Recently I have had cause to ask Sarah Murdoch a few questions. They were picked up in the media the past couple of days, by NineMSN and the SMH.
Sarah is co-host and executive producer of Australia’s Next Top Model. She also sits on the Government appointed National Body Image Advisory Committee, which recently made recommendations about how industry should address body image issues.
Sarah has just done an advertising shoot for Australia’s Next Top Model. But there is no disclosure of airbrushing – a recommendation of the advisory group she’s on. As Andrew Hornery in the SMH writes:
But there were no such disclosures on the ANTM promo shots, which PS confirmed had been ”enhanced”. The glossy shots showed Murdoch with a smooth-as-a-billiard-ball face and a waist to rival that of any of the show’s contestants.
This is just not consistent. The advertising in which Sarah Murdoch features wouldn’t get the body image tick of approval – which she and her colleagues recommended. So it’s OK to recommended it for everyone else but not do it yourself?
This latest example adds to a raft of other inconsistencies and mixed messages sent by those connected with the body image group (which I’ve written about here before).
I asked Sarah what she thought of size 8 contestant Ashlea Monigatti, 16, being told she was too big for a fashion shoot catwalk on the first episode. “I feel like my body has failed me,” Ashlea said, as she cried before the camera.
How does this contribute to her positive body image?
Sarah responded here. But if it’s not about Ashlea and merely about the clothes, why not have clothes that actually fit her so she can compete on an even playing field? How does this promote body diversity as recommended in the body image code of conduct? And what does it say to viewers who aren’t size 8?
The photographer on the first episode said it’s “not necessarily a bad thing to be curvy” (oh, that’s a relief) but she must “learn to work the curves”. So size 8 is ‘curvy’ now? And only OK if you work them? (and what does that mean anyway? Work them sexually is what I think it is being suggested).
Sarah is described on the show as a “model mentor”. Mentor means ‘wise, trusted, counsellor, advisor and guide’. She has her work cut out for her guiding her charges through the toxic sludge that is Australia’s Next Top Model. Take the behaviour of her co-host Alex Perry who has described contestants as “Yeti”, “Wild Pig” and “Frankenstein”. Body image tick of approval anyone?
In a recent interview, Perry also said we can “jump up and down all we like” but he would only ever design for skinny. When the interviewer put to him that the promotion of an ultra-thin idea was causing serious body image problems in girls and women, he said he “couldn’t be burdened with these issues”.
And what about the behaviour of Charlotte Dawson who has described a critic of Alex Perry as a “sad attention whore”, a “fame whore”, a “Westie scrag” a “suburban fattie” and a “sad ugly moll.” As executive producer, has Sarah tried to rein Charlotte in at all?
Alex stacked the critic’s Facebook with his friends and he and Charlotte have had such fun together attacking the young woman who set up the site. While the site does have a provocative name, it seems they couldn’t rise above it and just ignore it. They had to launch a FB version of a ballistic missile against its creator. Here’s some examples of their comments:
And, apparently, Charlotte gets paid to be bitchy to the girls. Is that true Charlotte? Sarah, what do you think of that?
Charlotte is described as ‘sharp tongued wrinkle free’ in the show. Wrinkle free – because she’s had botox and other procedures. That’s her business, but again, what is the impact on her young viewers, especially given that recent research shows reality TV programs are contributing to a rise in cosmetic surgery procedures for girls? Shows like this can never just be “light entertainment”.
For the most confusing interview ever given about cosmetic surgery, see Charlotte Dawson on Sunrise here.
Frockwriter blog has a very good analysis about the Perry/Dawson guide to bullying here. Here’s an extract from other FB comments by Perry and Dawson about last year’s contestant Cassie:
Alex Perry
“YES ITS TRUE, SHE WONT SIGN ELITE CONTRACT… WE’RE TALKING ABOUT A GIRL WITH LOW INTELLIGENCE, GOING OUT WITH A MAN TEN YEARS OLDER OF A SIMILAR IQ…THE COMBINATION IS POWERFULLY STUPID … THE ICING ON THE IDIOT CAKE IS THAT SHE WANTS HIM TO BE HER MANAGER …EVERYTHING MUST BE PEACHY KEEN IN SUNBURY!!!”
… “SO THE BOGAN WONT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH ELITE NY, AND MOVES BACK TO SUNBURY WITH THE OUT OF WORK BRICKKIE… NOW THATS WHAT I CALL A CLEVER GIRL!!!!”
Charlotte Dawson
“Apparently Cassi has signed with Tania Power (?) modelling agency and is coming to Sydney to model for Portmans. Nuff said.”
“What’s a Fella Hamilton? Sounds fascinating. Almost as fascinating as a Greenborough Plaza winter fashion parade. Stupid Cassi – she’s really put her modelling career into a big suburban toilet.”
“too true. Enough about the bogan … she’s someone elses nightmare now.”
… I think Cassi’s only going to end up being the poster girl for Sunbury Centrelink.”
These people are Sarah Murdoch’s co-hosts. They engage in vilifying behaviour, are vengeful, personify meanness – and get paid for it. Yet they get upset and defensive when criticised by others (Dawson calls Frockwriter blogger “mad old Patti’).
If this isn’t enough, in TV ads for the show, contestants are depicted as greyhounds racing towards the bait (the lure being a modelling contract), so well described on the Collective Shout website.
How much more of this toxicity will we see in future episodes? And how much worse does it need to get before Sarah decides she’s made for better things?
And, no, this is not a cat fight
As so often happens when women disagree publicly, some love to call it a “cat fight”.
The heading “Claws out” appeared over the original NineMSN story on Saturday, quoting me. In my view, this heading made fun of and trivialised the seriousness of my critique. Cat fights are associated with hissing, spitting, tearing women’s hair out (and even nude wrestling and stripping, but let’s not go there). Why is it that when women disagree publicly, it is so often portrayed as cattiness? Where is the equivalent term for men? Do you ever hear disagreements between men described in such trivialising ways? Cock fight anyone?
This is not personal. I have nothing personally against Sarah Murdoch. I think she is well intentioned and her charity work is commendable. And no one expects her to solve all the world’s body image problems. But the inconsistencies need to be pointed out. And it’s not just me noticing them.
To its credit, after my complaint to the journalist, NineMSN changed the heading, swapping ‘claws’ for ‘controversy’ (though the original still appears in the URL). Media outlets don’t always agree to make corrections, so thanks for doing so.
157 Responses
Sarah Murdoch shouldn’t be on the committee for anything body related. I was flipping through a Who magazine (with a cover featuring skinny celebs with the headline “Gone too far?” and I came across an article advertising Australia’s Next Top Model.
She was asked a number of questions (a number of them asking her about returning to her pre-baby shape *insert eye roll here*) and is full of contradictions. One minute she is saying how she has to be tough on the girls because it’s a cutthroat business, but her response when asked if she would allow her daughter to follow her onto the catwalk… “Of Course”.
Thank you for this blog, Melinda! I find it beyond abhorrent that some of the nastiest, most viscious people (ie Charlotte Dawson & Alex Perry) are allowed to be role models for girls.
And what is more ridiculous is that Sarah Murdoch allows all of this to happen. How does she think this is okay?
Sarah Murdoch seems VERY confused about body image issues. Somehow she seems to think (as shown in previous interviews with her) that if weight is not mentioned, then it’s okay to throw a size 8 contestant off the show.
This woman is probably really dangerous to the area of body image, because she confuses the real messages that need to be put out there.
I really think it’s time for Sarah Murdoch to step down.
I just can’t believe how disgusting Charlotte Dawson and Alex Perry’s behaviour is!
They are both the biggest bullies out there. I think they should not be allowed on TV (what has Charlotte Dawson achieved, anyway, except lots of facial botox?) and women should just boycott Alex Perry products.
Imagine what Dawson and Perry were like in high school if this is how they behave now! I saw Charlotte comment on one of those links, saying that she is entitled to say what she likes on her own facebook page. She sure is, however she’s revealing a lot of nastiness and of course people are going to be shocked by that, particularly as she has influence over such young girls. Her behaviour is baffling, as is Perry’s.
Oh wow, I had no idea that the cohosts were this horrible. I never watch ANTM and have no desire to start: right now I’m grateful I haven’t had the displeasure of seeing Perry and Dawson do ANYTHING.
Sarah Murdoch’s disingenuousness over the ‘size 8 is too big’ issue has been very disappointing. I believe she’s an intelligent woman who is, as this post says, quite well-intentioned. But how she can reconcile her involvement with this show and her involvement promoting positive body image, I have no idea.
What’s even more concerning to me is that Minister Kate Ellis seems to have nothing to say on this issue. A lot of critiques of the Body Image Advisory Group have been raised and a considered response from the Minister responsible is long overdue, I believe. Tweeting ‘I support Mia Freedman’, and complete silence (to my knowledge) on this recent issue with Sarah Murdoch, do not constitute appropriate engagement with community concerns.
These people make a lot of money (and fame) through the work they do, so wil they stop? Unlikely. Are they serious about body issues? Well Sarah is kinda maybe until it comes to money and fame and her own image. And the others, let’s just call them crabs. Have you ever seen crabs in a bucket? Well you can leave the lid off and none of them will ever climb out. Not one. Why? Because the others will grab onto the crabs as they are beginning to climb up the side, to climb over them and in the process they pull them down. Cycle repeats.
What we need to find is those people who have moved beyond the crab mentality who are wanting to make a diffierence and who are about lifting others up. Really need to celebrate these people and create awareness around the magnificent work they do. Let’s leave the crabs in the bucket, ’cause let’s face it they aren’t going too far anyway.
I am from the western suburbs, but I would never lower myself to the standards that Alex Perry and in particular Charlotte Dawson did.
If they are high society and classy people maybe this Westie needs to revisit the dictionary.
And they alienated more than a few Sydney watchers no doubt and I for one will not be watching Ever.
HOW DARE THEY! How could that horrible over botoxed Charlotte Dawson possibly feel motivated to defend her best friend of 20 years against a girl who set up a hate page stating “ALEX PERRY IS A C**T!” … that’s just stupid. I mean we know shes not a role model but playing the role of a tell-it-how-it-is light entertainment telly show right? She should go back to her sheep farm in New Zealand! As for Sarah Murdoch WELL! she should just give up all her breast cancer charity causes BECAUSE SHE HASNT FOUND A CURE YET! Anyway, as an oversensitive bleeding heart (and a journo with a looming deadline and no content but a nose for a good beat up) I AM APPALLED AND FROTHING AT THE MOUTH! On the plus side ratings for Top Model (TOXIC SLUDGE WITH SCUM ON TOP!!!) will no doubt be as successful as last year.
Charlotte Who?
Good Charlotte, flawed analogy re: Sarah Murdoch.
Sarah Murdoch being the face of positive body image campaigns in this country and also Australia’s Next Top Model, is like her being the face of breast cancer charities and Peter Jackson cigarettes. Not a good fit!
And ‘defending your best friend’ you sound (and act) 15, not 50. You should know better.
hey Melinda!
Is it Ok to post this hysterical rant on my facebook page? It’s very funny..
Let’s see if we can clarify a few things first ok? Alex Perry commented in episode one (the opening scene) that a contestant (Laura from Perth) stormed into the ballroom ‘like a wild pig’ .. a reference to the movement – not her looks (but still enough to get the keyboards pumping and the mouths frothing). Neither Alex, Jez (he’s gay by the way – would never suggest anything sexual about a model as you have implied regarding Ashlea) or Sarah have called a girl fat. Nobody on the show. If you actually watched the episode you will clearly see that she didn’t fit the sample – she may well have fit another desingers sample (each designer cuts differently you see). In fact most of the claims you make here are pretty out of context and not correct. We are an easy show to create ‘hate’ because we are dealing in the modelling world (bit like dancers and jockeys and boxers who all need to be a certain weight/height/condition). Funnily enough when commentators such as yourself spray your opinion based on tabloid research and regurgitate quotes most people respond by attacking myself, Alex and Sarah (and our families) about everything from our looks to our age to our ethnicity. But that is somehow acceptable behavior isn’t it cos we are the bad guys on the telly? Why don’t you talk to Sarah and conduct a proper interview? She’s read this blog. You are free to talk to Alex and myself. we don’t bite!? We are used to having insults hurled our way – part of the gig… but if we want to have the right of reply? We are monsters. Facebook etc is an even playing field – you call my best friend a ‘C**T” I’ll respond accordingly .. that is my right say what you like. Finally Patti Huntington is mad – hysterical and hilarious but nuttier that squirril shit .. love her that way!
