The hauntingly destructive, conflicting, and romantic tale of “Wuthering Heights” has taken the cinematic world by storm. The tale of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw dives into toxic love and obsession, with a cautionary tale about the repercussions of social standing.
The production of this novel-turned-film was laced with a twinge of controversy from the start. As Jacob Elordi took center stage playing the primary protagonist and anti-hero, many were quick to notice the stark difference between the description of Heathcliff and the casting. Surprisingly, this rise in racial ambiguity was not the only controversy. As Margot Robbie, the lead actress who plays Catherine, embarked on her press tour, fans were quick to notice a lack of credibility in a particular statement piece, causing a wave of anger among her fans.
Margot Robbie stepped out in Los Angeles for one of the most buzzing nights of the Wuthering Heights press tour. Although draped in mesmerizing couture by Schiaparelli, the crowd was immediately fixated on Robbie’s neck. Resting on it was one of the prettiest heart-shaped necklaces ever worn on the red carpet.
At first glance, one could determine the leading story behind it almost immediately. After all, the piece was made iconic (in Hollywood) by Elizabeth Taylor and her legendary romance with Richard Burton, who famously bought it as a birthday gift for her in the early 1970s, a gesture that became part of film lore. So, when asked, Margot Robbie proudly referred to it as the “Elizabeth Taylor Necklace.”
However, take a closer look.
Inscribed in Parsi, the necklace reads: “Love is Everlasting”, dedicated to Noor Jahan, the recipient of the necklace from her husband, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir, who eventually passed it down to his son Shah Jahan and his Wife, Mumtaz Mahal, now buried in the Taj Mahal in India. So how did this end up with Elizabeth Taylor and then Cartier? The acquisition of this necklace by Burton and then Cartier comes from the centuries of upheaval of Indian culture, traditions, and gold. It is no secret that cultural appropriation of the Indian lifestyle has been around for years. Why is this one any different?
Acknowledgement matters.
The entire Wuthering Heights cast refused to acknowledge the accurate history behind Empress Noor Jahan’s necklace. My culture and traditions are not just theoretical concepts, but they tell a story more impressive and thoughtful than any other. By claiming the necklace belongs to Elizabeth Taylor, you strip down the identity of the Empress, who was the original owner. To see a piece of my history go ‘viral’ without accurately representing it causes an immense amount of pain and anger towards an entire country.
When a jewel with Mughal roots becomes labeled in pop culture for its celebrity ownership, we risk overlooking centuries of history tied to empires, identities, and cultural heritage.
Remember: This necklace isn’t just a pretty accessory. It is a symbol of how history, culture, and storytelling intersect, and why who gets to tell those stories shapes what we think the past is.
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