Janice Dickinson: Plus-sized models in da house?

Working as a writer has many perks: I can workout in the morning one day and go for a long afternoon walk the next. Companies like Edible Arrangements and adidas send me swag to review - the likes of which, left to my own financial devices, I would be far too stingy to shell out dough for. It causes unbearable neck painIt's challenging. And while I don't lounge around in my undies, chain-smoking cigs and banging out bon mots while lying in the boudoir a la Carrie on SATC, I have been known to conduct an interview or 20 in polka dot flannel pajamas.

This weekend's perk: I got a sneak peak at Tuesday's episode of the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. Now, I *heart* this show and have a strange fascination with Janice. Some of the stuff that flies out of her mouth stuns me (and I've been assigned the task of trying out Karma Sutra positions that would make Pammie Anderson blush - another perk of being a writer - so not much stuns me) but one thing I've gotta say is, she makes no apologies for herself and stands behind who she is. So love her or hate her, I feel like you can at least respect her for not pulling any punches.

Which brings me to Tuesday's episode, which centers around bringing plus-size models into the agency to please costume company Seven 'til Midnight (Careful: Potentially NSFW. Unless you're a writer like me in which case, Who wants to be a Sexy Pirate for Halloween?!)

Previously, Janice has made no bones about only wanting skinny, high-fashion models in her agency. She constantly refers to the gorgeous Xian as being heavy and once forced Traci to squeeze into her (Janice's) pencil skirt to prove she wasn't fat.

Note: These two women are nowhere near overweight. But in the bizarro world of modeling, where I myself would need to shed 25 pounds to fall below the catwalk BMI cutoff, that's the way the low-carb cookie crumbles.

But Janice outdoes herself in this episode. Oxygen has been kind enough to provide us y'all with an exclusive clip of the episode...check it out:

In other parts of the episode, she actually "uchs" at the thought of having plus-sized models, covering her eyes as if the mere idea were slasher-pic scary. "I have a difficult time with plus-sized because I'm constantly trying to get my models to lose weight," she says. In the clip above, she declares, "Let it be known I am not into fat" and compares the Size 14 model in a cop outfit to "bad porn."

I'll let you be the judge once you watch on Tuesday but for now, I think it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts about the inclusion of these models...not only in Janice's agency, but into the mainstream as well. Torrid offers funky clothes in up to a 4X. One of the rappers from Naughty By Nature is launching Ladies First, a new clothing line of junior plus for girls with junk in the trunk. Whitney won ANTM last season and she's "plus-sized." Then again, I also just read a quote from Whitney in Allure Magazine in which she said she fits into anything from a Size 6 to a Size 14. (Which makes me plus-sized, too!)

It seems women with curves are finally being given the attention they deserve. But at what cost? Janice admits she's letting plus-sized models in purely for financial reasons - they generate revenue, duh, because the "average" woman wants to see clothes on ladies that aren't hangers. Does that mean the models are being exploited? After all, they are rather ruthlessly treated by Janice and certain thin models while in the agency. Then again, they're making money and a name for themselves. And on the Tyra tip, ANTM crowned a "plus" girl as Queen...but she's not really all that plus. New media may be rolling out the plus-sized red carpet, but this plus-size is actually normal. Will that make the actual plus-sized women of the world feel worse about themselves? What's next...are modeling agencies and clothing companies going to start featuring ''Utlra Plus' divisions where women are just Size 16?

Tell me! Get feisty!

Then tune in to Oxygen on Tuesday at 10/9C, and come on back to tell me more.

Comments

AAAH! I am so sick and tired of feeling like a freak of society cause I don't fit into a size 6!! I am about a size 11 or 13 (depending on the cut) and am not ashamed of this! I am booty-licious, curv-a-licious, and anything else "licious" you can think of. Would I like to drop a few pounds? Yes, cause eventually I am at risk for some health issues based on my family history. But I am NOT going to do it to fit into "normal" sizes.

