Carla Bruni Apologizes For Feminism Remarks After Twitter Backlash

Aprs Carla Bruni , le dluge. Or at least that's what happened when the former French first lady was quoted in the latest issue of Paris Vogue saying, "My generation doesn't need feminism." Cue the backlash.

In a swift response, French womens-rights group "Osez le Fminisme!" ("Dare To Be A Feminist"), sent a call out to Twitter, asking followers to tweet why feminism is needed using the hashtag #ChereCarlaBruni (#DearCarlaBruni). We're sure the ensuing barrage of responses made Carla think twice about her statements.

French female senator Laurence Rossignol sent out a particularly noteworthy response to the call , replying in a tweet that translates to, "#ChreCarlaBruni As long as I get asked whether I am the senator's assistant, the next generation will need feminism."

So, naturally, when Elle.fr spoke to the former supermodel during a phone interview , conversation turned to the pink elephant in the room: any second thoughts, Carla? Well, yes, actually. The supermodel claims that she "completely understands" the negative response, but her words were taken "out of context" :

"This phrase is very clumsy and poorly translates my thoughts. It should have read: 'I have never personally felt the need to be a feminist activist'... I imagine I am [a feminist] if feminism means claiming one's freedom. But I am not if it means being committed in an active way to the fight that some women are still leading today... I admire their bravery a lot, but I have chosen to commit myself elsewhere."

During her time as premire dame, Carla took on AIDS activism as her main philanthropic cause (though her charity did face a misconduct allegation earlier this year ). But, overall, she was well-received during Nicolas Sarkozy's time as president, so this latest controversy has people drawing comparisons with the current polarizing first lady Valerie "The Rottweiler" Trierweiler -- she faced her own Twitter backlash last summer. So perhaps it's Valerie's turn to give Carla some advice ?

What do you think of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's retraction? Was the whole thing blown out of proportion?

See Carla Bruni's style since the arrival of baby Giulia.

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