Jessica Simpson in her prime
- “Cheney Speaks at NRA Convention as Champion of Second Amendment…Two Years Later Accidentally Shoots Hunting Partner in Quail Hunt.”
- “Republican Senator Supports Federal Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage…Larry Craig Later Busted in Gay Sex Sting.”
- “New York Governor Pushes for Strict Anti-Prostitution Initiative…Next Year Spitzer Caught with Call-Girl.”
- And most recently, “Jessica Simpson Reveals New Full Figure…At a Chili Cook-off.”
Extra reporting is just overkill when fact is better than fiction and the punch line is already a knockout. And especially in Jessica Simpson’s case, there really isn’t much additional information that can be provided when a celebrity gains weight, save the possible reasons for the weight fluctuation and a few before and after photos. But I would like to slightly shift focus to offer my opinion on the media focusing on Jessica’s weight gain, rather than merely focusing just on Jessica’s weight gain.
As a young woman who of course feels societal pressure to look a certain way at times, I will take a stance that may seem somewhat hypocritical -- I don’t feel any disgust for pop media to point out Jessica’s fuller figure in a demeaning manner. To the contrary, I applaud pop media for doing its job. Sure, there are much more important issues going in the world that would be more worthwhile and productive for us to discuss, but ask yourself what the average American person cares about.
The majority of people would rather reach for a People Magazine over Time. In fact, in 2006 when most newsstand sales were decreasing, celebrity magazines were the only type of publication to be an exception to the downward trend. http://www.journalism.org/node/423) And if you were to stop an everyday person on the street, do you Joe Schmoe they could list more names of Presidential Cabinet members or of American Idol contestants?
Pop media is a business like any other adhering to the rules of Economics 101 – where there is a demand, there is a supply. If you think it is repulsive that media treats women’s bodies like commodities then don’t buy into it!
But of course, we like to see when venerated figures fall from grace. It makes us feel better about ourselves. Especially (like with the aforementioned examples) when the public figures fall from grace in an entirely hypocritical and ironic manner… which is just what Jessica Simpson has done.
The only thing Jessica ever had going for her is her looks. Do you think anybody would like Jessica less if she acted like an imbecile and didn’t know the difference between chicken or tuna? No, it would make us like her more. Do you think it would make pop music consumers not buy Jessica’s albums if she sang out of pitch? No, because she already does and is a multi-platinum artist. Do you think people would like Jessica less if she was a terrible actress? No, because nobody is paying attention to what she says when she prances around in Daisy Dukes. Do you think it would make people like Jessica less if she did something to alter her appearance in a way that is deemed unfavorable? Yes, because Jessica’s only marketing angle was that of a sexy appearance!
Jessica Simpson after too many prime ribs
Compared to the average person, Jessica is very beautiful and still has a decent body. But pop celebrities aren’t average people. They belong to the utmost highest echelon of physical appearance. When you (or rather, your father) has marketed you solely as a sex kitten meets beautiful girl-next-door, your one job is to remain looking phenomenally beautiful. And for millions of dollars, I would gladly work out for five hours a day every day, never eat another sweet, give up drinking, and guess what…I wouldn’t complain once!
So if Jessica would like to get back in the public’s good grace, I suggest she gets her body back into the shape of her “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’” video. Only now maybe she should trade in her walking boots for jogging shoes.
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