I really didn’t expect the complete freakout over Reese Witherspoon’s python bag, and PETA’s public slamming of Reese for carrying a python and leather bag. Nor did I expect to be so soundly criticized for simply remarking that the bad was and is gorgeous (in my opinion) and I would love to own a purse that pretty. E’rybody FREAKED. Well, after PETA issued their fatwa against Reese for carrying the nearly $4000 Chloe python-and-leather bag, they’re now taking credit because Reese is apparently not going to use the bag anymore. What’s confusing is that I don’t think Reese promised anything or issued any kind of statement, she was just spotted out and about using another purse, this time a fabric purse.
Who wants to take Reese Witherspoon shopping for a new purse? At the insistence of PETA, the 35-year-old Oscar winner has hung up her Chloe purse for good. The python handbag, called the Paraty, retails for $3,820 on Net-a-Porter.
After Witherspoon was seen toting the bag around L.A., PETA sent her a video (ironically narrated by her Walk the Line costar Joaquin Phoenix) that highlighted the cruel methods used in the exotic-skins industry.
“We’ve long known Reese to be a kind person, so we’re pleased — and not surprised — that she is hanging up her python bag for good,” PETA told Gossip Cop in a statement.
“We hope Reese’s honest mistake will serve as a reminder for all of us to be extra-certain that what we’re buying is mock croc or fake snake.”
PETA later sent Witherspoon flowers after she vowed never to carry the purse again.
Where and how the Water for Elephants star got the Chloe bag remains a mystery: California banned the sale of snakeskin in 1970.
[From Us Weekly]
So, controversy over? I have a question: when PETA has a successful fatwa and someone agrees to stop using a python bag, or a fur coat, or leather or what have you, what happens to the product that is “discarded” by the celebrity? Like, what is Reese going to do with that python bag now? Is it just going to sit in her closet? Is she going to donate it somewhere? If she’s going to donate it, can she send it to me?
Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.
Reese u have no balls, you were bullied my peeta! thought we were all against bulling… so its okay when its for UR supposed ” good cause” …. i will galdly take the bag!
What is the purpose of not carrying it? The snake already gave its life, is it that much better that it just hangs in a closet somewhere? She should have told them she will no longer purchase those types of items, but she’s going to use the one she already has.
When Reese goes home to Tennessee, she can carry it there. Where no one cares.
It seems sort of pointless to stop using the bag now. Now the snakes suffered, died AND their skins will just be discarded?
I agree with so many from the original post–PETA does more harm than good. Their “all or nothing” approach at helping animals backfires. I don’t think anyone is going to buy a fur coat JUST to piss PETA off. But they could sway a lot more people to their cause if they weren’t acting like crazy asshats.
PETA sure loves their publicity, don’t they? Their methods are so obnoxious.
I try to be animal friendly and wouldn’t use that purse myself (mostly because I’m scared of snakes and it would freak me out!), but part of me hopes Reese carries it again tomorrow and tells PETA to shut it.
I agree with Pamela and I said that on the previous post (their antics are counterproductive). She could donate it though — and yes, she could send it to you, Kaiser (honestly, I can’t see what you find so pretty about it).
Seems she’s doing this because she doesn’t want to look bad, not because she gives a crap about the suffering of animals. If she cared, she wouldn’t have bought it in the first place (or accepted it, in case it was a present).
EDIT: Also, I got really mad when I read they (at PETA) put down 96 % of the animals they took in for adoption.
yeah, I’m with everyone else. I’m sure PETA originated with an actually reasonable and benevolent standpoint but their methods are so over-the-top and eye-roll worthy that it all just becomes a battle of extremes….that bag is not all that and frankly there is no real confirmation of Reese’s activities or decisions here.
Down in central Florida, they’re killing pythons like crazy apparently because they’re everywhere. I’d very much like a bag…and some shoes please.
Not fond of PETA at all and I am very anti-animal cruelty. I would have assumed that the snake just shed the skin though and I bet Reese assumed the same. So for the real info about how they got the skin off the snake I guess it’s a good thing. But PETA really can’t claim victory because most celebs are only photographed with an accessory once or possibly twice.
And the peta/snake killing/vegan/cruelty to all things debate raises its ugly head again. I’m outta here.
LOL.
I get that this is a ‘serious’ matter but PETA should concentrate on MORE serious matters, not onto a celebrity’s bag.
The folks at PETA are bullies & Reese let them bully her big time! She should have stood her ground. Very disappointed in her!
Ok, I’ll try to say one more thing (and one more thing only) since I believe I’m among those Kaiser describes as having “freaked out”.
Look, you want to wear something that isn’t animal friendly, fine. Do it. But please try to think about all the process involved with the production of such item. Bear in mind that it was probably not pretty — that the skin didn’t magically fell off the python’s (or any other animal’s) body and that yes, you’re wearing something that cost an animal’s life and, in this particular case, an animal that was killed for the sole purpose of making the bag. All that for plain and simple vanity.
Don’t try to justify that and make it sound like us, those who somehow fight for animals rights, are crazy f*cks who freak out about everything.
I’m not a PETA member, I don’t support PETA, but I still think it’s pretty gross that you’re so delighted with this bag without giving a flying f*ck about the animal that was (sometimes brutally) killed so you could carry a butt ugly bag around thinking you’re oh, so fashionable.
Kaiser I like the bag as well.
PETA can suck it. They put down most of the animals that they ‘rescue’, then have the nerve to criticise others who do the same.
“Where and how the Water for Elephants star got the Chloe bag remains a mystery: California banned the sale of snakeskin in 1970.”
