Disclaimer: The following article contains mentions of eating disorders, and opinions from Wicked fans, which are then analyzed.
The much-awaited Wicked movie is finally on wheels with promotions. There is a discussion about how the considerable weight loss of its star characters, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, has attracted more attention towards such actresses who are known best for top-notch performances, looks, and noticeable changes in appearance.
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The viral post on X (formerly Twitter) about before-and-after pictures of the Wicked leads was made by @lSoldKenCrack. Fans have had a lot to say, wondering if maybe they were not getting enough nutrition, had eating disorders, or taking weight loss drugs. Posts about the physical changes haven't stopped.
Let's look at how some Wicked fans react to all this speculative buzz.
"Are they getting starved?" – @ryanranime
Since the debate about body image has been ongoing for a long time, many are concerned whether such a changed look may refer to a serious matter.
"The differences in quality and lighting" – @sweetenerpacket
Layla suggests that the stark contrast between "before" and "after" photos is more about unflattering angles and lighting than any actual drastic changes in the health of the Wicked stars.
She makes a point - how the images are presented can vary widely with how people see them.
"Judy Garland was only allowed to eat apples and smoke cigarettes to keep her from gaining weight" – @RSY_VK_01
This fan compares the current treatment by Wicked to Judy Garland when making The Wizard of Oz. RSY tells followers that past Hollywood habits have often caused very strict dieting.
"Using bad photos with bad lighting" – @tankingasf
This is a common technique used in blogs or any other type of online speaking, where topics of actual concern give way to how media is exploited for shock value.
"This movie really sucked the live out of them" – @imliagray
Lia's tweet suggests that shooting for Wicked was not a cakewalk. This statement indicates that looking a certain way for the movie promotion may have caused some damage to their health.
The history of body image pressures in Hollywood - compared with Wicked stars
Hollywood has long been accused of promoting unreal beauty standards. Women, too, were not exempt from the need to fit a mold. One of the earliest and most tragic examples is Judy Garland. She was subject to brutal weight loss strategies during filming The Wizard of Oz.
The same issue is a concern for stars of Wicked nowadays. The fans are concerned whether Grande and Erivo's changes are part of the same issue. These pressures on body image not only harm the actors' health but also set about keeping unreal standards for fans to copy.
In modern times, social media makes everything about a celebrity public, which increases pressure on them. Celebrities are generally criticized for gaining weight, but similar judgments are passed if they lose weight too quickly or dramatically.
The question is: how far would the industry go to stretch such an image, and what price are talented individuals expected to pay?
Wicked will be in United States theatres beginning November 22, 2024.
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