In a push toward having “real” women grace the covers of magazines, the February issue of Australian Marie Claire features a naked and non-airbrushed former Miss Universe on its cover. But the magazine and the cover girl, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, are being criticized from all sides.
The magazine’s editor, Jackie Frank, said that the Hawkins in-the-buff photo was meant to encourage positive attitudes about body image and raise money for the Butterfly Foundation -- an organization that helps Australians with eating disorders.
Some were quick to point out the model’s flaws -- gasp! -- a dimple on her thigh, slightly uneven skin tone and a fold on her belly that appears because she’s sitting.
Others say that the magazine chose the wrong woman, since Hawkins, 26, doesn’t physically represent most “real” women. In fact, some say, having Hawkins as an activist for those with body image issues is downright cruel.
In an editorial in the newspaper The Australian, Melinda Tankard Reist wrote, “Why would an editor and an organisation concerned about body image choose a Miss Universe title holder as the pin-up for the love-yourself-just-as-you-are campaign? The images attract comparisons and judgment, and provide more opportunity for objectification.”
The thin community, in turn, has been up in arms about such criticism, saying that now skinny women are being marginalized.
Hawkins responded to the brouhaha by appearing on the Australian news magazine “Confidential,” saying that she didn’t know the images would present her as a woman with flaws.
“You wouldn’t know that because it has hardly been mentioned,” she said. “I had no idea that what was a good intention to promote healthy eating and lifestyle could snowball as out of control as it has.”
In an appearance on the TODAY Show, Hawkins continued to hit back at her critics, arguing, "I'm a woman, I have flaws, I have insecurities as well, so for me to be on the cover with no airbrushing was still a big step for myself."
Video: Nude, un-airbrushed shoot a 'big step for myself,' says model
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I think the cover is a step in the right direction; the model obviously has a gorgeous body, but the reader can see her unretouched, and see that the images we normally see, even of super-models and beauty queens, have been air-brushed or otherwise altered. Maybe we can start with more images like this, and gradually make our way to more realistic depictions of women.
I agree, this is what society needs as a wake up call to realism at its bare essentials. I would buy more magazines if they would produce more realistic models to advertise fashion. Frankly the average woman could not wear the cloths in some of these magazines. I am athletic and I love my body, but it took me a long time to realize that I would never look like these models with out harming myself to do so. Many of these magazines and other windows to the world put out the message that this is what you have to look like to gain acceptance to young women, this is a bad message and cause depression, eating disorders, and many other mental confusions.
I think this is wonderful. the woman is beautiful and her being Miss Universe only proves that women just go after what they want. Can't people just get along and quit judging every little thing. Whats important here is the magazine trying to help others with eating disorders, not the dimple on her ass. Come on people focus.
Works for me!
Look, we are never all going to see ourselves in any given photo. I just say it's nice to see a cover "model" who's body and face have not been retouched. She represents read beauty, and that is all we as women should be asking for!
looks good to me
I don't understand the objection to the picture. I am a plus size woman and am encouraged to see a former Miss Universe (normally pictured as nearly flawless) as being a true woman. So what if she isn't overweight. The point of the picture, I believe, is to show that even "perfect" women have flaws too. The Miss Universes and Miss Americas are idolized as being the most beautiful women around, but now all can see that even they have flaws too.
I say, eat, work out and be happy.
Even though I am plus size, I like the picture and the message the magazine is saying. This is a Miss Universe, someone a lot of girls and young women admire for their looks, if not more. Showing someone who is celebrated for her beauty, as she is, without any enhancement is a reality that helps all see that there are flaws in all of us, even the women who are admired for their beauty.
My hope is that the future issues will show a more natural, and realistic depiction of women. The cover still resonates of a pinup poster rather than a feminist outcry.
Honestly, what is a "realistic depiction" of women? Showing that most women nowadays are overweight and have health problems relating to their obesity? I don't think that sends the right message at all. People who are overweight should feel badly about themselves. It's unhealthy and they'll die sooner than a healthy individual. I think the woman on the cover should be praised for being healthy, not skinny. And it's time that Americans, women and men, saw that being overweight is a health issue, not a vanity issue.
