Fat, thin, short or tall, when it comes to body shape, it seems many women aren't happy with what the gene pool gave them. And while the media has long been blamed for women's obsession with size, many celebs are now actually paving the way to accepting our bodies as they are.
Luckily, the days of stick-thin models gracing magazine covers have largely gone, with pics of red-hot celebs now taking their place. The '80s and early '90s were all about supermodels, whose impossibly long limbs and svelte frames did little to boost the esteem of everyday women. But fast forward to 2008 and covergirls come in all shapes and sizes ...
OK, so there are still plenty of stick-thin gals in fashion mags, and yes, the majority of celebs do have amazing bodies, but little by little, different shapes are being embraced — and celebrated! And it seems that celebs themselves are accepting their natural shapes (be it naturally slim or curvy!) more readily.
Take Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who's said, "I love my size, and I think everybody should have some kind of meat on their bones." Even though she’s only been on the red-carpet scene for a few years, she's not bowing to the pressure to be a size 0, and is proud of her sexy curves.
Then there's J.Lo, one of the hottest stars in Hollywood (and a new mum too), who has joked that she could serve coffee using her bottom as a ledge! And singer/actress Queen Latifah has weighed into the shape debate, saying, "I think I'm normal compared to the statistics. This is a big country nowadays. I would say I'm voluptuous. Statuesque. Definitely curvaceous." Now that's confidence, ladies!
And what of the celebs who get knocked just because they’ve got a small frame and don’t carry much weight? Whereas once they would be accused of having an eating disorder, now these naturally slim gals are speaking up in defence of their shape.
Keira Knightley has come in for plenty of criticism for being too thin, but the stunning British actress doesn't let it get to her, saying, "I think it's much better to go with the flow and embrace your body, whatever shape it is, and just be happy."
Another hot celeb who couldn't care less whether she's perceived as too-thin or not-thin-enough is singer Christina Aguilera, who's said, "I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it's important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that's so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!"
So take your lead from the stars, and be inspired to step out with body confidence. Because if you eat well and exercise regularly, you should be darn proud of your womanly shape! And as actress Anne Hathaway says, "Obsessing about weight is a big old waste of time." Don't you agree?
Which celebs do you most admire for their body confidence? Should stars have to explain themselves when the media calls them 'too fat' or 'too thin'?
