Calista Flockhart, the actress best known for her role as Ally McBeal, has been a subject of public and media scrutiny, particularly regarding her weight and body image. This article delves into the pressures she and other actresses faced, the controversies surrounding her appearance, and the broader implications for women in the entertainment industry and society.
The Beauty Myth and the "Ally McBeal" Effect
In the late 1990s, around the time "Ally McBeal" aired, a shift occurred where the standards of thinness, previously imposed on fashion models, began to extend to female actors. On "Ally McBeal," between the first and second seasons, Flockhart's weight loss became a focal point, sparking media accusations of anorexia, which she consistently denied. Other actresses on the show also appeared to become thinner. The impossible standards of thinness already imposed on fashion models, began to be imposed on female actors.
The Scrutiny and Speculation Surrounding Flockhart's Weight
Throughout the five years of filming "Ally McBeal," Flockhart was constantly hounded by reports of anorexia. The media speculated about her health, with tabloids running headlines questioning whether she was "too thin." The actress is 5ft. 5in.tall, with her weight widely reported to be around 110 lbs. Even mainstream media outlets scrutinized her appearance, with Los Angeles radio station KROQ suggesting a "Meals for McBeal" drive, threatening to send truckloads of food to her on set.
In a 1998 ABC News interview, Barbara Walters directly asked Flockhart if she was "just naturally very slim and you eat?" Flockhart maintained that she ate "whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't have a messed-up relationship with food…Am I anorexic? I guess my answer would have to be no."
Flockhart's Perspective on the Criticism
In a later interview with The New York Times, Flockhart reflected on the intense scrutiny she faced during that time. "I have a lot of distance and perspective, and I'm still incredulous. I cannot believe that I was scrutinized and pursued like that. It was intense and it was unfair."
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She expressed that it was painful and complicated, and she feared it would ruin her career, with people assuming she had anorexia and refusing to hire her.
She said that she was very sleep-deprived and she was depressed about it.
She also touched on the conversations about her short skirts and whether she had an eating disorder. She doesn’t think that would ever happen today, because they call it body-shaming now. She added that it’s really not OK to accuse someone of having a disease that a lot of people struggle with.
The Pressure to Be Thin in Hollywood
Flockhart's experience was not unique. Other actresses, like Courtney Thorne-Smith, also felt immense pressure to maintain an extremely thin figure.
Thorne-Smith, who starred alongside Flockhart on "Ally McBeal" and also on "Melrose Place", admitted to dieting relentlessly to stay skinny, consuming small meals of salad and fruit totaling around 1,000 calories a day and burning about 700 calories through obsessive exercise. She maintained her weight at about 120 pounds, but she wanted to lose 10 more. The recommended weight for a woman her size (5 feet 6 inches tall, with a medium frame) ranges from 130 pounds to 144 pounds.
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She confessed to feeling terrible and exhausted, realizing that the pressure to be thin had taken over her life.
Portia de Rossi, another "Ally McBeal" cast member, published a book detailing her struggles with an eating disorder while working on the show.
The Role of Media and Societal Expectations
The relentless media coverage of Flockhart's weight and the pressure on actresses to be thin reflect broader societal expectations and the objectification of women. The media, driven by the beauty and diet industries, often perpetuates unrealistic standards of beauty, preying on women's insecurities.
As Dr. Kara Alaimo, an Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Hofstra University, describes, the incessant coverage of Flockhart's weight in the late '90s was "misogynistic." She believes that it is terribly inappropriate to comment on women's bodies-whether you're telling them that they are too large, too small, or anything else.
Dr. Andrea McDonnell, an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Emmanuel College, says this "puzzle solving" took different forms. It was kind of this mix…[and] trying to figure out whether or not she was healthy according to a standard imposed by the media.
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Body Positivity and Changing Attitudes
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of body image issues and a push for body positivity. Social media has provided a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting acceptance of all body types.
Alaimo thinks "the media, and society in general, has become a little bit more cognizant of these issues" in the past 20 years. Body positivity is now a well-known concept, and as Fox-Kales says, "Shaming-of any kind-is very politically incorrect."
At the same time, it's a space where "audiences have more control," says McDonnell. "I think some social media commentary tends to be very positive and supportive, moving away from body shaming and very much toward celebrating women of all sizes.
Calista Flockhart Today
Calista Flockhart has returned to the spotlight with a role in the FX series "Feud: Capote vs The Swans." In interviews, she has addressed the past scrutiny she faced and expressed hope that attitudes have changed.
She mused that one of the reasons that her marriage to Harrison Ford has worked is because she was “really content being home” as a full-time mom. She also said that she’s always been naturally small and that she honestly has never been in a situation where she has to watch her weight.