Alex is nothing more than a C*#T, enough said
Try to keep in mind lovlies that we are a light entertainment show about modelling – we operate within it we are not here to change it or make some moral social commentary. I’m not employed for anything but my knowledge of the industry and belive me when I modelling (back in the day when dinosaurs roamed the earth!), it was the same deal. Oh and although I am flattered I am not rich and certainly not ‘high society’ Debra! Far from it… I am a human with many flaws! I get that. Also cheeky Anna – I’m 44 not quite 50 yet but I get hassled about my age relentlessly. Poor Melinda was confused when I spoke out about plastic surgery. Simple, first of all I was in my mid 30’s when I did it and I did it for the wrong motivation. I was trying to save my marriage and hoped my husband would love me. No amount of surgery could fix that – so thats a good message to send out to women who think that. It takes guts to be open about these sorts of things because you are going to get teased and harrassed by faceless keyboard warriors for the rest of your life. I don’t think that young girls on Top Model would go hurling out for a boob job just because I had one in my mid 30’s? Do any of you?
Never watched the show and never intend to, their all just B grade Celebs thinking that their shit don’t stink
This is incredible!!!
Charlotte it seems you have indeed been given your right of reply on Facebook, and here. If you choose to follow personal attacks on Alex with personal attacks of your own, then that’s your get-out, but it’s not very endearing or, dare I say it, professional. Yes, it is inappropriate for others to attack you and/or your co hosts (and certainly your families) on personal grounds. I don’t think it is at all inappropriate to critique the messages about body image present in a show hosted by a member of the government-appointed Panel, however.
What you have posted on Facebook, what Alex has said about how little he cares about the mental health of young women, and what happens on the show are all in the public domain. I fail to see how discussing these things, also in the public domain, can be construed as ‘attacking’. I also fail to see how Sarah Murdoch is NOT comprosing herself by being part of this show as it is, if she truly does believe passionately in promoting positive body image. But if she’d like to explain that without making disingenous comments like ‘the clothes were the wrong size, not the girl’ then I’d be very happy to listen.
Oh no believe me my shit stinks (sometimes really badly) and I think I’m more C or D list these days (old age and all) : )
what really needs to be asked is who the real idiot is here
Oops, that should read compromising, not comprosing and disingenuous not disingenous!
As a health professional these attitudes are appalling. A young woman’s esteem is not a graffiti wall for insults.
Charlotte, i’ve no problem with 50 year olds or 44 year olds, I just think someone your age (and my age) would have a bit more maturity. God knows if a young girl decided to attack me like the girl in the Alex Perry group, i’m a bit beyond getting all my mates together to launch insults such as ‘westie scrag’, though i do remember such things happening when i was in high school.
You’re trying to stand behind this so called ‘light hearted entertainment’ excuse, but these are real people’s lives you’re dealing with. Not sure if you’ve seen someone in the midst of a serious eating disorder, but it’s certainly not ‘light entertainment.’
I assume the Alex Perry group was set up in response to ‘Thin is In’ where he was so patronising when the issue of illness and death in relation to modelling was raised. What did he expect? What did you expect?
If criticism is part of the game then why are you, good charlotte even comenting on facebook pages and things like this? I my self an many others prefer the look and feel of a curvy female, skinny and boney females do nothing for me or many others
I have had contact with eating disorders yes, none through the fashion or modelling industry however – family friend with a history of domestic sexual abuse, a really horrifing time. If a girl wants to start a facebook hate page calling someone a ‘C**T’ … she’s probably going to expect to get a bit of grief right? If she was so destroyed about it she wouldn’t have kept sending Alex hate mail to his inbox right? I just wish you guys would actually watch the show before spraying bile on us! Did anyone see the first episode where Kathryn didn’t get to walk in fashion week BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO SMALL to fit the sample? Happens – depends which sample comes from which designer. Did anyone hear us deliberating weather or not the model was too thin for the competiton .. anyone? Miss that bit too? Wouldn’t make much of a headline ‘Top Model Being Concerned For Models Siz!’ … not quite the same mouth frothing ring to it really. Sarah is hosting a show about models. Models are size 8. There is no underlying message of danger here – it’s modelling plain and simple. Some girls fit the samples – some don’t. This show is not ‘Australias next really pretty teenage girl with a message!’ …. (oh – format idea!)… Now lets see about pointing fingers … go to your local newsagent and grab a copy of Who or OK or Womans Day or New Idea. Count how many times the weight issue is raised … post baby, Hollywood diets, Bikini Bods (I could go on for days) … then flip inside and see how many diet products are advertised? The editors are giving the consumer what they want to see based on research. I can’t personally be held reposible for reading or viewing habits I’m afraid. If you think by responding to a facebook hate page is immature – great I value your opinion, but attacking Sarah about her credibility based on some hysterical tabloid rants (we have it every year in this order Plus sized then bullying… it’s like clockwork … the journos started sparking up all of this before the show even started… so we are totally used to it.
Charlotte – would it kill you to listen to what Melinda actually has to say?
You know what? I think Sarah Murdoch DOES know that this program is wrong on many, many levels. I’d even go so far as to say that the hypocracy of her two roles is probably keeping her up at night.
I’d like to think the best of her, and believe that she won’t be involved next year. Maybe there won’t even be a next year. Time will tell.
Charlotte, however, may be a lost cause. I’ve never seen someone miss the point so spectacularly.
Hey Dingo and the baby!
Firstly as a human and a human with rights to comment on forums, I find myself here. Also much of what has been written by the author is ill informed and based on tabloid research and other peoples blogs. By the way we are not asking you to hook up with any of the models – the viewers love the transformational process – your preference in how you like your girls has nothing to do with the modelling industry. I think me being on here creates ‘balance’ as I am an insider and can answer your questions about this subject. Personal insults about my age, looks, life – thats the daily stuff I cop and I don’t respond to it because it’s nonsense – means nothing to me, but I needed to clarity some factsd first adressing Sarah Murdoch and her credibility. Hey at the end of the day guys … not matter what you think…. it is actually just a telly show 🙂
Hi CJJ!
Much of what has been said actually isn’t very factual so I’m here to illustrate some balance. I get Melindas point … she feels very strongly that because the fashion industry is probably the biggest reason young people suffer from severe mental illness and then turn totally anorexic then we need some one to vent at. ANTM is very much going ahead next year! It’s the highest rating show across the Foxtel platform – so why would executives scrap it? Sarah isn’t losing any sleep – she loves the show and she’s great to work with. and CJJ – you are right I am a lost cause!
dingo and the baby, i suspect we agree on some things but i have to say i disagree with you having a go at skinny women. People come in all shapes and sizes, ‘skinny’ included. It is the push for *everyone* to be skinny, via magazines promoting models, celebrity, dieting and the modelling industry that is so harmful to women.
Ops! Had better put a disclaimer on last comment as someone might take me seriously (I know .. I know…. ) I have never seen a girl turn anorexic for modelling, not once … I’ve seen girls who look like they are and agencies take them off the market until they look healthy again. Ditto with mental illness (needed a scrap of humor right?)..
Yep, you totally proved me wrong there, Charlotte. Looks like you’ve got a strong grasp of what we’re trying to say.
On the Alex Perry website is says ‘Alex Perry knows how to make a woman look and feel glamorous….’
On face book (as shown above in this blog) Perry banters with Brown re the young girl. Obviously the girl was desperately hurt to have a set up a vile face book name but Perry, Dawson and Brown did not need to engage and post comments like they did. Unprofessional and demeaning. Shifting standards to suit the occasion maybe?
‘Alex Perry knows how to make a woman look and feel glamorous….’
Glamorous – if she is the right size?
Ridiculed – If she is the wrong size?
(Size according to the world of the thin ideal.)
Anna – great pojnt:
‘People come in all shapes and sizes, ’skinny’ included. It is the push for *everyone* to be skinny, via magazines promoting models, celebrity, dieting and the modelling industry that is so harmful to women.’
OK … point form now;
1) its a modelling show (about models)
2) nobody has been harmed, admitted to rehab or a clinic or developed an eating disorder or institutionalized as a result of this show.
3) If you want to set up hate pages don’t expect everyone to like it (especially the victim)
4)If you think the fashion industry is dangerous and harmful to women – dont watch.
: )
Good Charlotte,
A brief investigation on your behalf would quickly reveal that all media influence the way we perceive ourselves, each other, and the world, and the way we behave in the real world: this ranges from our sexuality and body image to media violence and gender roles and stereotypes, to perceptions of community safety and racial and ethnic stereotypes, right through to the products and services we consume.
We learn what our culture and society values, and what our culture sees as appropriate ways to be in the world and behave towards one another, from the media we consume and the stories it tells us about our world.
You can’t take media out of the cultural context within which it is viewed or produced.
It is not actually just a telly show – it is something that, you as an insider knows, requires a great deal of input and planning, storyboarding and scripting, selection of contestants and locations, lists of camera angles and subsequent edits, discussions, debates, reframing, refilming, ‘frankenbiting’ and promoting. That is not ‘just a telly show’. That is a complex work of commercial creativity that a great many people view without much knowledge of what actually goes on behind the scenes.
But at the end of the day, responsibility for the images and ideas these shows produce, and their potential impact, remains with the people who produce them – and the people who associate themselves with them. That’s all.
Makey,
well I’m glad someone got to the bottom of this! I didn’t assume that the girl had been very hurt (assumptions are not very reliable and often gets the better of proper judgement) …I’m ridiculed on a daily basis – and I haven’t even set up a hate page for anyone!!?? I responded to a random girl calling my best mate a C**T … as you would. I’m not a role model … I’m paid to be on a reality telly show about modelling and as I said I call it how I see it. I don’t expect everyone to like it ….. It’s all good and fine to hold some sort of high ground because I might be older than that girl … but that just encourages them to hate on more people (thats not a very good message now is it?)…Haing people on the telly is a national passtime these days. Apparently we are responsible for much chaos and agony in the world so it’s kinda easy to direct some hatred towards us because you are safe – you are often anon and hiding behind your keyboard never exposing who you really are – and let’s face it … You never expect to get a reply! That means that we suddenly become human (with feelings and stuff) … so the fun of attacking someone wears off…. that’s why she gave up her hate page …
‘If you think the fashion industry is dangerous and harmful to women – dont watch.’
What kind of solution is that Good Charlotte?
The fashion industry is responsible for so MUCH.
Actually there are many assumption being made on this forum …. Anna ‘assumed’ the hate page was created after something called ‘thin is in’ ?? As I said – it’s never been any different … well not in my experience. This page was set up (heres a fact now!) about Alex appearing on celebrity Masterchef …. this hate page is a year old remember. But since we have flogged the weight issure (again) the journos had to dig the ‘bully’ issue again and there are plenty of people who jump in and assume things based on … well nothing but intuition.
So, that justifies someone in your position and with your profile calling her a fat ugly suburban moll does it?
Charlotte,
I actually don’t think the girl expected the level of ‘grief’ (creating a false fb account called loosey brunt to post with, classist comments about clothing, her weight, westie scrag etc.) that dozens of people, some of whom are probably twice her age posted on this page.
Have you thought about why this young girl created the page?
Did you think about the possibility that she might be a former or current eating disorder sufferer and perhaps the Sunday program segment ‘thin is in’ triggered a lot of anger?
Regarding the show,
At this point, i actually think ‘Top Model concerned for girls’ would make a terrific headline. I know a lot of people who would be really excited to see such a headline.
