Diary of a Happy Goth

It’s the 1990s.

Thinness is essential for a woman’s success in a competitive, all-encompassing, impossible industry. Models in adverts and on the runways are sporting protruding bones and tired, sunken eyes. They’re defeated and emaciated, but successful. The term “heroin chic” is coined to define this skeletal trend, since its victims are alarmingly pale, frail and reminiscent of a drug user’s physical appearance.

“Fat Monica” is the subject of shocking ridicule in Friends, and only when she becomes thin is she finally worthy of respect, love and sexuality. Your friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues are all on fad diets. Impossible to sustain and risking permanent damage to their bodies.

This transcends the 2000s.

Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones and Martine McCutcheon in Love Actually are seen as “plumpy” and fat. We see Bridget writing frantically in her diary after the scales confirmed her ten stone weight. Natalie (Love Actually) is called “the chubby girl” by a colleague, despite being nothing of the sort.

Social media, in its very early stages of development, is the perfect way to spread “thinspiration” and harmful tips and tricks. Skins’ Cassie relays the famous quote “I didn’t eat for three days, so I could be lovely”, painfully reminiscent of Kate Moss’ iconic “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” Except this time, Cassie is a relatable, realistic and inspirational teen character for any desperate young person to mirror. 

As we progress into the 2010s and 2020s,

unhealthy thinness begins to be rejected. “Eating disorder awareness” is a thriving term. Pro-anorexia forums are being shut down and blocked. Striving for thinness is being replaced by wellness, balanced diets and healthy exercise. “Body positivity” is also growing, encompassing bodily inclusivity that goes beyond just size. Enjoying food is celebrated.

Can we finally breathe, exist and just be?

Recently, social media has been flooded with protruding sternums, exposed bones and dark undereye circles, inescapably mirroring the “heroin chic” days of the 1990s. Particularly concerning are Wicked’s Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who, fans argue, have both become considerably more underweight since filming began.

The “Wizard of Oz Effect”

We’ve all seen their interesting friendship dynamic in interviews and the “Wizard of Oz effect” theories, but, at its core, this devastating spectacle shows the harmful toll that Hollywood’s competitiveness has on those within its grasp.

The “Wizard of Oz effect” refers to the horrifying experiences faced by Judy Garland when she worked on the set of The Wizard of Oz (1939), including her heartbreaking diet of chicken soup, diet pills, black coffee and cigarettes. It is argued that Garland’s diet and lifestyle whilst filming lead to her later health problems and early death.

Clearly, the publication of this information is troubling for Wicked fans, as they fear the cast could be showing similar signs.

Overworked and encased in strict expectation

It’s no surprise that these women’s bodies are paying the ultimate price. Wicked’s Michelle Yeoh is also looking increasingly frail and underweight, which makes sense because disordered eating and behaviour thrives on competition. 

This problem extends far beyond just the Wicked cast however, as similarly concerning interviews are picturing considerably underweight actresses, including Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer and Barbie’s Margot Robbie.

Remaining kind to ourselves

Being plus size, witnessing the return of unhealthy thinness and the rise in popularity of weight loss injections can encourage harmful thoughts within ourselves. Maintaining self-love and self-care rituals are crucial to ensure we don’t lose sight of how we feel about our bodies. Comparison between women is how disordered eating thrives. It devours our insecurities and regurgitates the mess. Having open, honest and constructive conversations about body image with those we love is the best we can do.