A Tehran-based newspaper, Hamshahri, has altered a photograph of Georgina Rodriguez by digitally editing her figure. The image, originally shared by her partner, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrated his 39th birthday with his family, where Rodriguez was depicted wearing a long black dress and smiling at the camera.
The modification by Hamshahri involved cropping Rodriguez’s figure, specifically her backside, to conform to what the publication deemed appropriate for its audience. This edit resulted in a version of the photo on their platform that differed solely in the depiction of Rodriguez’s physique from the one posted on Ronaldo’s social media profiles.
The alteration has reportedly upset Rodriguez, as highlighted by The Sun. A source close to her mentioned her frustration, noting her dedication to maintaining her physique and her pride in her appearance. The incident has sparked discussions on the portrayal of women’s bodies in certain regions, with the source emphasizing the problematic nature of such alterations.
The issue has transcended social commentary, reaching political discourse. Darya Safai, a Belgian Member of Parliament with Iranian roots, criticized the image’s manipulation via social media, framing it as indicative of a broader issue concerning the Islamist perspective on the female body and their preference for female invisibility under veils.
Rodriguez, an influencer and entrepreneur with a substantial Instagram following exceeding 57 million, has not publicly addressed the incident, maintaining her regular social media presence amidst the controversy.
