An Open Letter To Jessica Simpson
Posted by: Wendy Atterberry
Filed in:
celebs
8:30AM, Thursday January 29th 2009
Dear Jessica,
The mistake you made wasn’t so much in gaining weight, it was in making such a big to-do of yourself when you were skinny. And those high-waisted jeans weren’t doing you any favors either. But the thing is, plenty of women in Hollywood are your size or bigger and no one’s giving them a hard time about it. Just look at Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, or Christina Hendricks — they’ve all got curves like you and they’re hot! No one’s drawing them as 500 lb. caricatures, so what gives?
Well, for starters, they don’t rely on their bodies alone to sell their product; they’ve got real talent! And they aren’t famous for squeezing into a tiny pair of Daisy Dukes, and bragging that their bodies are “definitely an accomplishment” after enduring two-hour workouts, six days a week and forgoing carbs for months just to sell a movie. They didn’t tell Harper’s Bazaar in 2007 that they preferred being curvy to skinny, that being rail thin isn’t “good for your heart, it’s not good for your mind; it’s emotionally destructive” only to appear on the cover of US Weekly just weeks later 25 pounds thinner and sharing the secret of a trendy new diet (eat hardly anything! Exercise a ton! Watch the weight melt off!).
You were the one who threw the spotlight on your body. You were the one who sold your 36-24-36 figure as ideal, so you have no right to point fingers when the world points out those numbers have expanded. Tired of being picked on? Then embrace your size now! Work those curves. Don’t retaliate against the naysayers by dropping 25 pounds again. Don’t perpetuate some stupid idea that you have to be a size 0 to be beautiful. You’re lovely the way you are, so keep enjoying those margaritas and BBQ ribs. But you might want to burn those jeans.
xoxo,
Wendy
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
Reagan
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 09:06 am: [report]
I’ve met Jessica Simpson on several occasions and I can tell you in all honesty that she’s one of the nicest, warmest, down-to-Earth celebrities out there…
I’m just a radio dj who’s been lucky enough to meet people ranging from Janet Jackson to Jennifer Lopez to The Jonas Brothers and all points in between. I can tell you that most actors, musicians, and celebrities in general, hate us…they think we’re rude and obnoxious. Jessica is one of the few people who never came in with an attitude, never acted like a diva…and I whole-heartedly believe that her public image has been completely misconstrued…
I think she looks great as a size 8…I WISH I could still fit in my size 8 jeans =(
I love that she’s put on a couple of “happy pounds” because she’s finally in a healthy, normal relationship…she deserves all of the happiness in the world!
Wendy Atterberry
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 09:19 am: [report]
I think she looks good, too, and I wish people would get off her back about looking healthy. But until SHE embraces her size and quits bouncing back-and-forth between rail thin and the size she currently is, she continues to perpetuate the idea that SKINNY is an ideal.
Lyz
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 09:33 am: [report]
Her public image has not been misconstrued, it has been carefully manipulated and crafted all around this image of the “perfect” blonde, all-american girl. Her image has been built around her body and her sex appeal. That has been her choice. And I agree with Wendy, you play those games, you reap those rewards.
You can’t one minute say you love sexy curvy bodies and then another minute starve yourself to pose for a cover. Like yourself for who you are and when people get petty and nasty. Let them. And keep having fun. Because if you really are comfortable with yourself no matter what size, then show it. The last thing we need is another weight insecure celebrity.
What we do need is some one to tell weight critics to eff themselves while chewing on some chicken wings. I would, but no one photographs me when I’m at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Alex V
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 09:35 am: [report]
Buncha damn butterbodies!
joyy
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 09:42 am: [report]
#&@$% like this is why I don’t follow celebrity bs (aside from Frisky posts
). I think she’s a talentless hack, but she is pretty hot and even though I have to agree with you on picking out some new curvy-friendly clothes, she looks like a real woman in that picture.
My mind is floating to the stage sequences in Chicago that have Renee Z and Catherine Zeta Jones side by side in not a lot of clothes - and it’s like skeletor v hottie.
MrsAbraxas
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:14 am: [report]
The flack she’s getting is completely ridiculous and mind-boggling to the point where it can only be explained through an example from 30 Rock.
