Featured Article: “Wonderfully Average Celebrity Beach Bodies”

Bikini season is right around the corner, and this time of year brings a slew of celebrity tabloid criticisms. Tabloids will be splattered with unflattering photos of celebrity women who are either too fat or too skinny for their beachwear. It’s these sorts of unflattering photo spreads that make average women feel uncomfortable in their bathing suits.

FYI – The CDC averages that the average American woman weighs 165 pounds, which is somewhere between a size 12 and a size 14.

In light of these celebrity criticisms, we’re going to pay tribute to the perfectly normal, often over-judged, perfectly beautiful (and sometimes voluptuous) bodies of the celebrity world. In the words of Sir Mix A lot, “Cosmo says you’re fat? Well, I ain’t down with that.”

Before we get started, here are some tips for looking great with curves:

• – Pick a swimsuit that fits. If you’re top heavy, wear separates. You can get your swim bottom in something smaller, while your top half stays adequately covered in a fitting swim top. Think: the Ombre Emerald top designed by Aerin Rose Swimwear.
• – Wear a one-piece with cut outs if you’re happy with your back, but sensitive about your tummy.
• – If it makes you feel more confident, snag yourself a sarong. A sarong can be tied around your waist, or placed on your shoulders, to help you hide any areas you’re not totally comfortable exposing.

Now, to the Celeb’s

1.  Adele  

a.  In 2009, Adele proudly declared she was a size 14/16. She’s slimmed down since then, so she’s probably closer to a size 12 now. 2 years ago, Celeb Buzz reported that Adele was “looking significantly slimmer.” The gossip rag went on to report, “The weight loss comes after it was reported that the 23-year-old Grammy nominee underwent throat surgery.” In poor taste, the rag suggests that her slimmer figure (a clear result of being in the hospital for throat surgery) is something to celebrate!

2.  Christina Hendricks

a.  On Mad Men, Hendricks plays an 1960s office woman, and she wants to be judged by her business prowess, not by her assets. And, despite her pivotal role, Hendricks has been repeatedly criticized for not having a perfect bathing suit body. One commentator on Hollywood Life stated, “If you saw Christina on the beach looking like this you’d make jokes and mooing noises.” That is downright insane, considering beaches everywhere host moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas (and many don’t have Christina’s incredibly blessed curves).

3.   Christina Aguilera

a.  Another mother makes our list! But, is that really so shocking? Lots of Hollywood moms are criticized for their bodies. Even Academy Award recipient and incredible supermom, Kate Winslet, has seen an onslaught of media contempt and criticism after photos surfaced of her on vacation. It seems even moms are not immune from body shaming. Christina Aguilera is comfortable in her skin, and told nosy reporters at a recent press conference, “As long as I’m happy in my own skin, that’s all I need…I’m happy with where I’m at. I have a boyfriend that loves my body. I love my body. My son is healthy and happy. That’s all that matters.”

Be Yourself – No Matter Where You Are

Don’t let the tabloids hold you back. Tabloids certainly aren’t holding back the above mentioned starlets, who continue to work and succeed and aren’t letting impossible and unrealistic body expectations stop them from living their lives. Get ready to feel the sand between your toes because your body is beach acceptable, and chances are you’ll fit right in – either that or the beach is empty because the average woman has an average body.

(Photos: Instagram)