*EDIT 10/27/08 : MY SINCEREST CONDOLENCES AND APOLOGIES GO OUT TO JULIA HUDSON AND HER FAMILY FOR THE RECENT TRAGEDIES AT THEIR HOME IN CHICAGO, IL.. THERE AREN’T ANY WORDS TO CONSOLE OR COMFORT YOU IN THIS TIME OF DESPERATE NEED AND LOSS BUT MY PRAYERS AS WELL AS THOSE OF YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, FANS OF JENNIFER’S, WELL-WISHERS, STRANGERS & ASSOCIATES WILL CONTINUE TO UPLIFT YOU ALL CLOSER TO HEAVEN AND THE PEACE WHICH SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S PLAN. I OFFER TO YOU A PORTION OF MY OWN INNER-PEACE AND STRENGTH TO RISE ABOVE THESE TRAGEDIES, PAIN & EVIL. *
To Photoshop or NOT to Photoshop (Jennifer Hudson)
Alright already, world… I agree! Jennifer Hudson’s new album cover is NOT what I expected of someone that I viewed as a very talented, beautiful and positive role model for this reality-starved generation. While a little here and a little there is okay… the drastic changes here lead me to feel as if I’ve been deceived by her “love me as I am” image that I grew to admire most about her. This was a shock and while there is the possibility that Arista may have the final say in the cover art, it still leaves us to speculate.
I believe J. Hudson is BEAUTIFUL; just as well as Jill Scott, Monique, Oprah Winfrey (big Oprah) etc. and I am outraged and fed up with this false definition of “beauty” that the media continues to attempt force-feed our communities. When I go to buy a CD, I’m not walking into the store and instantly changing my mind because the artist looks like them self on the cover!! How about you?
So with all that said… what are your opinions of the deceptive techniques of photo shopping media images?
1.) Should we care that OUR stars and icons choose to adhere to society’s image of “perfection”
2.) Do you believe this adds to the insecurities of our youth and in some cases, ourselves??
3.) When and if you become this successful, would you be okay with photo shopping your image or prefer to stay as close to natural as possible?
4.) Are slim bodies and perfect skin necessary components to have the right tools to sell albums or should the artist’s talent outweigh this?
In closing, I just want to state for the record “NO, I am not overweight” so this is not a rant to pacify my own insecurity and also…
MY Jennifer is BEAUTIFUL (hands down):
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Written by K.L. Shanks aka Queen Unique
Spoken Word Artist/Performance Poet, Published Author, Freelance Journalist, Online Radio Personality, Motivational Speaker, Autism Activist and more!
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Hello –
I am happy to hear you feel so strongly about this topic. While usually anyone who knows me would guess i would be in total agreement with your outrage, i’m forced to be play the Devil’s Advocate for a couple reasons –
1. I do not necessarily think that her image has been completely Photoshoped (i’m a designer so i’m not saying the above image is impossible to achieve solely through Photoshop),
and..
2. Skinny is not always healthy..but working out and eating right is
Basically what i’m saying is, i’m hoping that to achieve this cover look, Jennifer has been working out. I do not find this “sad” or “sell out” in any way. Being a health nut myself, for lack of a better term, i can say i have done a lot of research, and the healthier and more fit you are, the better. I’m not saying bigger people aren’t healthy, per se – i just think there’s something to be said for working out, feeling good and flaunting it – which is what this cover says to me. She’s not anorexic looking, i do NOT condone that. She still looks healthy, sexy and confident. She has money now, she can afford to hire trainers and truthfully, she probably feels better about herself now than she has in her whole life. It’s a lifestyle change, not a starvation plan or an 8 hour photoshop job for more social acceptance.
Now, you want to talk about society sadness – let’s talk Ashley Simpson and Hillary Duff!
Ummm… have you seen recent performances or videos of Jennifer? I’m guessing not. While I can’t deny for one moment, she is in GREAT shape and even better than before, it is FAR from what is portrayed on this album cover. But thanks for your reply! Peace & prosperity!
Jennifer got a hot sexy new man, I’m not surprised she had a little extra motivation to get in shape. She had already been slimming down for a while, this cover probably is her. She’s young and it’s totally possible for someone to slim down quickly especially if they were on a very unhealthy diet to begin with. I think she looks awesome!!! You go Jennifer
i think it is absolutely ridiculous, just when i was happy that there was some who looked a lil bit like me in the media to see this disheartened me
i think she’s a gorgouos gal. She ain’t skinny at all. i think she’s in great shape. She is young gal she can’t afford to look like Ophra otherwise that would be OBESITY. To me she is still an inspiration to young gals to look after thier bodies. Obesity rates towards the youth is increasing alarmingly…..Thanx JEN
shes in big trouble i hear
jENNIFER MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU IN THIS TIME OF NEED, KNOWING I’m praying for you and your family, such a senseless death, I’m so sorry, but always remember god want put know more on you than you can bear, just pray honey he’ll see you throught this.
hey cool site
hi
YAA Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You