The Fuss About Christina

Alright, a couple of weeks ago, I encountered some ridiculous statements about a Jennifer Lopez “People Magazine” cover, stating how she looked old and haggard. So, that had me ticked. And now, the pop culture scene is taking a swipe at Christina Aguilera’s figure. It is discussed in an article, titled, “Is Christina Aguilera’s Curvy Body Inherently ‘Defiant’?” In it, the Daily Mail made a comment on Christina’s AMA Appearance last November, proclaiming how she was “an unapologetic air of defiance to the skinny.” Scream here, if you haven’t already started shrieking in frustration. The reaction centered on this look here:

What’s the fuss all about? When Christina hit the pop culture scene in the late 1990’s, she arrived as this tiny teenage Lolita with the larger than life voice. Yes, I admit to trying to belt “Genie in a Bottle” (trying, however, does not mean successfully achieving). And, as she grew up in the public eye, she went through all kinds of phases, exploring music and fashion styles. During these phases, of course, she was scrutinized for exploring and pushing assorted buttons on her sexuality and display of it. Tiny short-short, cleavage and leather chaps were included in that display. But there never seemed to be criticism over her weight until she had her son. Once that happened, however, things, including her body shape and attitude changed. And then, all of a sudden, there was the picking apart of her fuller figure. The criticism, to me, seemed to stem from pop culture’s sense of betrayal when Christina changed from being a nubile pop princess temptress. How dare she change, grow up, have a child, put on pregnancy weight and then not snap back to her seventeen year old figure two seconds after the birth of her son? It sounds ridiculous. It sounds ridiculous because it IS ridiculous! Why is this kind of body gossip allowed? Why is it accepted? It does no good to anyone. Scripture tells us… “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” Matthew 12:36 That’s what this body gossip is; it’s idle words. And what’s equally disturbing, it’s a bunch of harmful words. Think about the message going out. “Real” woman’s bodies aren’t satisfactory; they deserve criticism until they are “thin enough.” And what exactly IS that? How thin? That’s the dilemma sparking and exacerbating eating disorders and body image issues now. The line is a moving target, impossible, unrealistic and harmful to our physical, spiritual and mental health. When I wrote my book years ago, a question I explored was “Why would being thinner make me better?” And it seems that question is driving this image-obsessed culture today. Why do we equate weight loss with improvement? Why is there such an emphasis on it? If Christina Aguilera never loses weight, if she remains the same in her appearance and weight now, or, according to pop culture’s “worst case scenario,” even gained more weight, is she, therefore, deemed as a tragic, horrible failure as a woman, an artist or a mother? And if the answer to that question is “yes,” why is that answer allowed and acceptable? If we choose not to go to extraordinary and unhealthy extremes to achieve thinness, are we then categorized as “difficult,” “rebellious” or “defiant?” Whatever happened to us being women living our lives, living in our bodies? And why isn’t that celebrated instead of a certain look or pursuit of a look? The one constant in life is change. No one remains the same forever, indefinitely. The pop culture squad of body gossipers would do well to remember that. Each one of us, as well, would benefit too whenever we view a celebrity, a friend, a family member or even ourselves. Let’s get over the gossip and the backbiting; let’s make our words healing, loving and powerful not idle! Christina, look you great. And, by the way, you, reading this entry- you do also! Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse