The Hollywood Body Image
Posted on June 10, 2009
Filed Under East meets West, Guest Columnist | 3 Comments
It’s always there, staring at us from the glossy covers of fashion and gossip magazines, subtly telling us that we still fall short of the mark. There is still a bit more weight to drop, in order to look as flawless as the celebrities we emulate.
I always fall into the trap. I’m standing in line at the grocery store, and US Weekly or People catch my eye. Then without warning, I’m entranced by the perfection that defines Hollywood royalty. Perfect bodies. Beautifully sculpted arms. Rock hard abs. Bronzed and toned thighs. I assess my own physical appearance and note all the ways that I fall short of this standard. My self-esteem stumbles a bit, I vow to start that diet immediately, and dust off the old gym shoes.
In reality, these expectations to look the same are unattainable for most of society. Simply put – money. These celebrities have the means necessary to pay for that personal trainer to put them on a workout schedule tailored for specific results. They have the money to pay for a chef to do their grocery shopping then come to their homes and cook meals that are healthy, low-fat, and regulate their caloric intake. Hello! Could it get any easier than that? Not having to pour through cookbooks looking for something that is tasty AND healthy AND accommodates your workout regime would add hours to your schedule you never dreamed of! But wait, what about your kids? Oh yeah, being a celebrity means that while you are at the gym (your personal one or a group one!) you have the means to hire a nanny to watch the kids while you are occupied.
So, let’s examine this. You have tons of money. You hire someone to perfect your body daily, a chef to prepare your meals daily to exact specifications, and a nanny to constantly watch your children so that you are restrained by nothing. Sounds to me like a recipe for a perfect figure! But what happens when this becomes an obsession? How thin is too thin? Let’s take a look at two celebrities whose figures have significantly changed with fame.
Lindsay Lohan
She has been in the biz since she was a wee tot, and throughout her adolescent and teenage years proudly maintained a healthy figure. In the film Mean Girls, she is at a normal, healthy weight. Sending a message to women and young girls everywhere that you don’t have to be Hollywood Thin to be successful. But now she has succumbed to the pressure of being stick thin in order to get work, and thus has dropped massive amounts of weight leaving her appearance gaunt and sickly. Many pictures these days depict how starved she looks, her ribs showing through her skin.
Kate Winslet
Frequently being quoted for her resistance to the Hollywood body ideal, Kate reveled in her curves and made no apologies for her less than stick thin figure. Her role in Titanic even showed off those curves in the scene where Leo sketches her nude. But lately, Kate seems to be falling into the same lifestyle that traps everyone. She’s thinner. More lithe and less curvy. Her role in Revolutionary Road showed a much more Hollywood-esque Kate. Where did her curves go? Her face is significantly thinner, her breasts not as full.
Are these natural body changes or has she given in to the Hollywood hype? If she is an actress, and the only way to act is to be thinner, well then who can blame her? A girl has got to eat…no pun intended. But at what price does success come? No job is worth sacrificing your health. It makes you wonder if these way-too-thin celebrities understand the long-term consequences of their actions: reproductive failure, neurological damage, bone loss, and gastrointestinal disease. The desire to be thin now is desperate, but at what cost? They are sacrificing health short and long term in order to work. Is it worth it? They will say no eventually, but by then it will be too late.
About Erin
The first time I left the country I was 16 and went on a high school trip to 6 countries in Europe. That was all it took, and I was hooked. I danced across the lush green hills of Heidelberg, Germany and vowed to never stop until I died. I tend to be on the extreme side of directness, and learning the art of tact is a never-ending endeavor. Most of the time you will find me laughing or dancing. I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve developed into sort of a wine snob as well. I’ve been accused, more than once, of being a smart ass. I spend an obscene amount of money on books, and I am one of those rare individuals who actually loves spending time with her family.
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3 Responses to “The Hollywood Body Image”
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Great job Erin!!
I loved your article Erin. I totally agree with your view on the Hollywood Image.
Go Miss Parker!