The word transformation — “a dramatic or thorough change in form or appearance” — definitely applies in the world of show business. Whether what developed was self-induced or just part of a natural process, some of the changes have been attention-grabbing.
What sparked the idea for this story was seeing JENNIFER HUDSON’S lively TV commercials for Weight Watchers. The Academy and Grammy award winner was the perfect choice to be the organization’s new spokesperson. She looks sensational and absolutely glows in those commercials.
Of course, Hudson was never obese and she has always been attractive, but making healthy changes has been a giant plus for her.
PATTI AUSTIN is another amazing transformation story. She looks like a completely different person. However, the talented songstress decided to go the gastric bypass route, and subsequently knocked off 120 pounds.
Hey, whatever works. But that, of course, is something that has to be entered into with great caution and a lot of education.
For many years Austin was dangerously overweight, and was so self-conscious about her size that she was only shown from the neck up on her album covers.
AL ROKER, the venerable, well-liked and always cheerful weather anchor (and feature reporter) on “The Today Show,” also has a success story. He, too, opted for gastric bypass and was able to rid himself of 115 unwanted pounds.
But Roker, like most reputable doctors, recommends psychological counseling as a companion to the surgery. That’s because even though the body has been altered, the mentality is virtually unchanged. Among other things, there is still an inordinate attachment to food.
Yet another who decided to make a major physical change with surgery was powerhouse singer/actress JENNIFER HOLLIDAY.
At the height of her Broadway success in “Dreamgirls” in the early 1980s — when she was blowing the roof off the building every night with the show-stopping “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” — Holliday was as big as her voice, and it was not something she was pleased with.
Not being happy with “what is” can be a very effective motivator.
Some people say they are satisfied being large, but really they are not. STAR JONES, for example. She said she resented people who watched “The View” sending her weight loss tips and diets.
But not long after that, Jones had surgery although, for some reason, she denied it for a long. The denials fell on unbelieving ears.
Singer VESTA WILLIAMS (“Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Congratulations,” etc.) also said she was happy being a plus-size woman. Soon we were introduced to a new slimmed down and toned Vesta. She did it the conventional (and better) way, with exercise and diet change.
Country superstar KENNY ROGERS was not happy with certain parts of his body — gut and chin — so he decided to have liposuction. With sense of humor and reality intact, Rogers said, “It was probably a middle-age crisis. You suddenly see those first gray hairs. Then you get reviews that begin by talking about your weight.”
RUBEN STUDDARD, rotund season two “American Idol” winner, didn’t want to have any kind of surgery, and he’s not gung-ho about exercise, so he decided to switch to a vegetarian diet, for health reasons more than appearance.
“I really wanted to get in shape because I have a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure,” Studdard said. “One thing I had to learn is that there are just as many healthy food choices as there are bad.”
However, QUEEN LATIFAH will be the first to tell you that there is nothing wrong with being a large person — and unlike some of the others, she really believes and lives it.
Latifah, who has been phenomenally successful as a rapper, actress, singer, entrepreneur and spokeswoman for CoverGirl cosmetics, exudes self-confidence and a zest for life. She is truly big and beautiful.
Not everyone can be in such a peaceful state of mind concerning such matters. The late, great and still unequaled LUTHER VANDROSS was once ready to not tour because of his size at the time. His good friend, Dionne Warwick, convinced him that his fans loved him whether he was big or small and wanted to see him in concert. (He decided to tour.)
It can really be startling, from the public’s vantage point, when an artist who had long been slim puts on a lot of weight. We’re not being judgmental, but it does take getting used to.
When CHAKA KHAN first became a star in the 1970s with Rufus, she was slender and as often as not wore outfits with her midriff showing. It’s a different story today.
In 2000, an in-shape, muscular, toned D’ANGELO made an intriguing, much-talked-about video for his hit song “Untitled (How Does It Feel?).” He was naked in the artistic yet erotic video, with as much showing as could be legally allowed. With the new poundage, he won’t be doing that again anytime soon.
Did you ever think that THE EMOTIONS, STEVIE WONDER, RANDY CRAWFORD, KIRSTIE ALLEY (“Cheers”) and CHARLES BARKLEY would be as big as they are today?
No weight has ever been watched as closely as that of OPRAH WINFREY. It is nearly an obsession for some people, both in and outside of the media. After going up and down so often, the talk show queen and business mogul seems to have settled on a comfortable “mid-size” level.
Smart move.
“Getting my lifelong weight struggle under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others, in every way,” said Winfrey.
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