Women in the spotlight who willingly share their experiences with weight loss are often unfairly critiqued for feeding into a narrative that "thin is better," while others who embrace their curves are labeled "unhealthy."
Seriously, people. Let's stop trying to police women's bodies.
While I understand the concerns, nuance, apparently, doesn't come easy to the internet.
Passing judgment on stars who lose weight (or gain weight) is an unfortunate pastime we can't seem to quit. Here are just a few celebs who have been through it.
Adele: Her recent physical transformation sparked claps, eyerolls and complaints that she is now "too thin."
Lizzo: The singer fully embraces her fullness, and that has led many people to sign her up as the poster woman for big-girl acceptance.
Zac Efron: Women aren't the only ones who have to deal with comments about their bodies.
Lizzo takes no less pride in showing off her full figure -- this is a woman who posed nude for her album cover, after all -- and that, too, is cause for recognition, positive reinforcement and discussion.
Conversations around celebrity body image on social platforms can range from laudatory to cruel.
There is a difference between judgment of these bodies and acknowledgment of them. When I cover this topic as a journalist, it is with compassion and the hope we may see our own self-image struggles and successes in the experiences of celebrities who choose to share them.
And whether it's a public journey like Wilson's or a quiet transformation like Adele's, personal fitness is ultimately a personal choice.
So, let's all stop standing on each other's scales.
For your weekend
Three things to watch:
'Deaf U'
I've only watched the trailer, and I'm already hooked on "Deaf U."
In this Netflix reality series, "a tight-knit group of deaf students share their stories and explore the perks and pitfalls of life at Gallaudet University," according to the streamer.
Based on the trailer, it appears some of the "perks and pitfalls" involve hookups at the private university for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, DC.
"Deaf U" starts streaming Friday.
'The Spanish Princess' Season 2
I never get tired of Tudor history, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatization of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon's love affair.
Season two arrives Sunday. This time around, according to Starz, "Catherine's struggle to produce an heir places her marriage and position in the court at risk, and she is haunted by her choices from the past."
'Soulmates'
It all sounds like a recipe for something I'd want to watch.
"Soulmates" premiered Monday on AMC and is available on demand.
Two things to listen to:
You wouldn't think that Bon Jovi would give us an album named after one of the most tumultuous years ever, but here we are.
"As the songwriting continued, I realized there were so many things going on that were topical," Bon Jovi said. "So, that title took on a much different meaning."
The result is a project that references the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, among other topics. The Covid-19 crisis, in particular, hit close to home as Bon Jovi said two of the members of his band contracted the virus and are just now getting back to where they can sing at full strength.
"2020" is out now.
John Lennon would have turned 80 years old on October 9, and a new album marks the occasion.
There are other celebrations paying tribute to Lennon, who was shot and killed in New York City on December 8, 1980.
One thing to talk about:
Add movie theaters to the list of things I miss most during the pandemic.
It's not as high up as say, my family, friends and hugs, but it's definitely in the top five.
I absolutely understand the need to keep safe (I haven't visited a theater since the pandemic started), but the theater experience can be hard to replicate. There's just something magical about it.
Hollywood has always been a place of magic, and I pray some of that finds a way to get us all back safely before the big screen.
I promise to never again take the experience for granted.
Something to sip on
As the year continues its tragic march, the loss of Eddie Van Halen has added to the sadness.
In many ways, the 1980s would not have been what they were had it not been for his group, Van Halen. Despite internal dramas (you can Google it), the band still gave us some memorable hits including "Jump" and "Panama."
Fortunately for us, this is not the case, as they have left us with their art to both remember them by and use as part of our healing.
Pop back here next Thursday for all the latest entertainment happenings that matter.
Original post:
Rebel Wilson, Lizzo and Adele's personal fitness is just that. Personal. - CNN
