Kate Winslet stands up against Photoshopping. Oh, and WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT!

Remember this:

Back in 2005, Kate Winslet appeared on the cover of GQ looking like a much taller, thinner version of herself. Being her normal kickass self, the actress came forward and spoke out against the Photoshopped image (GQ admitted they digitally altered her bod), saying, “I actually have a Polaroid that the photographer gave me on the day of the shoot… I can tell you they’ve reduced the size of my legs by about a third. For my money it looks pretty good the way it was taken.”

*Love*

Now she's on the cover of Vanity Fair (full disclosure: I do not read this magazine, making it one of about just three mags I am not hooked on. The others? Kittens and Ammo Monthly and Shorty: The Magazine for Petite Women.)

In VF, Kate (I can call you Kate, right?) says, "I never had huge ambitions - never. I was fat. I didn't know any fat famous actresses. I just did not see myself in that world at all, and I'm being very sincere. You know, once a fat kid, always a fat kid. Because you always think that you just look a little bit wrong or a little bit different from everyone else. And I still sort of have that."

(As an aside, a Vanity Fair spokesman has admitted to "a minimal amount of retouching" in their cover, and Winslet's publicist said there had been some skin tone correction, but her body had "not been airbrushed at all.")

As a formerly chubby girl myself, I can so relate to Kate's "once a fat kid, always a fat kid" mentality. It stinks but it's often true. When you grow up being teased for your size, not being able to fit into the coolest fashions or being picked last for gym class tee ball...that sticks with you. Even though many of us outgrow childhood chub (thanks, Synthroid!), we can have a hard time reconciling our past and remembering that just because stupid Matt Idiotberg called us a cow in fourth grade doesn't mean we aren't beautiful and strong now, regardless of our weight.

I'm thankful for a celeb like Kate who stands up for women everywhere, really, by breaking the secret society-like silence surrounding Photoshop and for loving her body as it is, unstretched and unmanipulated.

PS On a totally unrelated note, my local Starbucks manager bestowed upon me this morning a free Starbucks Gold card - weee! Every store manager received three gold cards to hand out to customers deemed the best. And I was one. Looks like camping out at the Handicapped table every day for the last five years has finally paid off! But I'm still bringing my Quaker oatmeal-in-a-bag. I will never stop that, not for all the 10% discounts in the world...

PS Part 2 How absolutely unreal was last night? Tears and champagne were flowing over here...

Comments

I have long had a serious girl crush on Kate Winslet. Mad props to her for being so sane and not letting the industry bring her down! Plus, she was HAWT in that Catherine Denueve photo spread. (I also agree with you about not reading VF).

Yes yes, tears and good wine here. And then my younger son woke up as soon as Obama had given his speech and I cuddled up with him in bed and cried a little more.

I love Kate Winslet. She's beautiful and real and classy and gorgeous. Kudos to the minimal photoshopping.

I'm with charlotte - girl crushing on Kate. I think it's amazing how she's resisted the call of size 0.

On "once a fat girl, always a fat girl", I think many people have this problem. I still look in the mirror sometimes and see it (yet on the other hand, when I was heavier, I saw myself lighter - go figure!) and it's a constant challenge to realise that I'm not what I was.

Ditto on the girl crush (and BOO to the British tabloids trying to *prove* that she was photoshopped!)
And the Obabma girls get a puppy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always had a soft spot for Kate since I heard Joan Rivers say "It was Kate Winslet's extra five pounds that sunk the Titanic." And I agree, once an unathletic chubby girl who Leon Akovolos made fun of when we were on the same volleyball team back in the 3rd grade...oh, sorry, I had a flashback there.

I was asleep on the East Coast by the time the election was called but my sweetheart woke me up to tell me the news! So exciting!

And Leslie, thanks for your warm words, it helped make my day a little brighter :)

We had champagne too! And I'm not even American...

