Joy Behar, a prominent co-host of The View, has never shied away from sharing her opinions, and the topic of weight loss is no exception. This article explores Behar's evolving views on dieting, body image, and the recent controversy surrounding Kelly Clarkson's weight loss journey, drawing upon Behar's statements on The View and other relevant contexts.
Behar's Stance on Dieting
Behar has openly expressed skepticism regarding the long-term effectiveness of diets. "Diets do not work," she asserted on a May 15th episode of The View. "I've been on diets up and down, up and down. You lose it, then you gain it back." This sentiment reflects a common understanding that many diets are unsustainable, often leading to a cycle of weight loss and regain. She also claimed "Nobody wants to be fat except a sumo wrestler. It's uncomfortable, your clothes don't fit, everybody wants to lose weight.”
The Kelly Clarkson Controversy
Behar weighed in on the backlash Kelly Clarkson faced after admitting to using medication to aid her weight loss. Clarkson, who previously attributed her weight loss to walking and a healthier diet, revealed she was taking "something else" to help her body "break down sugar," due to thyroid problems and prediabetes. This sparked criticism from some fans who felt misled.
Behar defended Clarkson, emphasizing the societal pressures surrounding body image. This aligned with fellow co-host Sunny Hostin's argument against body shaming and the notion that personal health choices shouldn't be subject to public scrutiny. "If you feel good about yourself, mentally you're going to also feel better," Hostin stated, highlighting the importance of mental well-being in overall health. Whoopi Goldberg echoed this sentiment, urging, "Let people do what they need to do to get where they need to get to, and stop being mad that they're not doing it your way."
Parallels with Star Jones' Experience
The discussion about Clarkson's weight loss brought to mind Star Jones' past experience with weight loss surgery while on The View. Behar recalled that Jones underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2003 but initially presented it as a "medical intervention" combined with diet and exercise. Behar admitted that "She was in tremendous denial and we had to pretend it was something other than it was. We didn't like that." Behar acknowledged that Jones has since grown and become more open about her journey.
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A Shift in Perspective?
Behar's comments on weight loss suggest a possible shift in perspective over the years. While she once participated in the pressure to conceal weight loss methods, she now seems more accepting of individuals making informed choices about their health, even if those choices involve medication. This evolution could be attributed to a broader societal shift towards body positivity and a greater understanding of the complexities of weight management.
Importance of overall well-being
The co-hosts also discussed the importance of overall well-being and not judging others based on their health choices. Hostin noted that there is an epidemic of depression and shaming in the country and that people should not be subject to discussion about their personal health choices. Goldberg said that people should be allowed to do what they need to do to get where they need to go, and Griffin quipped, "And leave Kelly Clarkson alone!"
The focus on health rather than appearance
The women of The View emphasized the importance of health over appearance, and that people should not be judged based on their weight or health choices. They also noted that there is too much pressure on people to look a certain way, and that people should be allowed to be themselves.
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