That was exactly what plus size model Ashley Graham had to say! Imagine a sports magazine such as Sports Illustrated known for always targeting men for its cover. And the cover just shouted that Ashley Graham is beautiful.
While it received a lot of positive response such as “plus is equal” but a lot of negative backlash as well.
- “I don’t like that we’re talking about full-figured women because it’s glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]” – Cheryl Tiegs.
- “No, I don’t think it’s healthy. Her face is beautiful. Beautiful. But I don’t think it’s healthy in the long run.”
- And vblogger Nicole Arbour, released another video directly targeting Graham.
While Graham stunned every one by looking stunning at the Oscar Vanity Fair and Teigs apology will shut this controversy but I want to talk of something different.
We say live and let live, accept people the way they feel comfortable then why this backlash. Fortunately, we in India do not have to face this kind of situation. We know a lot of plus size women who have a prominent space in the society and great admiration. Here is my list of the prominent ones J
- Smriti Irani – India’s Union Minister for Human Resource Development is a woman of substance. Standing tall she has taken both appreciation and flak alike. After winning hearts of every household as the ideal “bahu” she on the political front had the courage to fight against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
- Farah Khan – A die heart movie buff, a choreographer, producer, director, chat show host and a mother of three she is unstoppable. Did you know she has choreographed Shakira and Kylie Minogue in the past?
- Vidya Balan – Strong, confident and stylish Vidya has come a long way to establish herself in the film industry. He got in an era of Bollywood hit sans a hero and was loved for her powerful performances.
- Bharti Singh – Did you know Bharti is a gold medalist in pistol shooting and archery at the national level? Another house hold name with superb sense of humor Bharti is the sole flag bearer in stand-up comedy.
- Usha Uthup – the powerpack personality of Usha changed the playback scene from shrill girly voices to a sultrier, husky voice. She brought in disco, pop and retro genre to Bollywood.
There are many more like Kiron Kher, Sonakshi Sinha or Huma Qureshi who have made their mark in respective fields. All these live examples just go on to show that success and acceptance has nothing to do with how you look but what you are.
hahahahaah 🙂 completely debatable topic… but yeah u mentioned right accept the person as he/she is…and be urself no matter what people say or think ..being you is what matters at the end..
So just enjoy being you and enjoy the moments as it comes ..in short just “B U”
Wishing you very happy & joyful evening 🙂
Why is this always about sex!
Who said its about sex?
yes be yourself that is the point but more importantly the society needs to accept us the way we are 🙂 Thank you so much for liking the post 🙂
Rightly said, Shweta. I stand with you on this. 🙂
thank you for echoing it Ravish 🙂
Spot on, Shweta. The world should know you by ‘who you are’ and not ‘how you look’. Though not all would agree outright. But I am glad this idea is gaining currency as reflected by all the names you have listed. Great personalities all.
Loved the way you have put the words who you are 🙂 yes not all agree with this ideology 🙂
Oh this is such a good post! The obsession with stick thin women needs to stop…. and I love your list. Ironically, surveys say men like curves on their women and yet, the general standard of beauty has idealised waif like figures….
that has always been that men prefer curvy women, just that women don’t understand it 🙂
I completely agree with Bushra..
Me too Anjali 🙂
Your write is as stunningly wonderful as Ashley Graham herself, Shweta:)
I couldn’t agree more (on both);)
thank you so much Amitji, happy you liked it 🙂
I agree this debate is not as shrill in India as it is in the ‘west’ but I have hunch that it will head that way eventually.
hopefully it should not catch up in India, with the kind of lifestyle changes happening in India I see more plus size than thin people.
Wow! Thanks for sharing and I am glad you brought this forward. Yes – size doesn’t matter. It’s the substance that you are made of makes you. Good one Shweta.
Rightly said Parul, the inner self is more important than the outer self, thank you so much for liking my post.
Such a beautiful and inspiring writeup. It is so sad that some people think being ultra thin is equivalent to being healthy.Why can’t the accept the fact that plus size women are just as healthy and beautiful!!
yes thin is beautiful is such a wrong notion, being plus size might just be genetic and still the person might be healthy 🙂
Great post. A person is know by her (or his) character and not looks.
Rightly said Kishorji 🙂
Good one Shweta.
Thank you 🙂
All i can say .. is i find curvy ladies .. Damn SEXY 😛
🙂
This is complicated Shweta….The way women are objectified….this one being no exception, is problematic. You said the magazine is known for targeting men all over the world….There in lies the irony. It is the projection of woman as a sex symbol. And that is negative indeed.
The sports mag didn’t have Ashley to portray her as a sex object but more to acknowledge her as a beautiful person irrespective of being plus size. In today’s times both men and women are equally objectified I believe 🙂
I see this as a clever advertising strategy Shweta….
True Shweta – size zero is out, for sure. While what makes a woman beautiful and desirous goes beyond just her curves, I’d also like to emphasize on healthy eating and lifestyle habits. I firmly believe jaan hai to jahaan hai! Once that is taken care of, I think the rest really doesn’t matter. Like a famous Bollywood song goes ‘Jeena aise jeena – oonchi ho thinking!’ 🙂
What a comment! thank you so much for adding such stars to the post 🙂
Woman in your list are the real women of “substance”! An interesting read Shweta
thank you so much Sunita 🙂
Good one shweta..
http://www.luv4beautyblog.com
Thank you so much dear 🙂
A great read dear,…The women mentioned in your list are indeed the women of substance. 🙂
Thanks Maitreni, happy you liked it 🙂
Stunning!
you mean the picture? indeed stunning, did you read the post?
Both! Women with curves what men in India prefer.
Totally agree with you!
But unfortunately body shaming is slowly but steadily catching up in India as well.
oh is it? I always felt that India unless you are in an industry that demands it doesn’t negatively react to a size. Well hope broader minds prevail then 🙂
Great mentions of these women. Substance matters a lot than your size.
Thank you Meera 🙂
It is a complicated topic. Thanks for throwing some light on it. 🙂
Why is it complicated? When we accept short, tall, fair and dark women equal, size shouldn’t be left out.
Well said Shweta. Substance matters way more. Yet, for most women, its a constant dilemma- and one that can really take a heavy toll
So true, the key is to fall in love with yourself first 🙂
Wonderfully written. We have Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy,
Oprah Winfrey to name few actresses who are so amazing in what they do… You have mentioned so many wonderful women too… Truly inspirational… Loved your post.
the names you gave are such amazing people and thank you so much for liking my post 🙂
I am in love with this post out ya ☺ the People here on the list are certainly screaming their Way out to just be out of that Box and Celebrate the Way you are. I think the things are changing from 10 years to the Recent times.
Hi Shweta,
Back here after a lot of days and would like to bring to your notice a typo. In Vidya Balan’s intro you typed “He”, whereas, in my opinion, it should be “She”. But come on, you are far greater a writer to bring this to your notice.
Thanks