What do Jennifer Lawrence, Christina Hendricks and Mindy Kaling all have in common? Well, yes, they all are award-winning actresses, but Lawrence, Hendricks and Kaling have all been criticized by the media for being “big.”
What the media has failed to realize is that all three of these women are the epitome of curvy girl chic. Women, especially those in Hollywood, have stepped back from desiring to be a 34-24-34. Celebrities are starting to embrace a body type classified as “normal.”
Kaling, creator and star of “The Mindy Project,” admits to “not being model skinny’ nor ‘fabulously owning my hugeness,’ but falling outside the two body types endorsed by Hollywood’s stylists.”
Women like Kaling and Lena Dunham of HBO’s hit series “Girls” write their own material, so they are able to set their own standards of beauty, going against what Hollywood stylists and casting directors might define as attractive.
Kaling is not the only female celebrity to publicly discuss her “normal” figure. Lawrence, who recently just won an Oscar for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook, said in an interview with Elle Magazine, “In Hollywood, I’m obese. I’m considered a fat actress.”
She wants to be a role model for girls who watch her as Katniss in the popular movie trilogy — The Hunger Games.
“I’m never going to starve myself for a part. I don’t want little girls to be like ‘Oh, I want to look like Katniss, so I’m going to skip dinner,’” Lawrence said.
“So many young teens look up to celebrities as role models, so it’s great to see real women in the media,” Nailah Harris, GSB `14, said. “It’s not giving the youth an unrealistic example to aspire to.”
Although a fuller, more natural image is being endorsed lately, it is not to be confused with indulging in unhealthy habits. People can make sure that they stay healthy by eating right and exercising. It is important to keep in mind that not every person has the same body type; therefore, one’s weight must correspond to one’s height.
We are reaching a time where normal female body types are more acceptable. We have encountered several celebrities who defend their weight as a practice of a healthier lifestyle.
Lady Gaga, who put on an extra 25 pounds last fall, defended herself against tabloids, saying, “I am not going to go on a psycho-spree because of scrutiny. This is who I am. And I am proud at any size.”
Other celebrities who flaunt their normal and curvy bodies are Kat Dennings from “2 Broke Girls,” and Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men.” Even though these women are not sticks, they are still beautiful.