3 MINUTE READ
Where have all the plump celebrities gone? No seriously, where are they?
Switch on any British or USA chat show, documentary, drama or news, technology, science, history art, music or comedy programme and EVERYONE is slim. As are are all the other leaders and influencers out there – politicians, bankers, the Head of This and the CEO of That.
I’m starting to think that you don’t get to earn over £200k, work in the City of London or marry a Royal unless you are slim.
We’re not taking normal everyday slim – 5ft 5 inches, 135 pounds, with an ever-so-slight muffin-top. No siree – we’re talking 5ft 5, 98-pounds-thin, with protruding hip bones.
And how exactly do you think that leaves the rest of us feeling?
Well sorta…PLUMP!
It’s not just women. Men have to comply too. If I ever got invited on to the couch of BBC Breakfast to provide expert comment on something (why are you laughing – it might happen) I’d be rather wary sitting down heavily in case the smiley male interviewer at the other end of the sofa bounced up in the air seesaw style.
Apparently, the camera is unforgiving and adds a good 10 pounds to your weight so I can’t image how petit presenters are in real life and how little food must get eaten at the BAFTAs and Oscars.
Have you ever been in the company or an honest-to-God, proper fully fledged A-lister? I have. Well not in the company of exactly, I saw one in a shop once. They are tiny! Like half size of the rest of us. I could be two of them.
It’s as if being super-slim these days equals some sort of talent or achievement.
Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with being slim or even super slim (it’s on my To Do List)… UNLESS it’s a job requirement.
Then it becomes an –ism.
So folks, let me introduce you to the new kid in town. Joining Sexism, Racism and Ageism, it’s time to say a BIG hello to…
PLUMP-ISM – it’s rife and on a screen near you now.
Plump-ism is damaging and discriminatory and affects the lives of every one of us who enjoys the occasional glass of wine, pizza, and chip butty.
Say for example, if I was a newsreader or that cheery woman on The One Show and I’d piled on the pounds over Christmas, and by the end of March I was still munching my way through handfuls of Revels every night (not while on air obviously). I bet my bottom dollar that my boss would give me a good talking to and quietly imply that if I didn’t step away from the sweeties my next career move would be a presenting job on Farming Today at 5.45am on BBC Radio 4.
Ok, the occasional plump celebrity manages to beat the system….but most of the time they end up having to play the role of The Jolly Plump Actor or The Jolly Plump Presenter or The Jolly Plump Comedian.
It’s not always been like that.
I remember the days when there were tons of famous people who were not super-skinny. The Carry On team were all shapes and sizes as was Ronnie Barker, Victoria Wood, French & Saunders, Mama Cass, Reginal Bosanquet, Val Doonican, Alison Moyet, Margo from The Good Life, Mrs Slocombe from Are You Being Served, Keith Floyd had a wee paunch, and from her mid 20s Princess Diana looked strong, not skinny.
If you feel that you’ve been a victim plump-ism get yourself a Grab Bag of Walkers Crisps, a glass of wine, settle into the sofa, put on an old movie and marvel at their lack of skinniness of Jayne Mansfield, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe.
It’s a sad fact however, those days are gone. Now, if you in the public eye and are over a size 8 you can say bye bye to your career. Your only option is to book yourself in to some torturous Boot Camp for a couple of months, lose half your body weight, then get a couple of Paps to snap you posing in a bikini, ideally frolicking in the waves with a footballer, sell the story of how you shed 60 pounds, write a healthy cookbook, go on Strictly – and Hey Presto you’re a D lister.
So I’ve started a campaign…
…with the goal of ensuring that this time next year News at Ten will be presented by a very clever midlife woman, who is a generous size 14 and has bingo wings.
I’ll finish with some words I never thought I’d say….Thank God for the Kardashians – they all look as if they fall within their healthy BMI range.
The End
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I hope your last comment about a size 12 woman was ironic.
Shortly before I retired I read an article about how good-looking people were more likely to be promoted than ordinary-looking ones. One look at the senior people in the office (and at the board) more or less confirmed this. The young and ambitious people in the office (men and women) were all good-looking and stick thin, with, for the most part, dreadful eating habits.
Author
Morning!! Look-ism, Plump-ish is everywhere. No wonder tons of people obsessed with way they look. Thanks for popping on and commenting . JIll
I am crying laughing at your last remark thank god for the Kardashians! I think you’re absolutely right. Blokes are feeling the pressure too if you look at pictures of Phillip Scofield looking rather withdrawn and very thin in his polo jumper combo for dancing on ice. He’s admitted trying lots of diets to slim down. And Holly too I think she is gorgeous but I think she looks better a little fuller figured personally.
