The Jessica Simpson weight-related schadenfreude is so not flattering
Longtime Jolie readers will remember that I used to cover Jessica Simpson a lot back in the day. I was hoping to let the nasty comments surrounding recent photos go unnoticed as not to add fuel to the fire, but I thought a statement Ashlee Simpson issued was worthy of reprinting.
“I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister’s weight. A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman’s weight or figure. All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you’re a celebrity, there shouldn’t be a different standard…How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure? Now can we focus on the things that really matter.”
Let’s be real here–Jessica Simpson is totally gorgeous, is working her butt off trying to establish a country career (which is more than you can say for the majority of coasting fame-wannabes in the industry) and her weight is nobody’s damn business. To all the bloggers and media outlets gleefully raking Jessica over the coals and picking her apart: for shame. It’s gross.
I agree, howevever, I find Ashlee’s comments somewhat ironic considering her nose job :) I guess she means only bodies, not noses, in different shapes and sizes. ha
Jessica would be beautiful no matter what her size – as long as she doesn’t dress like that! What made her say “these jeans are great for public viewing”? I have big hips and I know to stay away from pockets like that. The hair, the makeup is all great. Even the tank is showing off one (uh make that two) of her best features. But those pants are so bad they have inspired my first post ever.
I think she did put on weight and I was a little stunned when I saw the pics. But it is nobody’s business.
I also thought that the Ashlee comment was ironic though…she had a nosejob and should be careful about what she is saying.
I think this is the look she should go for more often–she looks a lot better with less makeup. The hair is fabulous too.
Shameful schadenfreude it is. And Ashley’s words are, however dramatically spoken, wise. I just wish she hadn’t inferred that Jess is a “size 2″.
To be honest, I think the problem isn’t so much her weight, but her pants. Those things are NOT doing her any favors and I think if she were wearing a more flattering ensemble, no one would have noticed that she put on a couple of pounds (which only serve to make her look like an actual woman).
I agree with DRS – that outfit was maybe not the best choice. I’m not a fan of high-waisted jeans myself and I don’t think they did her any favors. I think the leather pants and corset belt she rocked last night were much more flattering.
That being said, I certainly noticed that Jessica had put on a bit of weight, but when you’re so used to seeing someone appear one way, any change will definitely be noticed. However now I think she looks more a “real” woman -unfortunately that isn’t a look that seems overly welcome in the world of celebrities where anything more than a size four is practically considered plus size. Sadly though I’m willing to bet by the time spring rolls around, we see a much more svelte Jessica. I wish she could say critics-be-damned, but this kind of unfair reaction to her weight gain will have her on some crazy diet by Monday morning, if it hasn’t started already. Jennifer Love Hewitt told her critics to screw off after those bikini pictures were posted everywhere, but within months she was showing off a noticeably leaner frame.
I think Jess looks FAB. Everyone should just back off. I’m sure she is working out and all that jazz and in a few months we’ll probably see her a bit slimmer, but she looks like a REAL woman right now. At least a kind of woman I can relate too. We all have a few lumps, bumps and squishy spots here and there but that just comes with the territory when you’re female. Also, this pic isn’t particularly the most flattering of her and I agree with the comment about her pants. Who knows, she could just be bloated or something here or whatever.
It’s ridiculous when photos are take of celebs and any slight imperfection is blow way out of proportion. For instance, when celebs are photographed coming out of a restaurant and they have a “bump” on their stomach. Suddenly all the tabloids read, “BABY BUMP.” Uh, hello? That “bump” probably doesn’t mean she’s pregnant, she’s probably just full because she just ATE at a RESTAURANT!
Sorry, but she chose a public life that puts looks above most else. You can’t tell me that someone with her voice who was unattractive could have her career. And she really became as famous as she is because of a reality show that let cameras into her home.
I don’t think she’s fat, though it looks like she’s put on SOME weight (I do think that is a baaad outfit on her). But I don’t feel a lot of sympathy for the poor little pop star who chose the public life and has made millions from it. It comes with the territory, right or not.
I was actually surprised when I saw headlines that Jessica Simpson had gained weight because I thought – get this – “Why is this news?” It just didn’t make sense that this would merit genuine or even entertainment news discussion.
When gossip is raised to the level of news blast, Gossip Girl takes on a prescience and cultural relevance never expected.
Jessica Simpson made her career more about how she looks and what she says “Is this chicken or is this fish?”. Her first video after the reality show was her washing a car in a BIKINI. So, when you make your career about what you look like, you should expect to get attention when your appearance is different.
Also, Ashlee should NOT have said “size 2″. Why must she tell us what size she is?? And, her words don’t have much weight considering she had a nose job. PUH-LEASE!
