Glamour Applauded for Photo of 'Real' Woman

by Jacki Donaldson (Subscribe to Jacki Donaldson's posts)
Sep 11th 2009 10:00AM

Photo: Walter Chin for GLAMOUR

This photo of a model in skimpy underwear was published recently in Glamour magazine. Nothing new, models show skin on glossy pages all the time. But there is something different about this woman -- she has a soft tummy, thick thighs, and, well, she's a size 12. Pretty normal considering that many women look like this, but since when do magazines feature 'real' women? Since now. And CafeMom wants to know, what took so long?

Glamour is being applauded for publishing the model who's become known as "the woman on pg. 19" -- 20-year-old Lizzi Miller, an avid softball player, belly dancer and plus-size model. CafeKim is thrilled by this photo, but she is even happier knowing that CafeMom features real women all day long. She says:

"And here the term 'real woman' means so much more than size (because, technically, real women come in all shapes and sizes). Rather, the women on CafeMom are 'real' because we're classy, confident, beautiful, and have integrity. We love our kids and our families and would do anything for them. And, yes, we struggle with our imperfections, but we are open about it, honest when we fall short, and just try to take one day at at time."

Female self-esteem has long been affected by impossibly-perfect magazine models. But did you know that magazines are harmful to male body image, too.

Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Marilyn 9-11-2009 @ 12:40PM

she does NOT look plus size to me

Stephanie 9-11-2009 @ 1:43PM

I actually find it really depressing that she's a "plus-sized" model. What the hell. This chick is absolutely GORGEOUS, and looks like a totally normal-sized person to me.

losebellyfat1 9-11-2009 @ 1:43PM

I agree with Marilyn I don't think she is a size 12. I used to be a size 18 and now I am a size 1. She looks to me like a size 4 maybe 6. The only thing I can think of is if they are using the term "plus size" off of her weight since she is active in sports she just might weigh more than she looks do to muscle mass.

andrea 9-11-2009 @ 5:10PM

She definitely looks like a size 12 to me. There's no way she has thighs like that and that much belly fat and she's a 4 or 6. I'm not saying she's obese, but she definitely isn't slim.
What I can't believe is that she's 20. I assumed this was a 35-40 year old soccer mom. She does just look like a regular woman you'd see at the grocery store, and not a model (even a plus-sized one).
And I think plus-sized models are size 8 and up.

Igga 9-11-2009 @ 8:33PM

I agree with Andrea - there is no way this woman is a 4 or a 6. I'm that size and about half her size or less. I'm actually surprised she's only a 12 - she looks way bigger than me.

I also agree plus-size models are size 8 and up. We are talking models here - not your average woman. Aspirational ideals - not uninspired normal people.

And actually, I'm not at all a fan of seeing plus size models in magazines. I am buying a fantasy, a motivation, an inspiration. People who look like this just don't do it for me.

DorothyL 9-12-2009 @ 7:23AM

Hello.
I am the owner of womensselfesteem.com and I would like to link with your site through a link exchange. I find it very updated and well established.
I would also like to use your article..Glamour Applauded....as a highlight for my site and one of my blogs on self-esteem. I would of course accompany it with a link to your site.
Please email me and let me know!

~D~