Christina Hendricks got ticked off during an Australian television interview when the reporter asked her if she has inspired other fuller figured women. Christina called the reporter rude and Christina's PR person asked the reporter to rephrase the question and the reporter heard wrong so asked the question again and this cycle went on for awhile. I understand why Christina was upset, but I also am kind of upset at her. You are a human being and have not lost the ability to think for yourself or act for yourself. Just tell the reporter you don't like being called full figured and that you think you have a normal figure, but that you like inspiring women for all sorts of things, but prefer they be inspired by actions that Christina takes in her real life or something inspiring from the show. Why do you need to turn to a publicist? This is not a slam on Christina because I love her, but at some point if you have been popular long enough then it seems as you lose the ability to do anything and when your show finally does run its course and you go back to almost obscurity you have a tough time adjusting to people not doing everything for you every few seconds.
She probably relied on the publicist so as not to misstep in the media. But I agree the interviewer was rude and bang out of order.
ReplyDeleteWatching the interview, I don't Christina handled it that poorly - she just seemed kind of flustered, since I'm not sure there would be a good way to answer that question. If she said that yes, she is full-figured, it's kind of insulting to women that are heavier than average and if she said that she's not full-figured, then she'd come off as a bitch.
ReplyDeleteI'm full figured, but don't understand why that is considered an insult. It just means you are curvy. How did we end up with a world where being full figured or curvy is considered bad?
ReplyDeleteBecause, let's be real...a lot of people who call themselves full figured or curvy aren't. Some are just plain over weight.
DeleteThe interviewer may have been rude but she IS fuller figured, so what?
ReplyDeleteShe should have just said something to the effect of, "I'm flattered that anyone views me as an inspiration for any reason." and moved along.
It would have been gracious and wouldn't have caused such a kerfluffle.
Lola! Great response. I'm such a dolt with words and can never think of good stuff to stay in those tricky situations. Your job as resident CDaN PR girl starts today!
DeleteI agree, Lola good answer!
Delete@Seachica - I think that curvy and full-figured have taken on two different meanings. When someone is called curvy, it refers to their chest/hips/butt, but when someone is called full-figured, it very often refers to their waist.
ReplyDeleteThere's technically a difference between "full-figured" and "full- bosomed". Perhaps Christina considers herself the latter.
ReplyDeleteI think she was polite about it on camera, but she's kidding herself if she think she's not known for being curvy. Moreover, it's something that she has discussed before.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little surprised by her reaction.
C'mon, when you think "full-figured" don't you think more like Adele? She's beautiful and all, but her chest to waist ratio is VERY different from Christina's. Christina is curvy and full bosomed, NOT full figured.
ReplyDeleteFull-figured is a euphemism for fat. That could be why she took offense.
ReplyDeleteShe's probably just tired of being defined by her body.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf she hadn't bought her boobs, she would have an Adele-esque ratio.
ReplyDeleteI'm old so when I hear "full figured" I think of dear old Jane Russell referring to "full figured gals" in those old bra ads. And Jane Russell had a better figure than Christina, so there.
ReplyDeleteI think Christina was rude. Get over yourself, honey.
I disagree with you on your view of Christina, but I gotta give you props for the Jane Russell reference! The woman was a goddess.
DeleteThere was nothing rude about the reporter's questions, especially since Christina's bread and butter is her 'full-figure'. If she thinks she's gotten this far in Hollywood based solely on talent, she's kidding herself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Audrey, there's a difference. And maybe she turned to the publicist so she wouldn't say something out of place. She could've come up with a good answer but I understand her being a little confused.
ReplyDeleteHas John Goodman ever been asked this question? Jonah Hill? Russell Crowe?
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that came to mind when I read the story was if she were man the topic would never have come up.
DeleteFinally someone brought this up. Plus, we're all sitting here perpetuating it by debating the meaning of full figured, curvy, etc. Women are constantly bombarded with body image issues, and we.do nothing to help ourselves by buying into it. How about this- everybody's body is their own business, not the business of a so-called reporter. And if WE ARE going to make everyone's bodies our business, make it equal; force the men to justify their bodies, too. NO ONE in the industry has ANY interest in changing the focus and shame that is placed on women's bodies; they wouldn't be able to sell their products without making us hate ourselves. So WE have to do it, WE haveto FORCE change. Unfortunately most of us are too wrapped up in it to recognize our complicity. Make the change, people.
