People magazine's latest issue features a story on Tyra Banks, who, if you haven't noticed, has gained some weight as of late. It seems, however, that public opinion is mixed--while some may feel Tyra to be more "relatable" at a heavier weight, others have quite a different reaction--according to the article, Tyra's been labeled "ugly" and "disgusting" and headlines abound: "Tyra Porkchop" and "America's Next Top Waddle."
Tyra says: "I've made millions of dollars with the body I have, so where's the pain in that? If I was in pain, I would have dieted. The pain is not there – the pain is someone printing a picture of me and saying those (horrible) things."
Why must we pick apart her body, flaunt her cellulite in print, and focus on her weight, rather than her accomplishments?
Let's keep in mind that at 5'10" and a reported 161 pounds, Tyra's hardly obese. And, with two hit shows, she's become an American media sensation, rumored to follow Oprah's lead.
But, let's not let her get. . . too big.
13 comments:
This world will never stop picking apart people and their weight. It's unfortunate!
Well, labeling celebrities fat, even if we all think its an outrage, sells magazines. Look, you picked it up and read it. They don't care if they've offended you, as long as you've read it. I can't help but feel that by discussing the articles, and even caring at all about celebrity culture, we're just adding fuel to the fire. If we didn't care, they wouldn't be able to sell it to us, and therefore this media emphasis on weight would be less of an issue. But maybe I am just yearning for that ideal world where my roommates come home to watch bbc news and organize a food drive, rather than sit down and watch American Idol. I can dream.
I was waiting for you to post on this! I read a snippet from the upcoming article in People and I was very impressed with her honesty. She made some statement about how she wasn't going to get on a soapbox about how she loves her body all the time and act all high and mighty. And she admitted that like most women, she does have her days of feeling negative about her body. But in general, she feels good and is really upset about the messages this sends to young women. I've caught bits of her shows, and found her annoying at times. But on this issue, I really think she has handled herself like a class act.
You know, after thinking about it a little bit... I do have a ootential problem with her - isn't she a judge on the "Top Model" show? Now I admit I haven't really watched the show in its entirety .....anyone who knows the show well want to sound off and give me some info? If she is milking the benefits and contributing to a system that promotes ED's and body issues, then I take my positive comments back and call her a hypocrite! But I'm hoping I am wrong....
"Let's keep in mind that at 5'10" and a reported 161 pounds, Tyra's hardly obese. "
In fact, 161 is not even OVERWEIGHT by BMI calculations. At her current height and weight she has a BMI of around 23 which is "normal". I think her body looks great and I'm shocked and saddened that anyone could look at her and say she is fat.
Good points, PS!
part of this seems to be more about women having lesser value in our culture and therefore having to 'look' like society wants us to look. I don't really see much popular media but I do watch public TV...McLaughlin group, ever notice how fat Tony is...the women panelists/guests on most news shows are almost invariably waifish, or very trim. Men can be fat, old, jowly, women damn well better look good.
If you haven't noticed...Al Gore has gained alot of weight...I bet if Hillary Clinton gained so much weight, it would be featured in at least a few articles.
I think it's funny that the picture People used for the cover makes her look more like 130 pounds. I can hardly believe that she is 160- I'm 6'0 tall and have to say that they've cleary aribrushed her a tinsy bit. But that aside, good for her at least on annoucing her love of self and body. I've watched her Top Model show, and it's (not suprisingly) void of such messages, but it's relality TV. The orignial purpose of using tall, skinny women to model clothes came from the desire on the part of the designer to accucentute the article of clothing and to show as much fabric as possible. Unfortunatley this has trickled down into our day to day lives, and making it seem accessible to everyone, though less than 2 per cent of women are built like that. Anyway, I hope Tyra keeps up the talk about her body, and other celebrities will follow suit.
But but but....I bet that cover shot of her (on People Mag) is super air-brushed.... Either that, or she did lose wait since the notorious picture of her doing a yoga pose in that black/purple/blue one-piece bathing suit....
I find it ironically annoying that a woman who helped to create the obsession with thinness is now upset that it has finally backfired on her. Please.
What about the image of Americas Next Top Model? She chose not to have any "plus sized" models on - what does THAT tell young females in this country?
She is a walking contradiction.
I love the fact that Tyra knew when it was best for her to gain some weight. Smart lady.
I also love her for her admission that she was once a bully.
ptc--yes, it is.
liz--you're rigth, it does sell.
ps--I do think she's handled herself well. On Larry King, she addressed her ambivalence abt promoting model culture on ANTM and how she's trying to integrate larger models on the show.
anon--yes, she is a "normal" weight.
anet--v. good points.
stella--I hope so, too.
haley--according to what she said on the show, the notorious pic. was taken only 3 weeks before. She claims not to have lost weight since, but to have been captured at an unflattering angle (did anyone else think there was a suspicion of the original photo being doctored?)
anon--see above, though I can certainly understand the contradiction.
lm--yes, smart indeed.
I remember years ago, seeing an article in a magazine about Leonardo decaprio [Don't know how to spell his last name]. He was eating an ice-cream while walking a street with his shirt open and blowing around in the wind. He had only his bare chest underneath and he was so skinny that you could make out a few of his ribs!
No big deal right?
The article was about Leonardos decent into obesity!!!
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