Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt

by Teresa

I wish there were more celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt.

You may have seen news items about her recently, after some paparazzi photos were published, showing her in a bathing suit, walking on the beach. Some of the text that accompanied the pictures on some websites contained derogatory remarks about her body.

Hewitt responded in a dignified way on HER blog with a small statement. In part, it reads: “I’ve sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women’s bodies are constantly scrutinized… I’m not upset for me, but for all the girls out there that are struggling with their body image… being a size 0 doesn’t make you beautiful… To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini — put it on and stay strong.“

Responses to her statement have been widespread, and varied, and included an offer from Hugh Hefner to feature Hewitt in Playboy magazine (she declined). To read an MSNBC article about the photos and her response, click here.  (There’s also a spot on that page where you can view a “Today Show” story about the whole thing.)

Now, you may wonder why I’m writing on a “parenting” blog about a Hollywood actress.

My own sweet girl is just 3 and a half years old and yet recently, she told me she didn’t want an extra treat at snack time because she “might get more fat.“ It turns out that a relative, someone who most assuredly had nothing but good intentions, recently told my girl that she has a “cute little fat tummy.“ My daughter was a happy, breastfed, adorable and admittedly, quite chubby baby—but she’s since grown into a completely normal, preschooler, body size and shape. She does, however, still have that characteristically round “toddler tummy” that’s common in kids her age. And she took note of the innocent comment about her tummy, because even at her tender age, somehow, she already knows girls shouldn’t be “round” or “fat.“

I told my baby that she’s healthy, and growing, and that’s what’s most important. And that she’s beautiful just the way she is. Her round tummy is beautiful, and her body will keep changing as she “grows up.“ And, I told her it’s okay to have a special treat once in a while, as long as we eat healthy foods most of the time.

But it was around this same time that I read the stories about Jennifer Love Hewitt, the things bloggers said about her and what she said in response, and that’s why it stuck out in my mind. It seems that most of the actresses who are in the spotlight these days are size 2 or size 0, with sharp cheekbones, collarbones, elbows and ribs… and few curves. (Even journalists aren’t immune; the anchors and reporters on the “Today Show,“ for example, seem to get thinner and thinner each year.) I was happy to see that there are some public figures out there who are willing to say to their critics:  “I will NOT starve myself. I will be healthy. This is my shape, and I’m fine with it… and YOU’RE the ones with the problem.“

Cheers to you, Hewitt… I hope there are more women like you in magazines when my daughter hits high school.