Whatever Wednesday: ANTM controversy, DVF does hospital, True Blood nakedness and more!

What better way to start this Whatever Wednesday than with some controversy?
The Girl With the Disappearing Waist
Disclaimer: I am not a huge Tyra Banks fan, nor am I a fan of America’s Next Top Model.  I respect Tyra’s stance on body image, and I’d be lying if I said I had never seen an episode of the show, but generally speaking I have only watched out of sheer and utter boredom. Project Runway is more my style.  I am loving this season of PR, especially hometown girl Valerie Mayen’s work to date! 
But I digress.  Back to ANTM.  This latest controversy fits in perfectly with the size/weight debate which has been dominating lately.  The source of the controversy is the newly released promo below:
As you might guess, it’s Ann’s body – specifically her tiny waist – that is causing the stir.   
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Critics are saying that the ad promotes poor body image and I have seen the words “skeletal,” “unnatural,” and “anorexic” attributed to Ann by various sources.   New York Magazine printed a piece on the story which included a statement from Tyra.  Her response seems to indicate that Ann does not have a healthy body image:

“…During this season of Top Model, you will see that Ann (the woman featured in the trailer) provided another opportunity for me to support a young woman struggling with her own body image issues (she’s 6’2”; and is the receiver of countless stares and ridicule). Helping young ladies, like Ann and countless others that have confided in me, furthers and supports my core mission.”

Although the ANTM judges appears to be taken aback when they first see Ann, there is no question that the promo makes it seem that the panel is ultimately approving of Ann’s figure.  This is where the concern lies.  Based on Tyra’s comments above, it appears that the show will delve into Ann’s body image issues this season.  I would also infer, from that comment, that Ann may be completely healthy and perhaps just has a very unique body type.  The concern is – again – what will impressionable young women think when they see that type of body being promoted?  What if they don’t watch the show, and just see the promo, and come to the conclusion that must be the ideal body shape?  For the majority of women, it certainly is not.  
This is essentially the flip-side of the plus-size debate.  Shouldn’t both sides be represented?  In theory, yes.  I would argue, however, that in my experience I have seen countless plus-size women, and very few that have Ann’s proportions (actually, none).  Hopefully Ann is a healthy, unique young woman and ANTM can use this controversy to help promote a positive body image.
What are your thoughts on the subject? 
 
Angelina Jolie as Marilyn Monroe?
The past few days rumors have been flying that Angelina Jolie has signed on to play Marilyn Monroe in the adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s novel The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe.  According to The Daily Mail, Angelina had beat out both Scarlett Johansson and Christina Hendricks for the role.  

Although I have always loved Angelina Jolie, I don’t know if I like the idea of her playing Marilyn.  Physically she just doesn’t seem voluptuous enough.

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I was relieved when The Los Angeles Times confirmed that Angelina is not attached to the project after all.

Who would you cast in the role?

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DVF’s newest creation
Now for some news that hits closer to home: Diane Von Furstenberg has helped to design a line of hospital gowns!  According to Jeanne Ryan, the Cleveland Clinic staffer overseeing the project, the redesign has been underway for 3 years. The Cleveland Clinic finally began piloting the new prototype-gown design in May, and so far the reviews are good.

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“The current model is a full-coverage, reversible design, incorporating the Cleveland Clinic’s diamond logo into von Furstenberg’s signature repetition pattern. Other changes include an elastic waistband, wrap-around closure, and a wide V-neck to accommodate chest monitoring and stethoscopes.

Most important… the gown is functional while preserving modesty: “Physicians can open the gown to expose the part they need to access without exposing the patient completely.””

Not something you would generally expect to see from a designer of Von Furstenberg’s caliber, right?  Well, they may not be high-fashion, but they are DVF!

COACH Poppy Project redux
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may have noticed that I have removed the COACH Poppy project from my side bar.  There is a great conversation going on at IFB on the project and what it’s true benefits (or lack thereof) may be for bloggers.

If you haven’t done so already I encourage you to check it out.  The post and subsequent comments really made me take a look at the perceived “benefits” I was getting and I decided – for myself- that it didn’t make sense to participate.  That may not be true for you, but it’s worth looking into!

The good news is – no more annoying Grow, Poppy Grow tweets from me! 

Is that a *collective sigh of relief* I hear?  🙂

Nakedness
Finally, in other jaw-dropping news…. I bring you the True Blood Rolling Stone cover.  I would probably think it was genius if I wasn’t too busy wondering how – um – revealing – shooting it must have been for Anna Paquin.  Wow.

