Sarah Jessica Parker Opens Up About the Painful Criticism That Left Her in Tears During 'Sex and the City

18 June 2025

HBO/Photofest; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed that she was deeply moved by the harsh criticism she received about her appearance while starring as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. In a recent episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, she described the experience as “cruel” and shared that one particular magazine’s harsh remarks left her in tears.

Now 60, Parker reflected on that moment, explaining that the negative commentary targeted aspects of her physical appearance that she had no intention of changing traits she had always accepted or embraced. She recounted how the words felt deliberate and directed, rather than constructive. In what she described as a particularly painful instance, she read comments that felt like a personal attack. “It felt so purposeful,” she recalled. Overwhelmed, she called two close friends and found herself sobbing, hurt by the cruelty she encountered.

This was the only time she remembers crying over public criticism, but those feelings accumulated over time. She revealed that the remarks followed a season of intense commentary under the industry's spotlight before social media existed when she was ill-prepared for the level of scrutiny. Her confidence was tested, and while she believes the experience eventually contributed to personal growth, she emphasizes that not everyone is ready to handle such pressure immediately.

Parker underscored the emotional toll of discussions about one’s unchangeable physical traits, saying it felt isolating and unfair. She had no recourse in the moment to confront the critic directly, no opportunity to question their intention or confront the anger behind their words. These personal attacks hit hardest, she said, because there was no logical conversation to be had.

The impact of that criticism extended into her psyche. As she took the weight of constant judgment about her appearance and even her personal life, she realized how vulnerable she had been. She noted that she considered herself confident, but the relentless attention revealed gaps in her ability to cope with negativity aimed at her character and identity, beyond mere performance.

During Sex and the City’s original run from 1998 to 2004, Parker encountered this feedback firsthand, first from tabloids and magazines, later amplified by social media in its absence. Still, she stayed true to herself, choosing not to change her appearance to please detractors. She said she never felt she needed to alter her physical self in response to criticism.

Parker’s emotional moment on the podcast marked a rare glimpse behind the public persona. She normally presents a poised and confident front, both on-screen and in interviews. Yet opening up about her tears demonstrated that the path to resilience is often paved with vulnerability.

In sharing this experience now, she sends an important message to anyone facing harsh public judgment. She reminds us that hurtful words can cut deep and that even those who appear unshakeable can be wounded. But she also shows how those wounds can deepen self-awareness, build empathy, and eventually strengthen one’s sense of self.

Parker’s story underscores the pressures faced by public figures and performers in the pre-social-media era when criticism spread through print and broadcast media and how they had little means to respond or contextualize the attacks. She credits her friends for being there when she needed them most, offering support during a moment of vulnerability.

While she didn’t dwell on this painful memory, she acknowledged its lasting impact. These experiences shaped her understanding of public life and gave her a clearer perspective on the toll criticism can take. She emphasized that growth often results from such challenging moments, though healing can be uneven.

Today, Parker continues to portray Carrie Bradshaw in the And Just Like That… sequel series. She brings to the role both her signature charisma and a deeper core of resilience informed by the emotional trials of her past. Her candid reflections offer insight into the emotional labor behind a performance that resonated with millions, and the personal cost of public exposure especially when scrutiny is unfiltered and harsh.

Ultimately, Sarah Jessica Parker’s confession is a testament to emotional honesty. She invites others to acknowledge their pain, lean on support networks, and recognize that self-confidence can grow even through tears. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that beneath the glamour and celebrity, there’s a real person with real feelings and that’s worth honoring.