Concerns re: Sarah Murdoch are not from ‘tabloid gossip’ but based on the fact that she is with top model where “models are size 8,” there is constant evalation of women’s bodies, (girls too small as well hey? what is wrong with these designers, they can’t design for different shapes and sizes?) which goes against everything she is supposed to be representing as a member of the positive body image advisory group.
And Charlotte, I AGREE WITH YOU regarding the trashy women’s mags. However if we spoke to them about the problems with their publications, they’d probably tell us that shows like top model are worse. No-one wants to take responsibility for what they are doing to contribute to this problem.
All I’m saying Makey is if the evil fashion/modelling/magazinr/media/telly show is so harmful and dangerous don’t watch it! I can think of very menacing awful things that offend me … but to me the fashion industry isn’t one of those things.
Good Charlotte,
Do you really think that’s the solution?
Do you honestly believe that the responsibility lies with the young girls watching this show – and not the adult producers, the adult advertisers – or you?
Oh Anna,
I have said it before and I’ll say it again … NO I didn’t make any assumptions about the girl who set up the page – I don’t know what motivated her to create a hate site about Alex being on Masterchef … (remember this hate page is a year old now – not recent). So before people post opinions and hate pages about people (yes, even if you are on the telly) do you think anyone takes into account what goes on in my head or Alexs? (oh thats right we are not human we are just standing for something morally abhorrent and terribly dangerous) … I say defend the girl and send the message that there is nothing wrong with creating hate pages (especially if you are on telly) … Now I should be pissed royally! I mean WHY CANT 44 year olds enter? this is disgusting and awful for my self esteem! Very damaging mentally. I, like our audience (check out our facebook page) realise it’s a modelling competition, for models .. about models.
Well Good Charlotte the body image advisory board exists for a reason – and its full of people in the fashion/modelling/magazine/telly industry etc….
Seems a little interesting the choice of people.
i have been watching ANTM since it has started & i honestly have 2 say that i respect the honesty & opinions of the judges.. i mean thats what they are there for right?? The problem these days with people is that they sugar-coat things by telling a young woman yes u can become a singer, actress, model etc,.. truth is those people do more harm when an honest person such as Charlotte or Alex tell them otherwise..
i myself & my friends have been a victim of FB bullying & of course i am going 2 defend myself.. its not fair that everybody is hating on Charlotte just becoz she did so.. just becoz she is on TV doesnt mean she hasnt got a right 2 do exactly what anyone else would do… & u all reading this know thats true!
Mia could you send me some reasonable suggestions as to how I can change an entire industry to apease angry blog posters? I realise fashion makes some people feel uncomfortable becuase it is an industry about beauty and selling dreams and aspirations and people feel excluded or unable to be part of that world … so they hate it. The fashion industry, like any other it has it’s bad points and it’s good points. I don’t want to implement any change – until I hear that I personally have actually harmed anyone of course I’ll take responsibility. It is what it is. maybe it will change .. who knows I’m doubtful as it has been the same for decades. Question .. why does fashion make so many people uptight and angry?
Good Charlotte says – “Now lets see about pointing fingers … go to your local newsagent and grab a copy of Who or OK or Womans Day or New Idea. Count how many times the weight issue is raised … post baby, Hollywood diets, Bikini Bods (I could go on for days) … then flip inside and see how many diet products are advertised? The editors are giving the consumer what they want to see based on research. I can’t personally be held reposible for reading or viewing habits I’m afraid.”
And yet, Charlotte, your ‘just a TV show’ is advertised in all of them (although apparently the highest rated one on foxtel – so many contradictions, so little time).
You made a comment somewhere up there amongst all the bickering about being attacked and Melinda finding somebody to take it out on and yet here you are hurling nasty remarks and sarcasm at so called ‘keyboard warriors’ who are frothing at the mouth (because that’s not hurtful or abusive at all). My point being; you’re coming off more than a little hypocritical.
I understand absolutely anybody wanting to defend a friend, but really, as a grown adults, does it make you both feel good to retaliate on a young girl probably more than half your age?? I’m constantly telling my 16 yr old and my 4 yr old to stop fighting. Hardly seems like a fair fight. Wouldn’t it have been better to take the high road and just ignore it?
You don’t fight bullying with more bullying. The general (public) consensus taken from the comments on this thread, seems to be that you and Alex are bullies. Is that because the editors of the show are giving consumers what they want and asking you to act like bullies or will you take responsibility for your own actions?
We are genuinely concerned for our daughters who will grow up to face the ever mounting pressure your industry puts on them to look a certain way, but you seem to think this is all a big joke and are doing your best to take the piss out of everybody, make light of the situation and distance yourself and the show from any wrong doing. It makes my mind boggle given your reasoning for your own physical alterations.
Re (point form comment): 4) I don’t watch. To be honest, I don’t actually know anybody that does (age range 25-60). Your audience must be mostly teenagers??
After reading your comments, I am just left wondering…is this the only way you can drum up publicity for yourself? You sure seem to enjoy it a lot. I bet it makes the news. Great for ratings.
I just wanted to clarify that I’m not the “Mia” posting on this thread. Although I am reading it all with great interest……
Hi Nicole!
Ha ha … I get heaps of publicity so, no my motivation was to come on this blog and clear a few things up (I knew I’d get abused but thats ok)… I doubt a little read blog that is trying undermine myself and the show I work for would help much anyway. I’m being generous communicating with people. I think it’s a real stretch to call me a bully…. I made some sarcastic remarks on a girls facebook hate page defending my mate …. facebook is a private thing, nothing to do with foxtel, Top Model or any of the magazine work I do. I am most definately not a bully Nicole – far from it but if you are concerned for the welfare and health of your children and you feel that watching shows about modelling is terrible then please dont start watching now … however I do like it when people have a whinge about the show and it’s contents when they haven’t actually read it – just tabloid beatups and hysteria …
Hi Mia!
I thought for a moment it might be you actually! Am halfway through your book – well done! I’m glad you are enjoying the forum as I said each year like clockwork we get plus sized models, bullying, too thin and then it becomes more about the bitchyness of the models, start of season it’s hate on the host and judges because we are familiar to the audience. As the models begin to reveal themselves the press hyteria usally aims for them … poor kittens : )
Good Charlotte
I understand why you would feel upset if people criticised your friend in the “Alex Perry is a TWAT” page – (note the word was “twat” – not “c**t”)
but if you really believe that all of us – famous or not – are human beings with feelings, as you have written above,
why did you and alex perry bully 16 yr old Cassie Van Den Dungan the way you guys did? Paying her out for not going along with New York modelling contract, for her “bogan” ways and choosing her 25 yr old boyfriend over once-in-a-lifetime opportunities?
Sure, I don’t think she made wise choices. But she was a 16 year old girl. SIXTEEN. And I feel very strongly that you and alex publicly humiliated her.
She’s a teen, you’re the adults. If you expect people to treat you with respect, surely you should model that yourselves?
Good Charlotte,
Sure: but these suggestions aren’t about appeasing angry blog posters, they are about curbing the damage done by the fashion and advertising industries (which, I guess, is why blog posters are angry).
Check out the text and some of the suggestions here: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/in-the-news/news-release-detail.php?release=30&title=National%20Eating%20Disorders%20Association%20Supports
I can provide much more for you to read if you’re interested. I think these are suggestions and initiatives that you, as an insider in these industries, could lend your support to.
You correctly point out that fashion makes some people (actually, a lot of people!) feel uncomfortable about themselves. This is because, as you say, it is about selling aspirations and dreams of an ideal that most people can never achieve – yet, this is what the advertising either implicitly or explicitly tells us from an increasingly young age: we can, and we should change ourselves to fit this ideal. And if we don’t, then we’re losers who will lead unhappy lives. Enough to make at least a few people angry, I’d imagine!
People who participate in, and promote, industries that turn huge amounts of profit precisely *because* they encourages people to see themselves as somehow less than ideal do cause harm. No, these industries will never go away, but maybe if you got behind some of the suggestions that academics who have spent lifetimes studying the research suggest, then you’d be making some real changes.
The fashion and advertising industries may well have been the same for decades. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay the same. If you wanted to, people like you could change it.
I think you missed the points I and everybody else were making. Nevermind. You seem to keep going around in circles saying the same things, but you’re not really grasping it.
Again, you minimise the importance of anybody who expresses a thought on a blog, calling them faceless, but I seem to recall up there somewhere (this thread is getting out of control) you said something sarcastically about people on TV not being human and therefore it’s ok to attack them. You’re doing the exact same thing to bloggers!
We’re about as faceless as you are. Melinda is quite prominent, well known and she goes on TV too! I’m sure Melinda, or anyone of us would actually welcome a face to face conversation about this, as human being and adults.
Also Mia Freedman, now that you’re reading this…
I’m wondering why you recently justified Alex Perry calling girls “wild pig” in your blog- amongst other things- saying that it gives them a realistic insight into the industry?
If smoking cigarettes and drinking champagne and a starvation diet were realistic of the industry, would we minimise him promoting this too (hypothetically)?
Curious to know your thoughts.
Oh and just to clarify I work for the magazines mentioned above also. Nicole good point, yes as the number one show on Foxtel before each series we do a massive marketing push and advertising spend and those magazines are our target demo and are the highest selling in the country.
About the ‘bullying’ … want to know much I get online!? Some of it is obscene beyond belief and deeply personal – I’ve shared stories about my surgery and the sad motivation behind it, I talked about my long battle with depression after my marriage broke down and lost everything and went back to NZ to rebuild my life and watch my mum die, I’ve spoken about abuse I suffered as a child and many hard personal things and many respond with very nasty and judgemental comments even on the most painful of topics. I don’t get paid to tell these stories (general public have this misconception that we are all loaded and magazines pay shitloads for our tales – but remember that purse is for A listers not D listers like me as we have established)
The point to all this? None of these ‘scandals!’ or denigration of the Top Model brand or myself or Alex or Sarah is pleasant, but unlike many people Alex and I fight back – it’s our way and we don’t care what people think of how we personally handle things like having a hate page and being called a C**T … my response was to defend my friend. You don’t like my approach – good for you! But because someone calls my mate a C**T suddenly we are bullies and our show is dangerous for young women … see how these things can get a tad tedious?
Hey Sylvie,
Alex didn’t call her a ‘wild pig’ (makes it sounds like he’s commenting on her looks) .. the quote was as Laura stormed into an event “Slow down honey! She’s just stormed in here like a wild pig” … it was about the way she walked in the room … fairly harmless I would have thought … but then again .. that headline doesn’t sell newspapers now does it?
Good Charlotte
I’m talking about the bullying comments made regarding Cassie.
For what it’s worth, I really feel for you. I think it’s disgusting that people would take what you have revealed about yourself- crushing moments, painful regrets, things that make you human and vulnerable – and use them against you. I can’t overstate this.
As a therapist I have watched many patients take their anger out on nursing staff. It isn’t on a public scale, but it seems nursing staff (for the most part) – learn to rise above that.
It is undoubtedly hurtful the things that have happened to you, and are thrown at you. I wonder though, whether your responses ever truly boost your self-respect (?)
Surely when people write nasty things about you, you don’t actually believe that everybody believes them, do you? People interpret things differently – there’s room for grains of salt, you know? But I think responding in a manner that makes you look nasty (whether or not you actually are) – may be bruising more of your image than the actual attacks launched against you and your friends.
The attacks being – those that are specifically about what you look like, experiences etc – not about genuine issues regarding advocacy (eg hypocrisy)
Nicole, I have not attacked one person … I challenge you to find one comment about anyone where I am less than courteous or informative. I have been very honest and forthright and allowed everyone here to talke about my surgery and my ability and my terrible behavior … I don’t care …. it’s all rubbish. We are not human when it comes to blog posters, trolls and snarks – that’s not sarcastic or attacking it’s totally true. I don’t get the point of this blog – it only serves to trash the show, the host and my co-judges. Much of what is written is not accurate and I don’t agree with this womans assesments. That is my right. I am so proud to be a part of ANTM, as is Sarah and Alex. we have fun doing it and we love the show and we love it’s success. We are also happy to deal with cranky critics online. If all of you are so upset about the show, us, the host take a visit to the top model facebook fan page (23,000) fans that could be a captive audience for you : ) and make your voice heard.
