Ulrika Jonsson has defiantly responded to online trolls who criticised her natural appearance after she went makeup-free for a podcast appearance.
The 57-year-old TV presenter and former model appeared on Spencer Matthews’ Untapped Podcast, where she spoke candidly about her sobriety and life experiences. However, the comments that followed were anything but supportive. Ulrika received a wave of harsh remarks describing her as “over-tanned,” “imperfect,” and “ageing.”
“I know I look older,” Ulrika admitted in her column for The Times. “But then I should. I’m a menopausal mother of four whose body and face has lived quite the life.”
She went on to reject the obsession with youthful looks, writing: “I’ve fought hard against the whole perception of women being solely about beauty and image. I’m a practical woman, with experience, kindness, and intelligence.”
Ulrika explained that she hadn’t worn makeup for the podcast recording because she forgot it would be filmed. As for her tan, it came from spending months working outdoors in her garden.
Despite previously using Botox and fillers, she now embraces her natural self. “I want to look my age,” she wrote, also praising Pamela Anderson for stepping onto red carpets makeup-free in recent years.
On Instagram, Ulrika posted a bare-faced selfie and addressed the backlash: “I wore no make-up. I kind of forgot a podcast is also visual these days. But after years of wearing heavy makeup on TV from 5am, I’m not a fan. Most crucially, I’ve suffered from eczema since childhood — makeup has always been agony to wear.”
She also revealed that she hadn’t had a proper holiday since 2018 and occasionally uses filters in photos because foundation irritates her skin.
Spencer Matthews, the podcast host, defended her publicly. “People shouldn’t comment on the appearance of others. We stand with Ulrika,” he wrote, calling her podcast appearance “powerful, vulnerable, and deeply honest.”
He added, “True strength lies in honesty — not in how we look, but in the actions we take and what we choose to share.”
