Jennifer Love Hewitt - Maybe Not So Inspiring After All?

December 11, 2007 · 10 comments

So I was planning on keeping mum on here about Jennifer Love Hewitt. I really was.

For those of you living in a cave who haven’t yet heard about this, Jennifer has been fighting back against some (in some people’s opinion, not mine) unflattering photos taken of her while on vacation.

Here is what she posted on her website:

About the Hawaii Photos…

This is the last time I will address this subject.

I’ve sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women’s bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I’m not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image.

A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn’t make you beautiful.

What I should be doing is celebrating some of the best days of my life and my engagement to the man of my dreams, instead of having to deal with photographers taking invasive pictures from bad angles. I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family. And like all women out there should, I love my body.

To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini — put it on and stay strong.

Xoxo

JLH

I first read about this issue on Stephanie’s Back in Skinny Jeans, where I made the following comment:

I guess I’d be more impressed with Hewitt if she said a size 12 wasn’t fat. She didn’t exactly step out there by saying a size 2 isn’t fat. Would she be saying the same things about girls putting on a bikini and staying strong if instead of being a size 2 they were a more normal 12, 14, whatever? I’d like to think so, because I like her, but methinks not.

As I read all the kudos bloggers around the world were giving her for her “courageous stance” I just couldn’t help but be really puzzled by it all. To me it seemed obvious by her own words that her message was for other size 2s, not for regular sized, non A-list actress sized people.

And now thanks to a link on Big Fat Deal, I see that Jennifer Love Hewitt dressed up for Halloween (not sure what year) in a fat suit, including accessories like hot dogs that she pretended to eat. Really funny, huh?

You still think her inspiring message was meant for you?

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{ 9 comments }

Sonya December 11, 2007 at 11:28 am: Interesting comments. I didn’t see it that at all however. I think what she was trying to (perhaps unsuccessfully), get across is that a size two isn’t fat, and if people actually thinks a size two is there is something wrong with them! Some girls out there would strive to be a size two because ‘that’s what the hollywood people are,” but now even a size two isn’t good enough (apparently) so now they must strive to be even thinner. I watched a show recently where two girls with eating disorders said there ideal size would be a size 0.
Steve v4.6 December 11, 2007 at 7:58 pm: I thought size didn’t matter. Now it does? I knew it!!!

In my opinion they should just rip the labels right out of women’s clothes. I took my wife shopping the other day and was amazed at the range of sizes that fit her based, not on her actual size, but designer and store. I’m talking four different sizes.

Wear what fits your shape comfortably, forget the size number, just feel good that you’re taking care of yourself (or just about to).

Any time I hear anyone spouting off about wearing a size-whatever I imagine a person whose attitude about themselves can be completely controlled with little more than a number.

My number is 150.
TB-Milwaukee December 11, 2007 at 9:16 pm: I’m actually impressed she defended herself and is happy with her self image. Even if a size two is still ungodly thin, she stepped up to say she’s not ashamed of her body.

So what’s a good size for a man…I think it’s rather a double standard that men can have a little spare tire and no one says anything.
Skinny Guy December 11, 2007 at 11:20 pm: This was the first I’d heard about this story, and I couldn’t care less about her photos and whether the press was calling her fat. But if her comments about the scrutiny given to women’s bodies were sincere and not just an attempt to deflect attention away from those photos, I will concede that she does make valid points.
workout mommy December 12, 2007 at 12:06 am: I feel her comments would have seemed more sincere had she left the size part out. (and honestly, those pictures do not depict a size 2 person!) She definitely isn’t fat but her comments just seemed fake to me and now that those Halloween pictures have come out, I can’t help but wonder if she would have said these same things about women’s bodies back then. (when she was really thin and probably that size 2)
Catherine December 12, 2007 at 8:47 pm: I doubt that she is a size 2 based on the pictures that I saw. I personally took her comment and made it my own.

I think she took a stab at trying to be inspirational and supportive. It’s just good to see a person on television say that they are happy with thier body and not talking about what new diet they are on.
john - from fat to fit December 12, 2007 at 8:56 pm: Lot of interesting comments, thanks all. It seems like you either take her words at face value and believe in the goodness of people, or you don’t. I clearly fall in the latter camp.
JoLynn Braley December 13, 2007 at 1:53 am: Hi John, I agree with Steve re: ripping the tags out of your clothes. For women at least, the sizes have all changed anyway, and he’s right that you can go into different stores and end up with different sizes.

As far as the size 2 and 4 goes….whenever I hear that I think of Courtney Cox for some reason….probably because she was the first one I’d ever heard was a size 4. Is there any woman who isn’t is show business though, who is a 2 or a 4?? Well, I mean a woman who is strong and healthy</em… not skinny, not fat, but fit and lean.
Fat Man December 14, 2007 at 7:09 pm: Personally, I feel her fat suit pics are funny. Her current pics make her look hot to me. Like you said, she didnt exactly go out on a limb, but hopefully the message she tried to express was sincere.