fat celebrities

[dianeseattle]

Have you ever noticed how many fat celebrities there are, like Sydney Greenstreet, Zero Mostel, Marlon Brando, Jackie Gleason, Roseanne, Melissa McCarthy and a hundred others? I mention it because they didn't let their weight stop them. In fact, they capitalized on it. Maybe they're not really comfortable with it, but they love those big old paychecks. And they keep the National Enquirer in business.

Of course, Melissa has recently made a lot of moves in a healthier direction, but even before that, her husband loved and depended on her. She's the breadwinner in that house. But poor Kirstie Alley. So beautiful and talented but every time she gained 10 pounds, she was on Page One. I really appreciate the Fat Acceptance movement because it illustrates that beauty comes in all sizes.

I don't condone this and wish they could figure out how to be famous without being fat. But what a loss it would be to pop culture. I think Al Roker had WLS when he lost 100 pounds.

But here's the rub. The media spends so much time lionizing these people that it tacitly sends a message of approval. Surely they could easily afford WLS but then they'd stop being noticed.

That's just a random rant I woke up to this morning. Thoughts?

 

[JustMe]

I think they are all brave to be actors, singers, celebrities, etc...while being overweight. The subliminal messages that we've all been surrounded with on TV and in the movies over our lifetimes has been that being thin and beautiful is the way to be. That thin and beautiful people are winners, leaders, strong, independent, and worthy of good things coming their way.

The people who are not so thin and maybe not seen as so outwardly beautiful have bravely put themselves out there for people to see, hear, and even judge them, and that is brave and inspiring to me.

John Goodman, John Candy, Melissa McCarthy, Jack Black, Kathy Bates, Oprah, Adele, Jelly Roll, etc... have had very successful careers. They got famous when they were overweight. Many of them, like many of us here, worked on losing weight one way or another to be healthier, and many of them are still overweight, but all of them continue to be great entertainers and brave celebrities who know that society is paying attention to their health journeys, and often judging them along the way.

I don't even care for the judgement I get from my family members. I would never put myself in the spotlight like them. Being in this group is as brave as I'll get.

Good for those celebrities who did want and need to lose weight and were able to do so. I know that Oprah so much more comfortable with herself and content now. I'm really happy for her. Adele seems much happier, as well. Many celebrities struggle to keep that weight off and that's hard to watch them deal with that in the public eye. I hope they get the support they need for mental and physical health.

Thanks for starting this conversation, Diane!