Sorry, Nadine, I can’t fully agree with you on this one and it looks like the other commenters seem to as well.
Love you all, even if you disagree with me! I feel that, as the intelligent, informed, enlightened women we all are, however, it’s our duty to change the system, not go along with the status quo when it’s problematic.
It doesn’t matter that Ashlee Simpson has had a nose job: she is allowed to point out the fact that people raking her sister over the coals for putting on whatever weight she has is not only unbecoming, but has nothing to do with Jessica’s *job*. It might have something to do with her *career*, because in many industries, women’s looks and the tasks they perform are interrelated and hopelessly entwined–i.e., you can be talented and wonderful, but woe unto you if you’re not sexually desirable…or were, and then lost it. The fact that standard exists doesn’t mean we can’t call it out and try to change that system.
On a side note (and yes, I realize I am literally picking apart Jessica Simpson’s looks here, but I just need to say it): when I was a magazine editor, Jessica frequently graced the covers. Before Jessica lost a lot of weight, back when she was considered “extra curvy” in the early 00s, my friends told me her stylist recommended size 0 and size 2 clothes on the shoots. The editors all scoffed…until five foot one Jessica showed up and, indeed, fit into the clothes. That was *before* she lost about 15 pounds…which she might have now put back on. So, yes. It is entirely feasible she is a size 2.
What I try to tell friends and readers over and over is that what you see on TV, in photos and in magazines is not the reality of Hollywood. Women who you think look thin or pleasingly slender on film look shockingly skinny in real life. So those women who are taken to task for being *too* small really are life-and-death skin and bones sized in the flesh (I see them all the time). What I am saying is that a girl who looks “oversized” on film might just be smaller than any of us in real life…and in any case, like I said, the shade of green we all turn when dissecting (let’s be real) very attractive other women is just not becoming.
Soapbox…off!
She gained some weight. So what? She’s pretty, cute and has a *much* better body than most of the women I see on a daily basis. Men love her curves and extra padding. Why do women have such an issue with her weight gain? That was *not* a flattering outfit, but the woman is far from being fat!
i think she looks beautiful! hair, face and body. when i heard the talk of how much jessica had put on the LBS and saw what picture that was being referenced…i was like, where? what lbs? her arms look slender, no double chin, her thighs and hips look smooth to me and no roll around the abdomen. i honestly don’t get it.
When I first read this entry and the first comments, I couldn’t help wondering: why should Ashley “watch what she’s saying” just because she has had a nose job? So you’re only allowed to criticize those crazy standards and the enormous pressure they create if you are totally immune to them?! Then who among us is independent enough to climb onto this moral pedestal in the first place?
For me personally, plastic surgery or even botox are not exactly options, but I don’t think Ashley’s comment makes her a hypocrite. Obviously, she knows what it feels like when there are derogatory comments on your looks (or how they’ve changed) all over the place. So why shouldn’t she say something like “I’ve been there – it’s not nice, and it’s not fair, so please stop doing the same to someone I really care about”?
(However, I do find it ridiculous when all those celebrities claim that it only takes them five minutes to look like this, when they swear that they would NEVER get any work done and insist that they don’t care what other people think… all of which is just extremely unlikely.)
It’s sad that for many people, there seem to be only two options: either you rebel against the status quo, thus forced to stay au naturel (in terms of makeup, that is), or you succumb to the slavery of the beauty industry, the media, etc. So if, for some reason, you don’t want to walk this world on hairy legs, you must be a brainless blonde. I thought this site was about finding another way: that we can be beautiful AND smart. Wondering about the perfect foundation doesn’t make us shallow – thinking it’s the solution to this world’s problems does, and so does demeaning behavior towards other people.
In other words, Nadine, I was delighted to see your comment – it made me realize yet again why I enjoy your blog so much. Don’t we all know that there is more out there than beauty products? It’s great to see someone who invites you to take pleasure in it all and still makes a point of staying in touch with reality. There aren’t so many bloggers out there who reflect so openly on what they are doing, so your writing truly goes beyond merely giving beauty tips. Oh, but of course, you are a beauty expert indeed, and your tips are appreciated, too…
Please this whole industry is so superficial!!! Ashlee is being a hypocrite. She is specifically talking about what kind of example the media is setting for young teen girls, well what kind of example has has she set herself. Don’t get me wrong, if you are unhappy with your appearance, by all means, do whatever you have to do, but it just does not make sense to make these kind of comments…and I loved her real nose : ). These reports on Jess simply do not dignify a response, basta.
I do think Jess looks a lot bigger and she is prob now a “normal size” and that is what people are not used to seeing.
it’s pretty much impossible for Jessica Simpson to ever look all that bad… she’s Jessica Simpson, after all