Author
You’ve just made my morning. I am being semi serious though – everyone on telly is fading away!! Agree re Holly – she came in to my head when I was writing this! Cheers missus x
Holly is gorgeous. I love her curves! Super thin suits some people if it’s natural & healthy. I don’t think super thin would suit Holly.
Author
Yep Holly looks amazing whatever she does.
My god! Isn’t life tough enough without all the size crap, i would like to be an 8stone woman have no wobbly bits wrinkles or accidental wind *parp* “scuse me” and I would like to see ‘Normo’s’ like me somewhere… i think they are inside hiding ashamed to be seen.
Plumpishness hasn’t gone I am evidence of that, but has been hidden from sight of high paying professions and celebrity. They can only be seen intermitently, as midnight supermarket shoppers, behind sunglasses and baggy clothes. After all who wants to see an eleven stone size 14 body actually succeeding let alone shopping? Love your blog, posts and humour, keep it up. X
Author
oh hahahaha – love your comment. Bring back normal people with wind to the TV. Cheers for commenting. JIll x
It is like they are disappearing. Sigh
Author
So true. Who wants everyone to be ‘perfect’ anyway. No-one!! Thanks for commenting Jx
Another great blog, Jill.
I want my colleagues, celebrities, newsreaders and political leaders to be positive, happy and confident – whatever their size/shape.
Author
Hey Stuart – so true. We all want to be healthy but really no one should be pressured in to being super-skinny. Bring Back Plump Presenters!! Jx
Loved your post, Jill. I find it quite difficult not to compare myself to all these slim celebs. I’m by no means unhealthy, but my body doesn’t measure up to the ‘slimness’ being promoted out there. Even the Kardashians though – I’m sure I read that they’ve had lipo-suction and implants to get to the way they look. It’s so hard to know what’s real and what isn’t! Have you heard of Iskra Lawrence? She’s a model promoting body positivity. She has an amazing figure and as far as I know it’s all natural 🙂
Author
Oh thanks for commenting. Agree totally with what you say. I haven’t hear of Iskra. I’ll have a google now. Cheers, Jx
Ha ha, I love the campaign name and I vote for it too. YES! Bring back the plump celebrities!
Also if you get invited on that talk show, I HAVE to be in the audience, okay? To cheer you on!
Author
Hahaha. Thanks for commenting – you just made my afternoon.
Love this post! In my opinion we should be focused on health instead of thinness. Are you healthy. If the answer is yes don’t worry about the rest.
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Couldn’t have said it better!! Thanx for commenting. Jx
So true! We need to feel confident in ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others. We are who we are -plump or thin. We’re all made differently. Take it or leave it! 😉 thank for sharing.
Author
Thanks for popping on and commenting, Diane. There is way too much focus on being ‘perfect’ these days. Jx
The answer is Yay! You have my vote and if someone is naturally very slim or slender but healthy that’s fine…Food should be enjoyed (moderation) but everyone has a different healthy weight depending on other factors..Who are the Kardigans???
Author
Hahaha the Karigans – that made me laugh. Agree with your points. Thanks for popping by and commenting. JIll
Great read. I think although a lot of celebrities are slim there are some well known actresses that are on the larger size, such as Rebel Wilson, and Melissa McCarthy. They are very entertaining and maybe inspire a lot of people.
Author
Hey Mike thanks for reading and commenting. It’s all a bit tongue in cheek but there is a truth in that people are under pressure to be ‘perfect’. I must good to two actresses you mention – not aware of them. Thanx again
As usual you have hit the very thin nail firmly on its anxiety filled head. It’s feels like at one end we have an obesity crisis and at the other this media ageist, lookist, plumpist diktat. Maybe one day we will see the media reflect the diversity of the population they serve- but probably not!
Author
Hey Janice we are all meant to be ‘perfect’. I can’t imagine how pressured young people (especially girls) feel to be stick thin. Thankfully I’m over all that 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comment. JIll
I completely agree. I rather enjoy those rare celebs, like Jack Black and Rebel Wilson, who seem unashamed at being comfortable in the bodies they’ve been given. I see James Corden on The Late Show and he looks like he’s trying to be the skinny celeb but it doesn’t look natural on him. I can see the pizza in his eyes.
Author
Hahaha. Pizza in eyes. Yeah some people are just meant to be plump! Thanx for popping by. Jill
I just hate the thought of young women thinking that is the standard of beauty or healthy weight. Such a small part of the population are that skinny genetically. Good post.