Hi Charlotte
Yes, I read your earlier comment re Alex Perry’s “wild pig” comment
I addressed the question to Mia Freedman because in this blog she seemed to defend his labelling of the girl as such, and also “she looked like a wild pig scuttling around”
http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2009/04/alex-perry-makes-his-money-designing-clothes-for-women.html
I feel this extends beyond mere description of movement, and from what Alex Perry has stated, it sounds like he realises he crossed a few lines there.
Of course I can see how it can get tedious. You couldn’t pay me enough to put up with all the media bullshit that goes with being a ‘celebrity’. I could go on and on about the utter trash that’s out there, but that’s a whole other story.
However! At the end of the day, all of that does not justify the abuse of a child/young girl, no matter how stupid a thing she does. Teenage girls/young women are emotional at the best of times and some of them can do down right idiotic things, like make a facebook page calling somebody a C**T.
Stupid thing to do… another stupid thing to do is berate and belittle a girl over it. You’re an adult, she is not. If the page really offended you so badly, why not contact facebook and have them remove it? I happen to know that it’s against their policy to allow fan pages that attack individuals. Surely you can see, this would have been the more appropriate action to take? I’m sure there are legal avenues that could have been taken, without resorting to bully tactics. I’m sure a cleverly drafted letter to the girl or or parents outlining the potential legalities of the situation might have scared her straight.
Commenting only fuelled the fire and probably stirred the whole thing up. If the page has been active for over a year, why was it not dealt with before now? Seems to be timed perfectly with the launch of the latest series of your show. Coincidence?
I could imagine how hurt I would be if somebody started a hate campaign against me and called me a C**T, but there is no need to stoop to their level.
Also to Charlotte & Mia Freedman –
Alex Perry also called girls “yeti” and “Frankenstein”- surely this isn’t just some harmless comment too?
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks for that Sylvie,
One point .. I think you know by now that I don’t really have a problem with what people think about me so my self respect or self esteem is fine – if I had thin skin I wouldn’t be in this business. I really don’t want to get on about Cassi again – that exchange was on Alex Perrys profile and was supposed to be private as he doesn’t have an open page – it was joking no bullying. Google Cassi and read up about what she’s been up to … put mildly she was a complete handful who, if you recall, threatened to rip another models arm ot of her socket and then attacked an elevator with a fairly strong right hook! I dont think anyone needs to be concerned about our Cassi! For those extra concerned about the welfare of the models? Yes we have a 24 hour counsellor at their beck and call and adults living with them in the house. Considering they are shooting long days with a crew of up to 40 people around them all the time, they are well and truly looked after.
See I don’t recalll ever anyone being called either of those names. I think if someone isn’t looking great in a shot they might be compared to a yeti or a frankenstien, but that isn’t belittling their appearance as a person – it’s commentary on how their photos turned out or good or bad her walk was (I once told a girl her walk was like a newborn foals) she practised it and became fantastic! … Also our dear blogger said our advertisement portrayed the girls as Greyhounds …. um they were on a horse track .. if you really wanted to get outraged and frothy you could also draw paralells and discover a secret message about looking like a horse!, which of course if garbage it is a great promo!
Nicole,
I’m not a legal advice seeking, carefully constructed letter-to-the-parents writing, facebook reporting type when it comes to such trivial matters. My way of response was to give her a taste of her own medicine … (I wonder if her mum knows that in her profile pics she was pulling bongs and being pretty outrageous in her photo albums!). You don’t like how I handle the situation – that’s totally your call…. you don’t like the show … vote with the remote. The first I heard about this year ago scandal was this morning when the guy from MSM called me…. we do have publicists that line up interviews every day on radio, newspapers and across all electronic media – we don’t need press and certainly not negative press – it’s a draining energy having people judge and attack you and suddenly you are reading things and you are like “I never said that! That wasn’t me! That’s not at all who I am” … but that’s the game. That’s why I’m happy to answer questions about these issues that get so inflated und misrepresented.
I think the greyhounds comparison was in regards to the girls being made to ‘chase the lure’ like greyhounds
cassie sounds like she needed psychological help, you know? surely alex perry knows his profile is vulnerable to being picked up in the public arena…
i don’t agree re calling girls names, i don’t think it’s necessary… surely those who’ve got it will find a way to make it ?
re designer clothes on recent ANTM, when the clothes didn’t fit the size 8 girl, she said “i feel like my body has betrayed me”… i realise you stated earlier that a thinner girl couldn’t fit the clothes either, but i don’t think these are good messages to send out as body image advocate, sarah murdoch. feel her heart is probably in the right place, but not sure she gets it.
anyway- i have to go see a patient. thanks for chatting charlotte.
That Charlotte Dawson is more interested in defending her boss and her paycheck than, oh, I dunno… human decency? Well it’s eye opening.
I’ve never been under any illusion that Alex Perry gave a shit about women and body image (I remember him saying on a morning TV show that no one wants to see a fat woman in a pretty frock) but it’s really disheartening that Dawson could condone and propagate such nastiness and that Murdoch would remain silent.
Looking forward to directing more traffic over here 😉
I haven’t gone through all these comments with a fine tooth comb. I haven’t got the time, energy or care factor. I feel the compulsion to add in a few of my own thoughts though.
1) Charlotte, please learn how to spell and use punctuation. You are making my eyes burn.
2) There is absolutely no way that you can know that nobody has been harmed, admitted to an eating disorders unit, admitted to a rehab clinic or institutionalised as a result of the show. That claim is ludicrous. As a recovering anorectic and bulimic I believe that the media does not cause eating disorders, but it contributes in a negative and harmful way and feeds messages to people that being thin is good and that being over (for example) a size 8 means that one will not be successful when that simply isn’t the case. During my time of acute illness last year; which resulted in me ending up in a resuscitation unit of an emergency department (you know, with the defibrillators, IV lines pumping potassium and cardiac monitors whirring above my head) a four month hospitalisation. Prior to this, I was deeply obsessed with cooking magazines, magazines, The Biggest Looser and ANTM. Watching these shows was not causative, but they did not assist my recovery. They fueled my illness.
3) You say that we should not watch the show if we are not appreciative of the fashion industry. I’d have no objection to watching the show if ANTM and it’s produces showed some corporate responsibility. Perhaps you can think about that.
Anyway, I’m not sure I have anything more to say about this. I just think the show is toxic and I am entitled to my opinion, just like you are entitled to yours.
“I’m not a legal advice seeking, carefully constructed letter-to-the-parents writing, facebook reporting type when it comes to such trivial matters. My way of response was to give her a taste of her own medicine … ”
Well then I guess you have to be prepared to wear the consequences aka media frenzy and negative press. Comes with the job.
“(I wonder if her mum knows that in her profile pics she was pulling bongs and being pretty outrageous in her photo albums!). ”
Was that really called for? I think you’ve already assumed enough about this girl. It doesn’t change my opinion of the girl, but it does speak volumes about you. Further comments about the girls morality/personality are not needed.
In any case, it was interesting talking to you, not that it achieved much. I have to run.
this is an interesting blog and commentary. whilst the tv show in question is termed “light entertainment”, we all know from experience that nothing the media does is “light” in it’s influence and effect on culture. also, i understand charlotte’s attempt at protecting her best friend, and this is admirable, however, as a public figure, maturity and grace has been lacking anywhere in the exchange here and in other sites (including facebook). the style of dialogue is reminiscent of school ground bullying. the debate is emotionally driven, and indeed it is an emotional battle when those involved feel personally attacked. however, now that this exchange has entered into the public domain, the words are more hurtful that between the original people, it has seeped into a broader field, and is insulting to each of us who doesn’t fit the cookie cutter world espoused via “light entertainment”. taking a responsible position rather than a reactive one would encourage healthy debate rather than the damaging and divisive one occuring now.
Ok, just I have this right…
There’s this guy Alex, a designer, who has said that he likes a model with curves, that having curves means being a size 8 to 10, that he is only going to design ‘skinny’ (sic) clothes because that is what is considered beautiful in the fashion industry and doesn’t want to design average, and that he can’t be burdened with the responsibility of models suffering health issues as a result of maintaining low body weights.
Then there is this woman, Sarah, who is a member of the National Advisory Group on Body Image that includes in it’s terms of reference to provide advice to the Government on:
• Strategic opportunities to advance a national, co-ordinated approach to help tackle body image in Australia in partnership with states and territories and stakeholders.
• Successful local and overseas initiatives addressing body image, and explore how they can be best applied to Australia at a national level.
• Opportunities for Government to engage with industry on an ongoing basis, to ensure initiatives build and gather momentum and effectiveness over time.
• The development of a voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image that provides
guidance on the responsible portrayal of body image by the media, advertising and fashion
industries.
• Strategies and partnerships with the media, advertising and fashion industries that aim to
promote the Code and identify further opportunities to minimise the prevalence of potentially
harmful images and to promote positive and healthy body images and self esteem, particularly to young Australians.
Now Alex and Sarah work together on a reality TV show, based around the fashion industry’s standards of what is considered beautiful, that purports to discover our country’s next top model.
Now, correct me if I’m wrong here, but what we are discussing is whether or not there is a conflict of interest, or hypocrisy, for Sarah who is a member of a Governmental advisory group on body image, to work on and support a programme with Alex, who will only design ‘skinny’ clothes and can’t be burdened with models health or body image issues?
Is that about it or am I missing something?
OMG CHARLOTTE!!!
there is no need 2 even respond 2 these people.. at the end of the day only YOU know who u are as a person, let these bloggers say what they wish! Once again, if this happened 2 anyone else mate no-body would say anything but becoz Charlotte is on TV its a big deal!! if these girls didnt want honesty & constructive critism they would not have gone on the show in the first place!!! its the modelling industry OMG people!
i have over-weight friends & i would be honest if they came out wearing a dress that looked terrible! THATS LIFE! i have my bad days too.. we all do! If Charlotte wants 2 defend her friend thats HER CHOICE!! no-one elses!
no1 has the right 2 judge any1.. UNLESS they put themselves in that situation 2 be judged!!! i.e: going on a modelling competition show!
“whilst the tv show in question is termed “light entertainment”, we all know from experience that nothing the media does is “light” in it’s influence and effect on culture.” This. Sums. It. Up. Perfectly.
Betty – I’m quite sure that you wouldn’t tell your over-weight friends on national TV what they should and should not wear. As for your take on “judge not and ye shall not be judged” – she has put herself in the situation to be judged. She is in the media. She is presenting on a controversial show. She has, by all accounts, placed herself – just as the contestants have – right in the situation where she is going to be judged; regardless of whether that is wrong or right, or if she wants it to happen.
THIS IS THE POINT IM TRYING 2 MAKE! IF MY FRIENDS DIDNT WANT 2 BE JUDGED THEN THEY WOULDNT AKS 4 MY OPINION OR GO ON TV! THESE PEOPLE DO GO ON TV EXPECTING 2 BE JUDGED! CHARLOTTE IS NOT A CONTESTANT SHE IS A JUDGE!!!
It is a simple fact that in relation to fame, or even infamy, the media giveth and the media taketh away.
Unfortunately Charlotte, the inter-web is not the utopia of innocence it was when first introduced, where a simple misspelled word in a search engine (remember alta-vista anyone??) did not result in over a million hits for unsavoury inter-websites.
Something that the older demographic (I being one) need to understand, is that these blog sites and social networking sites (more apt to call them ‘anti-social networking’ sites) are the media outlets of the younger generations – when was the last time you saw a 16 year old sitting at a cafe thumbing through the SMH or The Age – the major difference being that now ‘Letters to the Editor’ can be delivered instantaneously and feedback immediately followed.
And Betty, unfortunately, anyone who submits any post to any blog or any information about themselves on any anti-social networking site that is in the public domain are putting themselves in a situation where they can be judged. That’s just the nature of the inter-web.
Gone are the days where you would PM a friend and it would just be the two of you….