Why are people so freakin mean about a little bit of fat that used to be considered a sign of wealth and health?? I was extremely offended by the clip, as I imagine others will be too. The woman in the cop outfit that caused Janice such distress was HAWT! But I can't count the number of times that I have been overlooked because of my size. On a shorter frame it might be unhealthy, but I am 5'9" for goodness sake and only just considered overweight.

Ack! I need more coffee now.

Along with a face that says 'b**ch' when you see it, I find this Janice Dickinson completely brainless. How can she label a woman like the one in this video as 'plus size' it's beyond me. No wonder why so many girls and women are choosing to be bulimic or anorexic to please people who expects size 0 is 'normal'. I agree with Leslie from Toronto, women can be curvy and not be labeled 'plus size'. I even saw the picture of the ANTM winner and... she is not plus size at all! I am not saying to ditch a healthy living and eat and be a 'proud' overweight or obese person, I think we all should take care of our health, but this Dickinson lady is wrong...

I think Janice is allowed to say she only wants to hire someone who is a certain size... it is stupid, but that is her business. However, calling these beautiful women fat is just disgusting. It is getting to the point where the only women who aren't fat are a size 0. So as long as you have NO SIZE, you are not fat.

The last person I am going to listen to when it comes to beauty is a woman who trashes other women. Not only that I feel scared when I look at her arms as she lounges in her chair. Janice has NO muscle tone. When she finally reaches an age where, by necessity, she is beyond being able to base her or others' self worth on appearance I am afraid she might also be suffering from physical discomfort due to (osteoporosis) poor choices she made in a desperate attempt to conform to a pretty narrow concept of beauty. Just sayin'.

In regards to the video clip: that was the lamest "sneak peak" I have ever seen. It was 45 seconds of non-sequiter sound bites. It made no sense to me. (No offense to you Leslie, I know you didn't make it.) It sounds to me like Janice is just being herself and the media is using that to stir up enough controversy to get interest in her mediocre show.

As far as plus-sized modelling, I'm all for it. I like to see a wide range of sizes, races,and even hair textures in my models. If Janice doesn't like to hire diversity, that's her perogative. Either way it doesn't much matter to me though as I do not purchase anything she is selling. Bad self-esteem included.

PS> The "Heidi Ho" costume cracked me up something fierce. Please tell me you are going to do a post on why adult women feel compelled to pornify every H'ween costume. And you must tell us when your kama sutra article comes out.

charlotte, girlfriend, that story is OUT! Click on the link above and you'll read all about my various escapades.

I like Recess' point about (not) taking advice from women who trash other women...like I've said many times before, we need women role models who RESPECT each other!

That woman is a bitch. She is the reason that women feel compelled to be skinny. Putting it on TV is like saying to the rest of us that it is OK for her to trash plus size women. And it is NOT ok for women to be overweight.

There is way more to life than this. Move on to healthier topics.

I completely agree with Recess above with regards to women respecting other women. It's bad enough when you have the monstrous machines of Hollywood and the mainstream media telling women that they have to look like Angelina Jolie or Keira Knightley or Kate Moss or whoever in order to be beautiful, but when you bring it down to one woman's opinion of another woman. . . if you sincerely don't have anything nice to say, just keep your mouth shut. We don't need more reasons to feel like a jar of Crisco than we already have.

In a perfect world, I would hope that these "plus sized" models will eventually seek representation elsewhere with an agency that respects them for the gorgeous REAL women that they are. I understand that there's fierce competition in the modeling world, but truly. . . I for one could not stand to work for someone who thought the kinds of things about me that Janice thinks--and says--about these girls. Forget the size issue for a moment and think about being trash-talked by your boss!

While I don't think we should necessarily condone eating badly and not exercising and not living a healthy lifestyle, I'm all for "plus size" models. Because their plus size is actually fairly normal (or even smaller than normal) for the average woman. By these model standards, I'd probably be considered quite fat, though I have an athletic hourglass figure.

