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Alyssa Hill

Jackie Burr, Instructor

English 2010, Section 4

11 February 2019

Open Letter to Hollywood

For decades, you have been at the center of the movie industry. People of all shapes and

sizes adore the films produced in your studios. Despite the increasing usage of CGI and special

effects, one aspect of movie making hasn’t changed. You still manage to find the most beautiful

film stars on the planet. Although people are enthralled by stunning animation and detailed

storylines, it is the actors and actresses on the screen that draw audiences to the theater. The

individuals you choose to represent your beloved characters are carefully selected. However,

stage skills are often overlooked in order to fulfill beauty requirements. You cast the men and

women deemed most attractive by society, even though they may not reflect the appearance of

ordinary people. For example, it is common to see women portrayed with flawless makeup and

perfect beach waves in their hair. Your actresses manage to look this way throughout all their

scenes, whether they are rolling out of bed in the morning or dodging a fiery explosion. Long

legs, fair skin, blond hair, and an hourglass figure are all typical in the movie industry, but have

you ever thought about how this lack of diversity affects the body image of your younger

audiences?

As a teenage girl, I already feel so much pressure to have clear skin and remain thin. I am

not an actress, nevertheless, the extreme standards set by movie stars fall upon the entire

population. Because of my short height, dark eyes, and angular facial features, I feel as though I
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will never fit the Hollywood definition of beautiful. I know I am not the only one who feels that

they must conform to meet the demands of society. 53% of thirteen year old girls in the United

States feel poorly about their body image, which rises to 78% by the time they turn seventeen

(Russell). Movies and media are huge contributors to the issue. When women in movies are

exclusively slender, many are left unrepresented. However, genetics do not allow most people to

achieve the low weight levels reached by actresses. “Media [is] hypothesized to contribute lower

self-esteem and development of eating disordered attitudes and behaviors” (Golan, Moria, et al).

Choosing not to eat is a dangerous way to address weight problems. I know countless young

women who have committed themselves to extreme dieting plans, despite being thin already. I

have seen friends turn away from food at social outings. People choose these lifestyles because

they believe eating something with a high calorie count will damage their self-worth. The

appearances of popular movie stars have conditioned Americans to think this way. Individuals

with healthy body weights assume they aren’t good enough if they don’t look like their favorite

actor or actress. Movie roles must be extended to a wider range of people in order to eliminate

negative body image. The way film stars are portrayed have a huge impact on how viewers,

particularly teenagers, see themselves.

There are dozens of celebrities who have been attacked or denied roles after an

incredible audition because of their body shape. While many have spoken out about the negative

effects of body shaming, movie producers haven’t taken a hint. Often, actors and actresses are

expected to lose a considerable amount of weight in a matter of weeks. In an interview for Elle

Magazine, Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence claimed “In Hollywood, I’m obese. I’m considered

a fat actress” (BBC). I don’t understand how your producers could look at someone so talented
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and accomplished and still find flaws. Lawrence has a perfectly healthy height to weight ratio. If

a women as slender as her is criticized for weight, then other actresses with an average build will

be criticized as well. Apparently a healthy body is no longer acceptable in your industry. You

force movie stars to lose weight, even if there is nothing to lose.

However, women aren’t the only victims of body shaming. Plenty of male actors have

received backlash as well, whether from producers or the media. They are expected to define

masculinity and maintain toned muscles. Actors such as Sam Claflin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vin

Diesel, and Chris Pratt are just a few examples of men who have been asked to lose weight for

roles. They feel the same pressure as their female co-stars to stay in shape and diet regularly (The

Wrap).

Personally, I take comfort in these anomalies. The actors and actresses you call obese are

the ones who look like the majority of the population. Representation for people of all shapes

and sizes helps everyone to feel valued. Casting choices should not be based on appearance

alone. An actor or actress’s ability to portray a character’s personality is far more important.

Audiences want to see healthy individuals with natural cosmetics rather than those who have

endured plastic surgeries and major weight loss plans in order to qualify for a role. Movie stars

have great influence in society. If you could eliminate body shaming in Hollywood, perhaps it

would spread to the rest of the globe. Please consider broadening your horizons in order to

promote positive body image and provide worthy role models for the media-driven generation.

Sincerely,

Alyssa Hill
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Works Cited

Boucher, Ashley. “11 Male Stars Who’ve Been Body Shamed, From Vin Diesel to Leonardo

DiCaprio.” Editorial. ​The Wrap.​ The Wrap, 19 Oct. 2018. Web. 9 Feb. 2019.

Golan, Moria, et al. “The Effect of ‘In Favor of Myself’: Preventive Program to Enhance

Positive Self and Body Image among Adolescents.” ​PLoS ONE​, vol. 8, no. 11, Nov.

2013, pp. 1–9. ​EBSCOhost​, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078223.

Russell, Cameron. “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.” TED. 16 Jan.

2013. Lecture.

“Seven stars who refused to be body shamed.” Editorial. ​BBC News.​ BBC News, 3 Jun. 2017.

Web. 9 Feb. 2019.