Meanwhile, working-class or sexually liberated women were labeled "broads," "dolls," or "dames." The word "ladies" became a gatekeeping mechanism: it rewarded conformity to patriarchal, middle-to-upper-class norms. This historical shadow still lingers in modern media, where calling a woman a "lady" can feel like a test she must pass. One of the most pervasive uses of "ladies" in English entertainment is as a direct address: "Hey ladies," "Good evening, ladies," or the ubiquitous pop song opener, "Ladies, put your hands up."
However, change is visible. Shows like Insecure , Pose , and Bridgerton (specifically Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury) have reclaimed "lady" as an inclusive, powerful term. In Pose , the ballroom "ladies" are trans women forging their own definition of elegance. In Bridgerton , Lady Danbury wields the title with sharp, race-conscious wit. Entertainment is slowly expanding who can be a "lady" on screen, but the struggle for equal linguistic respect remains a subtext in every script. In the 2010s–2020s, a clear counter-movement emerged. Pop stars like Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, and Billie Eilish reject "lady" as outdated. In Lizzo’s "Juice," she sings, "If I’m shinin', everybody gonna shine / I was born like this, don’t you ever doubt it / Ladies, tell 'em." But she also laughs at the idea of "lady-like" behavior. Similarly, the viral phrase "She’s not a lady, she’s a woman " on feminist Twitter argues that "lady" implies performance, while "woman" implies authenticity. Shows like Insecure , Pose , and Bridgerton
As media continues to diversify—more female directors, more queer stories, more global voices—the term "ladies" will likely fragment further. We may see it abandoned entirely by younger generations, or reclaimed and redefined with radical joy. But for now, the next time a character on screen says, "Excuse me, ladies," listen closely. Behind that polite syllable is a century of cultural negotiation, a mirror held up to what society wants women to be—and what women, in their messy, brilliant, entertaining reality, actually are. Entertainment is slowly expanding who can be a
In (e.g., The View , Real Housewives ), "ladies" is a polite leash. Hosts use it to interrupt or discipline: "Ladies, one at a time." It simmers with the threat of chaos just beneath civility. The phrase "Now, ladies…" often precedes a scolding, revealing how the word enforces behavioral codes even in entertainment spaces. especially trans women of color
Streaming platforms have produced series that actively deconstruct the term: I May Destroy You , Fleabag , Russian Doll , Girls . Their protagonists are often messy, angry, sexual, and unladylike—and they are celebrated for it. The word "ladies" appears rarely, and when it does, it’s ironic or punitive.
It means everything and nothing. It is a compliment, an insult, a sales pitch, a social contract, a comic punchline, and a political statement—sometimes all in the same scene. The word persists because it is useful. It gathers women together, for good or ill. It signals a set of expectations that creators can either fulfill or explode.
Consider the vocabulary: a white woman who is assertive is a "strong lady." A Black woman doing the same is "aggressive" or "ghetto." In reality TV like Basketball Wives or Bad Girls Club , women of color are explicitly labeled as "not ladies" by both fellow cast members and commenters. The 2020 Netflix documentary Disclosure touches on how trans women, especially trans women of color, are denied "lady" status entirely by mainstream media.