A recent Forge article investigates why the “hot mess express” has become something of a hallmark of upwardly-mobile, creative, accomplished—and often white—women. While author Kelli Marie Korducki does not settle on a single answer, several themes emerge: it’s hard to dislike women who, for all their acumen, just cannot seem to get it together. 

“Liz Lemon-ing” is what one Twitter user called the phenomenon in which a typically white woman, who by all external metrics, is doing just fine except that she cannot effortlessly “adult”. Remaining on top of her profession, bills, and relationships is always a little bit bumbly and it is for the exercise of effort that we like her. After all, if the accomplished woman were both accomplished and broadcasted very little effort in doing so, she would only be detestable. Privilege undoubtedly plays some role here: whiteness, social safety nets, possibly family money. But good hard work and subsequent success, for the Hot Mess, need to look a little bit accidental. Why go to such an effort to disguise the effort it took to be successful? In order to stay likable. As Korducki says, “To be visible in the world as a high-achieving, creative woman, you’d best be a little bit of a fuck-up…. Her messiness is equal parts internalized misogyny and compensatory measure.” 

For what might the Hot Mess be compensating? The answer here is better illustrated than explained and the article raises several cases for comparison. Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Schumer, and Mindy Kaling—hot mess, awkward, relateable. Gwyneth Paltrow, Taylor Swift, and Anne Hathway—Type A, perfectionist, neurotic, scorned. What belies these categories, however, is that the first group of women is broadly recognized as the hardest workers in a room, devoted to their respective crafts, and revered by their colleagues—even (and importantly) their male colleagues. What seems to distinguish them from the second group is that they’ve developed a protective mechanism that makes them non-threatening to both men and women. They are, or at least purport to be, hapless, unbothered, and never strive or compete. 

A 2015 story in Salon posed similar questions and actually suggests one further wrinkle. The Hot Mess is typically perceived as hot—that is, attractive. But only when “a guy can swoop in and mop it up.” What’s more, the Hot Mess is often celebrated for choosing not to exhibit or perhaps even aim for perfection. Yet the pressure is on especially these women to buffer themselves against those who question their success. They may be startlingly frank, curvy, or trip over their awards night gown. They must perform—instead of perfection—a charming, winsome chaos. 

I didn’t intend to write about Elizabeth Warren this week. I have been unspeakably sad and angry about what I believe to be her untimely and unfair exit from the presidential race. However, I cannot help but think about this article in relation to her candidacy. She did not perform perfection, nor did she adopt the self-deprecation often expected from high-performing women. She did not once suggest that her success, expertise, or position were accidental or that she bumbled her way into them. She instead spoke honestly about the work and privilege that were part of her ascendency, about discrimination and bias that she experienced, and her mistakes along the way. She was not hapless but humble; not perfect, but prepared; not awkward, but assertive. She was ready and she was clear about what it took to be ready. And she was reviled for it. 

We don’t need women to perform chaos in order to be liked. We need women to exert their hard-earned skills, talent, and expertise against the chaos that already exists.

-Lauren