She is a very pretty woman and brave to pose naturally. I believe that what is inside of a person is most important. The outside is frosting but unnecessary. I was told many years ago that women dress for other women, not men. My husband likes my body thin or overweight. He could care less. Our society is so obsessed with body image vs. the person and abilities that it makes me sick. Little girls are conscious of their bodies being not perfect. This is just wrong. Wake up people. If a magazine depicts images you think are unrealistic or wrong, don't look at it.
Be careful of your health and enjoy your youth because it's all you've got. Resist that urge to be in the herd!
She is beautiful, and she looks like a real person. (And a lucky one!)
Rare today.
Natural is true and that's a wonderful thing; there is nothing wrong with the photo during the talking rather than an airbrush. The fact that she was a former Miss Universe is immaterial, she is still a "real" woman?
As a mildly overweight woman who has strangled with going from a size 4 to a size 14 due to health issues; this picture is of a beautiful, yes skinny, woman - but a true woman. To the people that are complaining about her "flaws"; you are the reason that woman feel so uncomfortable about themselves because we feel that everything has to be "perfect". Sorry to tell you but I bet you have plenty of flaws yourself. And as far as her being too skinny and not a real woman, she is a real woman. I am sure she works hard to look the way she does. Real woman are skinny and overweight. People need to stop with all of the mess and look in the mirror. If you aren't happy with the way you look do something about it. If you are happy with the way you look, it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. No one is perfect and until everyone realizes that, we will always have issues like this that are completely stupid. There's many other things going on in the world right now. If you don't like the way someone looks don't look at them! Great job Marie Claire and Jennifer Hawkins, you are beautiful and please don't listen to all of those idoits out there!!!!!
OMG there is nothing wrong with her, I would be happy to look like that, but she needs more butt though. lol
I think the critics are idiots. The whole point of choosing someone like Miss Hawkins is that even the models don't look like what we see in the magazines. We expect to see a large person with fat and dimples. The fact that she was willing to do this is pretty groundbreaking.
It's not about fat versus thin women...it's about ALL women and what we think we need to do to represent beauty.
The way the "fat contingency" is behaving is embarassing and ludicrous.
I concur.
The issue here is that "real women" are those who are not a size 4, 6 8, what have you, according to those upset with this photo. Real women should be those who take care of themselves and their health. Being overweight does not make you a "real woman." It makes you unhealthy. It's a fact that being overweight causes health issues, specifically heart disease and diabetes (things that will kill you!). If Americans would open their eyes and see that being health concious is not a bad thing, then maybe we would live longer and have better self-confidence. Not everyone is a size small or even medium. But exercise, make healthy decisions. That's why Americans aren't respected anymore. We're gluttons and proud of it. It's time overweight and unhealthy individuals became ashamed of themselves. You're going to die sooner and you create a horrible self image not only for yourself, but for our country.
I just happened upon your article, which is great. It's about bloody time we get some true unretouched beauties out there. She's a brave , beautiful girl>. This proves you should be what you are not what a cover makes you look like. Everyone should be rejoicing abiut this , not nitpicking! This sends a message, that you don't have to starve yourself & risk the chance of death to look like a magazine cover or someone else youi emulate. A perfect wxample is the death of Karen Carpenter, the singer, who believed this is what you should look like, & could only see herself as fat. I had a relative, a beautiful niece who was doing that, but no longer, thanx to help, Now she looks great & is enjoying a better life. Great on the magazine also for having the balls to do this. I see now there is a focus on plus models,wonderful ! They are beautiful too. Thanx for being real , Miss former Universe. Keep it up!
Not a f#$k&ig one of you complaining has a thing to complain about..............natural beauty is, and always will be, a thing of beauty. If you choose to be fat and unable or unwilling to be otherwise, keep eating...........we promise, we WON'T look!!!!!!!!
OMG!!!!! Does anyone see a dimple???? I sure don't.
Give me a friggen break!
