Tyler's Media Journal

In a recent interview Liv Tyler stated she has "been on a diet" her whole life since she was 14, because she was started as a model and actress. According to Tyler, the only time she wasn't on a diet was when she was pregnant.

In the interview, Tyler also comments on the sizes of models today in comparison to those from the 90s, "I’m friends with Helena Christensen and Linda Evangelista, and I remember Linda telling me that when she was a model [in the ’90s], a sample size was a 6 or an 8. Now a sample dress size is a 0 or a 2. That’s pretty alarming. There’s a lot of pressure on [the models]. It’s not healthy. I can’t even imagine what that’s like."

Tyler raises a good point, why has the expected sizing of models gone down? Some designers have defended the current sizes of models by saying that models are supposed to be strictly hangers for the clothes they are wearing, and that the clothes should be the focus of attention NOT the models. Okay, but why do they need to be size zero or less? There have been several deaths this year involving models who were too thin. It seems standard that you are not let on the runway unless you can see your ribcage. There are acceptable levels of being thin, but sometimes the modeling industry crosses the line by becoming TOO thin.

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Basketball player Tim Hardaway was recently interviewed by a sports radio station about the situation involving John Amaechi, a former teammate who came out of the closet. Hardaway's comments are degrading and pathetic, further distancing any respect of homosexuals in male sports.

Tim was quoted as saying, “You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States."

Then, Tim was asked about what he would do if he was ever on the same team as John Amaechi, and his response was shocking, "First of all, I wouldn’t want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because, uh, I don’t think that is right. I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room. But stuff like that is going on and there’s a lot of other people I hear that are like that and still in the closet and don’t want to come out of the closet, but you know I just leave that alone.�

Tim's words speak for themself. I wouldn't be surprised about the repercussions that come from these comments. It's obvious this won't bode well with the team, fan base, other players and especially John Amaechi. Maybe he will be forced to go to "rehab" and participate in PRIDE events, like Isiah Washington on Greys Anatomy? Either way, this shows the fear many people have with homosexuality. Who really cares? Our sexuality does not define us, now should we let it. There are so many other ways to represent ourselves and ways to let ourselves be known to others. The choices we make about attraction should not be judged nor used as a vehicle for fear by many.

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In an episode of HBO's popular series Sex And The City character Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon, says, "I know how to keep a man, you just give up all your power."

In a series that promotes the power of a woman, this line contradicts it all. Why would a character who is known for being independent, powerful and against any susceptibility to men say such a line? It imposes any bearing of thought for an independent women. It goes against Miranda's power complex, stating her willingness to succumb to the power of men. And it goes against her continuous mantra of preferring to be solo and not letting the ideologies and rules of relationships get to her.

This line is very discouraging to any female viewers. I know many females who consider this show a living bible. They refer to it in daily conversation and compare their relationships, daily nuances and random anecdotes to things from the series. They never go against anything set in stone on the show. On the show, if Charlotte says it takes half the time of a relationship to get over it, then it's true. If Samantha says that it's easier to sleep with people like a man and live like a woman they will do it. If Carrie believes the most important relationship a girl has is with her shoes, they will adapt that mantra. But with the suggestion Miranda makes, can it be possible that these females , and many others, will also choose to submit themselves to men in the power equation? Why is the power equation in a relationship such an issue? Must we revert back to the times of Ozzy and Harriet?

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Looking at this this picture makes me wonder, what is so desirable about a 16 inch waist? It looks pretty painful to me.

Just looking at this image of famous Burlesque performer Dita von Teese makes me hungry. Offstage the performer holds down a 24 inch waist, but on stage slims it down 8 inches into a corset that shrinks her to a minuscule 16 inches. That's like the waist size of my 5 year old cousin. What is so desirable about having this small of a waist size?

We already have unreachable images of beauty in the media. Is this helping that?

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In a recent issue of Bust Magazine, Gwen Stefani was asked her position of feminism.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Well, I'd have to get a definition of it, first. I mean, I'm pro-woman, and I feel like I'm in an exceptionally lucky position being in an all-guy group and being able to do music. And clearly, I work with alot of women -- my video directors, my stylists, my management. Working with L.A.M.B. and all the people around me, I definitely have been able to see the power of my position. So I guess I don't want to say I am a feminist because nobody will ever define it for me.

Stefani's response is interesting, because she concedes that she needs a definition of what feminism is before she is able to admit her stance. Then why would Stefani agree to be interviewed by a magazine like Bust? She skirts and dances around the question. It seems that she is quite afraid of the F-Word and is afraid of being labeled. Many figures in pop culture seem very afraid of being labeled as anything whether it be a feminist, gay and so forth. By steering clear of any sort of labeling they are able to reach more audiences without hesitancy. She makes that clear by saying she is able to "see the power" of her position.

It's obvious her PR rep was either not next to her in this situation, or was whispering "Career Suicide, avoid a clear answer at all means" into her ear.

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