The weight or lack thereof of some of our most beloved celebrities is the hot-button topic du jour. Stars like Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks and Raven-Symone, typically known for their voluptuous figures have shed pounds and are sporting new trim and slender figures. The Hollywood Weight Loss exodus has begun and there is no telling which full-figured celeb will succumb to the pressure next.
While the media and blogs are coming down on Raven and Jordin for losing weight, the ladies are not taking the criticism laying down. In a recent interview, when asked about her new figure Raven said,
“I find it funny that people now come up to me and say, ‘Wow, you are absolutely gorgeous’. I’m like, ‘I was beautiful before I lost weight’. Egotistically speaking, I thought I was amazing.” - Source
Raven has always seemed full of confidence and comfortable in her skin, however her quote leaves you wondering, “If she thought she was so beautiful why the need to lose weight?” On the other side of the token, maybe she has a point. Why does weight loss have to equal low self-esteem? Raven and Jordin are role models for millions of girls but does their losing weight have to mean that they have negative self-images? Why can’t it say that they are health conscious and want to be the happiest with their bodies as they possibly can?
This is not to say that skinny equals happy, but why does full-figure have to be the supreme body type for black women? As a black woman with a medium build, neither heavy nor skinny, the body debate leaves me straddled between a war of weight loss. When Monique lost nearly 65 pounds there was no gossiping or backlash. She decided to keep her fuller figure, but lost weight nonetheless.
Another star receiving a lot of “criticism” for her new shape is Jill Scott. Pictures of the R&B star’s new tiny waistline were recently posted and the Internet went wild. Rapper 50 Cent took the opportunity to make a few off-color remarks about Jill, namely stating she went from being a “station wagon” to “sports car”. While 50 Cent is clearly not the authority on black women and uses any chance to show his ignorance, his comments are clearly indicative of how people view our full-figured stars. She’s cute for a “big girl.”
How can we criticize Raven, Jordin or Jill for losing weight when it’s obvious that we haven’t fully accepted full-figured women in the spotlight ourselves. Is it that celebs have sold out or that their weight loss triggers own our insecurities? No matter the answer, body acceptance comes in all shapes and sizes. And if stars are losing weight in a healthy and positive manner what is the big deal?
What do you make of Raven’s quote? Should 50 Cent be slapped? What do you think of the celebrity weight loss trend?
-Fajr Muhammad
50 cent always needs to be slapped for something he says -__- lol
YUP!!!! A st8 up slap-a-thon!
50cent is a clown. Always has been always will be. He could be slapped over and over and he’d still talk out the side of his neck.
50cent needs to continue dating his white women and STFU
LMAO!!!!! Ya’ll funny!!!!
I personally feel part of J-Hud, Raven and Jill’s weight loss is due to health reasons. Surely their doctors must tell them they should lose a few. But I also feel that for J-Hud and Raven in particular, if they wanted their careers to move forward, they had to lose weight. How many parts are their for black women full stop, let alone fat black women? They have garnered many column inches as a result and that will only serve to increase their star power. Endorsements and TV/film roles are bound to follow. I do think that J-Hud has lost a little too much weight and that she’s starting to look a little haggard in the face, like this weight isn’t right/doesn’t suit her. As for 50 – he’s an idiot who can’t rap. Hopefully Interscope will drop him and he’ll disappear into the ether.
i think within the black community we are quick to forget the health issues associated with being a “full” figured Women sometimes. In an attempt to love thy self and not succumb to hollywoods pressure many forget the weight they are caring can be very unhealthy. I am 21 and a size 20. I’m 5″11 and carry my weight well. I’ve never had a problem with my self esteem or the opposite sex. I love howy body looks in clothes (no matter how hard it is to find them) and never thought or cared twice about what the stars looked like compared to me. As well as being 21 and plus sized. I am so 21
And have hypertension. Thawing the same type/amount of blood press medicine as my 67- year old grandmother. As much as I lovey size. I love my life more and I know a healthier me is much more fabulous then a checker one. We never know why some people lose weigh and we are quick to suggest they have confidence issues almost causing a
Double standard among our people. I am happy to see those whose bodies use to resemble how mine look now. Smaller, it means that mr losing the weight and being healthy is doable regardless of how “big boned” I’ve been told I am all my life. *typing this on my phone sorry for the mistakes*
@Niqi You’re right about the double standard. We’re supposed to love our outside, but ignore our health? I’m glad you’re taking your health seriously. Good luck to you.
Amen amen! It is about being healthy. Period end of story.
I think Raven’s comment is genuine and I agree with her. I am sure she thought that she was indeed beautiful at that weight and maybe she had other reasons beside boosting her self-esteem to loose the weight. Has anyone ever considered the health concerns that go along with being overweight or obese? I myself am overweight and still consider myself to be fabulous. I am currently working on loosing the extra pounds so that I will indeed be healthier. I know personally, as a physician and an African American, all the health risks I put myself under being overweight. Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, increased risk of certain cancers, etc. or more prevalent in African American due to our genetic make up and certain lifestyles. I think we need to be supportive of people who have obviously put in a great deal of work to improve their health and still remain just a comfortable in his/her own skin.
