“Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years. I think I have loved her most of all.”
These were the touching words American actress Sarah Jessica Parker said as she bid a fond farewell to her beloved Sex and The City character Carrie Bradshaw, after it was announced the spin-off And Just Like That… was coming to an end after three seasons.
The series, a continuation and look into the lives of New York’s most eligible women and best friends, Carrie, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York, was a little controversial from the get-go, in part thanks to Kim Cattrall’s (Samantha Jones) noticeable absence besides from a cameo or two.
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The news of the show’s axing was devastating to me as a longtime Sex and The City fan. I also thought the movies were a bit of fun.
Say what you want about And Just Like That… – some claim it was too ‘woke’ – but I loved seeing the brilliant fashion once again and the return of New York’s favourite girls.
I loved seeing the girls’ return and their friendship deepen as they reached a more mature stage of their lives. We have been following their lives and relationships for years, we’re invested!
Over the years, Carrie herself has taught us a lot about love, life, and relationships, through her own musings and experiences.
One of my favourite Carrie quotes is, “I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.”
And who can forget this classic? “When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more.”
“In a way, Carrie almost felt like a friend … We’re not perfect, and nor was she.”
She even taught us how to navigate the working world with her career as a writer, deal with politics, and how to balance her career and friendships.
Let’s also not forget another important friend by her side all along – her bestie Stanford Blatch, who was there for her through thick and thin. Don’t we all want friendships like that?
Even to this day, fans still debate whether Carrie was indeed a good friend.
Think: the episode when she needed money from Charlotte for a down payment on her apartment, despite having spent thousands on shoes over the years, and gets mad at her for not offering her the money at first.
Another recent debate I’ve seen revolved around the storyline when Carrie’s Manolos Blahniks were stolen at a long-lost friend’s baby shower, and Miranda tells her they should be replaced – and the host judged her for the cost of shoes as a single woman.
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In a way, and I’m sure most diehard Sex and The City fans will relate to this, Carrie almost felt like a friend during some of life’s toughest moments.
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Multiple generations of women can relate to Carrie and the show in their own way. How special is that?
I do, in fact, think she was a good friend to Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda over the years.
She always showed up for them; a special moment was when Carrie ran across town during a snow storm to comfort a newly-single and cheated on Miranda on New Year’s Eve.
Whether she was dating Mr. Big or Aidan Shaw, or single, she made dating look fun and I don’t think she was ever ashamed to be single. I think that’s a good message to put out amid so many societal expectations placed on women and young girls.
(Namely, the constant questions about whether you’re going to get married or have kids or settle down. We’ve all had them!)
Carrie is the epitome of following her own heart and writing her story on her own terms and timeline, and following her own ambition, as cheesy as it sounds. 
She was brave taking the leap as a young woman to carve out a new life for herself in New York City.
We’re not perfect, and nor was she. I will never forget the moment she fell over while walking the catwalk at a charity fashion show! But she picked herself up, and it’s a memorable moment – and lesson – for fans.
What I loved most about Carrie is that she saw life through a different lens. At times, she was a hopeless romantic and a dreamer. Is that necessarily a bad thing? 
Another rewatch of the iconic show is in order for me now that AJLT is coming to an end.
Sex and The City celebrated women, femininity, true friendship – and of course, fashion. Who can forget the newspaper dress?
Carrie, of course, had her fair share of stumbles, highs and lows, hilarious moments and messy breakups, but I feel like Sarah Jessica Parker truly brought her to life in a way that no other actress can.
“Carrie is the epitome of following her own heart and writing her story on her own terms and timeline.”
When she lost Mr. Big, we cried with her. When she broke up with Aidan, we felt her pain.
When she was dumped by Berger via a Post-It note, we all were outraged.
Parker’s tribute post to Carrie and fans following the shock news felt like a final goodbye to the character. A final nail in the coffin. And it was a sad read.
“She devoted herself to hats, books, shoes, friends and the promise of a new day in her beloved city and the people she treasured most,” Parker wrote about Carrie.
“She has worn shame, pride, honor, optimism and literally countless dresses, skirts, tutus. Held onto hands, hopes and the very best of people.
“I know others have loved her just as I have. Been frustrated, condemned and rooted for her.
“The symphony of all those emotions has been the greatest soundtrack and most consequential companion.
“It will be forever before I forget. The whole thing. Thank you all. I love you so.”
But I’m so sad to see her go, and I know other diehard Sex and The City fans might feel the same way.
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So thank you Sarah Jessica, for pouring your heart and soul into a character for literally decades, and for bringing Carrie to life.
She’ll forever be an icon in my eyes.
And for the record, I was always Team Aidan.
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