DeleteAnother suggestion:
ReplyDeleteShe could start answering that it's her character's CONFIDENCE is what she believes people are responding to, and leave it at that. It's a good message for people of all sizes, because it's true.
I'm sure she's tired of these questions, maybe she's sensitive. I think she's missing out on an opportunity though to connect with and make new fans. If they relate to her and like her, that could extend her popularity and career. I know I sound cynical saying that, but she IS an actress--she could act her way into some serious cash if she were a more vocal curve-encourager.
Remember when Miss Jane Russell sold bras to 'full figured gals' like herself? That's probably why I've NEVER thought it meant fat. I thought it meant old-school curvy.
ReplyDeleteRight on Libby. I always thought full-figured meant curvy! I love my CURVES!
DeleteI also agree with your other comment. CONFIDENCE is sexy on any woman regardless of size. A lot of today's girls need to learn that message.
Full figured to me, meant big chest and
DeletePlus size meant big all over.
I agree with Ms. Papaya, if you are working with what you've got with confidence, that my friend is SEXY.
"Moreover, it's something that she has discussed before."
ReplyDeleteYeah it is, but it's something that she has discussed most recently as something that she is tired of people talking about.
"Hendricks commented in September 2010 that the media is too focused on women's bodies and not their actual talents, "I was working my butt off on the show [Mad Men] and then all anyone was talking about was my body."
This is from her fricking Wikipedia page. You'd think if you are going to ask someone something like that question for a tv interview you might actually take a hot second to find out how the person feels about the subject.
That being said, she should try harder to understand that the vast bulk of people are pretty superficial, and for those people, the first thing they are going to notice is what she looks like.
Hell it was the first thing I noticed about her when she was on Firefly. If there's one thing you can count on Joss for, it's creating memorable entrances for women.
But that got pushed to the back burner for me the second I got a look at her considerable acting chops when she instantly turned from a naif stowaway to a confident capable femme fatale.
Anyways that's just my two cents.
Lola - I like your response! Maybe you should go into PR
ReplyDeleteIf Christina responded this way in every interview, then I think it could be an issue. But we're all human - maybe she was feeling down or emotional that morning, and didn't feel like smiling through such an amateur question. Plus, both times the slim reporter asked the question, she made hand gestures emphasizing the "fuller figure". I'm guessing she's a rookie celebrity reporter? Maybe some of our Australian readers could tell us :)
To me, "full figured" is sort of like a term from a different generation: it's not offensive, but it IS kinda odd (IMO). Personally, I might think of older, more matronly women as being full figured, but not women like Christina Hendricks. Margaret Dumont, maybe, but not Christine. Full figured women wear Playtex Living Girdles, ha ha. And use Steam Cabinets...or those Belt Vibration Exercise Machines like you see in old movies, ha ha ha...
ReplyDeleteI don't think the reporter meant any harm. Sometimes language is different in other parts of the world, even if they're English-speaking. My BF's BIL is Australian, and some words just have different meanings for him. I think it's just a slight cultural difference, and Christina could've rephrased it herself in a response and referred to herself in a way that she prefers. What happened was just awkward.
ReplyDeleteI'm around her age and I have always understood "full figured" to be a polite way of saying "fat." I don't see anything wrong with her looking to her publicist for help with an awkward situation. That's part of what her publicist is paid to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by some of the posters who are dismissing her success. She may have gotten her foot in the door because of her figure, but she's an excellent actress.
I do think she has a beautiful face and amazing skin.
ReplyDeleteShe was there to talk about Specsavers, not her body. God forbid a woman want attention for something other than the way she looks. Yeah, that Christina was really out of order.
ReplyDeleteI think that asking anyone, even a celebrity, a direct question about body issues is rude. The reporter was kind of asking for it by making the actress uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Christina H. needs to practice her acting skills by pretending she doesn't care (which has to be the hardest thing to do).
"Full-figured" has a negative connotation because in our culture it is synonymous with "fat". Like Christina, I too tend to get flustered when people offend me, as opposed to immediately thinking of a witty comeback to defend myself. That usually comes 2 minutes too late :/ Her publicist was doing his job (very well) when he quickly came to her rescue. I'm sure Christina was still thinking "How do I tell this bitch to fuck off without making TMZ headlines this evening?!"
