New 10 of the Month – Ellen DeGeneres

Back in the days of the “Old 10,” the whole concept of the 10 wasn’t actually about women at all. It was really just about the men who were looking at the women. The whole idea of ranking members of the female sex on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their perceived “hotness” was totally and completely a male concept. All a woman had to do was appeal to the opposite sex, usually in the most superficial way, and she would be deemed a “10.”

It certainly didn’t have much to do with how appealing she was as a human being.

A New 10, however, is something very different. She is a woman who is beautiful in a way that isn’t solely about sex appeal, but about appeal in general. About how she relates to other people and the world around her. About openness, and warmth, and generosity of spirit. About making other people feel good.

That doesn’t mean a New 10 doesn’t take pride in her appearance – it’s just that it comes from a place of confidence in herself and her place in the world, rather than from her desire to please others.

That admittedly long-winded introduction is why I’ve chosen Ellen DeGeneres as this month’s New 10.

The talk show host and soon-to-be “American Idol” judge may not be a conventional choice or a conventional beauty – but she is definitely beautiful. Her smile lights up a room. Her blue eyes sparkle with intelligence and curiosity. And while her look is certainly not designed to capture the attention of men, she has great style that really reflects who she is.

But to me, what makes Ellen DeGeneres beautiful is the way she treats the people around her. On her talk show, she approaches each guest with openness and kindness – like a friend – even if what they believe in or stand for is the exact opposite of who she is and what matters to her. She is absolutely firm in her convictions and honest and confident about the person she is. Yet she manages to stand her ground without being abrasive, or angry, or mean.

Plus, she looks great for a woman over 50 – totally natural, healthy and happy in her own skin.

The New 10 Paradigm was created to honor women of all shapes, sizes and colors, so I suppose sexual orientation should also be included on my list. But the thing about Ellen is, she has managed to bridge those divisions and cut across those prejudices just because of the beautiful person she is. To people all over the world, she is simply Ellen. And I truly feel that just by being herself, she is making the world a better place for everyone.

That, to me, is what being a New 10 woman is all about – and why I am proud to name Ellen DeGeneres as my New 10 of the Month.

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