Kate Winslet is fantastic! And I definitely understand that mentality. I was always a little chubby and sometimes I forget that I've lost the weight. It's strange how we get used to thinking about ourselves in one way like that.

ok
OK
OKAY
I guess it is time to focus on other things (checks watch).

we're still celebrating up in herre.

(and yes. Im sorely tempted to get my dog a puppy in solidarity with the Obamakids new pet ;))

Kate Winslet is my hero(ine).

So is Obama (without the "ine").

CONGRATULATIONS on your new no 1! Didn't stay up here, but my housemate did (crazy boy - got to bed at 6:30am).

Did I miss something about the tabloids trying to prove she was photoshopped? FAIR PLAY to them. Who else is going to shatter the illusions conjured up by the glossies and their magical airbrushes? So they were wrong this time - fantastic. I wouldn't have believed it either if they hadn't thought to bully VF into making a statement - Kate looks hotter than the sun on that cover.

The British tabloids may be unsavoury, but at least they dare to question authority. I can't name many other countries who can claim the same about their media.

TA x

I stayed up to hear Obama's speech. The whole party was jumping up and down and screaming and hugging, it was festive and wonderful. One of my friends lives in a less residential area and he said that they were playing instruments, banging drums, parading around the neighborhood and singing until about 3a.

Good for Kate, someone needs to stand up for their body in that industry!

I love Kate Winslet. It's refreshing to hear honesty from a celebrity, and to see her stand up for herself and women everywhere.

I stayed up until after the speech last night, crying and celebrating! Went to bed around 1:30 AM, and now I'm still waiting for my state to be called!

I'm glad the British tabloids stand up to all the baloney foisted on us by the entertainment industry, but it just feels like they're saying that Kate Winslet couldn't possibly be that smokin' hot without photoshop.
Have they done this to other celebs, or is it just her?

And we're lucky to be on the west coast. We saw Obama give his speech at 9 pm. Lots of tears of joy around here!

(And congrats on the Starbucks card! That's awesome! And deserved.)

SO excited about waking up to this new day in America today - relevant to this blog - is anyone else as excited about having Michele Obama as a role model for the young women of the country/world for the next 4-8 years and beyond? She's bright, articulate, educated, a dedicated mother and wife, and she looks like a regular, healthy woman (without the need for retouching). For the first time in several years, I don't have to fight an overwhelming urge to pack up and move to Canada. :)

I realized the other day that Kate Winslet is one of my favorite actresses. She chooses such interesting projects. I love her even more for being vigilant about presenting a rather realistic image of herself to the media.

Last night was amazing and I totally agree with Trish on the Michelle love. I actually teared up during her speech at the DNC because for the first time ever I saw a woman up there that looked like me. She also rocks because she mentioned how she gets up early in the morning to work out and keep her body tight LOL.

I heart Kate Winset. She always tries to keep it real and I've never heard of her flashing her goods to the paparazzi.

Today I feel so full of hope I could burst. And, right on Trish. I was just thinking that today when I saw her in her hot black and red number. What a classy lady. I've heard some people judge her for wearing Gap clothes. First, who cares? Second, how sensible of her.

I've always liked Kate since the Titanic. Hadn't heard about the photoshopping till I read this blog.
She looks great. Also agree with the once fat always fat mentality. That is really hard feeling to lose!

Regarding the second postscript, unreal. My heart is heavy for those who don't get it yet. In fact, that's my only lingering concern: getting past the awful "us vs. them" thing.

Hmmm... Maybe photoshopping is the answer. Or free Starbucks Gold Cards for all.

I love Kate. She is a great actress and real. I think that is what I have always liked about her. When she did the 'oh-so-naked' scene in Titanic I remember thinking how greatful I was for the movie casting her in that role. She is not the typical bean pole model/actress. She has some meat on her bones.
I am glad you posted this! I posted it right after I read about it the other day and wished I had more readers so that this store could reach more people who are faced with body image issues.

Alyssa - yeah they're pretty much up everybody's asses, photoshopped or not. Anything for a good story!