I’m not sure you understand Betty. I think you should spend some time reading the real and actual concerns of most commenters here.
Regardless of whether someone is a judge on a tv show or a “friend” to a fat person (NB please don’t ever be my friend) – you’re accountable. People will hold you to task over the things you say that hurt them or cause offense.
Natalie… i understand that people hold u accountable 4 your own actions. But i wonder what did Alex Perry do 2 that girl 2 make her create such a page?
& i have read the concerns & comments here but i dont believe tv shows, magazines etc.. are responsible. its the way a person feels about themselves regardless of what they watch & read!
Betty,
Where did you develop your belief systems? I’d lay pretty impressive odds that they were modelled through your interactions with your family, friends and society. This includes what you were exposed to through the media. Remember that Barbie doll you just had to have?
If TV shows, magazines, etc, had no effect on people’s actions, thoughts or feelings, then why do companies spend so much on advertising campaigns? The whole marketing and advertising industry would be defunct.
Even the fashion industry itself understands the effects and influence they can have on the choices people make. If they didn’t have any influence, the word ‘fashionable’ would not exist…
gregg.. i understand what u are saying.. im just saying that TV isnt 2 blame 4 everyone’s issues, Annorexia is a form of mental health. i grew up in the country where outdoors was my life & i neva wanted a doll!!
Ha ha Betty. Touché.
I grew up spending most of my life outside (computer games were a thing of the future).
Any you are completely correct; TV isn’t to blame for everyone’s issues. And I agree totally that anorexia nervosa is a mental health issue.
I don’t think, however, that you can underestimate the influence the media can have on those who are suffering an illness or who have low self esteem; exacerbating their decline and hindering their recovery due to the messages that we receive through TV and print media.
I do think that it is a bit naive – a little irresponsible maybe(?) – for those in the industry, and within the public eye, to dismiss or trivialise the effect and influence they have on peoples perceptions (especially the younger generation) of what they should ‘aspire’ to.
I have to agree with Charlotte that when each new series of a reality ‘beauty’ show comes along, the media have a bit of a dig at the portrayal or what is considered beautiful. However, when we are, as a society, creating national advisory committee’s on body image to counter the negative images that the fashion industry are responsible for portraying from time to time (i.e. incident of a model who basically starved herself to death and was less than 30 kilograms when she died from heart failure), you can no longer dismiss the detractors as a minority group of activists seeking notoriety – it shows a true community concern that should be debated and addressed in the public arena.
Unfortunately, Charlotte chose to enter the discussion through references to her responses to a hate page on facebook. Yes, old news and not relevant to the issue. She possibly would have done better to take the moral high ground in the first instance and not acknowledged the page, however, as she stated, that is not her way. As such, she entered into a tete-a-tete that served her no greater good but to confuse the original discussion point that surrounded Sarah Murdoch being involved in ANTM and a member of the National Advisory Group on Body Image.
But then again, when there is still great suffering and loss of life due to hunger and other atrocities in the world, ANTM becomes a little less relevant to what is going on around us every day.
I will admit I havent read all the comments here but wil do so in the morning! The comment I find most ummm whats the word INSANE is Charlottes comments bout Alex being gay and therefore he can not possibly make any such comments about anothers sexuality!! I didnt realise gay men were somehow genetically modified in some way as to make them incabable of making such remarks!! Thank you Charlotte I have learnt something new (and just as you do I will add the “this is sarcasm” here).
I love when people finally realise that there are others who do not like what they see atleast us real women know that through the work of Melinda & those like her we are able to raise our daughters so they will never fall prey to women like Charlotte & her precious industry!!
Keep up the great work Melinda
Betty, you said people have no right to judge anyone, did you want to scroll up and have another look at her comments about Cassie then? Maybe Charlotte could follow your advice.
I wouldnt expect anything more from that lot.
I tried out for ANTM myself, and met them in person. may i say they are the rudest bunch of people ive ever met.
If you watch one of the interviews they did with A Current Affair, they talk about how ugly some of the girls are. if you ask me that is disgraceful.
i think perry should stop being a stuck up fag and get a reality check!
Seriously Charlotte, nearly a year has passed and you still havent let this go.
http://frockwriter.blogspot.com/2009/07/alex-perry-and-charlotte-dawson-make.html
If Charlotte was a motther she would understand why people are angry with her comments and the need to protect the self respect/esteem of the girls of the world.
I expected more from another human being, especially one that has endured depression, abandonment, sexual abuse and failed relationships.
And for everyone else adding their opinions, you should email Fox8 with your concerns. One email may not be enough but they can’t ignore all of us! fox8web@foxtel.com.au
What a thought provoking post.
Obviously Melinda is an absolute bitch. I mean, she is outlining conformities that research has reiterated time and time again are so disordered one would need to be psychologically struggling to embrace them.
One can only conclude ‘how dare she’.
In future Melinda, I hope that you consider the well-being of communities and the tv show’s audience, and allow the lies to form society.
— regards,
Sarcasm Service.
This will bring joy to your hearts! The hate page set up for Alex Perry (yes it was originally called C**T until Alex asked the girl to tone it down for the kids sake) has gone into overdrive today!
I have had threats of being raped, insults about my appearance (nothing too staggeringly new or exciting here – get this daily) .. photoshopped pictures with ‘Crack Whore’ scribbled all over it, my very own hate page being erected (and then shut down), derogatory comments about my (deceased) mother, threats of violence, porn images and even my failed marriage and of course the obligatory plastic surgery and age jibes….. and some rather explicit sexual content about my relationship with Alex and my apparent desire for anal penetration and even one chap who would ‘fuck me so hard that it would be worth just tell his mates even though I am a “dog ugly old cunt” so there you go a little redemption for you guys … guess what … most of the posters were those impressionable innocent little teenagers that you so strongly defend. Maybe the fashion industry made them this way …
So messenger is well and truly shot.
By the way Alex Perry is absolutely NOT gay, I have been friends with he and his wife Mary for 18 years.
Dear Charlotte,
This news does not bring any joy at all to the hearts of myself or my colleagues.
As women who also experience this kind of behaviour, we know what it feels like.
We don’t support it at all. I have written in the past about this, as have others I work with.
We don’t see it as redemption for our views at all. To think that would be a terrible mistake.
Charlotte, I stand by my critique. That doesn’t mean I support the kind of treatment you describe here.
Melinda
oh and Kaz you can add to my list of woes that I can’t have kids – so no I am not going to experience being a mother.
People most of your comments are about who and what you expect me to be. I’m not going to make any apologies for giving an adult girl a dose of her own medicine after she has created a hate page about one of my best friends – so an apology is not going to be forthcoming on that issue.
Further more I do not weild any influence over the fashion industry – my job is to work on a modelling show not become a campaigner against the evils of the business.
You might not like me for who I am or how I have chosen to live my life but you can’t be so damning of someone because your expectations are higher of them. I get that you feel that my reaction was not appropriate but that’s how I react.
I think if I have indeed contributed to harming teenagers and provide the proof then I agree with Kaz … you need to email Foxtel and see if they have the same feelings about this issue as you appear to do. Who knows you might also get me fired as well!
Good luck to you all …NOW this old crack addicted old dog ugly cunt is signing off forever : ).
I agree with Melinda despite previous action, the kind of behaviour you’ve described on the original hate page Charlotte is disgusting.
I read the blog and that’s not something that makes me happy but further concerned this kind of bullying takes place, or is allowed.
Charlotte, I think that you saying “this should bring joy to our hearts” further demonstrates just how much you have missed the point of this entire discussion.
Nobody is defending teenagers engaging in this sort of behaviour, however for a grown woman to lower herself to that level is truly baffling.
Hi Charlotte,
I modelled for just a couple of years until the pressure to monitor weight became too much for me.
It therefore really, genuinely surprises me that you’ve had no contact with disordered eating and eating disorders in your time in the industry?!
How did it escape you when it was so glaringly obvious to me and many of my model/ designer colleagues that often it was ‘just a part of the life’?
(And Dingo – please be more respectful in your commentary – indeed it’s everyone’s right to comment in an open forum space and makes for a more stimulating debate)
Hey Cath,
I just never encountered it. I didn’t feel any pressure to lose weight but I stacked it on whilst living in New York (self inflicted – pizza addiction) and ended up on the plus sized books at Ford Models. When I returned home I just ate properly and exercised and got back into shape. I promise you in all my years as an agent and a model I never encountered any eating disorders thorugh the business. As I have said before a close family friend of mine suffered from Anorexia when I was a teenager – but that was due to sexual abuse (something that has touched my life as a child so I am actively involved with that particular issue as that is what has impacted on my life), Anyway I hope that makes it clearer I just wanted to check in and see if the mighter than thou humorless tut tut tutters were still ragging me and my toxic sludge show out. I have a hell of a day dealing with rabid teenager that want to do bad things to me : ) Now I am going to put myself into voluntary alcoholism to finish what has been a very interesting day.
Cheers!
Wow! No response after my previous post I thought these guys would rain down on me for encouraging young women to drink alcohol! Day ended well then I guess : )
oh DEAR..GOOD Charlotte, you really have become emotionally involved in this grilling from your
sistas..and that’s what we are..oh well i am anyway..and i am sure the others are too from the compassion they have shown you re; attacks from the public..not nice..at all..I offer my sympathy and support and am looking forward to going on that perry fb site and having a look at people behaving badly..Gee..I don’t know where to start..except to introduce myself to you..53 year old childless hetero female..60’s chile, bra burning mother..AND Barbie doll burning mother as well- when they were waking up from the consensus trance imposed on women some decades ago…I still got anorexia..i think the stats are 80% of girls across the socio-ecomonic spectrum get it..hmm that speaks volumes in itself.There are many states of awareness..one is ignorant and willful ignorance..and i have to wonder which is truly involved in your case..i am not having a go at you..i mean are you literally ignorant of the history of women emancipation?OR DO you really know the facts and willfully ignore?..I will throw a q.
at you to check if you don’t mind…Did you know that when the suffragettes gained the vote for women in the 1920’s that the image of WOMAN was changed from voluptuous,Reubenesque,
maternal motherly bodies to skinny-slight- fading away…disappearing type images of women?
oh YES a great way to distract women from the real tasks and involvement in life as women..and get them totally focused on how they looked instead of how they think..keep them out of those top jobs and slaves to the men instead of the feared other way around…have you read Naomi Wolfe- The Beauty Myth? or THE BACKLASH by Susan Faludi?..LOOK you lot..have you cosmetic fashion industry but present the image of ALL women if you are genuine. However if you are merely propping up the deluded superioty complex of the patriachy..then i have a few more words for you..but to Charlotte..maybe you girls really don’t know that there are Persons out there who have a strong and vested interest in women maintaining a certain level of self loathing and an unconscious belief that well..yes my beauty IS really only skin deep…don’t want you running around making a few cool billion that they reckon is rightly theirs…don’t want to overload you if i haven’t already..i suggest water and not alcohol…look after yourself..if you get back to me with a few answers to my question i will at least know that YOU ARE a real human being…if not..or it is someone pretending to be the REAL you..my closing words are..ANTM..is that N silent?..Is it really code for Australias Next Tol Misogynist?..and ALEX Perry..what can i say to you..i don’t want to hurt your feelings..seriously some of my BEST friends are beautiful gays..men and women..but Alex..maybe if you have a bit of a hang up about NOT being a gorgeous woman yourself..you might not have been that upset about the title of that fb hate page..??? get real with us..because we the MASSES are sick of your ignore-ance …ESPECIALLY if it is willful..thimk about it..:)
97 PERCENT of the population trying to fit into 3 percent of an image is UN-REALITY..practice ETHICAL industry and you will sell more and we will like you all again…simple! ciao for now…i await your response! 🙂
Hey Zeitgeist!