Author
Thanks Brenda. I agree. It’s like this unspoken message that if you are not super slim then you will never get a job/ be happy/ be successful etc etc. Thanks for commenting. Jill
So many celebrities, like Jessica Simpson, Anna Nicole Smith, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera etc. have been various sizes and all in the public eye. They are SAVAGED by mean people. I remember reading that Brene Brown, famous for her vulnerability and shame research work, suffered from comments made online about how “fat” she is. If I had to face these kinds of criticisms I’d try and disappear too.
I agree with Lisa’s comment, that healthy not slim is the goal. I like to feel fit and strong. The consequence of that might be a lower dress size, but it might not. I want to be okay with that. I think I’m 98% okay with that. But sometimes I’m not. Sometimes I walk down the hallway and wonder if my pants aren’t just a bit tighter than they were the week before… Plump-ism is a kind word for body shaming society. When we stop judging ourselves, we’ll stop judging others. I’m trying to start there.
Thought provoking post (and funny too).
Author
Hey Angela, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I totally agree there is so much pressure on woman to be ‘perfect’. If you income depends on it (like celebs) then it must be so diffucult no to conform. And it’s not a good message to send to women, epsecially young women. Thanks again for popping on to comment. Jill
#GoPlump! LOL! I think the biggest kick in the face is when I see “plus size” ads and I’m thinking….’Uhhhh….I’m almost that size.’ Take Michelle Docherty (spelling???) from Downton Abby, now the star of Good Behavior and Godless. She is almost dangerously skinny. If the camera adds 10 pounds, what does she look like in real life?
Author
I’m liking that Hashtag!!! Yep, it’s like if you’re not Size Zero-ish you’re a failure in everything you do. Thanks for popping on and commenting. JIll x #GoPlump!
So true. If you are thin or fit the ‘ideal” you are acknowledged for your talent. If you aren’t, well, you are always your weight first.
Author
Totally agreed. Being thin doesn’t equal talent!! Thanx for popping on and commenting Jill
I’ve got my placard ready. It reads, “Plump Unite!” Where are we protesting first? 🙂
Author
Oh you just made me laugh. Love the placard. Let’s start get a coffee and cake before we start marching 😂. Thanx for commenting. Jill
Hi Jill, I really enjoyed the post, am absolutely there for the plump celebrity bring back and have included your link on my regular feature “Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!” Claire (PainPalsBlog) BUYB
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Hey Clare thanks so much. Made my Monday !! Jill
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Wow Claire, thanks so much. I’m so chuffed and off off to check that out! Jill x
Such a great post! So very true. As someone who was brought up on all the old movies & TV shows with the Real people with their ‘normal’ bodies I loved reading this. You’re so right, people are so obsessed with their appearance & keeping up with these size -0 celebrities, (they must just Never eat!) well sometimes they just end up looking ‘unhealthy’. I’d love it if it was the ideology to be healthy rather than skinny. Very funny read 😊
Author
Hi Sam, what a lovely comment to receive first thing in the moring. I watched Some LIke it Hot recently and thought OMG Marilyn Monroe is a ‘normal’ size – hard to find that in a movie these days! Healthy and Strong always looks great. Great to hear you enjoyed. JIll
Very amusing – with an underlying steely message. You’re right of course. Social conditioning? Fashion? Everyone unconsciously discriminates? I keep trying to tell my wife that I’ll never see size 10 again, but she won’t listen. Bring back the court beauties at the time of Charles II?
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Hey Mike thanks for commenting. Bit tongue in cheek but yep it actually is a real issue. We are all getting this message that if you aren’t slim then you aren’t worthy. Pile of piffle 🙂 Cheers, Jill
I don’t feel like they ever “left”. In fact, I feel like these days they are even more pronounced thanks to the EMPOWERMENT trend going on right now. I live in Hollywood, trust me, PLUMP is still “in” just as much as SKIN AND BONES is still in – ha!
Author
Hey Gigi thanks for popping by and commenting. Over her in UK there’s hardly anyone on TV or movies who isn’t super-super-skinny. Jill
Being a plumpster myself I am only too aware that everyone on tv looks super skinny. I appreciate that for some that is just the way they are, but you often hear about celebs that have struggled so hard when they have put on a bit of weight. They get plastered all over the papers in the most unflattering photos and are made to feel like they are ugly and worthless! I am with you in bringing back the plump celeb!
