Plus Size Vs. Skinny: Who Makes The Better Celebrity Role Model?

Is being plus sized the “in” thing today? As you walk the streets of any city you will notice you are not the only plus size lady or man, there are millions like you and you should not be ashamed! Embrace your size, and feel confidence in your appearance. Of course this is much easier said than done on both a personal and societal level and here’s why:
Just think of the examples in the news today such as the Victoria Secret Models who are shown as the “perfect size”. In the last decade however, they have added plus size models. Unfortunately what they consider “plus size” does not correspond to the average woman and completely avoids the acknowledgment that perhaps there is no such thing as “the average woman” at all. They need to consider that everybody is different in size both on and off the runway. The modeling world is not the only one that has strict physical boundaries.
It seems that America has slowly become tolerant of celebrities with bigger features. From big lips to big butts–so why not big waistlines?
We have heard all the causes of being overweight but it’s less talked about how TV and role models affect a person’s emotional state. For someone trying to break into the entertainment industry being overweight can be daunting. Most directors want someone with a strong control over their body as a prop. For instance, Mark Wahlberg just had to lose a significant amount of weight for his recent movie. He wasn’t pleased with the result but it just seems to be part of the business.
Some stars are more comfortable with their weight. One being, Melissa McCarthy cousin of Jenny McCarthy. Melissa has done very well for herself as a popular TV and film actress. Would we really have gotten to know her if someone didn’t give her a chance because of her weight? Every person should have a chance regardless of their size.
Being an overweight child and adult myself and coming from a town filled with celebrities along with wanting to be an actress and writer since a young age, looks were everything. Peer pressure to be “that” someone and to look a certain part was a huge factor in my up-bringing. The stress of it was enough to make me cry, as it is for many overweight youths. Coming home to watch beautiful, thin women on TV only added to my woe.
I have to admit back in the 80’s and 90’s there were maybe one or two celebrities on the heavy side. While I admit TV has come a long way, it still is not even close to where it should be. Overweight men on television have been much more openly embraced for their size but women have not come nearly as close in that capacity.
So who do you prefer to look like? Looks aside, who do you see as a role model? Kate Moss the ultra-thin model? Adele who is considered “average size” or Melissa McCarthy who is plus sized? Do you feel being plus size is better than being a skinny role model or do you prefer skinny role models? Let me know what you think.