Women on Top

Recently, I read an article that discussed what they termed "The Oscar Curse" ...apparently, women who win the Oscar tend to find themselves out of love shortly thereafter. While I thought this was just a story made sensational to sell papers, I was surprised when I looked at the list that went on and on and on. I really do try to look for the positive in life, but some-not-so-nice-things become so obvious, they are hard to ignore. Usually, these things have a lot to do with equality, gender roles, and cultural expectations.

After a beautiful and heartfelt speech that brought her husband to tears, Sandra Bullock is now the object of a scandal of infidelity, and could very well be heading for a split.

Reese Witherspoon marriage ended 19 months after she thanked husband Ryan Philippe on the Oscar stage.

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes seemed like soulmates, one of the Hollywood couples that might actually last. But she wins the Oscar, and a year later they announce their split. Could the two be linked?

Then there was Hilary Swank, who forgot to thank Chad Lowe in her first Oscar acceptance speech (the marriage survived) but said his support meant "the world" in the second (they separated a year later).

Julia Roberts split from her long time boyfriend, Benjamin Bratt, shortly after her Oscar win. In an interview, Bratt confessed that her fame was like a fly constantly buzzing in his ear while they were together. I wonder if she felt the same about his fame?

Halle Berry had to endure quite the public sex-scandal with her then husband. Their divorce took place only months after her win.

So what gives? Is it all just coincidence? Just Hollywood drama? Or do women who prove successful in their careers really just prove to be unsuccessful in love? Can the women really be the alpha in the relationship?