Well I started reading your post and as soon as I arrived at ‘Bra Burning Barbie Burning’ I ceased reading, not only partially tramatised by the horror of that doll melting whilst being burnt at the feminist stake, but that I couldn’t do this alone. Suddenly ‘Sista’ ‘Suffragette’ ‘WOMEN!’ VOTE!’ flashed before me so I called my baby boomer buddy Judy in for reinforcement. Clutching her BACKLASH book she talked me through the ‘deluded superiroty complex of the patriachy’ but I was momentarily distracted by belly button lint. When we got to ‘slavery to men’ and ‘misogynist’ it made me think of Barbie mate Ken .. we all assumed he was gay right? Then a thought occured to me.. Alex Perry gets the same stick .. he’s a fashion designer right so he must be gay? Well I can’t personally vouch for Ken as he’s not a personal friend but Alex Perry and hiw wife Mary have been friends of mine for 18 years. ALEX PERRY ISN’T GAY … so if it looks like chocolate it must taste like chocolate? (won’t be making THAT mistake again) .. but hey a little sterotyping amongst friends can’t be a bad thing.
As much as I want to bang on about heterosexual fashion designers wanting to be glamourous women and other such wild assumptions I’m araid I have to dash. With bucket in hand I’m off on the annual door knock appeal to raise money and awareness for the ‘Shoe Shopping Addicts Support Service’ (statistics illustrate this is a growing crisis in society and we are going to lobby our local MP for support) then off to lodge our petition for the ‘Bring Germaine Greer Back To Big Brother’ group (this is more a social club and Judy got me involved – any we support her going on any reality tv show – hey even Top Model? she could mentor the girls on armpit hair grooming!).
Anyway hoo roo! keep smiling : )
DISCLAIMER: The aforementioned groups are ficitious – they were mentioned for ‘humor’ not be confused with ‘boomer’ as although they are phonetically similar they appear to be polar opposites)
Apologies for the appalling spelling, as I said I was in a rush and still a little shocked … more terrified than Barbie at a Naomi Wolfe BBQ!
Great blog post Melinda! I have also wondered why Sarah Murdoch is putting her name to this show which had rightfully developed a reputation throughout the years for the judges in particular Alex Perry making derogatory comments about model’s weight. I also found it quite hypocritical that her photos airbrushed.
I think the National Body Image Advisory Committee was a knee jerk reaction and more thought should have been put into what the committee hoped to achieve and who should actually be on the committee. I think there needs to be more of a focus on designers who are not sending larger sample sizes to editors. This is where the problem seems to lie or where the magazine editors try and pin the blame because plus size models cannot fit into these sizes.
I was quite a fan of Charlotte Dawson until I read her comments about westies. As someone who lives in the west, it would be very easy for me to label women in the east as ‘coke-whores’ and ‘gold diggers’ but where does that get us?
Here is the blog that is publlished every week by Jo Thornely, I urge you to have a read, have a laugh and try to understand, whilst many of you think the term ‘scrag’ is insulting… we use it as a term of endearment. HUMOR! …. one more time .. HUMOR!
http://jo-joblogspot.com
two words…PATRIARCHAL PROPAGANDA…the weakest link…i am going to read something worthwhile…goodbye..
had a feeling it might not have been your cup of tea zeitgeister!
well Charlotte for a piece of creative writing..it was pretty good…9/10…but… i rest my case YOU KNOW NOTHING of what we speak to you about…as you had to ring your friend Judy to advise you on some basics of womens history…if you are a decent human being you would be prepared to read up a bit to see why your critics are sooo upset by ATM cashing in on little girls who think they are grown up, but as you and i both know…(if i get get your attention from picking that lint out of your naval) they are not even really cognizant of their own existence (other than what they see in the mirror…narcissism is a natural phase…..OF CHILDHOOD! ) let alone AWARE of a vile CULTure they have been born into that would so denigrate the value of womens legitimate roles… other than objects of ridicule and titillation..i mean seriously..do they realize how STUPID they look in those sicko getups and vampire like makeup?..Don’t blame the bloggers for the reaction going foul…you reap what you sow..and now it comes back..if you don’t learn your lesson the first time..the universe will keep throwing it up again and again until you do…you know…i feel that you might really be trying to connect with us on this subject Charlotte…why would you even bother writing to us if there was not some kind of unconscious awareness of the truth in what we are saying….there is nothing wrong with celebrating beauty..but not to the point of ridicule and damage to a larger group of other members of the ordinary world..that is NOT beautiful….THAT is UGLY…to impose hangups on others is psychological violence…to be in DENIAL of that outcome as a result of ATM and the likes is either ignorance or willful ignorance…there is a BIG difference…so which is it for you Charlotte?
Milking the cash calves??? or lack of education and awareness of the subject……..BEING..The Patriarchal repression/oppression of women?? hey… and BIG BROTHER??…BIG MOTHER is watching! ..SO…BE NICE or F@K OFF!……WE will STAND STRONG…now if you want to have a real discussion…let’s go for it..let’s make some GOOD changes so everyone is HAPPY 🙂
GO SISTA!
Funnily enough my birth mother was a placard carrying hard core baby booming feminist, so yes I am aware of your point of view.
Currently I am, however distracted by bin juice.
And here at Top Model WE TOO STAND STRONG!!!!
oh and if you couldn’t read through the lines .. I was being satirical .. there is no Judy … it was a piss take as I thought you original post was hence the style in which I structured my reply : )
and you can call me ignorant all you want but Alex Perry still is not gay and after I spoke to hem today – he’s not really considering cross dressing or gender re-assignment either.
anyway off to inflict some more pshycological violence upon the greater world and impose a few hang ups … well thanks for entertaining us this evening … it’s been fun.
oh my friend Mark here wants to tell you to be nice also and maybe not to tell younger women (that would be me) to Fuck Off! … that is below you or something…
Charlotte and Mark..i wasn’t telling you to fuck off..at all..i was telling PRIG Brother to f -off..don’t you remember your reference to Germaine and Big Brother??? i would never speak to you like that… i have respect for my sisters ESPECIALLY my little sisters…and Charlotte….. at my age..having been fortunate to have been born with a great body and good looks according to certain standards…i could entertain you AND educate you all night and all day with my life stories
of being subjected to PRIG brothers oppression…are you on for it?? DO you want to get real??
DO you want to do something legitimate before your stay on this MIRACLE planet Earth is over?
YOU ARE IN A POSITION OF POWER….. AND YOU ARE A WOMAN……aren’t you???or is it another….
read between the lines… RUSE… and it is really some male reflection of the BOYS club trying to keep up with me on the other side of the monitor……hee hee hee….so.. NO..Charlotte i am not telling you to piss off at all..you are actually an intriguing person.. IF it is really you and not some ‘boy’ trying to do damage control for their meal ticket meat market tv show…eeewww …. all we are saying is… STOP DISSING MY LITTLE SISTERS MISTER!!!!..you will get NOTHING but heartache and BADDD karma..it’s the LORE…THE LAW…balance..reciprocity..so Charlotte..how real do you want to be? OR are you happy to stay half asleep for the rest of your life?? hope not..you are one tough and powerful WOMAN..you can do a lot of really GOOD work and be loved respected and admired by so many more people..instead of fighting for bullshit….and stop drinking so much!!…water.. water!
HOW am i going to get an intelligent reply out of you if you are half cut on goon bag all the time???
Err .. Ok you are getting a little scary now .. thanks for the interaction and take care.
oh sorry Charlotte..i didn’t mean to scare you….i was probably too heavy there…i am just expressing my personal anger at how the superficial stereotyping of women has damaged my own life… 🙁 GOOD LUCK to you in your future endeavors..put your gifts to good use…
they don’t say…only ever use the power for good….without good reason…peace be with you..
However, i must also add, I did appreciate both Charlotte and Alex’s comments about Cassie. i couldn’t stand her and would have chucked her out for being annoying and dumb in itself.
Plus also, everyone has to remember, people who want to be famous are attention whores. Why else would you want to be on TV for a living? They are bound to be narcissistic, wanabee, neurotic, bitchy, competitive types…………..they are bound to be people like Charlotte and Alex………nasty bitter sounding people who dont have an ounce of warmth in their bodies.
I just don’t like what i see Charlotte as, I have to be honest…………it is toxic, she seems a very toxic person. There is acid humour, I have acid humour, but when its that nasty (except for Cassie, she was deserving, she did let the side down).
I am more concerned about women being portrayed as the cooks, cleaners, baby raisers on adverts than this though being honest and the likes of playboy sexualising women. Although yes, its on the agenda, body image and how ridiculous girls are being to all be one size these days is worrying, I think its worse that women are being conditioned to be housewife whores by the media.
Urmmm…………..okay, just read through the comments and if this is Charlotte herself posting, as loathed as I am to say this……I just respected you (not that you give even the slightest flying f… before you say it) ….can I quote your post (well I am anyway)
I’m 44 not quite 50 yet but I get hassled about my age relentlessly. Poor Melinda was confused when I spoke out about plastic surgery. Simple, first of all I was in my mid 30’s when I did it and I did it for the wrong motivation. I was trying to save my marriage and hoped my husband would love me. No amount of surgery could fix that – so thats a good message to send out to women who think that. It takes guts to be open about these sorts of things because you are going to get teased and harrassed by faceless keyboard warriors for the rest of your life.
Yes it does take guts to come out about stuff like that…………how about .putting that fiesty passionate personality of yours into something more positive and maybe do some good for the equality cause (yep we are far far away from equality, look at the ads before you call me some feminist loonie, women raising babies, women cleaning, worrying about the stains on their clothes whilst looking like porn stars and acting like bisexuals with their friends to please their man whilst serving him beer) and the ridiculous thing is, women are following it obediently.
Women keep degrading themselves, putting themselves through things, hurting themselves and attention whoring all to get validation….how about putting that passion and strength of yours into doing something about that and join the anti camp, rather than sitting in the pro one?
I know in my days when I modelled (Yes even i was a silly little moron who dreamed of being the fairest of them all), I was really thin, a tiny little thing and still, they made me diet even though I was a size 6. Now I am in my thirties, my metabolism is so screwed up I have to eat like a bird and do daily spin classes and have now succumbed to the fact my metabolism is so screwed up I have to take medication for the rest of my days or I am going to continue battling weight all the time. Girls these days are popping diet pills, starving themselves, not eating carbs, splurge and purging, getting cosmetic surgery…..all messing with their metabolisms just for a few lbs, which is going to cause them huge issues down the track……and what for…………………..nothing but a giant ego and absolute vanity and needyness.
Ego, vanity and needyness…………..we need to get that out of girls and quick.
You could do well………its just a thought………………and aplogies, I don’t really want to put anyone in a room and off them at all.
Amanda you are obviously are very intelligent woman-but can i remind everyone that to throw personal attacks at someone about their appearance, is just as bad as the behavior you are angry about…not productive in any way..Charlotte you look fine..isn’t it a pity we live in a world where we now think the answer to making our man love us again is to get two tennis balls inserted into our breasts to make us look more sexy…oh man..that is so sad 🙁 and it has to STOP- CEASE AND BE EXPOSED for the RORT it is for some UNETHICAL Plastic Surgeons…seriously…don’t mess with petty officialdom…we should be going STRAIGHT TO THE TOP…Australian Medical Association…Plastic Surgery Frat..ernity…and tell THEM to FUCK OFF and go mutilate their OWN childrens bodies for MONEY!!!… sick, evil, sinister, dark..are
those people who have sold their souls to Mephistopheles… AND chop OUR bodies up for INVALID reasons..once there was a time when Plastic surgery was used only honourably- to repair the devastated bodies and faces of damaged people..then one day over a few Doms a few of them realized how much they could make if they could convince society AND women to accept
UNNECESSARY Plastic Surgery to improve their already perfectly fine looks and bodies..and
the Cosmetic Industry -vicariously supporting and promoting the notion that women aren’t good enough- so buy our products…played right into their hands…re-inforcing the SELF-LOATHING that has been downloaded into the psyches of women for some decades now…it’s all written down..it’s all documented..TRAGIC isn’t it? Half the world are starving and the other half are obese…there are people with severe deformities that can’t get plastic surgery because most GREEDY CAPO prick PLASTIC surgeons are too busy performing UNNECESSARY surgery on little girls.from Western CULTure….. 🙁 It’s TIME…It’s NOW
to say LEAVE our Bodies and minds alone! Demand this sexist backlash against women CEASE NOW!