ReplyDeleteI remember the Jane Russell ads - but yeah, today full-figured means overweight.
ReplyDeleteI agree with SashaJames2. The question was rude and uncalled for. Christina was honest and deferred to her publicist. Would the interviewer ask the same question of a male actor, say, Matt Leblanc? He also has a little meat on his bones these days but far from fat imo.
ReplyDeleteI think if CH 'identified' as a full figured woman in public - by her own words, then go ahead and phrase the question like that.
ReplyDeleteThe reporter could have asked the same question, minus the full figure part. I think it was tasteless for her to do that.
In LA where Christina lives & works, it is expected actresses will be stick-figure thin. Calling a woman full figured is an insult, because it is a veiled way of straight up calling her fat.
ReplyDeleteI think the interviewer wanted to get a reaction from Christine - this was proven by her asking the same question again.
@ Chilie, I don't think so. I think the interviewer truly didn't realize what she did wrong initially.
ReplyDeleteCompared to the twigs in Hollywood she is full figured. Compared to normal women she is curvy. I still love her magnificent chi chis though
ReplyDeleteoh screw her and her fake titties, she's not even THAT fuller
ReplyDeleteI think I would be flustered if some skinny reporter asked me what I thought about being "full-figured."
ReplyDeleteJaysus, lady, just speak for yourself. You don't have to be a full on red hot orator to say "well, I personally am not comfortable being called 'full-figured'" and suggest alternative verbiage. What's with the swooning act, getting the vapors because you have to articulate a thought that hasn't been pre-digested for you? This woman is famous because she has big boobs so getting all huffy when an interviewer alludes to it, and that was a very polite allusion, is really hypocritical and hypersensitive.
ReplyDeleteAs Scarlett Johansson mentioned during the Avengers press junket: the guys are asked about the layers of their characters, and she got the rabbit food question about how she fit into her suit. After a while, it just becomes insulting.
ReplyDeleteGotta love how her not appreciating the question equates her to essentially being a fake-tittyed hack who couldn't possibly have made it by talent and hard work. Lovely sentiment. *sarcasm*
CH probably would have received the question better if it hadn't come from a narrow assed socialite playing journo.
ReplyDeleteCheck out her early stuff, she's always had them bewbs. Also, as an actress I would get annoyed if the only thing people commented on was my body. I, for instance, am 4'8". If people kept asking me if I inspire little people (my version of full figured vs fat) I would probably end up throwing a knee biting fit at least once.
ReplyDelete@Amartel - your use of "the vapors" just cracked me up. 1) I love it. 2) It also reminds me of Biz Markie's song "Vapors". :)
ReplyDeleteSince I still don't watch Mad Men (I know this is a horrible situation for my life) I only know CH as the woman with the amazing chichi's.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is unfair, it is kinda her thing. Maybe she should go the other route and talk about it incessently until people stop asking - like the dad that makes his son smoke the whole pack of cigarettes until he throws up.
The funny thing is I have not watched Mad Men, yet as a copywriter, have become obsessed with books about advertising during that era. The book Mad Women is what jumpstarted this obsession. I still think it's odd when I say Ogilvy and Mather or Elen Davis and my husband looks at me quizzically.
DeleteShe IS a great actress, but one CANNOT miss the bodacious ta-tas. It just can't be done. They are constantly RIGHTTHERE in our faces, and she's not exactly dressing to minimize their exposure, either, so I don't quite get the hullabaloo on her part.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think "full-figured" is an insult, but I can see how one might see it that way. Like others above pointed out, it CAN mean different things to different folks..."large-breasted" or "curvy," or as a euphemism for "fat." She's NOT fat, so I think it's safe that if people call her FF, it's just supposed to mean curvy.
Just own it, Christina! You already dress like you do, for goodness sake.
But CH is also charming and witty, along with being a pretty good actress. We should acknowledge those attributes, too.
ReplyDeleteBut wanting someone to appreciate all of their good qualities isn't in vogue.
Waah, you called me "pretty" and my feelings are hurt. My publicist is here to say I prefer to be called "beautiful beyond compare."
ReplyDeleteOh, fetch the smelling salts, someone isn't being worshipped appropriately. Someone might have to actually articulate a thought. She's a fine actress but she's famous because of her boobs. That's just the way it is, it's not a bad thing, and it's not like she hides them either. And maybe calling the interviewer, who was being polite, a "narrow assed socialite playing journo" really is genuinely mean and pointlessly insulting.