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What is on your mind this Whatever Wednesday?

All images courtesy of Google Images or Rolling Stone magazine.

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  • Casee Marie August 19, 2010, 4:10 AM

    Oh, that poor girl. I almost want to eat FOR her. I can only imagine she's so skinny for reasons other than choice. I do hope she's healthy. I think it could send a positive message that they think she's a candidate for ANTM because, in my opinion, there's nothing attractive about her body. It sends a message to the skinny, tall girls who feel like ugly ducklings, but it could also get turned around as if they're saying that there's no such thing as too thin. That wouldn't be good. For myself, I've never seen an episode of the show and I really don't have much interest in it. I'm PR all the way.

    I'm glad Angelina wasn't cast as Marilyn. I like her, but I don't think there's anything about her that coincides with any of Marilyn's particular qualities. They would just be casting Angelina for the sake of her name, and I can't stand when they do that. Scarlett looks so much like her, but I don't think she could pull off the voice. Christina would be perfect! Just so long as they could make a blonde wig look realistic on her.

    Oh, True Blood. I don't know how the three of them handle all the things they have to do for that show. Poor Alexander, that must have been terribly awkward what with Anna and Stephen being together/engaged. I feel like they're putting more and more focus on the whole "I wanna do bad things to you" angle. The show is grossing me out so much lately that I'm only extremely grateful to have the peaceful normalcy (pretty much) of Mad Men directly after. I need pretty images of Joan and company to wipe out all the nasty visuals from True Blood. But I'll keep on keeping on with it because I do adore the books. (:

    Reply
  • Malvestida August 19, 2010, 12:55 AM

    GO Scarlett!! She would make a perfect Marilyn Monroe!!

    Reply
  • Grit and Glamour August 18, 2010, 4:30 PM

    Lord…the True Blook cover…actually brilliant but kinda gross! And I vote Scar-Jo for Mar-Mo…but who is the perfect choice, really?…

    CHRISTINA HENDRICKS!!!

    ♥ V
    http://www.gritandglamour.com

    Reply
  • Beautifully Invisible August 18, 2010, 1:06 PM

    Yes, Tyra did apologize. Honestly though, I wonder how much of this was a publicity stunt to get ANTM more press. Maybe I am just too jaded!

    I am still undecided on who I think would make the best Marilyn. I'm not sure at all!

    I find the Rolling Stone cover captivating. I question it's taste, but then – it is Rolling Stone!

    Reply
  • Beautifully Invisible August 18, 2010, 1:03 PM

    I agree. Whenever anyone's body type is remotely unusual, the initial reaction is that there must be something wrong with them.
    Unusually slim = anorexic
    Plus-size = obese
    You are right though, people need to think about the terms that they use, not only because they may be misrepresenting something very serious, like anorexia, but also because the terms used are almost as influential as the photos are.

    Reply
  • fashion butter August 18, 2010, 12:47 PM

    I mean, the girl *is* 6'2" and she seems to have an unusual/ teeny tiny frame. At least that's what it looks like to me based on this clip. I could be wrong, but you know what? It really bums me out is that knee jerk reaction to anyone super slim has become "oh, she's anorexic." Anorexia is a serious condition and it's awful how we throw that word around without thinking about what it really and truly means.

    http://www.fashion-butter.com/

    Reply
  • Stylethroughhereyes August 18, 2010, 12:46 PM

    America's Next Top Model is all screwed up. While I love the show, it's way dramatic, Tyra thinks she is a God, and there is always at least one shoot every season that is highly immodest. More recently it seems that they have plus size models on the shows which I think is a good thing, because not all models look like tooth picks. This girl could be healthy or might not be, like you said. I read on yahoo just the other day that Tyra apologized for the video saying she didn't get the chance to approve it before it aired and that she didn't want people to get the wrong impression of it.

    Ugh! Angelina would not make a good Marilyn at all! I always thought Scarlett would totally look the part, but could she portray her in the best way? I'm not sure.

    Wow, that Rolling Stones cover is absolutely horrible. I'm tired of the world.

    Great post!

    Reply
  • Tanvi August 18, 2010, 11:40 AM

    Love this post! So much to think about and ponder over. Opinions – Opinions – Thoughts!

    Reply
  • BeautifullyInvisible September 14, 2011, 7:35 AM

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  • THE-LOUDMOUTH September 14, 2011, 8:04 AM

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