A Man Said Ester Expósito Smoking Makes Her Less Attractive, and the Internet Dragged Him

Spanish actress Ester Expósito, best known for her role in Netflix’s hit series Elite, has unintentionally set the internet ablaze over a cigarette. A video of the star casually smoking on a sidewalk recently surfaced on social media, amassing more than 5 million views and triggering a passionate debate about beauty, femininity, and fragile masculinity.

The clip was originally shared by An Choquei’s official X (formerly Twitter) account with a caption that read:

“CELEBRITIES: Actress Ester Expósito, from ‘Elite,’ was criticized by men after being seen smoking: ‘She could be the most beautiful woman in the world, but if I see her with a cigarette in her hand or in her mouth, I lose interest.’”

The internet had its latest unnecessary gender war.

FAMOSOS: A atriz Ester Expósito, de ‘Elite’, foi criticada por homens após ser vista fumando: “Pode ser a mulher mais bonita do mundo, se eu vejo com um cigarro na mão ou na boca, perco o interesse”. pic.twitter.com/tAxHRPCrQu

— CHOQUEI (@choquei) March 13, 2025

The Internet Came Through with the Clapbacks

The reactions were a mix of amusement, disbelief, and absolute dragging of the men who dared to clutch their pearls over a woman enjoying a cigarette. Here’s a taste of the best responses.

• “This woman is a goddess, but men try really hard to like women, right?”
• “She’s literally sharing a cigarette with a HOT GUY and you think she’s worried about a guy with a fragile ego on the internet? Damn it? LOL.”
• “As if any woman would be interested in a wimp who can’t handle a little smoke.”
• “The diva became 10x more attractive.”
• “Men who barely cut their nails because their belly doesn’t allow them to bend down to their feet, who don’t know how to dress, who don’t even have teeth, come to give their opinion on someone else’s life decisions.”

The overall consensus was that nobody cares what random men on the internet think about women’s habits, especially not Ester Expósito.

Why Are We Still Policing Women’s Choices?

Beyond the ridiculousness of the backlash, this incident highlights a long-standing issue. Society remains obsessed with controlling women’s behavior in the name of “desirability.” The idea that a woman loses value because she smokes is not just outdated, it is laughable.

Men smoke all the time in movies, in real life, and in old-timey black-and-white photos where they think they look cool. The moment a woman does it, suddenly it is a moral crisis.

Expósito, for her part, has remained unbothered by the discourse. She is busy being a successful, beautiful, and ridiculously talented actress rather than waiting for validation from men she would not date in the first place.

Ester Expósito on Fame, Scrutiny, and Online Harassment

This is not the first time Expósito has faced intense public scrutiny. In a past interview with EL PAÍS, she reflected on the isolating nature of fame, saying:

“After ‘Elite,’ I realized I was alone.”

The viral cigarette incident also taps into a larger conversation about online harassment, particularly toward women. During her speech at the Bazaar Women of the Year 2024 Awards, where she received the New Generation Award, Expósito addressed the rampant misogyny on social media, stating that:

“Online violence against women is so normalized that it’s often ignored or excused.”

The responses to her smoking video are a perfect example of that.

Final Verdict? She’s Still THAT Girl

Despite the unnecessary discourse, Expósito remains one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. Whether she is lighting up the screen or a cigarette, her fans will continue to support her and roast her haters mercilessly.

Moral of the story. Let women live.