Britain's Next Top Model has started and while this version isn't a patch on Tyra's across the pond, it still makes for pretty addictive viewing. But this time there's a twist (isn't their always?) One of the contestants is battling anorexia.
Jade McSorley is 21 and openly anorexic. Granted she's on the road to recovery, but at the moment she's just seven stone. And I'm not sure that anyone with an eating disorder, whether they're recovering or not should be put in a world that's going to scrutinise them and poke and prod them. The fashion world hardly promotes good body image, does it?
The TV show's producer actually said she didn't realise they Jade was underweight when she saw her. Because "they were seeing so many girls who were so slim". That doesn't exactly fill one with confidence, does it? If the people behind the show can't even tell when someone is dangerously ill then I'm worried.
Jade is actually a very positive girl. She's getting better, she's got a hold on her illness and well, she's really very pretty. I just don't think she should be in a modelling competition. I don't think that the fashion world is a place she should be near while she's getting better. Modelling is one of the only professions that judges you on what you look like. Every day she's going to have to listen to people telling her what's wrong with her body and how it should be different. How is that going to help her get better?
The point is, it isn't going to help her. The show isn't there to help her. There's a psychologist on the show, but this is a huge issue. The girl needs constant support and counselling. She doesn't need to be away from her friends and family. She might be strong enough to cope with this, I haven't met her. I just can't think of anything more irresponsible than a TV show putting a vulnerable girl in the spotlight like this. It's not just the girl that's at risk here. Young girls will watch this show, they will look at her and want to be like her. I'm not saying that she shouldn't be a model but being thrown into a competition that's known for it's bitching and harsh criticism is just about the worst thing that could happen.
I want to believe that the show are doing this to promote healthy body image by showing a girl who is suffering with anorexia but getting well again, but let's face it, they're doing it to get a bit of publicity. Jade's body image is getting healthier, but she's nowhere near well. Living TV using her illness as a publicity stunt just doesn't sit well with me. Instead of using her like this, perhaps suggesting that she auditioned when she was well would have been a better way of dealing with this. Instead, they chose to turn anorexia into a sensationalist story, to bring in more viewers.
Well done, Living TV.
Flickr image from Jaci Berkopec on Flickr.