Author
Hey Judy I love the word plump and love your word plumpster even more. It must be awful to be a celeb targetted for humiliation by the paps. Thanks for commenting Jill
You crawled right into my head and spewed my secrets all over the place! Love this post, hilarious, honest, and I totally fit! I’m grabbing the wine, the remote, and a bag of Doritos. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Author
Oh what a great comment. Love it! Enjoy them there Doritos and wine. And thanx for reading. Jill x
“Plump-ism” – I love it! When I was in elementary school, I heard a LOT of “Fatty fatty two by four, can’t fit through the bathroom door!” My sweet aunt hushed my brother and cousins by saying, “She’s not fat, she’s pleasantly plump!” That was over 40 years ago and I remember it vividly, and not because it felt like a grand compliment! Fast forward 20 years to a 5’6″ 118 pound woman who was convinced she was fat! Ha! Plump-ism, indeed! Now, ice cream or cake for dessert?? 😉
Author
Oh Wendy you just made me LOL – as they say. Plump is one of my favourite words! YOu sound like you’re in great shape – keep up the ice cream Jill x
Here, here! I vote for pleasingly plump being back in fashion! Great article. (Hmmmmm, I think I’ll see if there’s any mint chocolate chip ice cream still in the freezer!)
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Hey Linda, thanks for commenting. Agree with you totally and hope that ice cream was awaiting you! Jillx
You’re so right about the size of celebrities these days – most of them would blow away in a puff of wind. Maybe the trend will turn around one day – I also notice the super!!! white!!! teeth on all the US actors (and even on the average person) and that always looks weird to me – really unnatural. Thanks so much for linking up with our first #MLSTL party – I look forward to seeing you interacting with us and commenting and sharing – it’s a great way to build new relationships isn’t it? I’ve shared your post on my social media.
Author
Hey Leanne, delighted to have found your info yesterday. Thanks for commenting – yes Super White Teeth seem to go with Super Slim! Will be sharing and linking today and hopefully joining up with #MLSTL agan. JIll
There is so much emphasis placed on how we look no wonder body image is a huge issue with women of all ages. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us at Midlife Share the Love Party. I’m all about being fit and active in aging but if I want to enjoy a glass of wine or two then I do. Hope to see you at next week’s Midlife Share the Love Party and you can bring the wine LOL:) #MSTL
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Hey Sue, thanks for that. Yep, there’s way too much emphasis on super slim. Delighted have found #MSLP. JIll
The seesaw image made me giggle out loud!
🙂 gwingal
I just read an article about Maye Musk. She is a 69 yr old that still models. She made the statement that she wasn’t skinny because she wore a UK size 8 which here in the USA is a size 6. No one that can make that statement could possibly understand how ridiculous that sounds to someone wearing a size 14. No wonder so many women have body image issues. Thanks for a great post.
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Hey Victoria thanks for a great comment. Yes UK size 8 is VERY slim. I alway think Size Zero is such a strange term – almost as if someone has faded away! Lovely to hear from you . Jill
I’m going to join you in the campaign. Plump is normal if you ask me. To be as slim as celebrities you have to really restrict your diet and exercise obsessively and I ain’t got time for that. Life’s too short & it’s a shame there aren’t a more “normal” bodies in the spotlight as it’s making feel fat when they’re really not. Though I now feel bad for saying “normal”. As there is no normal. We’re all different shapes & sizes- naturally. So whatever you body shape is naturally is normal. So women are naturally slim, some are curvier. Neither one is better. We all just need to resign ourselves to what we’re meant to be a bit more & embrace it. Variety is a key in body image representation.
Author
Couldn’t agree more. Celebs, especially females, must be under so much pressure to be (unhealthily) slim – which is a really bad ‘message’ to pass on to the rest of us – espcially young folk who are still working through all this nonsence!
And yet Marilyn Monroe was a mere size 10… and she’s considered super curvaceous in our society 🤦🏼♀️
Pass me the Rolo
Author
So true. MM just lit up with camera. And yes pass the Rolos!! x
Delightful post! Sorry I’m so late to the party. As I read the comments I realize that part of the confusion is that “size” as in that number on the tag changes with each generation. I got married at age 30 (a full grown woman, 5’7″, 125 lbs.) in 1988. My mother made my wedding dress in a pattern size 10, and had to take it in an inch on both sides of the waist because my waist measured 23 inches. Although patterns have stayed the same, ready to wear hasn’t, the same measurements on the size 10 pattern in 1988 are now considered a size “0”. I don’t ever recall being told I was too skinny, or just skin and bones. I was healthy and active. (And wish I could rev up my metabolism to what it was in those days!) So when someone says “I’m a size __.” It can be meaningless. What are the actual measurements, height, weight, bust, waist, hips, etc.. I sure agree that the vast majority of women we see on TV and in films are thin (with oversized chests, how does that even happen?). On the other hand, I believe too many of the watching public are truly couch potatoes who carry too much weight around. Look at photos of public events like fairs, and carnivals from the 50’s and 60’s: people looked normal and slender (and well dressed!). Now? Too many are morbidly obese, waddling around like those folks from the movie “Wall-E”. Perhaps there is a happy medium? I hope so. Keep up the good work.