This is a topic that I recently overheard one of my friends fuming about. She thinks that Raven and the other stars that have recently lost weight are sending a bad message. I was puzzled at that comment. Since when is being fit a bad thing? Now if they were anorexic/bulimic looking I would be concerned. They look healthy and IMO its a good thing. Maybe others would be inspired to get in shape- not to be a size 2 but for health reasons.
I agree with the fact that a lot of people associate weight loss with self esteem issues and some fans/people idolize a plus size celebrity but putting them on a pedestal just because they are full figure like they did Mo’nique, Jennifer, Raven, etc. than once they slimmed down people own insecurity come out so they tear that person down. I remember hearing a lady say that she wouldn’t buy Jennifer Hudson music because she felt like she couldn’t identify with her because wasn’t full figure liker herself o_O
Finally, the self esteem factor automatically doesn’t kick in when you lose the lbs, it takes awhile for a person to build that back up coming from being heavier to slender, if they were already suffering from low self esteem in the first place so I don’t get that argument. Sure people lose weight for that reason but a reality check usually hits them once they realize the grass isn’t always greener but the same grass. And co-sign the comments regarding health!
There is the issue of health. Maybe its a trend because they want to live long. I feel this article implies a lot. At no point have I ever heard Jennifer Hudson say I feel more beautiful now I’m slim. Why not focus on health rather than the superficial and assumptions.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Exactly. Some people aren’t losing weight purely for aesthetic purposes. I lost alot of weight, and I still feel fat sometimes, to be honest (even though I’m a healthy weight), but since my blood pressure and bmi are good, I am happier.
“station wagon to a sports car”? Wow. Really? That is so insulting and beyond rude. Especially coming from someone who is so physically unattractive and has a damn s-curl. The nerve of that jackass. If not for his money he wouldn’t even sniff “sports cars”, we all saw the “station wagon” he has a child with. Ugh.
I don’t understand why people think everything is always about self-esteem or aesthetics. NOTHING about Jill Scott has ever said that she lacked confidence. The same with J-Hud or Raven. Jill and Jennifer recently became moms, perhaps they want to ensure they are around for their children as long as possible. Self love also requires a balanced diet and exercise.
DAMNNN!!!! Why so much hate for 50 and his comment on this thread?? I mean, Im pretty sure he was just sayin it all in good fun and didnt mean any harm in it. Im pretty sure he wasnt out to hurt no one. Yet all yall are calling him jackass and ugly and sayin if it wasnt for luck he’d be livin in a garbage dump or sumthin I mean damn come on yall!
I think they are only being criticized, because they look good. Haters gonna hate.
Jennifer Hudson lost weight because she went through trauma and Jenny Craig was paying. Jordin Sparks I personally think was not overweight just chubby, and we forget she became a star at 16, she’s finally lost baby weight. I hate that people are criticizing them for losing weight. I’m sure Jill Scott and Raven purposely lost because they were OverWeight. It’s true, they were beautiful when big but they weren’t healthy. Both had gained weight, and had already started off chubby. Raven looks unnaturally skinny now because she hasn’t been this small since her early teens, but I think she looks fine and I applaud them for making the change they WANTED to make.
*scratching my head* loosing baby weight @ 16????????? Hunh?
Yes, you still loose baby weight in your teens. I didn’t lose mine until I went off to college.
I don’t know how to break this to you boo, but that wasn’t baby weight in college
Thank You!!!!!! sorta sounded like a old negro folk tale.
“Jennifer Hudson lost weight because she went through trauma and Jenny Craig was paying.”
Ha! I’m mad at you for that! LOL, not the trauma part, but the Jenny Craig part
I don’t understand when black people comment on recent weight loss with disdain. It should be a good thing, not something to look down upon! “She looks better with meat on her bones,” and all that ish is nonsense. Those comments are ignorant and are the main reasons that people have diabetes and hypertension.
i agree.
it sometimes annoys me to talk about weight and health with black people. we are so ignorant.
Wow she looks beautiful!! Im happy for her .. You go girl!!!!
I’m glad she lost weight. I always found her weight to be an obstacle in the way of her career. You can be black and overweight and accepted on Disney Channel, but outside of that milieu, not so much. There are a lot of things that I would criticise Raven about, namely her lack luster body of work for the past 4 years or so but definitely not for losing weight.
what a fool
Who currrs????????! Whether they are doing it because skinny is the in-thing, health reasons, men woes, or whatever….so long as it is NOT your body and they are HAPPY??????? Why care! And don’t tell me they are role models to young girls, blah blah blah…..be a role model to your kid!!! Don’t use the celebrities as a scapegoat to escape your guidance duties.
The point is: WOMEN CAN’T WIN. Black women, especially.
Our bodies are simply fodder for public debate. The shame of it is, other women are the main ones squawking about it.
How about this: I’mma do me, you do you, and we all shut the hell up about it. No more faux-concern about “she’s scary skinny” or “but she’s OBESE — this is a health issue!” When it’s all really “judgey, judgey, envy, there I go but for the grace of god and good genes, judgey…”
I propose a revolution: Keep our bodies out y’all mouth. How ’bout that?