Eating Disorder Talk

There were so many celebrities in 2007 who caught media attention for extreme weight loss and well, just being too damn skinny, that I thought a refresher might be in order. At some point, it seems that every female A-lister is assumed to have or have had an eating disorder - usually anorexia - but really, if these celebrities are so sick, how do they get better so quickly?

And since it’s seemingly so wide-spread, why not just ‘fess up, should an eating disorder be to blame for weight loss? It’s not like it’s bad PR.

Courtney Love dropped an estimated 50 pounds from her 5′9" frame within a seven month period, explaining it as owing to yoga and a macrobiotic diet. She’s got the heroin not-so-chic look, that’s for sure.

Angelina Jolie has been reported to have sunk to as low as 94 pounds. Her 5′7" frame would be a bit bonier at that weight, I think, but god, people allow for the following: her mother (one of her closest friends) died, she has 4 kids, one of the most high-profile relationships in Hollywood, movie filming and premieres, and to top it all off, work with the UN and various other charities. Let’s assume she doesn’t even have time to eat, never mind an inclination.

Nicky Hilton is not someone I’m really interested in, but her recent extreme thinness has sparked rumours that it’s in reaction to her sister, Paris’ stature.

Amy Winehouse is a trainwreck. She’s reportedly seeking help for her admitted bulimia, drug and alcohol problems and is quite upset about her husband’s jailtime. I wonder what a clean, healthy Amy would look like?

Ashley Simpson got some plastic surgery done over the past couple of years, giving her at least, a new nose and face shape. To go with this? Boyfriend Pete, some Sketchers, a bobblehead and emo-girl hair.

Kate Bosworth is one of the few celebrities that I actually believe to have a serious eating disorder. Her weight has fluctuated so widely over the past few years, to very extreme thinness from extremely well defined muscle tone. All in reaction, it seems, to various professional and relationship woes. Seems classic, to me.

Jenna Jameson is another celebrity I could care less for, not since my 15 year old boyfriend had photos of her stuck up on his bedroom walls, that is. She’s crossed over to model, and is going through a rather nasty divorce, apparently. The stress of litigation explains how she could drop 40 pounds from her formerly pornorific frame. Dropping those 40 pounds? Explains the modelling gig.

Tara Reid also is has big weight fluctuations. She’s been ample, round, thin, toned and now, scary. Botched surgeries, excessive partying, working where the room service sucks, yada yada. Seems like there’s always a good reason for Tara to be in the magazines.

The Olsen Twins have usually not both been included in eating disorder lists. MK has been treated professionally for her eating disorder, but let’s be honest - even after treatment, emerging ‘healthy’, she’s not put much weight on her bones. Now it seems as though Ashley is losing, too - leaving the world with two wavy, over-processed-haired tiny old women in baggy vintage evening wear.

Nicole Ritchie was so skinny, she made me shiver. Then she got knocked up and the inevitable weight gain happened. Not much, but enough to grow a fetus. Or she’s one of those lucky bitches that just gets a tummy and some boobs and then drops it shortly afterwards. Oh wait, I was one of those lucky bitches, too (but I also got tons of stretch marks to commemorate the event).

Here’s to a more normalized celebrity image in 2008. I won’t hold my breath, if you don’t!

One of the most popular searches to bring readers to this site is Kate Moss. That’s if you detract from the amazing variations of thinspiration, pro-ana and eating disorder searches you’d find on my stats. Back to Kate.

She’s been our eye-candy, diet-lust and cocaine-scorn for nearing two decades. Ever since she was the hollow eyed little girl in the CK ads, North America and the UK have alternated between hating and loving her: for her body, cheekbones, relationship with Pete Doherty and drug habit. I still don’t understand everyone’s awe when she was photographed snorting coke in that nightclub, but if you all want to bury your heads in the sand and think that most major models have done or are currently doing some major drugs…that’s your perogative.

