From equal pay, to racism, to what was or was not currently inside their uterus, 2016 was the year famous women ditched publicist statements to find their voice in long-form pieces.

Here are 10 of the best:

1. Jennifer Aniston: 'For The Record'

Huffington Post, July 12

Aniston responded to over a decade's worth of pregnancy rumours.

"The sheer amount of resources being spent right now by press trying to simply uncover whether or not I am pregnant (for the bajillionth time... but who's counting) points to the perpetuation of this notion that women are somehow incomplete, unsuccessful, or unhappy if they're not married with children. In this last boring news cycle about my personal life there have been mass shootings, wildfires, major decisions by the Supreme Court, an upcoming election, and any number of more newsworthy issues that "journalists" could dedicate their resources towards."

2. Kim Kardashian West: 'Happy International Women's Day'

Own website, March 8

After a (censored) nude selfie saw the reality star face steep criticism, she cleared the air with a long-read.

"It's 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming – it's like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me."

​3. Rose McGowan: 'Open Letter To Scott Baio And Those Like Him'

The Talkhouse, July 21

McGowan laid into Happy Days actor Scott Baio after he called Hillary Clinton the C-word.

"If you can't open your mind, at least stop hurting us, because if you slander one woman, you slander all."

4. Renee Zellweger: 'We Can Do Better'

Huffington Post, August 5

The Bridget Jones actor denied she had been under the knife, and questioned how the social implications of the false story.

"The 'eye surgery' tabloid story itself did not matter, but it became the catalyst for my inclusion in subsequent legitimate news stories about self-acceptance and women succumbing to social pressure to look and age a certain way. In my opinion, that tabloid speculations become the subject of mainstream news reporting does matter."

5. Lady Gaga: 'Head Stuck In A Cycle I Look Off And I Stare'

Own charity's website, December 8

After revealing she had been diagnosed with PTSD, Lady Gaga penned a "personal letter" to reveal what the condition meant for her.

"I believe that the most inexpensive and perhaps the best medicine in the world is words. Kind words… positive words… words that help people who feel ashamed of an invisible illness to overcome their shame and feel free. This is how I and we can begin to heal. I am starting today, because secrets keep you sick."

​6. Meghan Markle: I'm More Than An 'Other'

Elle UK, December 12

The Suits star, who recently made headlines after striking up a relationship with Prince Harry, reflected on her mixed-race identity.

"My teacher told me to check the box for Caucasian. 'Because that's how you look, Meghan,' she said. I put down my pen. Not as an act of defiance, but rather a symptom of my confusion. I couldn't bring myself to do that, to picture the pit-in-her-belly sadness my mother would feel if she were to find out. So, I didn't tick a box. I left my identity blank – a question mark, an absolute incomplete – much like how I felt."

7. Lily Allen: 'Why the Press Want to Stop Celebrities Like Me Talking About the Migrant Crisis'

Vice, October 26

Allen hit back at British tabloids who described her as a "sobbing luvvie" during a visit to a refugee camp in France.

"The furore about whether or not some refugees may have lied about their ages is not really about whether these refugees can enter the country; it's about creating the narrative that people trying to come here aren't asking for our help, but trying to dupe us, take advantage of the system."

8. Victoria Beckham: 'Game Changers'

Vogue Australia, November issue

The pop star turned fashion designer was one of several successful women to write first-person pieces about their lives.

"I have a great team and I have a husband who is incredibly supportive. We support each other, and this is about being good partners. When I am away working, David makes sure he is here, and when he is away working I prioritise being at home."

9. Mila Kunis: 'You'll Never Work In This Town Again'

A Plus, November 2

Kunis reflected on the time a director told her she would never work again after refusing to pose semi-nude for a men's magazine, and the gender biases that exist within Hollywood workplaces.

"Throughout my career, there have been moments when I have been insulted, sidelined, paid less, creatively ignored, and otherwise diminished based on my gender. And always, I tried to give people the benefit of the doubt; maybe they knew more, maybe they had more experience, maybe there was something I was missing. I taught myself that to succeed as a woman in this industry I had to play by the rules of the boy's club. But the older I got and the longer I worked in this industry, the more I realised that it's bullshit! And, worse, that I was complicit in allowing it to happen." 

10. Björk: Untitled

Facebook, December 21

After being criticised for moving around too much in her DJ sets by reviewers, the Icelandic singer posted an explosive response on her Facebook page, saying no man had ever received the same criticism and alleging critics disliked her because she wrote songs about things other than "boyfriends".

"Eat your Bechtel Test heart out."