Twenty-five pounds.
That's all it took for one of the most famous entertainers in the world to get the masses to yet again start talking about weight.
There's no question that the recent backlash Lady Gaga has received for gaining 25 pounds reinforces some of the pressures that come along with being in the limelight.
Musical entertainers like Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato have been criticized for putting on pounds that apparently should not be on their bodies. These women and several like them have been ridiculed for their curves, but notice that most of them are white.
Many pop singers feel pressured to live up to certain beauty standards, but when it come to the quintessential diva, some of the ladies at the top of the charts, such as Beyonce Knowles, are not being isolated for their curvier figures.
Although Jennifer Hudson is being praised for her recent weight loss, the extra weight she carried in the beginning of her career was never really presented as an issue. Neither have Nicki Minaj's curves. In fact, those voluptuous bodies are considered the norm when it comes to these entertainers of color.
Even Rihanna who has lost some weight in recent months told Harper's Bazaar that she misses her butt.
Jennifer Hudson claims she didn't even realize she was considered large until a reporter asked her how it felt to be considered big in Hollywood. People weren't up in arms, or taking to Twitter to voice their disappointment with her heavy stature. In fact, the Weight Watchers spokesperson was criticized in the beginning for losing the weight and told InStyle Magazine that although she was "fussed at" and larger women told her she was no longer in the "big girls club," she would maintain her curves and has always been confident whatever size she is.
There is no evidence that indicates a link between being a diva and being on the curvier side, but the term diva, which originates from Italy refers to opera singers who are not your average size zero pop star.
The curves on Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Rihanna make them pop's sexy divas, while Gaga is being ridiculed for a measly 25 pounds.
But let me be clear. There is a distinct difference between overweight and healthy. Black women in the media still feel pressure from society to remain "sexy." Not too big and not too small. However, why aren't white entertainers given the same privilege? Even healthy figures like Gaga's don't cut it for critics around the globe.
Even artists like Adele whose talent in singing hasn't allowed room for discussion of much else has had to explain her issues with weight after fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld told Metro newspaper that, "She is a little too fat."
The criticism white entertainers have gotten for their curves brings up an important issue about the differences between what white and black women in Hollywood face when it comes to weight. White women are not allowed to be that strong, curvaceous diva that many black and Latina singers are allowed to be, but why?
And what does that say to the millions of young women who follow these entertainer and read about the backlash they are receiving for their healthy bodies?
Unfortunately, this idea of the ultra thin pop star has resulted in a polarizing effect. It's created a racial notion of who should own the curvy diva image and who should strictly stick to being stick thin.
This says a lot about how we view women of color in relation to their white counterparts. In most health studies women of color are compared to white women who are the standard. As a result, many women look to entertainers for their ideas of beauty and often times are faced with weight and body image issues if they don't fit those certain standards.
Entertainers of color who are not healthy, but are overweight can also affect the ideas of health and beauty standards for women who want to emulate the curvier body types usually seen in music videos. Surgical procedures that can make ones backside larger, breasts larger and everything else in between larger also negatively effects the way women see themselves and treat their bodies.
Lady Gaga is a Grammy award-winning artist who's sold millions of records. To thousands she is an icon. I could only imagine the pressure Gaga must have felt after thousands began commenting on her 25-pounds.
However, despite the pressure Gaga admitted to gaining weight is taking a stand and has started a campaign called Body Revolution 2013 behind her, well, behind. Her willingness to come out and encourage others to be as they are is one thing that cannot be ignored.
Weight issues in Hollywood are somewhat of a norm, but what we need to see are more women taking a stand against the pressure to maintain unhealthy, svelte figures. If we don't speak about the beauty in being the healthiest you then no one will feel inclined to listen. Be a diva and forget what everyone thinks.
More of our superstars should use their celebrity to promote healthy lifestyles like actress Kirstie Alley, another woman who has struggled with weight, even commented on the issues recently saying that all the hoopla over Gaga's new curves is "insanity!"
Adele and Demi Lovato have spoken up too. So, more pop singers of all colors should take a stand. Maybe then we all can accept our superstars and ourselves for maintaining healthy lady lumps.
Curvy or not, Lady Gaga is a beautiful success. Body like a coke bottle, curvaceous and strong. She's got a body tons of women would kill for black or white.
All I can say is geez; what a diva.
If someone says 'look at that diva and all of her curves!' Who do you think of? I'm guessing not Lady Gaga. Beyonce, Aretha, the old Jennifer Hudson maybe? These women have been accepted as voluptuous, but white entertainers like Gaga must stay thin. What do you think? Is it a problem for white women in the media to be curvy and not black women?