Two years ago, Tyra Banks was in the middle of a great weight debate.
After some bathing suit pics leaked, tabloids called the retired supermodel turned talk show host “America’s Next Top Waddle.”
Tyra, who is 5-feet-10 and was about 160 pounds at the time, wasn’t the runway girl she was 10 years before. Still, there was nothing overweight about her.
It was just another example of twisted perceptions of beauty and unattainable expectations put on young girls. Tyra shot back with a successful “So What” campaign, encouraging women to love themselves and not obsess over their flaws.
Back then, she was targeted by the media for being fat. Now women are mad she’s skinny.
Lately, Tyra has been sporting a body that looks a lot like the one she used to strut on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Having lost 30 pounds with the help of a nutritionist, she’s slamming gimmick diets and embracing healthy eating habits.
Some are crying hypocrisy, claiming the superstar is sending out mixed messages to young girls and ditching her curvier fans.
Apparently, the woman just can’t win.
Now I’m not a huge Tyra fan. Her talk show can be a little wacky. But this constant outrage about celebrity size is ridiculous.
Tyra was never fat, so don’t act like she lost her membership to some imaginary club. And she’s no stick figure, either. She has always been a curvy woman, a healthier looking model. I think it’s why she was such a favorite on the catwalk.
She dropped 30 pounds — so what. At a size 8, she’s still shapely. She still makes it her business to encourage women to love who they are. This is a woman who routinely shows her real hair, her unretouched photos and her face sans makeup.
She’s not sending out mixed messages. From what she shows America on a daily basis, she’s comfortable in her skin, and she wants you to be too. Much like Jennifer Hudson, Valerie Bertinelli and Mo’Nique, she’s simply eating healthier.
It’s not like these women are pushing unattainable beauty. They are simply healthy and loving it.
How is that a bad thing?
I’ve said it before. Eating is an issue in America. Three out of 10 adults are obese. It’s about the same for children. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, as many as 10 million women are fighting a life-or-death battle with some type of eating disorder.
Big is beautiful, and make no mistake, it can be. But there’s nothing pretty about diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.
Love your shape, but be sure it’s healthy.
Jeneé Osterheldt’s column runs in FYI on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. To reach her, call 816-234-4380 or send e-mail to josterheldt@kcstar.com.
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