Sep 9
'09
Kelly Clarkson on ‘Self’ photoshop: ‘they were not happy with what I look like’


Kelly Clarkson appeared on the cover of the September issue of Self in a photo that was so altered it looked nothing like her. She was very obviously Photoshopped thinner, and Self editor Lucy Danzinger wrote a haughty blog entry in response to the criticism saying that they’d only made Clarkson “look her personal best.” Danzinger also offered an anecdote about how she even had her own hips Photoshopped thinner - after running the marathon for goodness sake! Well if even you needed to get some airbrushing help, Lucy, we’ll forgive you for having your graphic artists make Clarkson look like a different person.

Clarkson talked to UK’s Heat magazine, and said that the controversy didn’t bother her exactly, but that she thought the photo looked like someone else. I’ve read Heat and they do run celebrity interviews that are legitimate and not cobbled-together pieces from other sources, as British magazine occasionally do. These look like new quotes, although without seeing the original article it’s hard to tell:

Now Clarkson has opened up about the controversy, admitting she was shocked by the pictures, but accepts all photo shoots inevitably involve the airbrush.

She tells Britain’s Heat magazine, “The whole airbrushing thing has gone crazy. I was like, ‘Who is that on the cover of the magazine?’ They were obviously not happy with what I look like. I’m not being mean about myself, but I just found it funny. I think it’s just one of those things that people have got so used to doing that they don’t even think twice about it.”

[From SFGate]

Kelly is right - they usually just make everyone look homogeneous and think that’s what the public expects. At least Self was forced to think twice about it when it became such a controversy in the media. Do you think Self will take some of the criticism to heart at all and start to feature larger models, as Glamour has done with size 12 model Lizzie Miller? I would bet that all Self does is decide never to use a cover model again that isn’t a thin, super-fit woman that they still airbrush to Barbie-level proportions. Editor Danzinger said that the Clarkson issue “the truest we have ever put out there on the newsstand.” Self’s idea of “true” is having to use a few extra keystrokes to achieve the illusion of perfection.

Written by Celebitchy

Bookmark and Share

Posted in Body image, Controversies, Kelly Clarkson

Credit: WENN.com featured links
- Diet secrets from Jessica Alba's nutritionist [Hollywood Life]
- Hef's twins have beautiful hair [D-Listed]
- The Twilight kids: more "Hills" than cool [Lainey Gossip]
- Ellen premieres on Idol tonight [Popeater]
- Cute photos of Anna Paquin and Steven Moyer exercising [Popsugar]
- JWoww wants bigger implants [Celebslam]
- Look at Handy Manny now [Go Fug Yourself]

12 Responses to “Kelly Clarkson on ‘Self’ photoshop: ‘they were not happy with what I look like’”

  1. Danzinger should keep her mannish trap shut. At least Kelly Clarkson looks like a woman instead of a broad-shouldered, Madonna-armed shemale.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  2. I don’t read it but I always thought Self was more of a be happy with who you are magazine. So I was surprised they photoshopped Kelly so much. I know all magazines photoshop but it’s gotten so out of control that people don’t look like themselves and it’s so obvious that photoshop was done. It used to be settle.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  3. I figured they just used a younger picture when she was a little leaner.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  4. If Kelly wants to be fat, let her be fat. If Madonna wants to be ripped, let her be ripped. It doesn’t make either any less or more a “real” woman. Magazines photoshop the hell out of people all of the time- ever seen wrinkles, pimples etc on a cover of Self or any other magazine? I don’t know why anyone is surprised.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  5. I think it’s interesting that she says she didn’t recognize herself (obviously an exaggeration), when I think she is completely unrecognizable on the cover of her first album.

    Yes, if she wants to be big, let her, I wish she’d wear more flattering clothing. Look at Adele.

    Finally, I used to think Self was a little more of “live healthy and be happy with yourself” rather than “diet yourself into oblivion” but the pics of the editor I have seen and her remarks have shown me that it’s just another diet and fashion magazine. I think it does promote healthy ways to lose weight, though.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  6. Eh…a little airbrushing to cover up pimples is to be expected, but this is way too much. They could’ve just made her wear a long sleeve shirt and used angles and lighting to make her look thinner if that’s what they wanted…this airbrushing looks fake and bad

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  7. wow! the picture on the left Kelly has alot of junk in her trunk! :)
    niiiiiiiiiiiiice

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  8. I agree with Ligeia - this is way above and beyond what is pleasing. I would rather see Kelly as she is… and if they’re going to warp her this much then why even have her on the cover? She obviously does not represent what the magazine is trying to promote as she is. I think that’s more of a comment on the magazine & not Kelly, by the way. It makes no sense.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  9. Kelly still got paid and she got the publicity. I doubt she really gives a crap. She knows the drill.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  10. Dizzybenny, I agree. She looks much, much hotter on the left picture.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  11. If they wanted a stranger on the cover why ask Kelly to feature? They not only changed her body they changed her face to where it doesn’t even look like her. And yes, I thought Self was about accepting yourself as you are. Clearly they didn’t accept Kelly for the beautiful girl she is and leave her the hell alone.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

  12. Hollywood has never accepted people for who they are, it’s the fakest place on earth. Entertainers are not paid to make themselves happy, they are paid to make other people happy. Surely Kelly had an idea that she would have ot change physically. Lose weight, no glasses, that sort of thing.

    Report this comment as spam or abuse

Leave a Reply

Celebitchy aims to be a friendly, welcoming site where people can discuss entertainment stories and current events in a lighthearted, safe environment without fear of harassment, excessive negativity, or bullying. Different opinions, backgrounds, ages, and nationalities are welcome here - hatred and bigotry are not. If you make racist or bigoted remarks, comment under multiple names, or wish death on anyone you will be banned. There are no second chances if you violate one of these basic rules.

By commenting you agree to our comment policy

Use the "Report this comment as spam or abuse" link to ask the moderators to delete a comment if it's offensive. If your comment disappears, it has been eaten by the spam filter. Please e-mail cbcomments at gmail.com to get it retrieved.

Get an icon next to your name by signing up for a free Gravatar

 
 
 
Legal Disclaimer