I don't watch Mad Men either, but I know CH is amazing for her awesome guest star appearances on Serenity. RIP sweet sweet show of my dreams.
ReplyDeleteBeing a full figured gal myself, I really don't understand why she seemed so "flustered" by the question.
ReplyDeleteMost of her red carpet appearances shows her figure and ta ta's as either extremly tight and flowing over the top of her gowns...Personally I find that most of her outfits off the red carpet look kinda frumpy for her body type sometimes.
She should embrace her Full Figured Body in a town when most women are a size 0 to 2.
I'm onboard with the Jane Russell train.. "Full Figure" reminds me of Marilyn and Jayne Mansfield and there ain't nothing wrong with that honey!
ImLi said...
ReplyDeleteBecause, let's be real...a lot of people who call themselves full figured or curvy aren't. Some are just plain over weight.
^ true. as much as I hate to admit it. But if they feel better for it, have at it.
Lets face it, her body is way different from 99% of the women in Hollywood and i like that about her. i really like CH and she's fantastic on Mad Men but lets face it, she's VERY voluptuous and seems to go to great lengths to accentuate her breasts and make them the main focus of attention. Every time I see her on the red carpet she's practically falling out of her dresses. She never seems too upset about THAT. And that's fine, but she seems to enjoy the focus on her body so she should kind of be prepared for these types of questions by now. And I'm pretty sure she got implants.
ReplyDeleteBut I also hear what everyone is saying. The term full figure can be taken different ways.
Most fat people know they're fat and can call themselves that. Not that this applies to CH. But the idea of all fat people being delusional about their weight is a stereotype.
ReplyDeleteLike many others here, I don't watch MM, but I do know her from Serenity, and from her big boobs. They are featured in every photo spread of a celebrity event. Every single one, and her boobs are there in full view. Very seldom does she cover them up. So, she IS seen as a role model for other large breasted women. To call someone large breasted, however, is much more insulting than full figure. CH could have handled this situation better, much like Lola described. Now, we have this snippet of video showing her to be quite a diva, IMO. I didn't really have an opinion of her before, but now I'm not really liking her very much.
ReplyDeleteOh my God. This is on topic with the weight discussion, but off topic because it JUST happened at work and is so embarrassingly funny.
ReplyDeleteA woman in my office who happens to be overweight, has a baby due via surrogate in a week or two. She is currently training a new local rep, and has been telling him about the baby. She was getting up to take him on a tour of the facility and he just said, "Maybe you shouldn't be doing all of this so close to the baby being due." OMG How mortified do you think he is that he just said that?!~ In his defense, she quite often does not tell people that they're using a surrogate. Oh man.
Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to share.
OMG @amber!!! All I needed was "overweight and expecting via surrogate" and the jokes flew in my head! That was a good OT ;)
DeleteAmber, that is really funny, but I have to say, quite polite on the behalf of the new rep! I would not hold that against him, but it did make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, this will give her pause next time she tells too much of her personal life to a stranger? Sorry if this sounds a little snarky, that's just sort of the day I'm having. :(
@Silly Girl - she is very much an over-sharer with EVERYONE. The things she tells our reps about her health and relationship issues horrify me. The things she's told ME horrify me and totally gross me out. You don't sound snarky AT ALL. I hope your day gets better. Go home tonight and have a no-pants dance party with some vino! :)
ReplyDelete@amber pretty funny.... the girl should feel embarassed, not the guy. perhaps this was the light to shine onto a life lesson! :)
ReplyDeleteI remember reading somewhere that Christina H. was all natural, and that when she came to Hollywood, her agent had suggested she get a reduction.
ReplyDeleteWhile the guy at Amber's job shouldn't feel bad, there is no life lesson to be learned. A lot of people over-share out of loneliness. I don't find it funny or snarky on any level.
ReplyDelete"Full figured". As opposed to what? Half figured? Empty figured?
ReplyDeleteI don't think she was rude at all. The question made her uncomfortable! I think sometimes having huge boobs makes you look larger than you actually are. Her boobs are gigantic but the rest of her just looks...normal, to me at least. She isn't a skeleton which is nice on a Hollywood girl, so b/c she doesn't look like Kate Bosworth, she's considered a bigger girl? I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteThe reporter couldn't gather she didn't like that question by the look CH gave her? haha. That was clearly a "F*** off" face she was giving. ;)
What is the big deal she is Full-Figured.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing made me sad, we still define women by their bodies. No way would this happen to a man.