Hey Amanda,
Well that went on the swings and round-abouts! If you do want to know all about me (and not the tabloid perception that many like to point fingers at), you might want to read my book ‘Charlottes Secret’s – The Advice I Wish I’d Taken’ … Penguin books. It might just giive you a little more insight about who I am and what I have faced in my lifetime and it is also a helpful advice tome for young women helping them avoid the pitfalls of many of the things you describe in your posts.
I would welcome a face-to-face with you and to many of the others that over the past few days on blogs and pages wanted to indeed kill me, some rape me and sodomise me and do rather nasty things to my recently deceased mother.
The hysteria reached fever pitch this week when a journalist – looking for another story to pin on myself and Alex in the spirit of the “modelling is evil” theme, found a year old facebook page ‘Alex Perry Is A Cunt’, which we originally thought was one of our friends having a lend, but it was assumed it was by a university student called Lucy. Well the journalist didn’t check that bit it was a fake profile – inactive for nearly a year and it could well have been a 50 year old man, however this ‘scandal’ has reached my legal team and at least, your contribution to this forum will prove that the article Nine mSN published led to much defamatory and inflamatory comment. So this is one good thing that has come out of a pretty disturbing week.
Whilst I appreciate sterotyping, assumptions and generalisations of my character – I don’t appreciate threats.
Anyway thanks for taking the time to read through my posts.
I would just like to add I think it is rather pathetic to personally attack individuals – by all means disagree with the career path I have chosen and the fact that I have been involved in the fashion industry and the publishing industry. Why then don’t you give me some sage advice, rather than attack my ‘ignorance’ and just say “hey Charlotte don’t much like your show or the modelling of fashion industry – so why don’t you quit your media career and do something worthwhile, become a doctor or a nurse a decent member of society and then we won’t judge you”
Ii would take that career advice on board and thank you for caring so much about it.
Having absorbed all this negative energy directed towards me on a personal level this week it’s lucky I have a good therapist and a thick skin … otherwise after reading that hate page and taking on all this, a weaker person would have bloody well necked themselves by now!
@Zetigeist I think you will find that most plastic surgeons actually do have positions in trauma units fixing those people that need it – my best friend is a plastic surgeon and some of the trauma work 60% of his practice is inspiring.
Although it affects the thread of the last few blog comments somewhat, I have deleted Amanda’s first comment. I have made it clear before I won’t allow threatening comments on my site. Thanks. Melinda
Thank you Melinda, however I am happy for those comments to stay as they are good evidence to present to my legal team to prove that because of Nine MSN’s article accusing us of ‘bullying a teenager’ who actually didn’t exist caused this mass hysteria and outrage on your blog and countless others and other websites and hate pages (yes one was created in the same spirit as the Alex Perry one this week). This commentary has led to defamation of character, hurt to feelings and possible future economic loss.
Thanks Charlotte. While you may be happy for those comments to stay, they breach my policy. If I allow them space here then it means I have to allow other threats on my site, which I won’t do.
Hey guys, I did feel really pretty much a royal bitch for my initial post about Charlotte, especially after reading her posts.
I had seen what was and did sound, like hideously bitchy comments toward people and like many, had made an assumption about someones character, based on what is, a TV persona. I confess though, it really was tongue in cheek, but know that wouldnt have come across.
I had a perception of Charlotte that was based, purely on what I am absolutely against, media perceptions of people. No I dont think its very nice how Charlotte speaks to people sometimes at all and no I dont think its supportive or positive and generally speaking, yes its a toxic show………however, the girls on the show are equally as toxic toward each other (from what I have seen, I tended to stop watching after getting thoroughly depressed that people were really that shallow).
Charlotte, I absolutely apologise for the harshness of my initial posts………..when I read your comments, I felt like a complete douche as I saw a real substance and a decency to come out and defend yourself.
I was wrong about you, I dont know you, but I certainly cant say I will be going ‘urggh that nasty toxic woman again’ quite so quick.
I actually am a complete hypocrite for my initial posts, as I am the first to jump on how we judge, postiively or negatively, people in the public domain. I dont know you at all Charlotte and I am hugely sorry for what were very rude and vile posts from myself. It was my mistake.
I also dont think you are an old trout at all, fyi……….I actually think you are a very pretty and I dont think anyone can say you aren’t, not that you should need anyones validation and certainly noone should be judged on their looks anyway (again I was a bloody hypocrite).
My views on the show………..I dont like it, so I dont watch it (although I take an occassional peek admittedly). As I said, I am more concerned with the porn star images and the porn star actions that are being socially conditioned by the lads mags, than the more refined dignified supermodel and clothes designer relationship.
Oh and I forgot, not just lads mags, more importantly, the likes of Mylee Cyrus, Gaga, Megan Fox etc etc. which are causing girls to not only try and attain that look and worse still, that way of behaving and over sexualisation of themselves and only valuing themselves according to how hot they are compared to their fellow women.
As painful as it was to read Charlotte saying how she went to the extremes of getting surgery to try and get a man to love her………can you just imagine what the girls of today are going through to get validation that they are worthy? With the over sexualisation of women in the media, with girls on girls, girls gyrating, girls being only shown as body parts……..I know I am seeing younger girls/women offering virtually anything, no matter how degrading, to get a mans attention and try and keep it. Girls bringing friends into their sex lives, allowing themselves to be just picked up when wanted by guys are all where girls self esteem is currently at. Only valuing themselves on how sexy they are.
For me, just my opinion, the fashion models arent sexualised, they are usually (aside from this show but I am sure they arent meant to be potential supermodels) very intelligent, well spoken, presentable, charitable, ambitious strong women. Yes, there are some serious weight issues going on in the fashion industry, when you look at some of our past supermodels and how healthy they were, we arent seeing that healthy model look anymore as much.
I am far more concerned about the other side of the modelling industry, the music industry the advertisers and other media such as celeb mags which are over sexualising women like meat and making not only women only value themselves on their looks only…….but also turning men int women haters (did anyone read that article where something like 60% of women had been asked on a first date by a man if he could perform some derogatry sexual act usually only seen on porn movies).
Thats just my view………………body image is a huge problem………self esteem and women trying to please too much is an even bigger one.
testing testing cq cq do you copy?
I had a really spunky victorian light weight lifter champion,,,,who luuuved his porn rags…he just refused to get why this contributed to feelings of low self esteem and insecurity in me…especially when we were being intimate..( was he thinking about me?? Or those hussys??)
I decided to fight fire with fire and trotted down to the newsagent and bought a copy of PLAYGIRL,,,,after a few weeks of straining to look un affected by me sitting on the edge of our bed and SLOWLY leafing through the pics…those beautiful black men threatened him the most…being a white boy an all…he threw an absolute TANTY…grabbed the mag from my clutches…stomped on it…tore it up and ran out into the backyard and burnt it..hahahahahahaah
a…..:0 🙂 🙂 and came back inside got his playboys etc. and burnt them too…big hugs..lesson learned…IMAGINE,,,JUST IMAGINE,,if the amount of porn and catwalk extremes..i.e.Victoria’s secret sex objects..were all images of boys in the same clothes and poses..lasciviously reclining with their tongues licking their lips and their most sacred private parts dossed up for all the girls to see..and none or very little of the same images of girls around…now what do you think would happen???? HYPOCRISY is the greatest luxury…raise the double standards…yeah Charlotte go and try Nursing…
Zeit, thats hilarious,
I use very similar when talking to male advertising execs who dont get why a woman turning into a beer keg etc, or a woman being a video game console, or a womans backside being filmed seductively walking or showing stupid pouty face whilst trying to do best porn star pose is anything but fun.
As i say, if the world of advertising, media were doing the same to men as they were to women 95% of adverts on tv would give this message out every few minutes from their television.
You have to be a 6ft 2, six packed, athletic bodied, chissled jawed rich guy with an 8 inch penis or you are unworthy. Every woman wants this man, if you arent this man, all women will just look at these men and try and get them, stand in bars trying to make conversation with them, just for an opportunity to try and get one. When you are out with your girl, she will be looking at these men and eventually if given the opportunity, will cheat with one and will constantly look at pictures and long after these men. Unless you get painful surgery, diet to the extreme and spend most of your time on your vanity to try and achieve this look, you are worthless to society and something that will be ridiculed and called overweight, small penised, ugly. Girls will walk around with ‘No fat blokes’ t shirts on and any guy who doesnt conform to six packed god, will be considered a fat bloke.
I ask men if that message was being given out in nearly every advert and that men were fed ‘women are just naturally inclined to look at other men and want them’ and would sit with their friends talking about those men………………what they think the rate of male suicide would be.
Its usually quite effective 🙂
I wish Charlotte would come onto this side and help get rid fo this porn culture we have grown which is affecting self esteem far more than anything else….imagine that fiest and passion taking on the media giants, although it would either go one of two ways, she would never work again or the TV bosses would give her her own controversial talk show 🙂
How in Gods earth did Australias Next Top Model have anything to do with porn? God as vicitm of child sexual abuse I’m no fan of porn or mens magazines and we certainly don’t promote ANY such thing on our show … we are high end fashion, our major sponsors Harpers Bazaar .and Nivea and U by Kotex and Ford – target demographic young women and not products that would support that sort of thing… we are the polar opposite of the market you mention!
Thanks Geist – I’ll just dump the 15 years of hard work I’ve done to finally be in a great place and loving my career and the people I work with to do something more ‘worthwhile’ .. well sista … maybe just google search me and have a little learn about what I have faced in my life. Since I know absolutely nothing about you – except for your comments you post here, Im not going to take the liberty of suggesting you start watching our show and come on ‘our side’ which we consider to be fun llight entertaiment.
amanda and geist … I urge you to purchase my book ‘Charlotte’s Secrets – The Advice I Wish I Had Taken’ …Penguin Books. Should only set you back about $1.00 on Amazon it’s written by me about my experiences NOT tabloids or bloggers or hate page creators and then we can maybe enter into some more balanced dialogue.
Urmmmm Charlotte, maybe you ought to read my post again, you got the wrong end of the stick.
I didn’t say ANTM had anything to do with porn, in fact quite the opposite.
Charlotte in case you missed it……….as you can see, I actually didnt say fashion modelling and the porn industry were interlinked, I agreed fashion models are usually of a lot more substance and individuality (there are some crazy looking, very individual, striking and different models, they arent cookie cutter in fashion modelling and they arent sexualised). However, yes, when you get to American (barf, barf) Apparel (sleazeball) and the ilk, then yes, then you start getting into the territory of no no land…………….here was my post, you must have missed previous to the one I posted.
For me, just my opinion, the fashion models arent sexualised, they are usually (aside from this show but I am sure they arent meant to be potential supermodels) very intelligent, well spoken, presentable, charitable, ambitious strong women. Yes, there are some serious weight issues going on in the fashion industry, when you look at some of our past supermodels and how healthy they were, we arent seeing that healthy model look anymore as much.
I am far more concerned about the other side of the modelling industry, the music industry the advertisers and other media such as celeb mags which are over sexualising women like meat and making not only women only value themselves on their looks only…….but also turning men int women haters (did anyone read that article where something like 60% of women had been asked on a first date by a man if he could perform some derogatry sexual act usually only seen on porn movies).
hI ALL.. i have some notes i have collected to share with you from some womens lit…i will get back to you soon 🙂
Oh puhleeeeezz STOP READING MEDIA REPORTS AND STATS THAT ARE RIDICULOUS!! This is like banging my head against a brick wall with you lot! Having said that I am looking forward to your ;wimmins lit’ Geist … (christ save me!) … I’m off to stab myself in the eye with a fake penis and pray this never actually happened … it’s enough to make me turn into a pole dancing brazillan waxed whore-burger … sheesh …
actually I think I might join my friend Judy’s club ‘alarmist lesbian militant sisters united against the misogynist evil of the planet!’ …. Geist … guest speaker role maybe???
