premiere without shaving caused shock.
Fans reflecting on the resurfaced photo admitted the uproar seemed absurd in hindsight. Many highlighted how beauty standards have shifted, with more women feeling free to skip razors. Just as Madonna or Cher once pushed cultural boundaries, Roberts, without even trying, created a moment that challenged expectations and left its mark.
Julia Roberts Reflects On The Infamous Photo
Years later, Julia spoke about the incident in an interview with British Vogue. She explained that the choice wasn’t deliberate. She had assumed the long sleeves of her dress would cover her armpits. Looking back, she laughed about the frenzy and joked that she could create another “scandal” by simply removing her jacket.
Today, what once stirred criticism now feels empowering. Fans admire her for a career filled with unforgettable roles and also for inadvertently showing confidence on her own terms. For many, this moment reinforces Julia as not just a Hollywood favorite but a cultural icon whose influence still resonates.