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| from People.com
We’re all familiar with celebrities endorsing diets. Some seem more genuine that others. Certain actors use their role as spokesperson to increase their exposure or energize a lagging career. Others, Jennifer Hudson comes to mind in this group, appear genuinely committed to making changes and invested in the process. As a nutritionist I’d like to think I can sniff out sincere dedication but the more I think about it, I’m not sure the public responds to motivated spokespeople as much as they do to results and physiques they find aspirational. No matter how fantastic a celebrity transformation-buyer beware. You must closely scrutinize the means to the (smaller) end. Look closely at the plan and not just the “packaging”. Last week, The New York Times examined celebrity spokespeople for various diets in “When Dieting Becomes a Role to Play.”
Until reading this piece, I hadn’t thought of the tricky nature of celebrity endorsements for weight loss companies. While most companies want to link up with a celebrity for the potential revenue and image boost what happens when things backfire? Suddenly, things don’t look so good when, ala Carnie or Kirstie, the weight comes back as quickly as it was lost. Celebrity weight gain has the potential to discourage legions of dieters. Countless clients have watched Oprah over the years and her struggle worries them. They will come to me and say “if Oprah can’t do it, how can I?” While disheartening, I’m not sure people cancel their Weight Watcher’s memberships when the Duchess expands. After all, before you know it there’s a new smiling celebrity and the rounder representative is rapidly removed from all promotional materials as quickly as you can say (or eat) cheese.
As for the celebrity, the financial incentive exists for them too. They are paid nicely for their work. As the spokesperson, the celebrity undoubtedly will receive supplementary support and what better accountability could you have than a whole country watching? While I would have zero interest airing my dirty laundry (or larger laundry) in this manner, these are celebrities and accustom to being in the public eye. I can understand the reasoning, people are already noticing and commenting on your weight why not show them you’re doing something about it? This point of view makes sense until things start to unravel. With some of these plans, especially those based on meal delivery, they seem undeniably temporary. After all, at a certain point you would think people need to make choices and figure the food thing out which includes food shopping and preparation.
I would love to see one of these companies run a campaign in support of the “off the wagon” celebrity. I think it would be refreshing (and financially beneficial) to hear “this person has been struggling and this is what we do when this happens.” Instead of hearing that companies dumped the celebrities or failed to renew their contracts. That would be enlightening and real but then again that’s not what the weight loss industry is about. Silly them.
Have you ever been tempted by a plan based on the spokesperson? Or discouraged when a celebrity gains weight? Any celebrity transformation you’ve been impressed by? My vote goes to Valerie Bertinelli, did you know she also ran the Boston Marathon last year? Do you think this spokesperson business is more risky for the company or the celebrity? |
I've never been tempted by a celebrity endorsement to do much of anything. To be honest, I find the whole idea of celebrity endorsements a little bit annoying, whether it's for a diet plan or a cereal. I guess I've never really gotten why I should listen to a celebrity's opinion on things. The weight loss industry is so mind-bogglingly huge! It's crazy to think about how much money is involved in weight loss.
I agree Stephanie, I too haven't been tempted to try an eating regime based on a celebrity but I've dabbled in exercise experimentation. I am also a sucker for a good transformation story, I am.
I love reading your opinion posts!
One quick question, are you a dietitian? I thought you were, but you call yourself a nutritionist. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but here in Ohio nutritionist doesn't mean anything. What are the rules in NYC? Just curious because I get this question QUITE often!
Regarding celebrity weight loss, I think it can be very helpful in many ways (motivation for people!) but in other ways it's like the Biggest Loser, COMPLETELY LAME! I have often asked myself how Oprah could not keep her weight off when she has a personal trainer in her house and a personal CHEF to prepare her meals and snacks….it's a great question, and it can conjure doubt in anyone, therefore causing loss of motivation. But then I have to look at it from the perspective of the celebrity and the weight loss company. I mean…it DOES sell product well, but like you said, why not continue following once a celebrity has fallen off the wagon?? I think that would actually HELP sales and give people great advice on what not to do.
I have never been tempted to do a certain diet because of a celebrity, but I'll admit that I do follow along when a new celebrity is endorsing a certain weight loss product. And I always wonder if it'll work. As you mentioned, all the attention can be great (external) motivation, but it can also be too much for them I think. Plus, I wonder if enough work is done with what's going on in the inside, which is really the problem in the first place. You can tell people what to eat and how to exercise, but if they return to reach for food when life gets tough, which it eventually will, it can't be successful I think. And the pressure celebrities face in general, and especially if they are in a weight loss campaign, must be enormous…
I've never been tempted to change my diet based on a celebrity, but as you said, Lauren — I'm a sucker for transformation stories. I like reading about them, for some reason. I read them regardless of whether the transformation happened to a celebrity or a "regular person" because they're usually uplifting and positive. I think that when anyone does something to better their health, it's a great and wonderful thing.
Gina yes, I'm an RD (MS RD). The letters are on my business card and in my bio. I don't think of myself as a dietitian though. To me the term dietitian applies to more clinical settings. I identify more with nutritionist (meant to signify one who focuses on nutrition and not the degree). And Andrea, you're 100% right about getting to the route of the issue or it's just a weight loss band-aid and we all know band-aids fall off.
