“Yes, I have lost weight”, admits not-so-plus-size supermodel Crystal Renn. She shot to fame as one of the world’s most famous plus-size models. But last night Crystal Renn admitted that she is now no bigger than a U.S. Size 8-10 (UK Size 12-14). The 24-year-old Chanel model, who was previously a UK Size 16, said that she finally felt ready to exercise for the first time since her teens, when she suffered from an eating disorder and became addicted to working out for up to eight hours a day. She revealed that a difficult break-up had contributed to her decision to embrace a more healthy lifestyle, and a combination of hiking and yoga had helped the weight drop off. She told NY Magazine: ‘In the past, I avoided exercise because it brought back terrible feelings. I wasn’t ready. And I was scared that maybe I was going to be addicted again. That’s a fear that goes through your mind, whenever you’re getting over an addiction or a disease like anorexia, yeah, I absolutely was worried. ‘But then I guess you could say my life changed in a really drastic way. For one, there was a split-up that I went through that was very difficult, and I thought, “You know what? I need to be in a good place. I need to find me again.”’ Renn, who is 5 ft 9 in tall and is a favourite with designers including Jean Paul Gaultier and Zac Posen, said that weight loss hadn’t been her intention, but that she was in a ‘good place’ now. Earlier this year, Renn hit headlines when her image was heavily retouched in an advertising campaign. She admitted she was furious after seeing that photographer Nicholas Routzen had digitally slimmed her body in the Fashion for Passion campaign, prompting speculation that she had lost weight. ‘When I saw the pictures I was absolutely shocked,’ she said. ‘I sat in silence for a good five minutes. It was not an accurate portrayal of my body in any way. I’m a [U.S.] size 10 and that was a size 2 at most.’ Routzen admitted he ‘shaped her’, insisting: ‘I did nothing that I wouldn’t do to anyone. I’m paid to make women look beautiful.’ But Renn complained: ‘I understand a certain amount of retouching – if there’s a zit or you want to smooth things out – but to change my body completely, that’s not what I’m about and that’s not the message I want to give. ‘I don’t want young women to think being thin is the only way to be beautiful. Beauty is not a pant size. I’m known for my body and I’m proud of my body.’ Renn has previously spoken about her battle with anorexia, which began when she was ordered to drop five stone after being spotted by a talent scout aged 13. After starving herself for three years Renn’s body began to reject the regime and she gained weight. She was told to shed the extra pounds – but refused and joined modeling agency Ford – known for supporting plus-sized models. She has since developed an international reputation thanks to her Rubenesque curves, and has written a candid autobiography about her experiences in the book “Hungry.” Article by ONTD, referred by Lauren Johnson * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I admire Crystal Renn because, regardless of what size she is, she has always been very open and honest about her experiences in the modeling industry and anorexia. She is also very body image positive whenever she speaks about it publicly. I think this article gives hope for people recovering from eating disorders – it shows that after they have become healthy again, they have the ability to eventually develop a normal relationship with food and exercise again. As long as Crystal is staying healthy and is not in danger of going back to anorexia, I don’t think that anyone should worry about her weight loss. A lot of people are emotional about this because she has been the prominent face of plus-size fashion but Crystal has always said that no matter what size you are, you must love yourself and take care of yourself. She has always spoken against defining models as “plus-size” and “regular” models and I think that’s the right attitude to have. We need to stop labeling and categorizing so that all beauty can be accepted and appreciated!
About The Author
Patricia Colli, Editor of Beutiful Magazine, is a human rights activist, equality advocate, and promoter of health, acceptance and wellbeing. Having experienced disordered eating, unhealthy exercise patterns and poor body image, she is especially passionate about shedding light on eating disorders and the power of body acceptance.
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