Body Image Activist, Eating Disorders mamaVISION

Who the hell is this pro-ana chick?

CRYSTAL FRICKIN’ RENN.

Yes, Renn, the PROUD plus size model and author of Hungry. Renn said she was stunned when a photographer for a charity fashion shoot gave her a digital slim-down (and heroin chic eyes no less) that prompted a flurry of questions about her body image.

The photos in question, shot by photographer Nicholas Routzen, show a suddenly svelte Renn in a tank top benefiting Fashion for Passion, a charity that funds arts education for children.

“When I first saw the pictures, I have to say I was absolutely shocked. I think I sat in silence for a good five minutes,” Renn said today on NBC’s “Today” show. “I don’t think it’s an accurate portrayal of my body in any way. I’m a size 10, and that is more like a size 2.”

Renn wasn’t the only one who did a double-take. The fashion blogosphere jumped into overdrive, comparing “before” pictures of a healthy looking Renn at the photo shoot with the drastically trimmed “after” shots. The contrast between the two is especially evident at Jezebel.com, where readers traced Renn’s original frame and superimposed it on her whittled-down one.

“It’s striking to see how much she’s been downsized all over — from the shoulders to the hips to the thighs,” Jezebel wrote.

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Original t-shirt on Perez Hilton site

This Jezebel story about Perez Hilton typical of a blogger with no integrity what-so-ever…or so I thought.

Perez was found to be  promoting pro-ana merchandise on his site. But after being called out on it, the shirt didn’t disappear, it was instead revised with the text shown on the next page.

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It seems “eating less” is cool these days according to Urban Outfitters. I guess it’s their hip and trendy response to the whole “obesity crisis” but perhaps they should ponder the repercussions of placing this shirt in their stores modeled by a pale skinny chick (that kind of looks stoned).

Irresponsible as hell.

On their web site, this is how they describe the product;

“Eat less or more or however much you’d like in this seriously soft knit tee cut long and topped with a v-neck.” Perhaps they should have printed all of that on there.

Whatever.

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WARNING: I DO NOT DO TRIGGER WARNINGS.

For 4 years I have been attempting to educate the public, parents, mental health professionals and anyone else that will listen about pro-anorexia.

Pro-anorexia is the belief that “anorexia is a lifestyle.” Google the terms “proana,” “thinspo” to be sickened. On YouTube, an average of five videos per day are uploaded filled with images, music, and mantras all meant to keep these proana girls motivated on their goal to starve themselves to be like the Hollywood stars they admire.

Most people turn away and tell me “I can’t handle that, but guess what, we must. Others tell me I should be softer, and nicer to celebs who pave the way for girls. Ain’t happenin’

Check out these links to get a sense of what I am talking about here:

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Don’t kid yourself for one minute, there is nothing, nothing attractive or normal or acceptable about the obviously anorexic look of Sarah Jessica Parker. When I see these types of photos, I envision how many ProAna videos will feature it. I think about how quickly young girls will glom on to this image as their life goal.

Anorexia is a LIFESTYLE, not a disease….you didn’t know. Wake up.

This is sick. It always has been sick. It always will be sick. Hollywood is demented, and it is not a reflection of normal life on any level what-so-ever.

How many of you look at this picture with envy?

If you raised your hand, my sincere hope for you is that someone, sometime soon, grabs a hold of you and tells you what a wonderful, unique, beautiful girl you are.

And then they hold on to you until you believe it.

Love,

mV

I am saddened and amazed that no matter what I write about, my web statistics on this blog and my collective body image blog WeAreTheRealDeal.com show that the Number #1 search term is…..

PRO ANA

And variations of Pro Ana as you can see below. WTF? (Of course the beloved Nicole still pops up).

So, since this tells me many proana girls are here, let’s have a chat. It’s been awhile.

For those of you that are new, like those I connected with on Twitter recently, here’s the brief history about this blog 2006-present:

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Sorry, but the Ana-Rexia Costume you wanted is out of stock!

READ MORE HERE….

German Artist Ivonne Thein was so horrified by pro-anorexia web sites that she created "Thirty-Two Kilos" (70 pounds) exhibit….digitally enhanced images glorifying it? or mocking it? or perpetuating it?

If Thein got it, she would realize these images are the best youtube thinspiration yet….

Are you a former Pro-Anorexic who has quit the cult?

Are you willing to participate in a University study on the topic?

Please email me for more info mamaVISION@gmail.com.

Thank you!
mV