I like Carrie Underwood. I think she has clear and powerful voice. She also seems to conduct herself in a decent manner. Yet, this seemingly sweet, country girl from Oklahoma is not immune to the pressures that Hollywood, and society in general, place on the importance of looking thin and beautiful.
Something just didn't sit right with me when I read this article from People which touches upon Carrie's thoughts about her appearance and using sweets as a means of comfort. The full article about Carrie Underwood is featured in this month's issue of InStyle.
In my opinion, her focus on analyzing her body and needing to stay thin seems to be playing games with an obsession and even an eating disorder. And eating disorders never play nicely. Emotional eating may be a problem for her as she speaks about turning to ice cream when experiencing sadness and hurt.
Now, I don't think there is anything wrong with thinking about improving one's body and counting calories. In fact, I believe this can be very helpful to losing weight and improving health. However, I believe it turns into a problem when thoughts about such things become obsessions. Obsessions interfere with simply living and enjoying life. Obsessions about body weight and calories open doors to other problems, like eating disorders.
Riches, fame, talent, and beauty do not exempt one from the pressures to stay thin (and may even encourage it), whether those pressures are external (coming from others/society) or internal (created in your mind). I bet Carrie is feeling these pressures, and her celebrity status most likely intensifies them.
Here's some food for thought: Does Carrie's simply being a woman in the spotlight increase her pressure to remain thin? Will beauty according to Hollywood standards help her earn more money than by her talents alone? Does this apply to women in other professions? And what about the guys? Do they have it easier with appearance expectations?
Originally posted 2008-04-25 07:30:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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9 comments ↓
You know, I struggled with Anorexia and Bulimia for years and finally kicked their butts to the curb a few years ago. I totally understand how it happens and can ONLY imagine the kind of pressure that someone who is constantly having their photo taken and being seen by millions would feel about themselves. It takes a LOT of confidence to get through that without worrying about size. You know, a bad photo gets taken of me and I can just hit delete on my digital camera. A bad photo gets taken of her and it’s all over the world for everyone to see. I imagine that without confidence of steel, it would wear one down.
So, I don’t know…is she feeling the pressure to be thin because she thinks it will make her more popular and make her more money? Maybe. Or is it a way for her to cope with the craziness and stress that is around her – the seemingly popular coping mechanism of choice in the limelight probably because not only does it make one feel in control and make one feel like a way to handle their stress but the side effect of being thinner is obviously desirable.
I think it’s become so common in celebrities now that it’s just expected of them to be unhealthy skinny which is really sad because those that aren’t get ridiculed for being an average size.
It’s a whole other world for them but unfortunately those looking up to them and coveting what they have don’t realize that. Carrie Underwood isn’t popular for her weight. She’s popular for her voice. But somehow, in the end, they both matter. Which is sad.
Emily,
Respect and admiration goes to you for defeating the anorexia and bulemia demons! They’re never to be underestimated. You are a strong and courageous woman having made it through that hell.
I can only imagine how tough it is living life where just about everything you do can be captured on film, whether flattering or not! I know that would get to me, and I would be very conscious of any little flab on my body. After a while I’d probably have a warped body image. I know that I personally would have a tough time, so I can’t imagine how (or even if) those in professions that focus on appearance get by untarnished over the pressures to stay thin and beautiful.
Thankfully, Carrie Underwood offers great talent as a singer. It’s not essential that she be marketed for her looks or as a sex symbol, although I’m sure that’s still involved to some degree (cause sex sells).
One of the things I consider when I wish I was famous is all the pressure of appearances. I doubt people would be happy with my face and while my figure is quite trim, it’s not nearly skinny enough for celebrity. Scary..
So I prefer being at a place in life where my looks are non-essential and having a husband who loves every last inch without pressuring me to be even thinner (my mom was pressuring me to gain a couple pounds…).
The pressure to be thin is a terrible thing. And it’s SO easy for someone counting calories etc to turn it from a healthy act to an unhealthy eating disorder… I’ve never had an eating disorder myself but I’ve definitely had problems with disordered eating when I started to focus too much on food and all. It’s a really fine line between being healthy and being unhealthy in that sense.
Mrs. Micah,
So much unwanted stress is avoided when you have a supportive husband who loves you as you are.
I’ve seen your face. It’s just fine – prettier than some of those popular celebrities.
Sagan,
I hear you. Focus is a good thing, but obsession is a bit extreme! Wanting to be thin is fine and dandy, but if the motive is simply to be as thin as possible without much regard to health, you’re headed for trouble!
A RESOUNDING AND SAD NO for the guys.
I really do think we, as a society, have turned on them now as well and have made them feel pressure (hello HGH, testosterone and clenbuteral!) to be perfectly flab free and buff.
2 wrongs? dont equal a right huh?
M.
Nope, 2 wrongs definitely don’t = a right!
Clenbuterol – ugh! That stuff is used as a bronchodilator in horses!!! Having an extremely low % body fat is not worth the health risks, but seem some folks would do just about anything to be super lean.
i think there is a lot of pressure on women to look a certain way, i dont blame her for caring about that because when your in the spotlight the media will tear you apart. the tabloids are very tricky when your too thin you are picked on but when you put on weight you also are picked on..women never win!…look at the ridicule that jessica simpson got and now kelly clarkson is getting namecalled..i mean women never win and the media is to blame for the pressures they put on women..i couldnt imagine what it feel like to be put under the microscope….i dont believe carrie has an eating disorder but i do believe she is conscious of her weight because she is in the spotlight all the time…and she doesnt want to be a target for the media yet she still is, its a no win for women because whether your thin or thick the media is cruel, and they will never be happy. i think carrie is beautifull and at the weight that she is now im guessing she’s like 5’3 about 115-120 pounds looks very nice on her she is also toned so i think she is very attractive how she is and even when she was on idol and she was fuller then she was still attractive…let women be women!!
i did have an eating disorder its not fun and it can be fatal, it is a disease that your mind creates and i dont wish this on anyone. i dont think carrie is anorexic or bullimic..just because she cares about her calorie intake that doesnt mean she has an eating disord she just cares about her body! most girls do the same right? but i think theres extreme pressure on her because of the tabloids and no one wants to be ridiculed its not nice what the media does..and i dont know why women always are expected to look a certain way and if they dont then they are put down! its not fair!
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