TA x

lianyk Welcome to our wow Gold and store. We are specilized, professional and reliable website for selling and service. By thewow gold same token,we offer the best WoW service for our long-term and loyal customers You will find the benefits and wow power leveling value we created different from other sites. As to most people, they are unwilling to spend most of the time grinding money for mounts or repair when they can purchase what they are badly need. The only way is to look for the best place towow gold buy cheap WOW gold. Yes! You find it here! Our WoW Gold supplying service has already accumulated a high reputation and credibility. We have plenty of Gold suppliers, which will guarantee ourwow powerleveling delivery instant. Actually, we have been getting tons of postive feedbacks from our loyal customers

I think your gorgeous Kate...Be "you" live well and be happy.
Lyn

I loved everyone's comments and compliments. I have seen about 40 actresses at their skinniest who finally retired and actually gained weight and are still gorgeous - Kathleen Turner, Cybil Shepherd, etc. They are beautiful as they are and had to live on carrot sticks which drove eating disorders to the top of addiction lists. I, too, had a few extra lbs. when I was younger. I have been very slim and work out and eat well but carefully for my health. Men are actually running after me instead of vice versa. Eat your bald hearts out Marshall, Louis (who was fat on an off anyway), David (who became obese at one time), and all the other children from Great Neck North. They didn't even think I had a brain. Little did they know I graduated in the top 5th of my class with 400 people graduating. Okay. I just had to say that. Inner beauty and good health is what life is all about. Kate Winslet embodies all of that. President Elect Obama was my choice and I wasn't surprised he won. Yea!

A I missing something? I really don't understand why everyone congratulates Kate Winslet on being proud of her body, as if she's pioneering lead roles for fat people? She's a completely normal size! Everyone talks as though she's a huge fatty, I don't get it!

The cover with Kate Winslet is nice, but they decided to cover her curves with a coat. In addition, the lighting they used was just on one side of her making her legs appear longer and thinner. I think it is ridiculous what the magazines try to pull off on order to sell a magazine and make the "real world" feel that all of hollywood is completely thin and flawless.

I think it's fabulous that Kate stood up for herself and curvacious girls everywhere!!!! Yea!!!! Where do they get that she is fat? Just because she is a number instead of a "O"(size-wise)? I was a chubby kid and I'm curvacious now! My husband loves it!!! He says that he wouldn't have me any other way! Kate is a fabulous actress and great lady! I especially loved her in "Quills". Stay the way that you are dearheart!!!!!

If someone is comfortable in their own skin, who cares what everyone else thinks! America's idea of beauty is as skewed as Wall Street's financial decision making.

Kate is fabulous...give it a rest.

Kate is great !!!!
She is beautiful & smart. She has a great body. She is a fabulous actor. Don't change a thing Kate.
You shine in my eyes. We put to much importantance in our weight. Kate is NOT I repeat NOT FAT !!!

My blessings to women all over the world who need more confidence like kate and who don't give a damm..You go kate..who gives a rats azz if we are not all a size 0.
I'm a happy size 6-8..Love my curves and all women should too...I don't buy junk magazines no more..just BS..and lies..

Kate has always been a great talent in my eyes as she is a beauty, but she looks emaciated in those photos in Vanity Fair. I did not even recognize her on the cover she looked so skinny. Kate and "curves" are synonymous and in these pictures, she hardly has any. Her face look gaunt.

Mentality is key, I was a skinny kid turned fat woman... with a skinny kid mentality. I think it's worse than having a fat kid mentality but skinny body. :S

No way is she fat shes beautiful. I should look half as good - From Maryland

Kate Winslet is BEAUTIFUL! I did some research the other night and found out that on the radio a while ago, people joked on how "fat" she was. They said that she would look good if she lost 10-15 lbs. Also, they commented on how "fat" her arms were. Where do these jerk offs get off saying that she's ugly or fat?! She's obviously not! She's pretty, classy, and most of all THIN. Not skeletal thin, or Hollywood thin, but a good thin.