Why the controversy over women’s bodies in the blockbuster 'Wicked' is a dangerous trend
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“People often assume that being thin is the result of disordered eating, sometimes as a way to feel better about themselves if they are not thin." - Rachael Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C
“Just looking at someone tells you nothing of medical or clinical value."- Brenda Velissaris, NCC, LPC, CEDS-C
“It can feel defeating—like all the progress and messaging around body acceptance is ultimately meaningless." - Rachael Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C
“The Wizard of Oz” spin-off “Wicked” hit theaters recently, immediately breaking box office records and wowing audiences. But the awe-inspiring performances from actresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aren’t the only things people are talking about.
Many individuals have criticized both Grande’s and Erivo’s bodies, speculating that the women are suffering from eating disorders. “They honestly both seem so stressed and I'm not sure where the sudden loss of weight came from?” one person wrote on Reddit.[]Posts like these prompted others to weigh in and debate whether the actresses have a mental health problem, such as anorexia, or a health condition like hyperthyroidism.
Such comments aren’t merely harmful to Grande and Erivo—if they see them—but also triggering for anyone reading them. “When people comment on actresses's bodies, it reinforces the idea that the shape and size of their body is a determining factor of their worth and behavior,” Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C, an eating disorder therapist in private practice in Los Angeles, tells MDLinx.
What does everybody that acted in Wicked film looking skinny asf? Every single one of them look like they lost a lot of weight. 🥴
— Truthhurts (@GirlWonder3) November 10, 2024
Why commenting on other people’s bodies types can be triggering for people with eating disorders
When people openly remark on a celebrity’s body, as many are currently doing with Grande and Erivo, it implies that a person is doing something ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ says Goldberg. It also reinforces the idea that it’s OK to judge other people’s body shapes and sizes, says Brenda Velissaris, NCC, LPC, CEDS-C, a counselor at the eating disorder treatment provider EDCare.
Furthermore, celebrities are often viewed as role models, and so comments about their bodies promote unhealthy and unrealistic body ideals, says Velissaris.[] They also send “harmful and triggering messages about the value of a low weight and a small body shape and size,” she adds.
Research shows that sociocultural messages perpetuate eating disorders.[] In many highly industrialized countries, for example, there is a pervasive perception that thin female bodies are attractive. As a result, many people, particularly young people, pursue these sociocultural ideals. A post on Reddit about Grande’s and Erivo’s bodies can, therefore, be triggering for some people. “Individuals can internalize these critiques, viewing them as a reflection of societal expectations for acceptance, self-worth, and health,” Velissaris says.
Comments can be particularly painful for people in recovery
Many people with eating disorders already have a heightened sensitivity to any discussion about bodies, according to Goldberg. Such comments can therefore reinforce harmful beliefs they may have about their own appearance. “These types of comments serve as a reminder that their choices—and, by extension, their appearance—will continue to be judged, either positively or negatively,” says Goldberg.
Hearing other people talk about Grande’s and Erivo’s bodies can be extra challenging for those who are recovering from an eating disorder. The remarks send a message that, without perfection, their body will be viewed negatively—that no matter what they do or eat, they will be met with criticism, says Goldberg. “In essence, by choosing not to continue their eating disorder, they are also inviting judgment,” she says.
There are several explanations as to why someone may be thin
It’s worth acknowledging that several medical conditions can cause someone to be underweight. “Just looking at someone tells you nothing of medical or clinical value,” Velissaris says.
Some people are naturally born with smaller frames, while others may be dealing with a chronic condition or medication that causes weight loss, Goldberg says. They may be training for an athletic event, such as a marathon, grieving the loss of a loved one, or feeling extremely anxious or stressed about something in their life.
“People often assume that being thin is the result of disordered eating, sometimes as a way to feel better about themselves if they are not thin,” Goldberg says.
For all the progress our society has made when it comes to discussing people’s bodies, the public dialogue on the “Wicked” actresses’ bodies can feel like a huge step backward. “It can feel defeating—like all the progress and messaging around body acceptance is ultimately meaningless,” Goldberg says.