Don’t idolize Adele’s weight loss
Adele hosted SNL on Oct. 24.
Nov 2, 2020
Ever since Adele debuted her incredible weight loss, people have been buzzing about how fantastic she looks. While her losing weight is great for many reasons (her long-term health, potential confidence boost, etc.), the drastic change in appearance has come as a shock to many of her overweight fans, including myself. To her fans, Adele was an icon that slightly bigger people could look up to without having to listen to her be objectified; her looks did not matter, because her insane talent was the focus of her career, as any musician’s talent should be. Yet now that she has lost weight, people only seem to care about how great she looks and “how much prettier she is now.”
The thing is, Adele was always beautiful. Her face did not change, her wardrobe is the same — but now that she has lost weight, people are only now regarding her as pretty. Tabloids from every magazine suddenly care about her appearance and love life, something which never really happened before. It seems that the public did not regard her as beautiful until she revealed her weight loss.
This sudden shift in public interest is incredibly harmful for people like me who are on the bigger side, as it sends the message that someone can only be seen as beautiful or wanted if they are thin. No one seems to be paying attention to the fact that Adele is the proud recipient of 15 Grammy Awards, and 18 Billboard Music Awards, along with many other prestigious and sought-after prizes. She did all of this as an overweight individual — her talent was not hindered by her weight. So then why was her staggering talent alone not enough? Why do people only seem to respect her now that she’s skinny?
Now that she has lost weight, however, the tabloid’s coverage on her has shifted to who she is dating, how great she looks, how popular she is “now that she’s pretty” and anything else relating to her newfound thinness. No one seems to recognize the incredible contributions she has made to music anymore, because they are too focused on her weight loss. People seem to be missing the fact that she was always dating, always falling in love, always wearing amazing outfits – but the media only cares now that she adheres to the traditional standards of beauty.
All in all, if Adele feels better about herself after losing weight, that is fantastic. No one is shaming her, or anyone else for that matter, for losing weight. Weight loss can boost self-confidence, decrease long-term health risks and even increase life expectancy to an extent. What is being shamed, however, is the public’s gross response to it. The increased respect and attention Adele is receiving for her weight loss is incredibly harmful to the overweight community. She is beautiful now and was beautiful then — weight loss did not change that, nor did it change her talent or musical ability. Losing weight is not (nor has it ever been) the key to beauty or success, and Adele is no exception.
Stephanie • May 26, 2021 at 7:31 pm
“No one seems to be paying attention to the fact that Adele is the proud recipient of 15 Grammy Awards, and 18 Billboard Music Awards, along with many other prestigious and sought-after prizes. She did all of this as an overweight individual — her talent was not hindered by her weight. So then why was her staggering talent alone not enough? Why do people only seem to respect her now that she’s skinny?”
The fact that we all know and Adele from when she was overweight is proof that the above statement is incorrect. Her talent and charm was recognized while she was overweight. We know she has loads of awards and they aren’t going anywhere. But all things equal, this is the news. She hasn’t released an album since 2015.
And I’m sorry you feel that she has betrayed you, but she is prettier. She already was pretty thanks to her great face, but now she’s even prettier.
We unconsciously equate looking healthy with beauty. That’s the way it is, and there’s nothing you can do about it. The only thing you can control is yourself.
I personally am on the plump side, and I have recently lost a bit of weight thanks to eating foods that are good for me and avoiding those that aren’t too great. Not starving myself, not spending hours in the gym every day. I was just lucky that a friend was able to do a diagnosis and give me the list of foods for me. Lucky, because I can’t afford a gym membership, or any of these fancy diets. There still was a bit of effort on my part. And I am prettier now that I’ve lost a bit of weight. Now, there is such a thing as losing too much weight, and I’m far from that. And I don’t find Adele has gone too far.
it is quite probable that it was easier for Adele to lose weight now that she can afford to pay for the services of a good fitness and diet coach. But there are things out there online. Just making a few changes and walking is a good start.
If you have been making efforts and can’t lose weight, then maybe you need to seek medical help?
But don’t blame Adele for not staying stuck at an unhealthy weight, or us for finding her prettier. The issue you have here is with yourself.
Annie • Feb 12, 2021 at 9:58 am
Oh please.
Believe it or not, most people struggle with body image, even thin or/and thinner people, and that’s why everyone loves to see a nice transformation of before and after weight loss. Adele had a goal that she achieved, we should all be happy for her. Adele doesn’t have to be heavier just to make other people feel better about themselves and recognizing her achievement is not diminishing to others, its just bring supportive of her choices and being happy for her.
Adeles talent was already recognized and the proof: she was famous before the weight loss. People are just praising on her new achievement. Thats right, people already loved and recognized her when she was bigger. Society has already gave you the approval youre seeking for.
I am also on the heavier side (but working on it and trying to lose weight) but i realize that if i am overweight, its because of my own choices like the times i decided to over eat or not exercise. Its not ones fault by own and i don’t have to drag other people down with me to feel like its ok-er. I am who i am and sometimes i love me and sometimes i love me a little less, just like everyone else.
We all know that being overweight is bad for health. What you are saying is the equivalent of drug user blaming his friend for getting clean and society for praising him with his choice.
Aka
What. You. Are. Saying. Is. Not. Ok.
Tara Young • Dec 1, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Dear author,
It fexes me that you claim: “The increased respect and attention Adele is receiving for her weight loss is incredibly harmful to the overweight community.”
I do not see the correlation of these two as Adele who is trying to be someone who inspires others to live a healthier life. It is something that should be praised as she worked hard to achieve a better lifestyle.