Entering the Milfaissance with Molly Wurwand
⤏ ARTIST MOLLY WURWAND ON QUEERING THE DEFINITION OF MILFS, THE FACES OF MILF RUSHMORE AND WHAT STACY’S MOM IS DOING TODAY
⤏ BY MOLLY WURWAND
When did your fascination with MILFS start?
MOLLY WURWAND: My fascination with MILFS started literally in childhood. Growing up in Los Angeles, it felt like I was surrounded by MILFS. All my friends’ parents, all my parents’ friends- they were all MILFS. And then like, gazing out the window in my car seat, there’s Angelyne on billboards, and going to Vicente Foods you’d see Anna Nicole Smith on every magazine cover. It was a full MILF immersion.
How is your idea of Milfhood different from the traditional idea of Milfs?
MW: MILFS are traditionally coded as female, and also coded as being a parent or parental figure. In this queering of MILF to MILF, we begin with the spelling itself: the acronym is transformed into more of a stand alone proper noun, an honorific title, an emblematic archetype. This linguistic adjustment centers the MILF as an individual, rather than the gaze of the onlooker who would “like to f*ck” them. Then, it’s an expansion of the essence- beyond only female-identifying people into more of a state of mind. Milfdom exists beyond the gender binary- it’s expansive, and unrelated to parentage. MILF is truly a state of mind.
Aside from sex appeal, what makes a MILF a MILF?
MW: Vulnerability, and optimism bordering on delusion. A cheeky sense of humor, and a trust in the universe. Bravery and joie-de-vivre, with a propensity to rely on horoscopes. MILFS have been through a lot- they’ve seen behind the curtain, but they’re not jaded. MILFS still believe in magic.
Is it just me or were MILFS a bigger sensation/talking point in the early 2000’s than they are in today’s pop culture? Who is today’s Anna Nicole Smith???
MW: I do think hopefully we are on the brink of the Milfaissance. Modern MILFS include Lil Nas X and Stacy Leigh. We will never have another Anna Nicole- we didn’t deserve her the first time around. She’s a supernova, somehow both an archetype and also a complete original. Maybe Anna Nicole is today’s Anna Nicole, because she’s due for a total reevaluation. We owe her a big apology, and a lot more respect and gratitude.
What was the inspiration behind Kimberleigh Turns 40 Again?
MW: My friend Niamh Galea has an incredible label called Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp, and I got to work with her on a swimwear campaign. She asked me to paint people wearing the swimsuits from her new collection. Basically, my imaginary friends got to star as her models. And Kimberleigh was first in line- as soon as I saw the look book, Kimberleigh just came out of me. She was born to wear a swimsuit.
Where is Stacy’s mom today?
MW: Stacy’s mom is semi-retired from her hugely successful entrepreneurial career. She and Stacy are best friends, and she volunteers a lot with Heal the Bay.
Who is your favorite MILF?
MW: Of all the ones I’ve made up in my mind?? How could I choose! I have a soft spot for Kimberleigh. And Gail. And Candace and Gretchen. All of them. They’re all so real to me. I could tell you when and why each of them got their current haircut, and what their recurring dreams are. It’s a whole MILF Cinematic Universe.
Who is the ultimate MILF?
MW: Let’s do it this way: the faces that would be carved into the Mount Rushmore of MILFS (MILF Rushmore?) would be Whitney Houston, Princess Diana, Anna Nicole, Lolo Ferrari, and Nicole Brown.
Thoughts on TLC’s Milf Manor?
MW: Loved it. There was absolutely no chemistry between any of the would-be couples, so we got to focus instead on the MILFS as individuals.