Whitney in InTouch magazine

[HSG]

<br>The occurrence of full-page plus-size-model editorials in mass-market magazines is still so infrequent, that every such case deserves mention.

The latest triumph for <i>America's Next Top Model</I> winner Whitney Thompson is a two-page layout in <i>InTouch</I> magazine. This publication is best known for covering celebrity gossip, which makes Whitney's appearance doubly encouraging, because it means that a plus-size model now qualities as a bona fide celebrity.

An added bonus is that the theme of the layout couldn't be better: Whitney is seen showcasing ultra-feminine styles. At this site, we have long <a href="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/newfemininity.htm" target="_blank">maintained</a> that while masculinized "career wear" garb may suit androgynous, underweight models, full-figured goddesses look best in genuinely feminine fashions, with frills, ruffles, etc. How delightful to see that these are exactly the sort of fashions that <i>InTouch</I> asked Whitney to display.<p><center><a href="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/wt/intouch01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/wt/intouch01a.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge" border="0"></a></center><p>Count on Whitney to add a <i>perfect</I> comment to appear as a cut line with the images: <i>"I love bright colors and <strong>super-girlie</strong> things."</I> It's a statement worthy of one of her popular <i>ANTM</I> confessionals. Notice also the blurb accompanying the frilly green dress: <i>"Ruffles are as flirty as one gets."</I>

In the second page, the tropical hues of the Bahamanian dress are eye-catching (and note the splash of colour added by the shoes), but as a Whitney picture, the image on the right is the best of the four. In it, she adopts the most curve-accentuating of her poses, one that shows off her best figure feature--her 43" hips. Also, her expression here is the most passionate, most languid and seductive.<p><center><a href="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/wt/intouch02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/wt/intouch02a.jpg" alt="Click to enlarge" border="0"></a></center><p>All in all, one still has to give <i>Seventeen</I> the nod as having created the best Whitney editorial to date. (The boldness of showing her in bikinis still amazes us.) Furthermore, we miss the gloriously long, blonde tresses that Miss Thompson sported on the show. Nevertheless, these images are lovely--and how fortuitous that they also actually provide <i>good</I> fashion advice for curvy readers.

What a delightful accomplishment to add to Whitney's ever-growing list of "firsts."

(You may click on the above images to view them at a larger size.)

[MelanieW]

As a dress, I like the ruffled green one best, but for body-consciousness (and definitely for Whitneys pose), I like the knot dress (blue/yellow) picture most of all. How great to see a plussize model in InTouch! Never thought it would happen.

I wonder if the media realizes that if there were more curvy celebrities, and if they featured them in magazines, many more full-figured women would be buying their material?

Anyway, I found a few more Whitney items to share. First, heres a great comment about her at The Huffington Post, in a piece aptly titled "A Few Things to Make You Happy":

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jodi-lipper-and-cerina-vincent/a-few-new-things-to-make_b_103265.html

They give Whitneys win as number one:

#1 - America's Next Top Model is Full Figured

Finally! With all of the crap out there that makes women feel like they have to be toothpick-sized in order to be considered beautiful, Whitney's win last week was as refreshing as it was overdue. The best part about it is that it wasn't a pity win. Whitney really was the best model in the competition this "cycle" - the fiercest, the most stunning, and by far the best ideal of beauty in the bunch. And we have another clue that this new definition of beauty is catching on. England recently crowned Chloe Marshall as a plus-size Miss Surry, and she will be competing in the Miss World competition in July. We are so happy to see women all over the world embracing different body shapes and sizes as beautiful.
Also, at a well-known Broadway site, I found a slideshow of Whitney attending a play. How wonderful that a plussize model is now considered "famous enough" that just having her show up somewhere merits a write-up - like a true celebrity.

http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Photo_op.aspx?ci=565979

[Kaitlynn]

The second and third dresses are a bit longer than what I would usually wear, but I like the first one. And I agree that the pose in the last image is especially beautiful. She lets her inner love goddess shine.

I also found an interesting article about Whitney at the Web site of one of her local Florida TV stations:

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/life/entertainment/news-article.aspx?storyid=109640&catid=19

It also comes with a slideshow of images and a brief but cute video, showing Whitney during a shoot with a local photographer.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/assetpool/images/080521062143_052108_kristin530a.jpg

The photog is the same one who shoot the adorable pictures of Whitney with a kitten, which is probably my favourite of all of her photos so far.

[Chad]

Discovered at the Indianapolis 500 site, here is Whitney's official portrait as a celebrity attendee of the event:

http://www.indy500.com/image/fit/w/640/h/480/wm/1/?img=http%3A%2F%2F209.43.92.219%2F500%2Findy%2F2008%2F20080525-dgarrett%2Fmed%2F3DRG5573-7994.jpg

Also, the Indy 500 site has a video showing the celebrities as they headed out in covertibles to do a lap around the track before the race. Fast-forward to 1:55 in this video to see Whitney's appearance:

http://www.indy500.com/videos/watch/1024-Celebrity_pace_lap_introductions_on_Race_Day_

One thing is for sure - no plus-size model has EVER headlined a formula one race before! I hope this means more visibility for plus-size models in the future.

[Graham]

In yet another amazing first, the Baltimore Sun reports that Whitney will be throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game tomorrow:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-topmodel529,0,4996963.story

Text:

America's Next Top Model winner to throw out first pitch at Camden Yards

1:10 PM EDT, May 29, 2008

"America's Next Top Model" winner Whitney Thompson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at tomorrow night's Orioles game at Camden Yards.

Thompson is a model for Baltimore company CoverGirl, which has a partnership with the Orioles. CoverGirl will have a makeover tent that night on Eutaw Street, where product samples and free makeovers will be provided. Thompson will visit the tent and sign autographs for fans before and during the game.
I think it's safe to say that no plus-size model has ever thrown out the first pitch at a major-league baseball game before!

It's actually extremely impressive to see the way in which Whitney is being presented to the public. Very different from the unhealthy, weird, "fringe" quality of most models (which the general public finds repellent), Whitney is the quintessential All American Girl. It's an image of modelling that the fashion world hasn't embraced in a long time, and it could definitely make the fashion industry more relatable - to say nothing of healthier.

I hope Whitney continues to spread her positive message.