Magazines Photoshop Stars' Post-Baby Pounds Away

By Amber James Posted Feb 11th 2010 05:15PM

Before you pick up that latest issue of OK! Magazine featuring Kendra Wilkinson's post-baby bod, consider the fact that she only gave birth eight weeks ago. Thank you, Photoshop. These "reveals" are a definite cash-cow for magazines, but these weight loss covers are clearly coming prematurely. Perhaps the weight-obsessed culture has pushed magazines to succumb to the instant gratification of losing pounds seemingly overnight. But how long can entertainment magazines get away with photoshopping a celebrity into a size zero for their covers?

There is no question about it -- celebrity baby stories sell. But recently, post-baby body reveals have become such a magazine staple, they'll stop at nothing to scoop the story. After seeing Wilkinson's latest OK! cover, it's obvious that it doesn't matter if the person is in shape or not because a magazine can just photoshop the hell out of a picture just to get it out there. For some reason, we keep buying into this blurred reality and false advertising.

The sad reality is these magazine covers are edited to death, even if person is thin (remember Demi Moore's controversial W cover?) Honestly, Wilkinson might as well have debuted her skinny figure one day after giving birth. The photo would have turned out the same.

Although Wilkinson claimed to have gained 55 pounds during her recent pregnancy, her new cover suggests she "lost 25 pounds in 8 weeks." Hmm, these numbers just don't add up.

In a recent PopEater poll, over 29,400+ PopEater readers voted, and 82 percent thought Wilkinson's photo was heavily photoshopped and not her real body.

The magazine's track record was questioned last week after it debuted Kourtney Kardashian's slim post-pregnancy look. Kardashian slammed OK! saying the magazine "doctored and Photoshopped my body to make it look like I have already lost all the weight, which I have not." Kardashian even voiced her disgust on Twitter about reports of her extreme weight loss: "One of those weeklies got it wrong again. They didn't have an exclusive with me. And I gained 40 pounds while pregs, not 26... But thanks!"

Kourtney Kardashian

While new moms around the world breathed a sigh of relief, the magazine didn't spend a minute hesitating to debut its new Wilkinson photo. Haven't women had enough of these false weight stories? "It's so easy to drop 10 pounds of baby weight," the covers yell from the supermarket stands.

Forget the trainers, possible surgeries (or the fact that these stars are paid to be skinny): everyone can be thin right after giving birth, the magazines claim. Right. At this rate, Kirstie Alley will be on the cover next week, rocking her size 4 bikini bod.

Is it any wonder why women and even young girls have body issues? Now they have to live up to a photoshopped version of Barbie? These skillfully manipulated photos have taken away the allure of debuting hot post-pregnancy photos.

It's no secret that Americans are constantly looking for diet secrets. But at what cost is it to the consumer who is buying into these photoshopped covers? Does the truth even matter anymore?

Of course, Wilkinson and Kardashian will be back to their skinny sizes soon, but it's the rush to push out manipulated cover stories that doesn't sit well with us.

Tags: Kendra Wilkinson, Kourtney Kardashian

Comments

(44)

Sunday 14 February

By Dee

Vote down Vote up Report this

Tight abdomens, flawless skin? and No cellulite? No flab? and No Stretch Marks after having a baby? Are these women human or what?

Tuesday 16 February

By Rebecca

I admit I think a lot of the stuff in these types of magazines are garbage. With that said on the issue of losing pounds after birth isn't as magical as they make it seem. That is if you gain as much as you're supose to. The stretched out skin doesn't just snap back any idiot would know that.
It is harder for a lot of women to lose the baby weight with their new responsiblities. It's unrealistic. These kind of covers won't stop because America is all about appearance.

Wednesday 03 March

By blazedpyromaniac

Tuesday 13 July

By Maggie

Oh, for goodness' sake, every woman is different. Just because one woman claims she lost so-and-so pounds in so-and-so weeks does not mean all women will.

Secondly, calling others pathetic for buying entertainment magazines will do neither the world nor yourself a favour.

Lastly, vanity will not be dispersing anytime soon so stop worrying about it and go eat some stirfry, do a puzzle, and read a book.

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