I've never been drawn to a weight loss or dietary anything because of a celebrity endorsement. If anything, and this is mean to admit, I wonder when that celebrity will stumble. As someone who struggles w/ weight, and knowing that many of these celebrities have had ups and downs too, I feel bad for the public nature of their weight issues. For every time that Oprah had a show celebrating her success, she had 2 shows lamenting her back slide. That public pressure alone would be enough to make me eat.
Celebrity endorsements have always caught my eye but I don't pay too much attention to them… it's just the same as celebrity marriages. Interesting for a little while but most of them fall apart so why pay too much attention to them.
I remember thinking the same thing about Oprah… why does she struggle so much when she can hire a personal trainer and personal chef… it just goes to show you that change has to be an internal transformation!!
OK I feel as if I am rambling but not sure if I'm making sense~! Have a great Monday 🙂
I am not tempted by diet plans that celebrities endorse. I feel that I can maintain a healthy weight just by eating clean using simple and straightforward rules. I find all these diets to be too gimmicky for me to follow.
It has been mentioned above how the change/motivation needs to be internal. Oprah is a great example of that. I have always been baffled by why she struggles so much with it.
I am interested in what fitness trends/workouts celebrities endorse, and would be willing to give it a shot if I have heard that someone has had great results with that.
I can't say I've ever been drawn to a particular diet plan by a celebrity spokesperson, but it's always interesting to see who's supposedly doing what. More often than not, though, I find myself rolling my eyes.
That said, when it comes to celebrity workout plans. I sometimes hear about things I probably wouldn't have otherwise.
Interesting, perhaps because it's less personal that many of us will give a workout a try. Maybe that says something about these food plans or the complexity of food and weight.
Right!? and when I think of an off the wagon celebrity.. I immediately think of oprah's ups and downs and janet jackson… and kirstie alley! They have yo-yo-ed a bit falling off and hopping back on the weight loss wagon.
ooh! i'm getting side tracked! but you were quoted in the recent issue of women's health!!! I was reading it yesterday and saw your name and got all excited! congrats girl!
Oddly, I have found Oprah's personal weight issues to be comforting rather than confounding. Here she is — one of the most accomplished, wealthy, seemingly together people alive, and yet she has the same struggles that I do. She makes me realize that DESPITE her many advantages, weight control can still be hard. Same w/ Janet, Miz Jackson if you're nasty…weight challenges are difficult regardless of your means, ability, and available tools. I hate seeing them yo-yo so publicly, but I get it.
I am not swayed by celebs and their marketing ploys. But I WAS when I was younger. I think there is a danger whenever anyone tries to emulate a celeb diet. With the exception of WW, most of them are not long term solutions – so the dieter faces the danger of regaining all the weight PLUS some (as is typically the case – which can kill their resolve. Then there is the fact that not every diet works for every person. There are so many variables that go into weight loss – you can't just do what "so and so" does and expect to be successful in the long term.
I feel bad for Oprah and Kirstie and all the celebs who battle their weight in the public eye. I think that if they absolutely can't loose (with trainers and cooks) than – sadly – they either have major hormonal (genetic)issues OR they are closet bingers. Sad.
I guess Cameo, there are some things you cannot buy. I have clients who sometimes feel by "signing up" they will lose but we have to do the work both physically and emotionally and someone can't do that for you. See you see that side of it Marie too.
I am not one to follow celebrity endorsements. I am not influenced easily. I do like your vote for Valarie Bertinelli. She did run a marathon and she seems to embrace her new lifestyle.I think people need to think for themselves and make the right decisions that fit their life.
Now that I am older, I am not as easily swayed. But yes, in high school, I was super obsessed with celebs and tried all sorts of fad diets.
In my opinion, I wouldn't be bothered if I was on a plan where the celeb didn't succeed. A person can be at different stages in their weight loss journey, motivation wise.
great points as ever an of the wagon feature would be wonderful
Right Rebecca? Let's see how to proceed after a challenge.
Lauren, great, thought provoking post, as always.
The celebrity "off the wagon" stories in the NYT piece make it eminently clear that it's hard to keep lost weight off even when you're PAID and WATCHED.
Any diet plan that tries to make us believe that shedding weight and keeping it off is easy or guaranteed is false advertising — we should all know better than that by now.
I don't think I am ever influenced by celeb endorsements but my clients on the other hand always are. They see something on tv or in a magazine and instantly believe that is the solution. I find it so sad because at the end of the day it comes down to hard work, consistency, positive meal changes, and movement!
I agree, it would be great for a weight loss company to acknowledge the life long struggle many of these women have, and will continue to have, with food. For that to happen, though, the whole concept would have to change – after all, these companies sell a quick fix.
Sometimes I think about celebrities without makeup – almost all of them look totally normal. Anyone would look as hot as J LO if she had a stylist, makeup artist, hair person, trainer, personal chef etc. Not only are these celebrities sponsored by the diet company, they are essentially policed 24/7 by their "team." That isn't something that is advertised, either.
I just found your blog and am smitten. Thank you for putting such wonderful knowledge out there.