As Jack put it when fixing Jenna’s weight dilemma: “She needs to lose 30 pounds or gain 60. Anything in between has no place on television.”
lilchica4
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:18 am: [report]
Whoever wrote this article knows NOTHING about Jessica Simpson. I was at the Ghili Cook Off where this picture was taken and she has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. When you say, “Well, for starters, they don’t rely on their bodies alone to sell their product; they’ve got real talent!” you have OBVIOUSLY never heard her sing. If she doesn’t have talent, then who does? You don’t know what talent is apparently. Miley Cyrus or any of those millions of “singers” who can’t sing? So Jessica has to be ugly to be considered having talent? When Jessica first started, she was the only teen singer, out of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, who didn’t show everything off. She gained her stardom solely on her voice.
lilchica4
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:19 am: [report]
Chili*
Reagan
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:27 am: [report]
Alex V = You’re damn right I’m a butterbody…that’s why I’m on the radio and NOT on TV!!! I’m a total lard ass…and I fully embrace it!!! Sorry if it disgusts you.
What I was trying to say, which perhaps didn’t fully come across in my comment, was that if someone came to me and said, “You need to lose 30 pounds and workout two times per day, six days a week…and in exchange we’ll cast you as Daisy Duke in the Dukes of Hazard movie and we’ll pay you a crap load of money” you better believe I’d do it in a heart-beat…and that’s what she did. Any other actress would have had to put their bodies through the same rigorous routine to play the part…and I just think it’s unfair to suggest she’s some kind of a double-standard or walking contradiction for doing what she did.
I agree with Wendy too…I hope she stays the way she is and refuses to cave to the pressure and embarrassment she’s feeling right now…but as we all know, self-image is something many of us struggle with and the worst way to make her feel empowered by her new body is to call her names and draw cartoons that make her look like she weighs 500 pounds.
Spiff
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:37 am: [report]
As a male in my 20’s this type of thing really annoys me. I’d like to find all of the people that write crap about women who happen to have womanly features and kick them in the nuts (or ovaries?).
There are few things more difficult for a man in this day and age than to convince the woman that he is with that she is hot…curves and all.
rowdygirl
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 10:41 am: [report]
I agree with you Wendy ... I could have written this almost word for word. I do think that her body has been her selling point, bcause let’s face it, she just is not a singer. Not trying to be mean, just truthful. She’s not a great dresser anyway, so why the big surprise on this awful outfit? It makes her butt look big, that’s why..
I think this is all just part of the PR machine that has become her life. If she gets publicity, good or bad, her face and name is still out there. Now that’s she gained a little weight (what?? 5 -10 pounds, maybe) she’ll go on a new diet and be on the cover of another magazine looking “hot” again.
They’re doing the same thing to Britney Spears… her talent is looking good and that’s it. Too bad that these are the role models for young girls now.
theothergyllenhaal
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 11:51 am: [report]
@ Spiff: Couldn’t agree more.
@ Lyz, you said: “...if you really are comfortable with yourself no matter what size, then show it. The last thing we need is another weight insecure celebrity.”
I know as a man I’ve got little right to comment on a woman’s psychology, but I gotta say: I don’t think I know many women who, if given the opportunity to be on the cover of a national magazine, wouldn’t freak out and go on some crash diet to lose weight. Hell, I’ve seen my mild-mannered girlfriend spaz out just because I snapped a picture of her with my camera.
I don’t know any many, if any women, who are comfortable with their body. (Except for Simcha. She knows she’s rockin’ it.) To expect a celebrity whose every move and weight fluctuation is ceaselessly analyzed by the media to be impervious seems a bit unreasonable.
Humble Bee
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 11:54 am: [report]
Amen Wendy. Embrace that fat butt, and like Simcha would say, “shake that ass jessica!” I know most guys like meat on their women anyway. I think she has a good voice, but horrible songs that were never catchy. Atleast Britney’s have a good catch phrase that will stay stuck in your head for weeks. She should bust a Tyra Banks and walk out in a bikini, and be like, now what bitches!” (Except Tyra did it like 3 weeks later which is kinda fishy..) I think its only normal to have weight issues, everyone goes through it, she shouldn’t feel victimized. She should work it, look at people like Queen Latifah, I think she’s gorgeous.
Alex V
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 11:58 am: [report]
@Reagan - You misunderstood me. I was referring to the Butterbody thread. Have you read my comments? Guess not. I guess sarcasm doesn’t translate well without an emoticon.
LaGiulia
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 12:07 pm: [report]
That outfit would look bad on Agyness Deyn. Anyone can look great if they dress to their strengths, at any size.
