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Anna Maltby's avatar

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!

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Elizabeth Heydary's avatar

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!

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Oona Hanson's avatar

Sorry you had to go through that without the care and support you needed. The stereotypes about eating disorders are so harmful.

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Stephanie Voytek's avatar

Thank you. When I see accusations about EDs I can’t help but think how hard it is to have an ED, let alone the entire world publicly talking about it.

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Amanda Martinez Beck's avatar

Really great. Your prose is so lovely.

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Oona Hanson's avatar

Oh, thank you!

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Charlotte Markey's avatar

Excellent article!

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Dec 10
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Oona Hanson's avatar

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.

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