So, did you see that Chandra Wilson and Jennifer Hudson and America Ferrera all won SAG awards last night? And, did you see the latter two win Golden Globes, also? And, have you heard that runways everywhere are banning models who are dangerously skinny? Oh, and have you seen that not-too-smart people like Gisele have been caught saying absurd bullshit about anorexia? Then today, Us published this:
Super-skinny nominated actresses like Kyra Sedgwick and Cate Blanchett got beaten by their curvier counterparts in what may signal a "widening" opportunity for aspiring actresses who'd rather work on their lines than their abs.
Is it possible that Hollywood is finally "expanding" their view on beauty, or do they just recognize talent when they see it, regardless of shape or size?
I probably woulda dug this blurb more had they not put all the obvious fat jokes in quotes, but that doesn't mean they aren't on to something.
Have we finally reached the realization that really, really, really skinny does not a pretty girl make? To be sure, I'm not saying thin is gross—I'm kinda slightly built myself. What I'm saying is that not being thin isn't gross, either.
I think that what all the aforementioned big ladies have in common is their striking self-confidence. Heavy or not, as far as I'm concerned, the ugliest thing a girl can do is be self-conscious. Seriously, it makes me want to chug my drink and run out of the bar crying every time I see the awkward girl who's constantly fussing with her lipstick and tugging at her ill-fitting clothes. BLECH!
Fun girls in light make-up who will share fries with you at Happy Hour are the new Gisele.
[Source]
Editor
You are a stud for all the smart and funny posts you write, but taking this stand makes you REALLY exceptional in my eyes. Thank you for all your droll and thoughtful remarks, this one especially.
Forget fat and thin… I'd like to see "short chic". I hate the fashion industry's obsession with tall girls. Give me short girls any day. Short and thin? Even better.
Hey Cord, thanks for this post! And to all the people who are going to comment that the only people that agree with this post are fat people themselves–save it! Beautiful people really come in all shapes and sizes, look inside for true beauty!
I love all three of these actresses that won last night - kudos to you for this post, Cord.
I'm not certain that I like that blurb either - it was kind of a double-edged sword. They're injecting fat jokes for the first three, but then kind of saying that Kyra and Cate are untalented just because they're thin?
Then again, what am I saying? Us Weekly having their heads up their asses is like my Mondays with a hangover…for whatever reason, they just go together.
I, for one, welcome our type-2 diabetic overlords.
Actually, looking at those pics, I'd have to say America and Jennifer look, well, average. Like any normal weight (but very beautiful) girl you might see walking down the street. Chandra is a bit bigger, but, hey, who doesn't gain a little when you get older? It is refreshing to see an older woman who doesn't feel she has to look like a little girl.
Great article… refreshing …. but we also need to recognize that we are the ones with the power to make the change in what Hollywood portrays by un-subscrbing to the notion that rail thin is our accepted "ideal" for beautiful. Let's subscribe to being healthy…. eating disorders are are the silenet time-bomb in our society and we need to present more realistc images for our young girls in this country. Thanks for an honest article…
no, no, no.
Lane Bryant =/= the new Wet Seal.
There is a real obesity epidemic in case you forgot. Auschwitz thin isn't healthy, and neither is having a high body-fat %. Just put down the sammie and break a sweat.
I never denied there was an obesity epidemic. But, I think your mentioning that in this case is unwarranted and alarmist. Even if we assume that, at 5'9" tall, Jennifer Hudson's 200 lbs., that still puts her beneath the BMI standard for "obese." Does it make her overweight? Yes.
But, conversely, using that exact same BMI test, Gisele, at 5'11" and 127 lbs., is underweight. Yet she's on the cover of magazines and one of the richest women in the world. What I'm saying is that that is bullshit.
And, to top all that off, studies are proving that the BMI itself is totally useless (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14396741/), making the definitions of obese, overweight and underweight even more convoluted.
These women don't have type-2 diabetes, and it's offensive to suggest that they might just because they aren't svelte and bony.
That's why I didn't mention the BMI, I know it's useless. Body fat percentage, however, is a completely different formula and is not useless. The goal for health is to have a healthy proportion of lean mass to bodyfat. In this case, think of athletes, or back-up dancers in rap videos as the ideal. And, while these women might not have type-2 diabetes right now, they would be labeled "at risk" were they to obtain a physical at this moment.
I didn't mention the BMI, and I didn't mention "svelte and bony".
Fine, let's look at body fat percentage, then. Obese, as defined by those terms, is having a body fat percentage of 32 percent or more. If you're suggesting that these three ladies have a body fat percentage of at least 32 percent, I'm willing to wager you're well off the mark.
Assuming Jennifer Hudson is 185 lbs. with a waist size of 36", she still falls outside of the "obese" zone when looking at body fat percentage. The only one who even comes close to that would be Chandra.
That said, this is really not my point. My point in this post was regarding aesthetics. I'm saying that it's important and refreshing for these women to be recognized as attractive forces in entertainment. And, while you didn't mention "svelte and bony," you did hint at the idea that women who shopped at Lane Bryant are all part of the obesity epidemic. You're wrong.
Oh, they are pretty close to 30. I own a set of calipers (Accu-Measure brand, pretty damn accurate), I'm looking at them right now. Yeah, 30 is about right. Well, America might be high 20's, but still. While they might not be "obese" just yet, being on the high-end of the "overweight" range isn't something to warrant a pat on the back.
I understand how you need to pander to your audience though. Good writing nonetheless.
