Like we really needed another reason to totally hate Tyra Banks and the ANTM crew? Of course not, but they gave us a juicy one anyhow... A reason that in the face of Tyra Banks herself recently taking flack in the media for being "fat" at the height of 5'11" and weight of 161 lbs has to be considered rather ironic, if I do say so.
To give back story and perspective: This past January, Tyra Banks dedicated several talk shows and an entire cover story of People Magazine to discussing how "not fat" she is; and, how much she wants to promote healthy "body confidence" with young women of all sizes.
Then last night on her flagship show she allows a model to be axed from the show for... Wait for it... being fat?
All I can say is: WTF, Tyra?
If you take a look at pictures of London (the "too fat" eliminated contestant) all you can see is a beautiful girl with a healthy looking body. It is very sad to me, given the hugely detrimental effect that the modeling industry and television have proven to have on the self-esteem of young women, that this episode was allowed to air. Watching footage of the episode, one is left with how very damaging the words of the judges, Jay Manuel and the other contestants must have been on this young woman.
The reality of the matter is that most women who watch ANTM are much larger than even the largest girl on the show. In 2004, it was reported that the average dress size for American women runs between a size 12 and 14; and, the average measurements of women between the ages of 18 and 25 were 38-32-41.
Granted, perhaps as a culture, with the advent of technology which keeps us sitting around on our asses and junk food, we as a nation are sizing up. Even so, with 10% of college aged women suffering from some sort of eating disorder, it is wholly irresponsible of a popular show such as this to deal with the topic of body confidence and size in such an insensitive way.
Bravo to London, though, who in the face of words which clearly bothered her, held her head up high as she exited the show saying "You'll see me again."
I hope so and hope that you maintain a healthy body weight.
Top photo of London from the beginning of ANTM, and the above photo was her final photo taken while on the show. Looks pretty healthy to me!