Demi Lovato has made no secret of her battles with eating disorders and problems with body image. A recovering bulimic, the 22-year-old doesn't shy away from talking about the damaging ways in which women are represented in the media and on the red carpet – the very world she still inhabits. What’s great about her is that she’s in the midst of the same scrutiny she’s always had (maybe even more after going public with her problems) but still has the confidence to say that something’s wrong with that environment.
And her latest comments have got us to thinking about how the most popular type of women’s bodies of each era totally shape our attitudes towards, well, body shapes.
‘When I was growing up and when I was a pre-teen, the people that I had to look up to [for] body image [were] extremely underweight … [They] were all very bony at that time and that was the in thing,’ Demi told Access Hollywood.
READ MORE: Kylie's Comments On Nicki And Iggy's Twerks Show Your Bum Will One Day Be On Trend
And she’s right. Way back in 2004, when Demi was 12, the most famous celebrities, the ones filling up Perez Hilton’s gossip blog (it pre-dated the universal obsession with MailOnline) were the likes of Paris Hilton, Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie. A few years on Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie, as well as the Olsen twins, both styled by Rachel Zoe, became popular objects of people seeking thinspiration. Yes, Beyoncé existed, as did Jennifer Lopez, but their bodies were considered to be out of the ordinary, not something to be aspired to, like those of the boho-chic women clutching venti Starbucks cups girthier than their thighs.
READ MORE: Demi Lovato Says Her Grandad Who Came Out In The 60s Was 'An Inspiration'
Thankfully, Demi believes thinks have now changed. ‘I really credit women like Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian… [they] completely revolutionised what our generation's view of perception of what beautiful is and I really think that they had a huge impact on that.’
We almost totally agree. It’s important to remember that many women are just naturally thin and we shouldn’t have a go at them for that. Also, Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian don’t have the average woman’s body size or shape. Because they don’t have the average woman’s life; people who’re in the business of celebrity have the time, money or means to get their ideal figures.
Demi Lovato Said We'd Be Self-Centred To Not Believe In Aliens
But whilst the most notable change in the culture isn’t that curvy bodies are ‘in’ – just look at Cara Delevingne or even Kim’s younger sister, Kendall Jenner, both thin, both incredibly popular – it is true that today’s culture is of athleticism and doing something to attain an ideal body. Back then it was about not doing things – namely, eating – in order to look good (good meaning ‘thin’, which it most certainly isn’t if that’s not your healthy size).
But while it's got to be a good thing that size 0 looks as outdated as Nicole Richie's boho dresses, it's still a bit depressing that the underlining attitude of both those movements - that bodies are treated like fads or trends in the first place – is sticking around, isn't it?
Like this? You might also be interested in:
'I'm Exhausted Of Seeing Perfect Fashion Bloggers Who Make Me Feel Terrible About My Body'
'My Body Is A Size 8, Not A Size 4' Says Photoshopped Aussie Model
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
Picture: Getty
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.