So, in honour of your quest for Kate:

• Born January 16, 1974
• Kate was discovered at JFK Airport when she was 14.
• Initially made famous to out-of-industry peoples as the face of Calvin Klein (1993), but actually shot her first magazine cover in 1990 and did printwork for YSL in 1992.
• Was known as the “anti-supermodel” in the 1990s, as she was shorter and waifish in comparison to other ubermodels like Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford. Unlike today’s unspoken standards, which are promoting more waifs than ever before.
• The image of “heroin chic” and major thinspiration personality.
• Gave birth to daughter, Lila Grace, in 2002.
• She’s a reputed size 4 (US), according to this site. But I find that to be a joke, since her and I have the same measurements and she’s got an inch on me, and I’m a 00.
• She’s been treated for exhaustion (1998) and drug addiction (2005).

Taken October 18, 2007 at that Swarovski Fashion Rocks Concert in London.

Advertising for her clothing line, Top Shop, in July 2007

Vacationing in Thailand with daughter, Lily Grace, in January

Calvin Klein Advertisement

One of the most often “used” photographs of Kate for thinspiration

I certainly hope there are no remaining tweens looking up to her for good grace and how to become a star. Her recent declining mental health aside, the VMA implosion that caused her to run from the stage, reportedly whimpering about looking like a fat pig has caused her some serious self-esteem damage it seems.

MSNBC reports that OK! Magazine has spoken to a close “friend” of Spears, who is willing to starve herself to become thin. The friend is also concerned about her yo-yo dieting and apparent addiction to diet pills. What a wonderful friend this must be.

Jokes aside. Without full-time work outs, Britney, do you really expect to be able to get this back

after having two kids? I think that considering your often photographed diet of ice cream, frappuccinos, chips and alcohol, you’re lucky to be looking as good as you do.

I am of course biased. I worked hard to get where I am, stature-wise and think that I need some more toning. Point: if you want to retain your self esteem, don’t perform in front of millions of viewers in a bra and panty set that is too small, when you’ve still mommy-accordian tummy (not that there’s anything wrong with it - just expect backlash when it’s seen by millions) and for the love of god, don’t say in front of anyone who will sell it to a tabloid that the way to correct your personal flaws is to starve yourself.

Warning: I have been a stoic obsessive, future best friend fan of Angelina Jolie’s since 1998. I am not anything near to unbaised.

I knew that we were kindred spirits.

I announced my pregnancy at the same time that she publicized hers. We both had a penchant for changing our hair and inking our memories via tattoos (she only has more ‘cuz she has more money), and dabbled in the modeling business (and drug scene that seems to go with it).

Now, Angelina has confirmed what I previously posted.

Being a mom is tough on the weight.

She’s quoted as saying:

“Yes of course I have lost weight. Some days are exhausting, only I’m not able to collapse. I believe in pushing myself to the limits.”

So, can everyone finally lay off of the eating disorder rumours?

I mean, yes, it’s important to model good eating habits and to maintain a healthy weight for your children. But you try working as an actress, being a UN supporter, supporting your partner’s work, raising four kids and mourning the death of your mother. Could you maintain a healthy weight while doing this?

I can’t and I don’t have half of the commitments.

Oh Courtney, Courtney.

You had us at taking care of your eating disorder. But no, then you had to back pedal and say that you don’t have an eating disorder. You being one of the original grunge shock-rock chicks, we believed you.

Maybe it was macrobiotics. Maybe those shakes (hey, maybe I should try those shakes…). Or it could have been gastric bypass with some tummy tightening. Because who, except for a 20 year old, can gain and then lose 50 pounds within a few months and not have extra skin kicking around (her waistline)?

But no. Either you do have an eating disorder, a serious metabolic condition or you’ve got to stay away from the dragon/pipe. Which one will you confess to at your next half-naked performance? Or will it take Barbara Walters, again?

Seriously, who just thinks she’s eating a healthy diet and doing a lot of yoga?

courtney love, crack, heroin, skeletal, grunge

Body language studies will tell you that one of the first ways that you know a person is lying is if they answer a question, looking away (normally upwards) from the questioner. Nicole Richie’s interview with Diane Sawyer had lies written all over it, using this information.

So the poll this week: Do you think Nicole Richie did in fact have an eating disorder and is she really eating “every hour, at least”?

