Category: Sound Off

  • Selena Gomez’s Powerful AMA Acceptance Speech

    Selena Gomez’s Powerful AMA Acceptance Speech

    If you missed the American Music Awards and Selena Gomez’s acceptance speech for Favorite Female Artist last night – she just got real.

    If you didn’t know, Selena recently had to take a break from everything for self-recovery (including canceling shows in her Revival Tour), due to her struggles with depression and anxiety. She says in her moving speech, “I had to stop. Because I had everything… and I was absolutely broken inside. And I kept it all together, enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.” See the full video here: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/selena-gomez-emotional-speech-ama-awards-article-1.2882029

    Selena’s honesty is something that’s not always seen, and I commend her for doing it so publicly. She’s reminding us that it’s okay to admit you’re struggling, and okay to seek help for your own well-being.

    She also says, “I don’t want to see your bodies on Instagram. I want to see what’s in your heart,” which is also a great reminder in the wake of many (young) celebrities showing a bit too much skin.

    For example, Kylie Jenner posting an extremely revealing Instagram photo of her and Tyga over the weekend. First of all, young girls are following her and looking to her as a role model, and what kind of example is that to set? Second of all, I totally get that she’s launching a lingerie line and that requires some risqué photos (eh, I guess I get it), but come on. This is too much.

    Selena’s speech was inspiring, and encouraging women to show what’s in our hearts. And I have to agree – it’s not all about our bodies and how we look (and we certainly don’t need to look for that validation on social media). There’s a lot more going on inside, and that’s way more important.

    And though The Curve Confessions sheds light on body image issues facing us all, that’s not to say there are SO many more important things. In fact, that’s part of my point. The way people look shouldn’t be such a focus for our world, but it always feel like it is.

    Her inspiring speech was a great reminder, in my opinion, to:

    1. Respect ourselves and our bodies
    2. Be honest and vulnerable, and seek help if you need it

    Thanks, Selena, you really inspired me with your words last night – and I’m sure you inspired other people, too. ❤

    Photo credit: Disney | ABC Television Group

  • Khloe Kardashian’s “Revenge Bod”

    Khloe Kardashian’s “Revenge Bod”

    If you pay any attention to pop culture (especially one of my guilty pleasures, the Kardashians), you may have noticed Khloe Kardashian’s recent weight loss. Dubbed her “Revenge Bod” since her break up with NBA star Lamar Odom, Kardashian is down about 30 pounds or so. But who’s counting? Actually, a lot of teens and women my age are.

    A prime example of the public obsessing over body image, Khloe’s new physique is something that’s hard to ignore. The thing is, body shamers have been attacking Khloe for quite some time, and this revenge body follows many years of harsh criticism. In an E! Online article, Khloe talks about how she discovered that people considered her the “fat sister” (compared to her slimmer sisters Kim and Kourtney). Khloe dished on how hurtful it was and how “f–ked up people are,” but that she’s lucky she was able to walk away and actually says it made her stronger.

    Think about the amount of comments she’s received about her weight. I can’t even imagine hearing those hurtful comments and having it so in your face all of the time. Paparazzi, magazines, comments on social media… it’s scary to think about. However, through all of this, Khloe decided to make changes the healthy way, by eating healthier and hitting the gym hard with her trainer. But not everyone takes this route — so many women take more drastic measures, such as developing eating disorders or becoming depressed.

    But, don’t you worry. People have found something wrong with her new body, too. In fact, some are now saying she’s “too skinny” (see article here: http://usm.ag/2agLxJi). But she’s “clapping back” at the haters–and so she should! I especially like when she says, “Yeah, it’s a revenge body. But it’s just as much for my critics who called me the ‘fat one’ for my entire existence.” I can’t say I’m shocked that people have flipped a switch on her, it happens all the time. People are always going to have their damn opinions, but it’s up to you to clap back at the haters.

    Here’s why I can’t stand any of this. First things first, I want to make something clear. I think she looks absolutely rocking and I don’t believe in skinny shaming. But, in the same token, Khloe looked freaking awesome before. I know she’s morphed into a new body and a much thinner frame, but what on earth was wrong with her body before?

    Khloe’s revenge bod has opened up a door that shouldn’t be ajar. It’s allowing women the right to disapprove of their bodies, past or present. How is someone who thinks Khloe looked fine before supposed to feel when they hear these comments? I, for one, am offended and angered for her (and women in general).

    Khloe comes off as a fun-loving, confident and sexy girl—but here’s the thing, she always has. Khloe had that same amazing personality before she lost all that weight. And remember that she got her new body thanks to spending hours in the gym to escape her tough times. And do people now think she has a perfect life just because she’s considered skinny? Well, you’re wrong. She’s going through shit just like we all are, revenge bod or not.

    Being skinny, having a revenge bod, or whatever the hell everyone’s doing these days doesn’t create a perfect life, and doesn’t warrant comments that your body was not okay before.

    If you’re undergoing a weight loss, a weight gain, a rough patch, whatever it is, don’t forget that you are beautiful. No matter the size, no matter the situation. And that, Khloe Kardashian, goes for you too, queen. Your revenge bod is rockin’, but you’ve always been rockin’ in my eyes.

    Photo credit: https://hotcelebswallpapers.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/khloe-kardashian-sexy-photoshoot-for-yahoo-style/