Celebrities are not often caught eating food. For them it is the sure-fire way to lose your svelte figure, your magazine covers, your whole GODDAMN career. Famous folk like to pretend their bodies are nourished on a diet of fresh air and air-kisses. Nothing with calories, nothing with nutritional value, nothing full-stop. Victoria Beckham failed to even eat the gift of a cookie bestowed upon her by blogger Perez Hilton during one of the many set-up scenes in her ‘documentary’ aired earlier in the week. And yet, they’re not all stick-thin. We’re constantly bombarded with the images of disturbingly stick-thin stars like Amy Winehouse and Nicole Richie, but not all eating disorders mean size zero waists. Some stars like their food, Hell love their food, but hate the accompanying love handles. This leads them into a dangerous cycle of binge-eating and drastic dieting, turning them into veritable Jekyll and Hydes – which one will you meet? The one making their way through all the cheeseburgers in McDonalds single-handedly or the one with killer abs and a personal trainer? Here we have the top 5 celebrity yo-yo dieters.
Number 1: Janet Jackson
When Justin Timberlake accidentally revealed to the world Janet’s breast during a performance at the Superbowl, Janet was embarrassed but probably thanking her lucky stars that she had slimmed down for the event. Janet is a classic yo-yo dieter, sometimes Michael’s lil sis looks mean and lean with a six-pack you could grind cheese on, and at others times she seems bloated and frumpy. In June 2006, she appeared on the front cover of US Weekly magazine, only for the edition to become the magazine's best selling issue ever. It showed a skinny Janet, having lost a whopping 60lbs and telling all on her fitness regime and tough diet. She claimed that she had bulked up for a film role that never happened, though close friends remained dubious. Recent pictures suggest that she has once again been attacked by the munchies, though she claims it is due to being stuck in a recording studuo rather than on one of her carb-killing tours.
Number 2: Britney Spears
What else is there left to say about the fallen pop princess? Her life seems to be one crazy rollercoaster ride of men, children and addictions. Her reputed craving for booze might be more headline-grabbing, but Britney clearly likes some food to be washed down with her liquor. Now I am not going to rudely label her as fat or chunky, as Britney packing a few extra pounds is still slimmer and sexier than most girls, but she herself has come clean on her love for food. She was a big fan of junk food (fried chicken in particular) when carrying and then nursing her two young sons, and rumours persist that she has only managed to shed the baby weight with a little help from the surgeon. Whatever the real story is, Britney’s not telling, but with everyone from her mum to her husband being shown the door, her relationship with food doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
Number 3: John Travolta
Once he dazzled us with his dancing moves and trim figure in hits such as ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Grease’ but now he’s happy to dress up as a fat lady in ‘Hairspray!’ – go figure. John’s in his 50’s and a Hollywood A-lister, so I can understand his reluctance to get down the gym and shift a few pesky pounds. But it’s not always been this way. John has had many serious battles with his weight in the past and been made to slim down for film roles such as ‘Swordfish’. At the time, he even happily bared his newly gained six-pack at the MTV Movie Awards. John has been very public about his fight against the flab and should be admired for coming clean about a subject that Hollywood is only interested in once you’ve lost the weight.
Number 4: Oprah Winfrey
Not being American, I don’t understand the world’s love for Oprah. I’m sure if she knocked on my door for a chat, she’d be a most interesting conversationalist, but until that time I have yet to see the fuss. Oprah has endured incredible hardships in her life and remains an icon for many and yet in the UK the only time we are really reminded of her and her celebrity is when she’s spent too long at the buffet table. In 1988 she exhibited a wagon-load of fat on her TV show to signify her 67lb weight loss, but has since admitted regretting the move, as she soon gained most of the weight again. She said, "I had literally starved myself for four months - not a morsel of food. Two hours after that show I started eating to celebrate - of course, within two days those jeans no longer fit!"
Number 5: Matthew Perry
Reminding us that there was food available on the set of ‘Friends’, comic actor Perry has had the cameras rolling as his weight fluctuated. Watch the ‘Friends’ seasons back to back and the changes are shocking – one moment he’s gaunt and scrawny, the next he’s clearly been enjoying his food. Since leaving the hit sitcom, his weight battles have raged on. For a while he was amazingly toned and athletic looking, but has recently been photographed jogging looking quite out of shape. We wish him health and happiness as he works out what’s best for him and his body.