ABC News showed their interview with Nicole Richie August 3rd during which she confirmed her pregnancy with Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden as being nearly four months along, discussed her DUI and it’s eventual jail time (four days) and took the opportunity to deny (once again) rumours of an eating disorder.

She apologized for the role that her ultra-gaunt body played in countless girls’ lives - she now understands and accepts what being an icon really means. She actually said that she’s never had an eating disorder and that her extreme thinness, thinsperation for countless girls, was owing to stress, anxiety and lack of being careful.

When Diane Sawyer questioned whether she was eating since finding out her mommy-to-be status, she said,

“I eat all the time, especially now. I’m constantly hungry. I’m eating at least every hour…

“Just like any mother, you want to take the best care of yourself, especially while you’re pregnant. I’m definitely eating healthier now.”

Read more about the interview here.

So, news abound of Courtney Love’s weight loss being eating disorder related. Back in April, it was rumoured that the 44 pound loss that Love was flaunting was due to a gastric bypass band.

Lately, the estimated 52 pounds lost in seven months is apparently owing to an eating disorder.

Love has said that her new physique is resultant of a macrobiotic diet of fish and vegetables, a routine of yoga and use of meal-replacement-type shakes.

But this past weekend she shook fans during a 90 minute performance when half-way through she stripped to a bustier and panties - she was skeletal, apparently. Also during the show, the shock-princess sipped from an Ensure can, commenting that she had to take care of her eating disorder. She later said that she doesn’t have one.

In my opinion, the actress/rocker is just poking at all of the critics who blame most celebrities’ weight losses on eating disorders. Can we not just congratulate her for making changes in her life, trying to make a (nother) fresh start after months of legal and chemically-based issues?

On a related topic, don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, Do You Think the Media Glamourizes Eating Disorders?

eating disorders, celebrities with eating disorders, courtney love, yoga, macrobiotic diet, meal replacement diet

Keira Knightly won nearly $6,000 in a lawsuit against The Daily Mail. The suit was to defend against the notion that Knightley, assumed anorexic, was the reason a 19 year old, who Knightly was not friends with, died of anorexia.

The paper ran a picture of a bikini-clad Knightley in January with an editorial statement that expressed a parent’s heartache, and blame towards the media - something that not only would have given themselves negative publicity (should there really be publishing warnings?), but ultimately cost them something like two employees’ monthly salaries.

If pictures like this one of Keira carried a health warning, my darling daughter might have lived.

She has long argued rumours of a possible eating disorder - she blames being naturally thin and states that she is aware of the seriousness of anorexia, since she had an aunt who’d suffered from the disease. This is supposed to be reasonable proof that she doesn’t have one?

Judge for yourself and let me know what you think - is Keira Knightley sick or in need of a slap?

She is rumoured to be considering donating the court’s award to the UK’s Beat - an ED charity.

BEAT, keira knightley, the daily mail

Nicole Richie, a rumoured 83 pounds, was planning a party to celebrate Memorial Day. So she did what lots of us do in this busy world we live in - she emailed out invitations.

Unfortunately, her “joke” invites were leaked to the media. Unfortunate for her, I mean. It really does give the rest of us the proof we would have liked, to be able to point further fingers at her. Why? This party, well, there was going to be a weight restriction at the door.

I know this is old news, but I thought it merited a mention at Eating Disorder Talk, since it’s basically feeding into directly what I love - weight-conscious readers of the media striking out against skinny celebrities who refuse to admit eating disorders. For this one, Nicole should have it tattooed on her forehead, “BUSTED!”

From Monsters and Critics:

My fellow Americans its that time of year To celebrate our country by drinking massive amounts of beer Let’s stand together as one, live the American dream Take shots, pass out, & wake up with our pants ripped open at the seems Let’s glorify this day in your sluttiest tops and your tightest pair of tsubi jeans Even though we have no fucking clue what Memorial Day really means!!
…
There will be a scale at the front door. No girls over 100 pounds allowed in. Start starving yourself now.

Please, shake your heads with me at both the audacity and the need of a dictionary!

Nicole Richie, starving, Memorial Day, Tsubi jeans, spellcheck

image courtesy of ragrap.