How the hell is that a mystery??
There are potentially 49 other states she could’ve bought that bag from – and maybe Europe – maybe anywhere else in the world.
And just because she wasn’t seen with the python bag, doesn’t mean she still doesn’t have it…I know some girls that change their bags out every few days.
@ meilamon
That’s a great point you have.
I had 2 dogs that I got 10 years ago – one from the pound and one from a breeder. Since I got him, I’ve changed my stance and won’t buy from a breeder again – but that doesn’t mean I’ll discard him.
I change bags all the time… who says she’s stopped using it? Maybe she goes one week with one bag, and the next with another?
So PETA is taking credit for Reese changing her bag. Something a woman with Reese’s money prob does with every outfit. RME
See like PETA’s message, Hate PETA
so when i put a purse away to use another that matches my outfit better PETA wins? same for my ostrich and alligator boots? (i know i know it bad but they are gorgeous! and i bought them when I still competed competitively in the horse world, they can be dyed to match clothes much easier than leather)
Thank the goddesses! That bag is so frigging UGLY! It looks like a feedbag for a horse! Besides the fact, the bell shape is the worst for having all your junk pool in the bottom… you’ll spend 10 minutes looking for your keys.
From the original post:
“Show me a fake leather bag this pretty, and I’ll totally buy it. For now, though, I’m looking to see if I can get my hands on this one.”
From today’s post:
“Nor did I expect to be so soundly criticized for simply remarking that the bad [sic] was and is gorgeous (in my opinion) and I would love to own a purse that pretty. E’rybody FREAKED.”
*quirks eyebrow at Kaiser* Slight re-wording of history that changes the statement “I’m looking to see if I can get my hands on this [bag]” into “I would love to own a purse that pretty.” Granted, I don’t know if you were literally trying to get hold of a bag exactly like Witherspoon’s. And you did say this: “Show me a fake leather bag this pretty, and I’ll totally buy it.”
I don’t have much of a point except that I love dissecting language, but I do want to say two things that are (hopefully) of substance: 1. @ Eve – Your post, #14, was spot on. 2. Kaiser – If you were at a garage sale & you found a bag exactly like Reese’s, including colour, materials, style, etc., and it was magically priced at 50 cents, would you buy it? No judgment – just curiosity. In my imagination, I personally would buy it, sell it for as much money as I could (people on eBay are nuts about purses), & then donate the money to the animal shelter nearby. They always need food n stuff.
Oh, and I want to say that I enjoy reading your posts, Kaiser. Frequently they make me laugh out loud.
I LOVELOVELOVE this Chloe bag!!!
PETA would neva punk me, especially when it comes to snakes, cause I bet he’d eat my chubby butt in a heartbeat.
the purse may have been a gift, its already dead–PETA irks the heck out of me.
They know who to bully, cause there are plenty of celebs that wear fur and they will continue to wear fur and buy expensive leather boots, bags and shoes.
oh and eat a expensive burger or steak.
Hypocrites .. And What about leather shoes? Are you going to prefer plastic shoes From now on?
When she wears the bag, it advertises it, and everyone wants to buy one. It’s a creepy bag. Be sensitive to animal suffering. Shame on her for buying it.
Oh come on Reese and grow a spine!
I don’t like the idea of animals being used just for their skins (I am OK if the animal is also used for food) but I dislike PETA and their lies and bullying scare tactics 10 times over.
Reese should have told PETA to go F*CK themselves.
So she may have bowed to public pressure. It doesn’t change her stance. Ignoramus.
@Eve, I respect your conviction. I am just curious: do you have leather shoes or belt? I’m not anti-Peta, I’m just wondering where the line is drawn.
I hate PETA. Bunch of overbearing hypocrites. I hope she flaunts that bag tomo.
You know what else I hate? All of the vegetarians that refuse to eat meat, but still eat seafood.
That fish/lobster or whatever is a living creature!! Just because you can’t hear it scream as it dies doesn’t mean it can’t feel the pain. Hypocrite!!
I will say, I don’t like the ways “food animals” are treated, but I love meat and there are places that treat the animal properly before it’s killed. That may seem pointless, but it’s better than just being flat out cruel.
I don’t see a problem with eating animals. It’s natural and we’ve always done it. I don’t believe that we are just herbivores or carnivores. Animals eat other animals. It’s the natural world and the circle of life. I do believe however that the animals should be treated as a loved pet would and their death should be as quick and painless as possible. Every part of the animal should be used and never wasted. Just my opinion.
The guilt-induced defense mechanisms some of you have developed are hilarious and transparent. If you have contrived elaborate arguments in defense of animal consumption, you have a guilty conscience.
To thine own self be true.
@ Leticia (# 28):
To answer your question: yes, I do have leather shoes and a (just one) belt. Got them long before I started paying more attention to what happens to animals (other than my pets). I may or may not get rid of them someday — most of the shoes I like wearing are made of synthetic fibers anyway…but it’d be a waste to throw them away now. Also, I can’t afford to replace them (two pairs of boots) with synthetic ones right now .
But you must have overlooked all my comments on both threads (related to Witherspoon’s bag) since I made clear that I wasn’t particularly against leather as it’s a byproduct of the meat industry. And I’m not against eating meat either. I’m against the inhumane conditions in which most of them are kept (and the pain during the slaughtering process). That’s all. You must be mistaking me for someone else because I’m in no way a hypocrite.
What I’m really against — and I’ll always be — is the killing of an animal exclusively for fashion. And the cruel, heartless ways used to kill them.
@ Pirouette (# 30):
Great point — even though I know it somehow relates to myself.