Thank Goodness LeAnn Rimes Looks 'Scary Skinny'!

on May 31, 2011 at 12:48 PM

leann rimes Working in media, particularly in Hollywood or when covering pop culture, it's not uncommon to hear that your colleagues believe you can never be "too rich or too thin." That mentality always made me want to scream, because it's so over-the-top, unapologetically superficial and dangerous. Furthermore, the truth is, some people can't handle being "too rich" and of course you can be "too thin!"

Case in point: LeAnn Rimes Cibran. The newlywed singer tweeted bikini pics of herself over the weekend, and I feel pretty confident hypothesizing that she has some kind of disorder. She has to be mentally unstable and/or have an eating disorder and/or some kind of medical condition like hyperthyroidism. Thankfully, the general Twitter consensus seemed to be that she doesn't look normal, healthy, or okay.

LeAnn may have squawked at naysayers:

This is my body, and I can promise you I'm a healthy girl. I'm just lean. Thanks for your concern, but no need to be.

But I'm not buying it. And I gotta say I'm comforted knowing that most people are reacting to her photos with disdain and/or concern. In particular, a female follower of Rimes' tweeted at the country singer:

Whoa, you're scary skinny! Sorry don't mean to offend but that's a lot of bones showing through skin...

(Rimes' clearly patronizing response: "Those are called abs, not bones, love.")

The thing is ... she is scary skinny!!! Given how society holds up the beauty ideal of being svelte, thin, a "skinny girl," thank GOODNESS we can tack "scary" on in front of "skinny" to create that term and to call a spade a spade. I really feel tiptoeing around the topic instead of voicing concern is more of a disservice to a "scary skinny" -- or scary obese -- woman you care about. Also, I'm super relieved that there are people out there who see LeAnn and immediately differentiate between "fit" and "terrifyingly thin." Sadly, it seems LeAnn herself is having trouble figuring out the difference for herself.

That's why we need to call it like we see it. In part so "skin-and-bones chic" doesn't ever become acceptable or aspirational. But also because, as much as she or someone who looks like LeAnn may argue that they don't need help, their appearance begs to differ. If we can point out that "too thin" is more troublesome than attractive, we might slowly chip away at society's skewed beauty ideal. And with hope, prevent other women from falling down the "scary skinny" rabbit hole.

Are you a fan of the term "scary skinny"?

Image via YFrog/Splash News

About the author Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

Filed Under: body image, weight loss, self esteem, mental health, eating disorders, eating healthy, emotional health

Comments (18)

billsfan1104

on May 31, 2011 at 1:13 PM

Ok, I usually do not comment on someone weight. But she does look scary skinny. Even with a camera adding "20 lbs", she still doesnt look right. I bet if we saw her in real life, our mouths would drop open.

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Nraw2011

on May 31, 2011 at 1:43 PM

"I feel pretty confident hypothesizing that she has some kind of disorder. She has to be mentally unstable and/or have an eating disorder and/or some kind of medical condition like hyperthyroidism". SWEET JESUS. Really!? Mentally unstable, because you think she's too thin.

I'm 5'2 and super small framed. I wear a size 0-2. I can't tell you the amount of times Ive heard that I was too thin or should "eat a sandwich". Its annoying. At my height 125lbs leaves me looking chubby. Would it be okay for me to tell someone they should eat less sandwiches?

on May 31, 2011 at 1:56 PM

NRAW, my daughter is like that. She is petite and real thin. People make comments to me all the time. But I think the difference is is that with Leann Rimes you can see her ribs. With my daughter you cannot. And I wish someone told me to eat less wings, or pizza or I wouldnt have to struggle with my weight right now.

nmmama09

on May 31, 2011 at 2:00 PM

There is a difference between being 5'2 which is petite, and Leeann's height. She is scary skinny and there usually is a problem, mentally, if anyone looks that size and thinks they are healthy. It's called havng a distorted body image. She was fine before when she had meat on her bones, so she obviously wasn't born this way. Your abs are not in your hips, where the bones are jutting out through the skin.

hoticedcoffee

on May 31, 2011 at 2:02 PM

I think the difference with labeling her 'scary skinny' is that we know this isn't a natural body for her - she's been 'famous' since she was what, 14? Only in the couple of years has she been very lean and fit - and now she's waaaaaaay past that and "gaunt and sickly" are better ways to describe her, IMHO.

Nonmember comment from CMG

on May 31, 2011 at 2:13 PM

I take a bit of offense to this: "In part so "skin-and-bones chic" doesn't ever become acceptable...." I have struggled to put on weight for my entire life! My natural build is tiny and I've been told to eat a sandwich more times than I can count. My doctors have suggested I do more weight training, eat more ice cream, etc., but they're not worried about my weight at all because I am healthy. I am so tired of people assuming I'm sick because I'm "skin and bones." Not every body is the same! I get that we have seen Leann Rhymes body since she was a kid, so we know she's not like I am, but keep your judgments about skinny people to yourselves... I would never tell someone to eat fewer sandwiches.

on May 31, 2011 at 2:43 PM

CMG - See my previous post, I totally understand. It stinks that the automatic response is 'eating disorder'. My mom gets stressed and starts losing weight. I'm at 123lbs right now. I'm aiming for 114-112lbs. (which is where I was for the longest) I'm looking forward to having my old body back but, I'm not looking forward to the all the skinny comments that will most definitely follow.

jaxmadre

on May 31, 2011 at 2:48 PM

She doesn't look any more emaciated than anyone else in Hollywood.

KelleyP77

on May 31, 2011 at 3:35 PM

I don't like to make comments on others' weight, because I'm naturally skinny and have been made fun of all my life. There seems to be a double standard where it's okay to publicly criticise someone for being too skinny but you'll get lambasted for mentioning that someone is too fat. That being said, yes, she has dropped weight past the point of her natural weight, and I think it could be cause for concern. I will definitely not jump on the "she must be ill or have an eating disorder" train though. She has been ridiculed by the press for a few years now, and I'm willing to bet her weight loss is stress-induced. She may be over exercising, too. It could be several things. But responding to negative remarks the way she did is likely a defenesive response as opposed to denial. I know I've had my fair share of rebuttals to rude remarks about my weight.