Susan Sarandon Shuts Down Criticism After Backlash Over Bold SAG Awards Look

Back in 2016, Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon found herself at the center of a heated online debate after her outfit at the Screen Actors Guild Awards sparked controversy.

The then-69-year-old actress, who attended the event alongside her children, stepped onto the red carpet in a daring white blazer paired with a black bra. Her look turned heads—especially since she wore it while presenting the “In Memoriam” tribute.

While many fans praised Sarandon’s fearless fashion choice, not everyone was impressed. British TV host Piers Morgan blasted the outfit on Twitter, calling it “horribly inappropriate” and even questioned if she would wear it to a funeral. His comments triggered an avalanche of responses, with critics accusing him of being ageist and sexist.

Sarandon didn’t immediately respond—but when she did, it was with her trademark wit. On a Throwback Thursday, she shared a cheeky still from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where she posed in a white bra next to a nude statue. The caption read: “Today’s #TBT is dedicated to @piersmorgan.” The post went viral as fans rallied behind her.

To further drive her point home, Sarandon began retweeting photos of both men and women sharing their own cleavage shots in solidarity, shifting the conversation from a red-carpet squabble into a bigger discussion about body positivity and the right to express oneself freely.

Morgan, never one to back down, fired back with his own tongue-in-cheek photo: a heavily edited image of himself draped in fabric and wearing nothing but a large Burger King medallion. Eventually, he admitted that Sarandon’s cleavage was “magnificent,” though he insisted it should remain covered during solemn tributes.

What began as a spat over a red-carpet look evolved into something bigger—an argument about societal expectations, aging, and women’s freedom to express themselves without judgment. Sarandon’s unapologetic stance transformed the moment into more than just a fashion statement. It became a declaration of individuality, proving that the red carpet can be a stage for more than just style—it can spark cultural conversations that resonate far beyond Hollywood.