All I know is that if this woman is flawed she will always be welcome in my bed, with all of her flaws.
Great photo. So glad to see a cover celebrating women as they are, not as airbrushing makes them look.
A couple of years ago, there was a famous model or actress who did a sequence of herself as she is along with a series of photos that showed the changes in her as they airbrushed her "flaws" away. As she said, "Even I can't look like this."
Could you be thinkinking of Jamie Lee Curtis? I know she did a photo spread of her in bicycle shorts, un touched. Before and after. Reality vs phony.
She wanted women to see reality, not just all the hollywood phony hype.
Might have been. Can't remember who it was.
Jenny McCarthy also did a bit on this on a TV show (The View I think)
Jamie Lee Curtis also stopped over exercising and plastic surgery. I think she did a photo spread without cloths.
Who the @!$%# cares? It's great to see an actual woman that looks like a woman and not one of those heavily made up airbrushed Barbie dolls we usually see in magazines.
This is a beautiful cover. I believe its a step in the right direction. She's not airbrushed or photo shopped. She's simply beautiful. Even if she is a former Ms. Universe, it doesn't take away from the fact she's a human being with a heart and soul. She's beautiful as she is powerful. She's so vulnerable. It took a lot of courage for her to pose for such a daring cover. (Would you take all your clothes off for a magazine cover to have the whole world criticize you?) Airbrushing and photo shopping has become a common place in high fashion. Why don't we as women band together and buy this magazine? Why not? Send the message to editors and fashion industry leaders that airbrushing and photo shopping isn't going to cut it, any more. And besides, men will find this cove a whole lot more attractive.
That's a great idea. I wonder if it is available on the newsracks yet.
I checked online. It IS currently on newstands now. Here's the link: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/marie-claire/
Thanks. I need to get one as a show of support, as you suggested.
That's awesome!! The link provided gives you a chance to make a bid for the charity and win a signed copy of the picture!! :)
I live on Hawaii and see a lot of skin on the beach where I go at least four days a week. There are all body types but I say love the skin you're in because if you do so will everyone else. I see gigantic people and little people all scantily clad and having the time of their lives. Whenever I see a fully made-up woman with done-up hair-do in gold sandals, thong bikini strutting down the beach I find that look completely unnatural. I see AARP magazines with senior citizens airbrushed to death and it makes me mad. We need to love ourselves and stop thinking the plastic or fake look is best. I say, "Good Job" Marie Claire!
I'm a native Angeleno. I agree about the beaches. Fortunately, we don't see too many of the artificial looks on the beach. There is nothing more beautiful than someone -- anyone, no matter what body type -- having a great time in the surf and sun.
I may still be a bit itchy scratchy about women's magazines in general and the hype they pitch. I call them smut magazines as they peddle props and illusion that if you do a certain thing you'll get some prizes, like a man or job. Even sports magazines for women are inclined to use only the prettiest women with the perfect body and most cannot keep pace with this. I have lucky genes and am one of the pretty ones but I've never tried to merchandise myself as being one to imitate. I look at the styles, makeup and hair and only see an impractical images not something you'd want to see coming at you on the street. The worst part is sexuality isn't an outfit, hair-do or makeup, it comes from within so when you try to emulate it in an outfit it usually comes off as simply tacky and I think that is the biggest crime these magazines commit.
I don't read most women's magazines because they promote images of women (in both text and photos) that I don't want to bother with. The ideas presented on their pages keep reinforcing the idea that women aren't complete unless they are catering to men or taking care of someone else.
I completely agree, I do not read or buy the women magazines which promote - starvation as a fashion.
I don't buy them either as the ones I get come from other sources. However, I sit down with my guy and we look at them together. The same goes for my daughters and granddaughter; we scrutinize the content and discuss why they are so disgusting. I have always found them an educational tool for the girls and boys in my life. Think about this I am 65 and the magazine of my teens would make the ones now seem pretty tame. All we were pushed to do is be in service to our man and always be perfect arm candy. Oh and there was always some truly offensive advertisement touting feminine hygiene by inferring that our stinky bodies put men off.