PS: Alex Perry is still NOT gay .. ok?
Charlotte, you obviously dont do a lot of dating of 30 something men if you think that stat is ridiculous. I walked out on at least half of my dates for being bloody disrespectful or talking to me like they were in some badly acted porn movie.
I am not going to sugar coat for the dumbassed sheep of the world who follow obediently that men aren’t in general (I said in general) behaving particularly well or have a healthy attitude toward women. That doesnt make me a girl who wears matching tracksuits with my life partner Doris with a mega bush and an armpit to match.
However, to think that the media hasnt caused this, that advertising isnt completely sexist and sexualising of women, would be just ridiculous.
Charlotte, if you would like a little ‘first-hand’ insight into thinking of your (shows) young target market, I’d welcome you to come with me to one of the school presentations and hear how damaging popular culture (such as ANTM) is to the self-worth of our young people.
Or perhaps I should forward you some of the emails I receive from young women I have worked with and presented to.
I’m one of the first to acknowledge that ‘supply = demand’ – I worked in media for about a decade but resigned because I no longer wanted to continue fueling the fire, as you are.
I don’t wish to make this a direct attack but take responsibility for your own actions and realise that you can choose to be a part of the solution. Aligning yourself with ANTM is only supporting the problem/s.
Yes Lisa I would love some first hand evidence that myself and the show I work on has harmed young children … but please present evidence. I’m not going to accept some “I think celebrity culture and reality telly and tabloids and porn are all one and the same and it’s killing my children” type argument. OK!?
Amanda … no I don’t date actually I have endured a lifetime of abuse starting at the age of seven as I said read my book. I just choose to be happy without blaming the rest of the world and or telly shows for my problems … OK?
Please forward all RELEVANT information and or evidence that implicates me directly or indeed the show I work on with regards to harming the health of any individual to my email address: charlottedawson66@gmail.com …. I am open and willing to discuss this with you and the children who may have been harmed. This is a serious offer. If you can produce this evidence an anyone has been harmed then I will quit my job as a judge on Australias Next Top Model.
I really wish after absorbing all this negative energy being directed my way that in the late 70’s and early 80’s when I was an awkward insecure acne ridden, braced teeth wearing unruly curly headed too tall too big gangly teenager that my mum had a blog and she could have blamed Charlies Angels or Wonder Woman for all the pubescent shit I went through .. think about it people … it’s a lame lame argument, but as I said any genuine harm that I or my show has caused … you have my email address now (sigh … I guess Geist is going to inundate my inbox with wimmins lit … oh well I asked for that!)
Charlotte, I think I will take a peek at your book.
I am a pretty strong person, overly so sometimes and yes I know where mine comes, not to dissimilar to yours, we build our power wall and often become so strong, we can become obnoxious, arrogant etc etc. I see you sometimes acting and reacting the way I find myself doing sometimes, probably why I find you so annoying on tv, but I realise what I am doing pretty pronto and realise I am going to give someone a really shitty day, so I wind myself in (except when I was really unforgiveably rude to you yesterday).
So yes, i will take a look at your book………..but I would hope you maybe just keep one eye open on the adverts. Come on Charlotte, yes there has been a nappy advert that had a man in it, but apart from that, how often do you see men on washing powder, baby stuff, cleaning ads? I do think the media influences girls, whether it be pop stars, mags, advertisements etc………….have you seen how they are acting right now? Charlotte for me its not how they dress, as I would be a hypocrite, being I have long blonde hair and wear pretty dresses etc etc myself……….its the stripper mentality they are carrying off with it that they are getting from as I say, the Mylee Cyrus, Megan Fox types who are skanking up our screens, its desperate, the silly trout faces they pull to look like god knows what……I have actually asked a few what they are doing as they pull that face as I walk past as if they are giving me attitude……..then arching their back like pornstars, wiggling their arses and doing really really really bad attempts at catwalk walks as they stomp up the street in their stripper shoes. They are dancing like lesbians with their friends looking around the room to see who is looking, again with stupid pouty face………..its not the clothes, for me it isnt anyway, its this desperation, that is different from when we were younger.
Its not dressing, to be fun, to enjoy dressing up, to like looking the way we want to etc…..its the attitudes that go with it that are desperate, sleazy and needy……..which are coming from the likes of the Lynx ads, the Mylees, the Megan Fox’s and other skanky over sexualisation that shows women as wanting to give men hardons, rather than their man one.
Thats just my opinion, you are perfectly at liberty to disagree and I hope you get the stats and info you are looking for. I dont know how proven it is, but I do know that we have dressed in some outrageous outfits in our various youth, but we have never had the attitude, the neediness and the lack of esteem the girls have today.
“Oh Master i am soo sorry!”..”OK get back in your bottle then”…”OH yes master… yes master…
I DREAM OF JEANIE… 🙁 I’ll share with everyone ~with the lit ..C.D. get back to you soon.. 🙂
MESSAGES TO WOMEN…The scales do not lie..every mouthful will show on your hips…your skin reveals what you put inside you. With those kind of warnings we learn to fear the Almighty…from whom nothing is hidden.. WHAT does this sense of constant surveillance do to women?
stay tuned…
In females suffering from schizophrenic epispodes..the hectoring voice/spirit is invariably male who jeers, judges, commands and controls. He delivers the running critique of appearance and performance that the women have grown up with as part of their stream of consciousness.
Continuos surveillance is used against political prisoners. An enforced lack of privacy strips dignity and RESISTANCE….
The ritual use of constant surveillance is a vivid example of the REAL motivation behind the beauty myth. Female thinness and youth are not in themselves next to godliness in this culture.
Society doesn’t really care about womens appearance per se. What REALLY matters is that women remain willing to let others tell them what they can and cannot have. Women are watched in other words, not to make sure they will be ‘good’ but to make sure they know they are being WATCHED…THIS god is Big brother..many women internalize Big Brothers eye..Women are burdened with minute self monitoring about our bodies…with self scrutiny that USED to be reserved for the scrutiny of the SOUL…
THE PUBLIC CONSCIENCE IS FAST ASLEEP…….. Zzzzzz
A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession with beauty…but with female obedience.
DIETING is the most potent political SEDATIVE in women’s history… a quietly MAD population is a tractable one. ~ end notes :..these are excerpts i have taken from Naomi WOLFE THE BEAUTY MYTH… what liberating knowledge… peace and love and mungbeans you all..ive got more if you are interested.. 🙂 it’s time…it’s NOW! It’s OVER big brother… coz… BIG MOTHER is WATCHING YOU and she is right PISSED OFF with your antics so shape up or ship out..
Thanks for that Zeit, I will have to go check that out 🙂
Female obedience always shocks me (as you probably guessed by my posts)….I am still shocked women ‘assume the position’ with no questioning at all, as if there are no other options. Couple decide to have a baby and the woman falls into the position of nurturing stay home parent, part time worker maybe, main person responsible, working her life around it obediently as if there are no other choices. She refers to her male partner as ‘helping’ and praises him much if he ‘helps out with the hoovering’ or something equally as utterly ridiculous………he lives there, he doesnt help, he takes responsibility.
Women are heavily conditioned to behave a certain way, accept a certain role without question, so I would be interested in reading more about that.
HEY G.C.?? What’s up? CATwalk got your tongue? hee hee only gagging…just wanted to say thanks to you too Amanda for your great input in recent posts..reeeelly good… well done…I am a professional riding instructor…(among other bows)..Pony Club, Saddle Club and Private..and the one thing that i dislike about teaching is the need to repeat oneself over and over again until the good habits are established.. 🙁 …. years worth..over and over..heels down, upright hands…lower legs back..sit down into the saddle etc….anyway it is rewarding when the pennies drop and off they go.
THIS thing about the way women are portrayed BY PRIG BROTHER in the media and the damage to lives it causes???… the DOUBLE standards???…it’s very much the same feeling as the
other teaching experience…over and over again and again….till THEY get it…
wearenotgoingtotakethisshitanymore!….try a little R E S P E C T….do it differently…or our voices will plague your minds night and day…deep in the unconscious recesses of your minds…you will hear us…your own inner voices…telling you…what you are doing to us women is wrong. SINFUL…. so…grow..change..become real..instead of FALSE..FAKE…OR THE JOKES ON YOU.
BOYS.
Hey Charlotte, just wanted to finish off by saying…i was having a go at the boys club more than you..i really admire your sheer guts to talk with us the way you have..it shows you have TRUE grit.
I realize your stress levels are prob high with all the controversy…and i am sorry if i have added to it…so i am going to give it a rest now..i am so grateful to MTR for letting us thresh this out..congratulations on your life achievements Charlotte…it’s all character building and you show that will…so be well and best wishes to you…..slow deep breathing..alpha brainwaves..that’s the key to relaxing..take care 🙂 cya ZTGSTR
Links,
Not sure its a bad, or sad thing that she is still commenting, I kind of respect her for doing that.
However, i do agree, I don’t think Charlotte sees how nasty she is and I don’t think she will either. I kind of get it, which scares me most of all.
You know for me, what it comes down to is……….should a strong, successful, gorgeous woman in her forties really be getting herself into a slanging match with a teen? Even if that teen said something really bad, she is a kid, an immature, self conscious, hormonal teen who doesnt know her ass from her elbow yet and hasnt had the life experience to even judge someone of Charlotte or Alex’s age, life experience and accomplishments.
and sorry that might have sounded wrong…….that wasnt putting the teen down either, just really saying, there is a difference. Teenagers can be douchebags, as they are teens, thats what they were put on the earth to be, total douchebags, I dont think any of us would want to go back there…….they have another 25+ years of living before they catch up.
So do I think a strong, successful, gorgeous 40 something woman should be getitng into a slanging match with a teen………..nope, I don’t. Also though, again I respect Charlotte for coming out and speaking up, whether people agree with her or not, she is copping a lot and if what she said was true and guys were threatening rape etc…………good god……..I think I would go a bit crazy at them too and want to rip them a new one.
Good Charlotte! you can not defend either yours or Alex Perry s low life opinions just shut up and hope you can salvage some dignity
Look at Alannah Hills’ latest comments you (Alex Perry and Next Top Model Sarah Murdoch) are out of touch with the people you make obscene money out off. You are all shallow and I don’t know why I am wasting my time except I am 50 and never had the pressure young people have today. Young people lives….Shame Sarah shame oh and David Jones all make their money from females vanity and I will as a mature cash up woman will not shop with them till they sort their priorities.
Debra you really should have read Charlottes last posts..she DID say she would quit her job if it was proven that antm damaged girls in any way..you have to hand it to her…that was a statement from a REAL human being.. we have eased up on her for that very reason..she has put her money where her mouth is…. and not many people have got the guts and tenacity to do that from her position in life..she deserves some real credit for even dialoguing with us..very impressive lady..after this she has won points in my eyes..we shall see how she puts herself forward now..she definitely deserves another chance for respect.
Charlotte Dawson disgusts me, and along with Alex Perry, this duo have relegated an already pathetic program (ANTM) to gutter level standard. Perry is a chauvinist plain and simple, he has no respect for women. As for Charlotte Dawson, you’re not a C or D list celeb – where on earth did you get that idea? You don’t even register on the scale. As for your comments about last year’s contestant Cassi, I ask you this – who made you and Alex judge, jury and executioner? If she didn’t want to pursue her modelling career that was HER choice, not yours. Your derogatory remarks show you have no professionalism whatsoever.
Hi from Aotearoa
For many years I have been a close friend of Charlotte Dawson’s birth mother and know about the hurt she caused her before she moved back to Australia. I am annoyed that Charlotte refers to her during this tawdry debate. “…. my birth mother was a placard carrying hard core baby booming feminist ….”.
Her birth mum has never carried a placard or demonstrated about women’s issues. She does subscribe to to the feminist point of view but Charlotte embellishes the truth, as she often does, to suit herself. I find her to be an unintelligent, self-obsessed and cold hearted person who regurgitates her “poor me, I’ve had a hard life” cry when things aren’t going her way.
I know that I am one of thousands of New Zealanders who would prefer she stays in Australia.