The New Face of Fat



Holly Madison is most known for her roles on "The Girls Next Door" and as Hugh Hefner's former leading lady. She has now made a name for herself starring in her own E! Reality Show, "Holly's World". The reality series follows Ms. Madison's adventures in Sin City where she stars in "Peepshow" on the Las Vegas Strip. The striptease revue requires Holly to show a lot of skin. According to "Peepshow" producers, she's had a bit too much skin to show off as of late.

Producers slammed Holly for her weight, pressing her to trim the fat. She was accused of lowering "Peepshow" standards because of the 15 lbs. she put on since her move to Las Vegas. Holly was rather resistant to suggestions she should go on a diet, citing her love of french fries and body pride as grounds for dismissal of such a ridiculous proposal. As the story often goes in the entertainment industry, she eventually succumbed to pressure to trim down in order to appease "Peepshow" producer's demands and one can speculate, to save her job.

Ms. Madison did need to have one last word before relenting and did so in a bold way, posing in a bikini sans photoshop in the current issue of Life & Style magazine. Holly wanted to send the message that she is comfortable with her body stating, "I've always had a butt, and I want to keep it - cellulite and all. I'm proud of my body."

While I think it's admirable that Holly embraces her imperfections, I can't help but wonder what kind of message this really sends, particularly to young girls. Clearly, it's obvious that Holly Madison is hardly what you would call fat by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, at a height of 5'7" weighing in at a mere 115 lbs., Holly falls into the underweight category by nearly a dime. Her "Peepshow" producers want to see 15 of those pounds gone. Once again, this is a case of media promoting both an unrealistic and unhealthy body ideal.

Eating disorders are influenced by a wide range of genetic, environmental, and societal factors. Media, a multi-billion dollar industry, bears a fair share of the brunt for the perpetuation of distorted body images. How are impressionable young women supposed to feel about their bodies when the bar has been set so unrealistically high?

Unfortunately, as long as there is demand for these images, they will continue to exist. What is needed is a collective wake-up call. We, as consumers, have the power to impact media directly. Through conscious consumerism we can turn the tide. Every time we make a purchase, we cast a vote.

The next time you are at the grocery store contemplating picking up the latest issue of that fashion magazine, think twice. What message does the publication promote? Is this message in alignment with your values? Do you have subscriptions to magazines that support an unrealistic beauty ideal? What is keeping you from canceling those subscriptions? Are diet books lining your shelves? What DVDs are in your collection? Think of the influence this constant bombardment of distorted messages is having on you.

Be particularly mindful if you are a parent. How do you think these images influence your children? If you don't know... ask. Their feedback may surprise you. Honestly look at where your dollars are going. How do you feel about the purchases you make? Do they reflect your truth? If not, don't you think it's about time they did?

If more of us engaged this level of awareness when making purchases we could greatly shift the current trend in a more positive direction. Change doesn't happen overnight, but it is possible. Let's start a movement, one purchase at a time. Join "Through Thick & Thin" by spreading the word in your community. Bring this message into your local schools. Write about it on your blogs. Do your part to pass it on.

Together we can create a world where diversity is appreciated. The change begins with us... in our homes, our communities, and the choices we make.

What will you choose?