Cellulite Sells

A few days ago, I was standing in the grocery store checkout like thousands of people do every day, and of course I could not help but look at the many tabloids that stared me in the face. Each week rags like the Enquirer and the Globe seem to focus on a common theme, but the topic of celebrity cellulite seems to be repeated from month to month. Obviously articles and photos on this subject sell subscriptions, or they would not be cluttering the checkout line.

A friend and I were talking the other day about how the media is just plain mean, and asked the question, "Why is mean so attractive to our world?" What is so interesting about seeing famous people in such compromising photos, with their fat hanging out of their shorts or bathing suit? These types of photos send the wrong messages to so many people, especially young women. Message number 1 is that it is not okay to have any fat on your body. Message number 2 is that it is okay to publicly humiliate and be nasty to others. It is no small wonder that our kids are bullying their classmates. These are not good messages to publicize, as it promotes prejudice and cruelness.

Unfortunately though, it may just be that it is human nature to get great pleasure out of seeing beautiful, popular people fall down. After all, seeing pictures like this make celebrities seem more human; more like us. That is why cellulite sells.