And for research sake, just go hang out in a Lane Bryant for about 30 minutes.
well someone seems to NOT be content unless they have the last word…
Cord as a former fattie who still wishes the world showed a little more double digit size acceptance, I applaud your willingness to admit that sometimes thin can be aesthetically displeasing, even though it exposed you to those who find that such a whacked out notion that you couldn't mean it… you must be pandering to your lard ass readers. And Lane Bryant sizes start at a size 14… they do go upwards but I know a few very very very physically fit women who are a size 14 that would happily pound anyone that suggested they were part of the obesity epidemic.
by sitting on them?
Your use of the word fin was totally deck! I just finished the Hipster's Handbook and was happy to see someone else got caught up in the lingo.
"But, I think your mentioning that in this case is unwarranted and alarmist” who the fuck cares what is mentioned? Let the peeps comment lest you be the Mao Zedong of Mollygood.
Yes no fat chicks, I suppose a size 14 IS a bit too big… at least it does nothing to de-accentuate the pencil-ality of your dick. Keep with the 'rexics for the ego boost.
the "hipster's handbook" is jazz.
I meant "fin" like at the end of old art house flicks. But, I guess it works either way.
or "fin" like at the end of "muffin" and "stuffin", you know for those of you who likes ta eat.
"Finnish your shark fin soup!" Forcing of cleaning plates can show the way to obesity; no child should ever be forced to eat. Not even if they are fat kids and you suspect they’re still hungry.
You guys, this is really sad. Hershey's is finally doing something about the obesity epidemic and I think everyone should know about it:
http://www.recoilmag.com/news/....._1204.html
What makes them beautiful is not their size, it's their proportions. Weight has nothing to do with it. Jennifer could weigh the same, but put on all her weight in the stomach and face area. That would make her less attractive.
I probably weigh less than Jessica Beil, but that doesn't mean I have a "better body." Far from it. She's proportioned better.
Why if these girls or whoever are ok with the way they look or how much they weight, can the rest just keep their bs to themselves cause obviously being "obese" is not stoping them from being succesful. Maybe Angela needs to shove those pretty damn accurate calipers down her throat and take her Lane Bryant research somewhere else. I hear Calista Floakhart needs someone to hold her head while vomiting go check into that girl.
speaking of shoving things down one's throat…
…you going to finish that? …oh, that one too? …oh, wow, you are a very successful eater.
Who's anal enough to own calipers besides a doctor or personal trainer? There are bigger issues in life to deal with.
I'd rather hang with a big person who enjoys life rather than one who is constantly counting calories and snorting to stay thin.
Fat and succesful is the ultimate combo ever. Second place ultimate combo is the combomaniac at KFC.
vikingwench-
I'd rather hang with a big person who enjoys life too, makes me look that much better and they don't even get their feelings hurt! Well, not in public anyway.
You do realize that the first ad on this page is:
"Angelina's Diet Secret
How Angelina Stays So Slender. And how you can too! Her secret."
And then on the right column, the site claims to be "splaying celebrities".
There are just so many contradictions. This site is obviously for talking shit about celebrities. Let the festivities commence people.
I know this fat kid who uses calipers to pick up shit like french fries cause he doesn't want to bend over.
^ That kid will be very successful one day. Maybe he'll win an award. Maybe by then, when fatties rule Hollywood, the awards will be of the chocolate truffle variety.
you guys are all trying to get into "mollygood, bad and racist" for the end of this week, aren't you?
talent should matter most, but hollywood has never really glorified creativity. everyone's prejudiced about something, and the anonymity of the internet makes it easier for the general public to say stupid shit. don't get offended, because everyone's lying anyway.
Ok Cord I was hating on ya about the Brandy remark last…but you hath redeemed thyself! (or some shit like that)
OK Angela,
YOU are the problem not the 'obese' people of America..maybe if you didn't squander your time judging those who are not a size 3 then maybe fat folk wouldnt feel so damn bad about themselves!
You are a very sad and misguided girl who needs a burger and a shake! When was the last time you had a carb? Do you know that lack of carbs softens the brain area? Maybe that's where thsee pesky braincells that hold COMMON SENSE have escaped.
As a former fattie I am now at 5'3 and 155lbs…Im also a size 29 waist with 36D breasts…do the math- its proportion not pounds! I've had to weigh myself in front of people becasue i clearly do not look like im packing almost 160lbs.
Ahem. former fattie?
jizzA
You probably don't look like you weigh that much because you have low body fat and more muscle. That's the "healthy" I was talking about. I never said people should be size 3, or even "skinny". I think the only ideal I even mentioned was "athletic".
I'm rockin' some 36D's myself and I know that if I lose a certain amount of weight those will get all gross, so I eat for the sake of my boobs.
Inflagrante
Who are you asking not to get offended? Fat people? Blogger(s)?
Inflagrante sounds a lot like a forum mediator. Could it be?
the thicker the waistband,the deeper the quicksand…words never rang so true. but to all my mama mammouths out there, i treasure your siren songs…ie out of breath wheezing after a mcflurry run. if there is one thing that keeps me going, its the fact that you could always give me a new bicep workout. i mean, those arms, they gotsa be 25" around.
Ima Jerk says:
Ahem. former fattie?
—-
oooh aren't we clever!
don't you have a nicole ritchie picture to whack off to?
here's a magnifying glass..go search for it first buddy.
ignorant loser, its a fuckin number not a shape weetard.