I'm glad to see models that are less like teenage boys, though I don't necessarily agree with the "plus size" moniker. Because as others have mentioned, it only contributes to the idea that it's too large and girls should strive to be a size 0, which just isn't realistic for many of us.

I have no words. Just tears.

;)

In a way, it almost doesn't matter whether those companies are purposely exploiting the models; what matters is how it affects those models and the societal perspective on it all. If they're alright with making money and getting publicity, then there's no problem with it for them, and if it encourages loving relationships with our bodies, then that's good too.

There should be modeling for every size. I don't see a point in having specific plus-sized and "regular"-sized modeling shows... everyone has a different body shape and size so we should just see them all jam-packed together and enjoyed the modeling and the fantastic/outrageous fashions!

I was invited to an agency once when I was about 16. I am 5'7", and at the time weighed about 128 lbs...A solid size 6 at the time though since I didn't have much muscle then. The agency had seen a pic of me (long story, but the short version is an agent was at one of my family friend's houses and saw me and wanted me) but they hadn't met me in person. When I met them they told me I would have to lose 20, yep you read that right, TWENTY lbs before they would sign me. Sickening. Anyway, it is just so messed up, since really, they don't want women, then want a "straight" vehicle to display their clothes/etc. And about Janice specifically? She is NOT the most sickening of all, she is just the one on display right now. You should see how bad they are when there AREN'T tvs following them around. I've heard horror stories of girls having their "trouble spots" marked on their bodies with permanent marker. I'm not kidding.

and by tvs i meant video cameras of course. just got in a rant mode and didn't read it before i hit the button. whoops!

I have to say I expected that drivel from Janice. The woman is like a train wreck-you know it's a mess, but you can't stop looking. I understand that the modeling world has different standards that the real world, but there are two important points that need to be addressed when making that argument-first, that the standards of that world seeps into everyday life through the sheer volume of marketing materials we-and our children-are exposed to daily, and second, that that world is not *real*. I think that media that pushes standards that are nearly impossible on our young people is definitely a problem, but it can be overcome by open communication from a parent or caregiver.

I couldn't care less about couture crap. I want to see models like me modeling clothes I may actually buy. As far as that off the wall high fashion nonsense, Janice and her stick figures can have at it.

Incidentally, I think Xion and Traci are by far the most lovely models in the agency. Wonder if that's because they look healthy. *shrug*

I refuse to take advice from a woman who has had every inch of her body surgically altered and spends two hours every morning getting her hair and makeup done. If that's the world she wants to live in, that's her prerogative. But These so-called "plus-sized" women are gorgeous, and I'm guessing most folks would rather hang out with a woman like that than one who woould be blown over by a small wind.
BTW, women in that industry are MUCH harsher on other women than men are! It all stems from insecurity.

Watching that clip makes me feel grateful that my 12-year-old doesn't yet want to watch these modeling shows.

Okay, I admit it, when the boyfriend is away and I can catch an episode of the show I watch it...even though Janice would certainly call me fat! Every time an ad comes on for her show my boyfriends says one word: Nightmare. He can't stand her, he thinks she's too skinny, a bitch, looks awful, has had tons of surgical work done...It gives me a little peace of mind thinking she must be very, very miserable to be so bitchy and mean to other women. I really hope women watching it and the "plus" sized models on the show don't take her comments to heart, we all have enough eating disorders to deal with.

Also, is it just me or is TV like one long, painful experiment now, where we watch to see how awful or sexual or skinny each other can be? Remember when the Real World had normal, regular-looking people and then some where in the late 90's it became hard-bodied girls in bikinis making out in the hot tub? I am glad I don't have children yet and if I ever do, I think I'll have to keep the TV in another time zone.

As a current model, I'm actually going to choose to keep my mouth shut on this one. I just hope that EVERYONE is able to understand that this TV show is just a TV SHOW!!!! and not real life.

