As a girl who has struggled with self-esteem for a very long time, I find it refreshing to see other women own their struggles and who they are. Our society has come a long way in being more accepting and tolerant of what makes us different, but it is not where it should be.
As an overweight woman, I am more than aware of how people are treated because of their bodies. I'm not famous (yet), but I try my hardest to not judge others on attributes that do not matter. Treat me with respect and I will do the same to you. Unfortunately, my approach to life is not the same as others.
Hollywood is known for being brutal in the treatment of women and their bodies. Judy Garland, one of the most iconic actress of the Golden Era of Hollywood, was basically driven to death by the studio system when she was placed on pills to keep her weight down and her energy up. Women are not the only ones required to physically change for a role, as men often undergo dramatic weight changes as well. However, men are more often applauded for losing weight just as women are expected to lose weight. Regardless, it is a vicious and unhealthy cycle for people to be subjected to.
Carrie Fisher was pressured to lose 35 pounds, not unlike her original co-stars, before her return to the role of Leia Organa. Being the person that she is, she spoke out against the pressure placed on her in her return to the big-screen.
"Nothing changes, it's an appearance-driven thing. I'm in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance. That is so messed up. They might as well say get younger, because that's how easy it is."
Her Good Morning America interview is the best thing I have seen in a while, and she holds nothing back. She combats the questions thrown her way about her weight loss and getting back into the role in a way that is undeniably Carrie Fisher, with her ever faithful service dog by her side.
Most recently, she spoke out against the criticism she faced on Twitter after the release of the film. According to a large number of people, Fisher had not aged as well as her co-stars had. As a viewer, I do agree that Fisher did not look like the 27 year old woman who strangled Jabba the Hutt. Is that a crime? Should we shame the woman for aging?
Fisher had this to say to her critics:
Please stop debating about whetherOR not👁aged well.unfortunately it hurts all3 of my feelings.My BODY hasnt aged as well as I have.Blow us👌🏼
— Carrie Fisher (@carrieffisher) December 29, 2015Youth&BeautyR/NOT ACCOMPLISHMENTS,theyre theTEMPORARY happy/BiProducts/of Time&/or DNA/Dont Hold yourBreath4either/ifUmust holdAir/takeGarys
— Carrie Fisher (@carrieffisher) December 30, 2015Life isn't kind, and Fisher's life certainly has not been a cake walk. She is a recovered drug addict, a divorcee, a mother, and is living with bipolar disorder, a mental illness that requires her to carry a service dog named Gary. The woman has lived a life, quite frankly, it shows. So what that Princess Leia might be a little bit heavier than we last saw her. Maybe she has some wrinkles and her voice is a little bit different. It has been more than 30 years since we last saw her on screen. Life happens, and sometimes it is not as pretty as we would desire.
Mark Hamill has been met with praise for his very dramatic weight loss and Harrison Ford is still regarded as the lovable scoundrel we fell in love with, with his own aging not being called into question.Why are we focused on Fisher's aging, but not the fact that (SPOILER) Luke basically had no lines or Han died? C'mon people, let's ask the real questions when it comes to Star Wars.
Aging cannot be controlled. It will continue to happen no matter what we do, and nobody has the right to judge someone on something they literally cannot control. Looks are temporary, as Fisher points out. There are more important things to worry about, like who are Rey's parents.
Perhaps the critics should go live their lives. Why don't we focus on her accomplishments as a writer, or the awareness she is bringing to mental illness? Fisher is a magnificent woman, and quite frankly, we need more people like her.
Help us, Carrie Fisher, you're our only hope.
man running in forestPhoto by 
