Movie stars have feelings too

Scarlett Johansen wrote an interesting article about body image. I say "interesting" because I always take celebrity advice with a grain of salt (especially body image advice from one who is a smoker and, incidentally, a really terrible singer), but she makes some good points. Also, she's a pretty curvy lady, so she seems more "real" than a pencil-thin runway model. Anyway. She says:

"The press should be held accountable for the false ideals they sell to their readers regarding body image — that's the real weight of the issue. The NEDA goes on to say, 'the media is one of our most important allies in the effort to raise awareness about the dangers of eating disorders...we strive to work with the media to produce accurate, insightful and informative pieces that will resonate with the public, while maintaining hope and avoiding glamorizing or promoting copycats.' But how are we, the reader, to decipher friend from foe? How are we supposed to view articles highlighting celebrity cellulite and not sulk in the mirror, imagining a big red arrow pointing to various parts of our bodies? The media has packaged for us an unhealthy idea that one must suffer loss, be in the middle of a nervous breakdown, feel pressure from friends or coworkers, battle divorce or have a bitter dispute with an ex in order to get into acceptable bikini shape."

I've never been that hung up on fashion magazines and the media's portrayal of women (yes, I know that the pictures are Photoshopped, yes, I know I can't afford a "cheap" $300 dress), because I did subscribe to Vogue for a long time and I like to read Go Fug Yourself. But ScarJo makes a good point. I don't envy celebrities at all, and it really is amazing how people emulate them in different ways (like my friends who wish they were vampires so they could date Edward??), especially impressionable young people. Again, it's no surprise, but the paparazzi does anything they can to make a buck at the expense of others.

Maybe more models should be posing for magazine covers without makeup...

Check out the full article here.