Lynn
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 12:14 pm: [report]
I don’t know, I don’t think she looks healthy. People look healthy at SO many different weights, and it definitely is an individual thing. Star Jones looks like a bobblehead when she’s skinny. A college friend lost about 100 pounds and I think she looks so awful and unhealthy without the extra weight. On the other end, I think Jessica looks much better when she’s skinnier - and she gained so much weight SO fast, it seems, and that part is really noticeable. Just looking at her face (in other pictures, where you can see it better), she doesn’t look well or healthy IMO. And it’s not a good omen that her weight changed so dramatically, so quickly. I think she’s getting picked on not because of the weight itself (obviously, because there are plenty of gorgeous women her size and bigger in show biz) because she doesn’t carry it very well and it doesn’t look good or healthy on her.
jazzyj
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 12:47 pm: [report]
What a snotty, hateful letter. I wish I hadn’t read it.
wittybitch
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 01:10 pm: [report]
This issue here is clearly not about a personal trainer, but a personal stylist. Seriously Jess, high waisted (lighter wash) jeans with large pockets with not one, but two leopard print belts? Not only was it not flattering, but it was not stylish. I know you are a country “star” now but if Carrie Underwood can still manage to be on point with current trends, so can you.
One Big Voice
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 02:43 pm: [report]
@Wendy: “... look at Salma Hayek (and) Scarlett Johansson ...”? Aww, do I have to?
OK, if you insist ...(sigh)
libbylovespink
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 03:34 pm: [report]
Well put, Wendy. I really don’t believe anyone should be berated for putting on some weight…but Jessica Simpson (and her “people”) really went on a media blitz when she was promoting Dukes of Hazzard…Maybe if it was my job to look pretty, then I’d be able to keep a figure like that, too. I’m not even sad that I can’t. That kind of existence sounds miserable to me, even though I might have a few days worth of fun being oggled in my short shorts.
Anyway, I appreciate the fact that you point out the repercussions of famewhoring your body around Hollywood.
sergal
wrote on January 29 2009 @ 11:56 pm: [report]
Scarlett Johansson “actress"actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created from stolen biomaterial.Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice,CHRISTIAN young lady.Clones(not 1)made in GERMANY,leader manufacturer of humans clones,it’s in Ludwigshafen am Rhein,Rhineland-Palatinate,Mr.Helmut Kohl home town,they spreading globaly NAZI type disciplined and mind controlled,be careful get close you’ll be controlled too.Original family didn’t authorize activity with stolen biomaterials,it’s all should go to Cedars-Sinai MedCenter in LA.Controlling clones is US military operation.Original Scarlett never was engaged,by the wy
Kimthejournalist
wrote on January 30 2009 @ 08:52 am: [report]
Great post, but there’s one more thing wrong with the Jessica Simpson Debacle: the whole “size zero” obsession. The mantra is that ‘you don’t have to be a size zero to be beautiful,’ but that implies that a size zero is, in fact, beautiful. In reality I don’t know a single woman over 5 feet 3 inches tall who would look good as a zero.
I’m 5’8” and 125 lbs, and it takes at least a size six in slacks or dresses to drape me properly. If I put on a size zero dress, I’d look like I raided a toddler’s closet! Between JS and Jennifer Pretentious Hewitt, the whole size zero fetish is gaining ground. Instead of patting these girls on the head and telling them that they don’t need to be a zero to be beautiful—we ought to laugh in their faces and say, size zero? That’s impossible, because you’re a full grown woman! With breasts! Don’t even try!
Wendy Atterberry
wrote on January 30 2009 @ 10:54 am: [report]
@Kimthejournalist, I totally agree with all you said. I just hate when these women lie about their sizes. Jessica Simpson is claiming to be a size 2 (post weight-gain!!), which is the same size Hewitt said she was when she gained weight. Puh-leaze.
SeattleMama
wrote on January 30 2009 @ 03:42 pm: [report]
Remember, vanity sizing means that what used to be a size 6 is now a size two… and yes, I agree that Jessica’s crime was not in gaining weight, but in wearing those hideous, unflattering pants.
She’s got a Marilyn Monroe figure right now, she can work it or be ashamed of it, it’s up to her. I hope she works it, though- and hires a good stylist.
One Big Voice
wrote on February 4 2009 @ 04:46 pm: [report]
You know what Jessica could do to raise her sex appeal? Stop acting like such a bimbo! Until Ms. Simpson drops the “dumb blonde” act, she will never be as attractive as Salma or Scarjo.
Here’s my theory, which I have yet to disprove:
Ignorant person=ignorant lover/partner.
... but I did laugh when she was on Letterman and said that her squeeze Tony Romo (the Dallas Cowboys QB) “didn’t wear a cup” during games. Dave “corrected” her, but then had to retract it the next show because it turns out she was right!
Doh!