September 2009 cover of Self Magazine ft. Kelly Clarkson on the cover. Image via The LA Times.

Unlike a lot of my previous {Rules of PR}, this one is a bit more on the serious side with the snarky comments kept to a minimum because something was brought to my attention recently which is really disgusting, disturbing and I shouldn’t be the only one who is downright livid about this.

If you hadn’t heard, Self Magazine’s September 2009 issue (on stands August 25) cover is one of Kelly Clarkson. The original American Idol and biggest selling from the series looks absolutely stunning on the cover…except it isn’t her. It’s her head and her body photoshopped like nothing else in this world.

I don’t know about you, but as a young woman living in one of the most superficial societies up-to-our-planet’- date, I’m deeply saddened and offended by this. Especially, since Self Magazine prides itself on being a resource for fitness, health and nutrition for women. So it would make sense to touch up a few blemishes here and there, get rid of the dark circles, but keep the figure in form? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

But I ask you, should it even be considered a question?

Self Magazine is beyond sending the wrong message here. While, I understand, Clarkson even said, that her latest album “All I Ever Wanted” was photoshopped, it was her face, not her body.

There is a distinct difference there.

Total body confidence?

…words taken directly from the cover of the magazine, I think NOT.

My concern is what type of message is a magazine that is supposed to promote healthy, happy women sending, when they feel the need to astronomically retouch someone in order to make them acceptable to grace the magazine’s cover?

While, Clarkson’s camp has gone on to say, that they are happy with the cover as Kelly looks phenomenal, I think that is beside the point. And I’m disappointed in Clarkson’s camp for not saying that it’s unacceptable.

We are talking about false advertising, false promotion and false sense of ‘self.’ In the issue, Clarkson talks about her weight issues and being happy with her body, etc.,

Below is Clarkson preforming at Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on August 1, 2009. Do you see the difference between her on GMA and the Self cover?

Kelly Clarkson on August 1, 2009 for GMA's Summer Concert Series.

Above is a video of Clarkson from GMA, as you see, the picture is as accurate as the video, in comparision to the Self magazine cover.

Is Self trying to say Clarkson isn’t good enough? Seems very hypocritical to me.

Personally, not that I ever read Self, but if I did, and I turned to a magazine as a support system and guide for future healthy living, would I really trust one that’s only means to an end is a glamorous Vogue-like cover?

Did you know Self is owned by Conde Nast? Well, if you didn’t, now you know – but I wouldn’t jump the gun, yet, because I highly doubt the shakers of Vogue or Ms. Wintour had anything to do with this.

It’s shameful and hypocritical that a women’s health magazine promotes, not only, unrealistic weight, but is promoting, in essence, for young girls, and women alike, to aim for something fake and life threatening.

Did you ever hear those stories about the models that have died from the pressure to be thin?

Sure there are a lot of stories like this out there, but one specific one I’ll never forget.

Ana Carolina Reston (RIP)

Her name was Ana Carolina Reston (RIP) and she died from only ingesting apples and tomatoes. She did this to stay on top of her “game” and have the best edge within her industry.

But does the need to be accepted have to cost you your health, your well-being and your life?

I would hope not.

I, like many other young ladies, often complain about my weight. But if it were me a year ago I wouldn’t have said a word. The difference? I graduated from my MA program, haven’t been exercising and I put on a few pounds. My jeans are tighter, my tops are snugger and I don’t like it because I’m not my normal size. It’s not because I want to be something I’m not.

If I were you, and I read Self, or I subscribed to them – I would stop. Period.

Send them a message that this is unacceptable.

It is unacceptable to perpetrate this belief that women need to starve themselves to be beautiful.

Luisel Ramos (RIP)

Ana Carolina isn’t the only case. Luisel Ramos (above), another model, died after only eating lettuce and drinking Diet Coke shortly before Ana Carolina. This was in 2006. In 2007, Luisel’s sister, who was 18 at the time, Eliana Ramos (below), died from a heart attack triggered by malnutrition.

Eliana Ramos (RIP)

This is a disease of the mind and it has to STOP.

Little Pink Book’s Rule of PR #19:
Don’t be a hypocrite.
It’s shameful and disgusting when you are anything but what you say you are.

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Sasha Muradali runs the ‘Little Pink Book’ . She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida (’07) and an M.A. in International Administration from the University of Miami(’08). She loves Twitter and all things social media, so you should find her @SashaHalima.

Copyright © 2009 SashaH. Muradali. All Rights Reserved.