Mixed Messages From Seventeen Magazine

How weird is it to have Whitney, who promotes size acceptance, on the cover of a magazine that tells you to tone up your abs so you can feel "awesome". I already feel awesome. No, thanks Seventeen.

I Look Good In A Size 14

The article is available in a slightly bigger font on The Judgement of Paris.

Whitney Explains Herself

I found this great interview from LA Times featuring America's Next Top Model "plus size winner", Whitney Thompson that addresses the rumors I had in my previous post.

I saw some pictures on a Web site of you modeling pre-ANTM where you didn't look full-figured. What's the story with that? I've only ever modeled locally in Jacksonville, Florida. I didn't do any big campaigns. Those are from Jacksonville Magazine. I had a great photographer who does some great airbrushing too, but I'm not small in those pictures. I'm about maybe a size 6 or an 8, because those are from high school.

I wasn't sure if you had to gain weight for Top Model or anything like that. Oh, no. I went on the show, and I'm the one who said "I'm a plus-sized model." Which is so funny because when I was when I was there, all the other girls there that were my size were like "Oh, you know, I'm a size ... 10." And I was like "Pfft. I'm a size 10! Yeah!" I think that's why they took me out to L.A. I didn't expect to make it that far. People always told me, "You should be on that show!" And I was like, "Please, I would never get on that show." And look at me now! Never say never.

Did Tyra Force Whitney to Gain Weight?

Yes, those pictures are of Whitney Thompson, the plus-size winner of America's Next Top Model. Whitney, age 20, used to live in Jacksonville Florida and began her modeling career doing local fashion shows and magazine covers. She was 15 when she began her modeling career and noticeably thinner. Rumors on the internet are flying about Whitney being a size 4 when ANTM approached her about signing up for the show. Allegedly, the execs at ANTM told Whitney that size 4 was too big for "regular" modeling, but if she gained some weight they would let her be the "plus size" model.

Who knows if this is true, but she does look a lot skinnier on the covers than she does on the show. Then again, my 15 year old body looked very different from my 20 year old body. I don't know if I believe the rumors. I've invented my own story that I think sounds better.

Whitney once dieted heavily to grace the covers of Jacksonville, but she is no longer a slave to the scale. Now she embraces her body and not dieting. Since she stopped dieting for good a couple years ago, she has gained weight. However, she is using the new curves she has to her advantage by becoming a plus size model.

Fatima Thinks Whitney Sends The Wrong Message

Fatima Siad, America's Next Top Model's skinniest contestant, says that Whitney Thompson's victory sends the wrong message to women...but not for the reasons you might think.

"To be quite honest, Whitney doesn't look like a plus-sized model to me. I feel like she doesn't look like a plus-size model, and therefore it's sending the wrong message because there are women who are actually full-figured and they see her and say, 'Wow, if she's a plus-size model than what am I?'" Siad told Reality TV World.

On the show, Whitney said she wears a size 8 or 10. My first reaction was that she was definitely not a size 8. When public figures, or anyone for that matter, lie about their weight they send the message that a bigger size is something to be ashamed of. Maybe more expensive brands size differently, but when I could fit my 5'8" body into size 8 Banana Republic pants I was super skinny! Whitney is 5'10" and she looks to be more of a 12. Some people might say, who cares what her size is? Well...I care. I care about Whitney sending the message that you should lie about your size because the smaller, the better.

After a little bit of online research, I found the following plus size model factoids:

• Plus size models must be between 5'9" and 6'0"
• Plus Size models must be between size 12 and size 16
• The shorter the model, the smaller the required size (i.e. 5'9" should wear a 12, not a 16)

Whitney Thompson: Winner of America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model Wishes

Imagine all the press that would swirl around Whitney winning. There would probably be all kinds of headlines such as "Is The Skinny Tide Turning?". Anytime a plus size anyone gets a dollop of attention the press deems it proof that things are changing. What headline would you write if Whitney won?

Update: Whitney won and will have her face on a billboard in Times Square!

Cartoon by Natalie Dee

Whitney Is In Top 3 of ANTM!

I'm so pumped that Whitney made it to the top 3! She is the only plus size model on the show, a size 10 compared to the other two girls who are a 0 and a 2. I think Tyra wants a plus size girl to win because she's gotten a lot of flak in the past from not letting a curvy model claim the prize. She talks a big game about size acceptance, but can she deliver? I hope so.

I noticed Whitney took Tyra's advice from last time, which was to not flaunt her boobs and ass. Tyra said modeling is not about overt sexuality (it isn't?) for bigger girls. She said plus size models need to tuck in their bums and curve in their chests to look less... overt. This episode, the judges said they wish Whitney showed off her body more in her recent photo shoot. They seemed puzzled that she wasn't drawing attention to her curves. Tyra didn't say anything, but the camera flashed to her and she looked secretly embarrassed.

Why is society so uncomfortable seeing provocative, sexy pictures of chubby women? If you flip through the pages of a fashion magazine you see tons of ads with skinny models posing in extremely sexually suggestive ways. This is not the case for plus size models. Usually, they are posed to look friendly and harmless.

Whitney of America's Next Top Model

Everyone knows that my favorite contestant on America's Next Top Model is Whitney. I love Whitney for one reason and one reason only, she is the fattest girl in the house. Tyra seems to like her as well and it would be amazing if Whitney actually won. I'm not going to lie, Whitney is one annoying model, but aren't they all? I like seeing a catty, drama queen with a little chub on that show. I always felt like the other token plus-sized models were too nice.

Some women feel they have to be super smart, nice, or funny to make up for the fact that they are fat. Screw that! Do what you want and say what you feel, no matter what your size is.

Eat Me

Love...it. America's Next Top Model is one of the best shows on TV. Last night, the girls had to wear clothes made out of...wait for it...meat! They wore shrugs, skirts, bikinis, and halter tops made from thin cuts of beef. Tyra thought one of the best photographs was of their token plus sized model, Whitney. Go Whitney!

Last episode, heads rolled because a stylist tried to "cover up" the voluptuous vixen during a lingerie photo shoot. This time around, Tyra made sure Whitney was showing plenty of skin. I can't wait to see what will happen next week.

Plus Sized Beauty Made to Cover Up!

I am totally addicted to America's Next Top Model, with host Tyra Banks. There is something about a makeover that I can't resist. The best episode in each cycle is always the third. Why? Makeover time! It's so funny to watch the models freak out about their appearance. Don't they realize they are choosing a career that will constantly force them to change the way they look? I guess they missed that memo.

Anyway, there's a hot model on the show named Whitney. She is a plus sized model, but that's not the only reason I like her. She's really hot, too. In past cycles, the token plus sized models weren't much to look at. However, this is not the case with Whitney. I'm bummed they dyed her hair blonde, but love her extensions.

There was major dramz on the show last night. The photo shoot the models participated in featured Elle McPherson and her sexxxy line of lingerie. All the models looked great and practically naked. However, there was one girl who was noticeably covered up...Whitney!! After the photo shoot, Tyra was pissed that the stylist covered up the curvaceous cutie and apologized to her. The photo above was taken during the photo shoot. She's wearing a full skirt and blouse while everyone else wore thongs!!! I hope Tyra fires the stylist responsible for this...