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« Body Talk: Inside Hollywood's Obsession With Beauty

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Jennifer Love Hewitt by Jesse Grant/WireImage.com Jennifer Love Hewitt isn't the only star whose body has come under scrutiny this year — she's only the latest. Hollywood's obsession with beauty can lead celebrities to do everything from going under the knife to getting gastric bypass surgery. And while the ladies are more likely to endure the pressures of being "perfect," plenty of gents have taken steps to look younger, thinner, more camera-ready. Though some, like talk-show king Jerry Springer, haven't thought much about body image. "I can honestly say that I haven't had any pressure," says Springer. "Not on my body. I have a shape — but my shape is a circle." We want to hear what you have to say about all things Body Talk! Check out our polls: Who is to blame for something like the Jennifer Love bikini pics story spiraling out of control and into the headlines? Vote here. What's your own take on the Jennifer Love bikini pics? Vote here. Is losing weight one of your New Year's resolutions? Vote here. How do "perfect" Hollywood stars make you feel about aging? Vote here. Would you ever undergo cosmetic surgery? Vote here. And tell us: What do you think about plastic surgery? Would you ever get it? Do stars who are super-thin freak you out? What about celebrities who have gastric bypass surgery? Can actresses who choose to "age naturally" still find good roles in Hollywood? And how far would you go to make sure you looked good on the red carpet? Leave a Comment
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Posted by TV Guide Staff Dec 12, 2007 8:03 PM Report Abuse

The title of your article, "Inside Hollywood's Obsession with Beauty" is not really an accurate title. It should really be entitled, "Inside Hollywood's Obsession with Being Unhealthy," (which is admittedly less catchy.) I can understand why Hollywood wants to have handsome leading men and beautiful leading women; after all, everyone enjoys looking at pretty people. It is also an instinctive response based upon our evolutionary biological beginnings in seeking healthy potential mates. What concerns me is that in the last 15 years, our American society in general and our media in particular, has developed a very unhealthy and narrow idea of beauty, particularly for women. I find it ironic that as our citizens are getting unhealthily larger and larger, we demand that our icons to be skinnier and skinnier.

So much has been written in the past two-three years about the entertainment industry's unrealistic standards but yet there have been few changes so far, although such shows as "Ugly Betty" and "Grey's Anatomy" deserve kudos for casting strong, talented women who are not a size 0 but who are still portrayed as attractive, sexy women. When the Jennifer Love Hewitt photos were discussed on your website last week, I was encouraged by the generally supportive comments but was still disturbed by the negative statements. Usually I avoid looking at “Catch a passing star!” photos but I checked out her photos because of all of the discussion on the website. When I saw them, I did not understand why some people were so critical that a star did not look perfectly toned. I thought that, in spite of not being in the right suit for her body, she looked great. Also, considering that she probably works 14 hours a day on her series, she does not need to take an extra three hours of her day to work out with weights just so that she can be ready for a passing papparazo. I have begun to wonder if our society’s constant pressure on these actors to be thin is as much about an idea of beauty as it is rooted in our jealousy of someone’s success and therefore it is just the desire to tear down that person.

I guess the real question is: how to stop this? Producers, directors, agents, and reporters will still pressure actors to achieve these unrealistic looks and point to us, the viewers, because we are watching the shows and films and thereby showing financial support of their ideas. Of course, we are watching them because there are not a lot of other options and because the producers, directors, agents, and reporters are conditioning us to be used to these unhealthy standards, and so the cycle continues.

To answer your questions:
What do you think about plastic surgery? Each person should have the right to have plastic surgery based upon his or her own needs. I have seen examples where it has really helped someone's self-confidence and self-esteem. I have also seen terrifying examples of too much surgery.
Would you ever get it? Never say never but right now I don't need anything like a face lift or liposuction.
Do stars who are super-thin freak you out? Yes! Every time I see one of them I wonder if they are being treated for an eating disorder.
What about celebrities who have gastric bypass surgery? That is between their doctors and them.
Can actresses who choose to "age naturally" still find good roles in Hollywood? They should be able to do so but I know that is not usually the case. Meryl Streep seems to be doing well.
And how far would you go to make sure you looked good on the red carpet? I would be looking for good stylists but no Botox for me!

Posted by BlueeyedSara

Dec 13, 2007 9:49 AM

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i've always remembered a great quote from cindy crawford years and years ago: "even I dont look like cindy crawford when i wake up in the morning."

it's hard not to see someone like halle berry or some of the models and not feel a little bad about yourself, but it's time we teach young boys and girls how looks have nothing to do with whether a person is good or happy or worthy of your friendship. just b/c someone is gorgeous doesnt mean they are happier than any of the rest of us. i've heard many young women and girls be surprised that the super popular girls or stars are not all happy and problem-free.

all that said, i CANNOT WAIT to have my breast reduction surgery after i lose my weight. facelifts, lipo, etc., i would never do, but i can say that knowing that both sides of my family have excellent genes for looking far younger than we are. but i dont judge people who do it; okay, maybe i do judge that weird cat lady in NYC, but that's why we're so blessed to live in this country---freedom!

Posted by kimba

Dec 13, 2007 6:59 PM

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