This was so helpful. I knew this discourse didn’t feel right or helpful but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Thank you for unpacking it in such a clear and compassionate way!
I express concern to people in my close circle if I start to hear them say things that trigger my spidey sense- and I may feel concerned about people I am parasocially invested in but no part of me thinks seeing a fan express concern would change the behavior of a celebrity if they truly are suffering.
It is tough to know my friends and family didn’t seem to notice when I was truly struggling because I never appeared “too thin”- but negative thought patterns are pretty easy to hide!
To your point, I guess one thing that's different today vs, say, the 90s, is that people are expressing concern rather than praising it as a trend (like "heroin chic"—though I guess people are saying it's back now? Ugh.)
Totally agree that the normalization of ultra thinness as the "standard" for women (especially) in Hollywood is a serious problem. And the Incredible Shrinking Celebrity phenomenon seems to be almost everywhere since the new WL drugs.
For all the reasons I shared in this piece, though, I don't find the current public discourse all that helpful to anyone, especially those with eating disorders.
This was so helpful. I knew this discourse didn’t feel right or helpful but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Thank you for unpacking it in such a clear and compassionate way!
Really great. Your prose is so lovely.
Oh, thank you!
I express concern to people in my close circle if I start to hear them say things that trigger my spidey sense- and I may feel concerned about people I am parasocially invested in but no part of me thinks seeing a fan express concern would change the behavior of a celebrity if they truly are suffering.
It is tough to know my friends and family didn’t seem to notice when I was truly struggling because I never appeared “too thin”- but negative thought patterns are pretty easy to hide!
Sorry you had to go through that without the care and support you needed. The stereotypes about eating disorders are so harmful.
Excellent article!
To your point, I guess one thing that's different today vs, say, the 90s, is that people are expressing concern rather than praising it as a trend (like "heroin chic"—though I guess people are saying it's back now? Ugh.)
Totally agree that the normalization of ultra thinness as the "standard" for women (especially) in Hollywood is a serious problem. And the Incredible Shrinking Celebrity phenomenon seems to be almost everywhere since the new WL drugs.
For all the reasons I shared in this piece, though, I don't find the current public discourse all that helpful to anyone, especially those with eating disorders.