Interesting topic though Leslie (as always!!)

I'm glad there are women who think like Janice. It reminds the rest of us how SANE we are! First off, that plus size model, although she is bigger than most normal models, she is not fat what so ever. Not that I should be judging Janice but...hunny...look at YOU! I know she is open about having surgery, but, she looks bad...she looks old, and like she had a hard life. She looks gross!! She is going to be like Joan Rivers in 10 years. Like so many people have been saying, its about being HEALTHY and not SKINNY! And if you're healthy at a size 0,2,4 good! If you're healthy at a size 10, 12, 14 great! As long as your physically healthy and love yourself, nothin else matters. And that "plus size" model looks BAAAANGIN!!

if she wants to talk bad about plus size models, which I don't consider 6-14 plus, should she not consider age as well... Just saying the woman is old and even through pounds of make up and cosmetic surgery, those "PLUS" size modles are way better looking then her. I can't stand people who think just because they don't eat and you can count every bone in their body means they are beautiful. Might as well dig your girls up from a grave. Janice has a great body, sure she worked hard, or spent lots of money to look that way, but do you think she would feel different if she was taunted about her age in the modeling industry, would she feel excluded.... Maybe thats why she created her own agency. I don't like her. I love Tyra though!

I choose not to watch the vid only because Janice offends all my senses and I know i'll just get annoyed. Is it a good idea to bring different types of figures into the modelling world? Absolutely. Is Janice the best person to be doing it? Depends on your opinion as to whether it's about commerce or acceptance I guess. Commercially she may be successful but she would in no way be an advocate of any form of 'plus size' modelling.

I understand where shes coming from but at that same time what the hell!!! She not even "fat" she was chubby but no where near fat. and she was beautiful. the models on her show are so disgustingly skinny its not normal. guys do not find that attractive.

What do you expect from Janice someone who is a drug using plastic surgery addict alcoholic whore? I mean really were you expecting anything else? Nothing but stupidity comes from her mouth. As if she talks from her ass all the time. Ignorant from beauty of all sizes of women who come in different races furthermore. Just a complete asshole.

Sorry, I've been on both sides of the fat fence, and fat is not healthy. Being proud that you're obese is wrong. Superskinny is wrong, too. There is a happy medium somewhere inbetween.

In a world where we have so many more important things to deal with I wish people would accept people for who they are. It is unfortunate that Janet appears to make herself feel better by ragging on others. I hope she gets a better grip on loving herself. It is so juvenile for her to behave in the way she behaves. But it is who she is so I applaud the models for not allowing her to damage thier self esteem. If thats all she has is her body and "beauty" she is in a very sad place.

I am someone who has struggled with anorexia and bulimia for a long time. every time i start to feel a little better about myself and eat healthy again, i see something like Janice and make myself sick again. i know it's wrong, but i fear i am not strong enough willed to fight the media when that's all it pumps to us: emaciated is beautiful. at 5'8 i should not bu 107 lbs. i know thus. but when i watch tv i feel better about myself and not like i have an eating disorder. but when the tv goes off and i can see how much my hipbones stick out and you can see evey rib, and my one time D boobs now hang, and are only a b because of the extra skin, i feel something different. i try to get better, but things like this really don't help...

Janice has low self-esteem and have to rag or down-play others to make herself feel good.. you should google her life story and you will understand that she still struggles with inferiority complex...

Janice has low self-esteem and have to rag or down-play others to make herself feel good.. you should google her life story and you will understand that she still struggles with inferiority complex...

Janice has low self-esteem and have to rag or down-play others to make herself feel good.. you should google her life story and you will understand that she still struggles with inferiority complex...

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i can't believe her. i think she is really jealous of those girls becuase they have boobs and are sexy and she isn't. i believe plus size models are so much pettier then the sticks you see now. i wear a size 16 and i see plenty of women how are bigger than me. i think the sticks should more over and for "plus size" girls to show the world what sexy really is.