ReplyDeleteXtina needs to take a chill pill. She knows darn well she is getting roles because of her body. If you don't want to be known for your body then don't flaunt what made you famous on red carpets or events.
ReplyDeleteI imagine Christina Hendricks hasn't had 1 interview where she isn't asked about or had remarks about her body. I'm actually surprised she hasn't snapped and beat some bitches down.?
ReplyDeleteAs a rather busty and curvaceous woman myself, people (especially strangers) constantly feel the need to comment on my body. That shit gets OLD. Some days I'm tempted to just start throwing punches but, you know, jail.
Why did she snap? My guess would be plain old jet lag. The time difference in Australia is a tough one to chew and it may make you feel murderous at times... Famous ppl seem to jet seamlessly from one place to the other always dressed up to the nines but the reality must be a bit more bleary eyed.
ReplyDeleteShe has not always had those boobs. Didn't you see the old Playboy pics?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I am super old (43) but to me full figured is Jane Russell, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren ... and Christina. Though I agree it must be tiresome to hear about it all the time but face it, without that figure she wouldn't have the career, accolades, or paychecks that she does. She's only an okay actress. It would be nice if she had a sense of humor about it (c.f. Mansfield.)
She is famous for her figure. She would be nothing without it. Sick of celebs who got where they are due to their looks and then whine because people want to talk about their looks. (Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Michelle Pfieffer, etc.)
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds me of that blind (which was revealed to be about Christina Aguilera) and how she would only talk to people through her publicist. They'd be out to dinner and the waitress would say "Would you like a glass of water?" and Christina would whisper "Tell her I want a glass of water" and the publicist would say "Yes, she would like a glass of water." So incredibly lame.
**jams hands to ears***
ReplyDeleteLALALALALALALPeoplePickingOnChristinaHendricksLALALALALALALACannotHandleAboutToGoPostalLALALALALALALAYouPeopleDidNotJustPickOnMyImaginaryGirlfriendLALALALALALALA...
Ok I am Aussie and when I read full figured, I think traditional hourglass, ie full hips, bigger boobs and small waist like the old style screen sirens, Monroe or Russell.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not an insult, more a nod to the old style of glamour.
Guess what? It's the publicist's job to relay what is and is not an acceptable question for their client. Christina did everything right. Also, it was rude.
ReplyDeleteSuch terrible 1st world problems:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the poster above. Since when did full figured become a bad phrase? I think it is awesome and something to be embraced. Besides, that's an aspect of her that people have noticed and admired - that she isn't the usual size zero or hoping to be size zero (Kirstie.....).
ReplyDeletei think any talk of any kind about peoples' weight is rude. whether skinny, fat, losing weight, gaining weight, "full-figured", anorexic, gaunt, hefty, curvy, obese, waifish, etc., i do not find it intriguing or important and i can understand why actors get annoyed when they've worked so hard making a project, and then all interviewers want to do is ask dumb ass questions like this reporter just did about their weight.
ReplyDeleteShe was probably annoyed because Kate Waterhouse (or is she Ricketson now? Probs not) is the size of Hendrick's leg.
ReplyDeleteHendricks'
DeleteHendricks's
Hendricks's's'
I think the interviewer did not mean to offend her, but clearly was referring the fact Christina is heavy. After saying full-figured, she asked Christina how she is an inspiration to other full-figured women, and asked for the most inspiring story.
ReplyDeleteIf it was a compliment, she surely wouldn't ask how Christina inspired other women like her. I interpreted it as asking how she's managed to overcome this hurdle...
Didn't she gain weight for the Mad Men role? She IS full figured and if you compare her to the rest of hollywood ladies she is obese (because they all look anorexic). Personally, I think she looks gorgeous. And I also saw the playboy pics. The current boobs are fake. She's making huge sums of $ off that bod...suck it up and be a little gracious.
ReplyDeleteShe should have asked her why she didn't pick a better tailor for that dress at the Emmys, so we wouldn't be subjected to the boobylanche. I have them, I know how to dress them. That wasn't it.
ReplyDeleteIn another interview, on the same day, a different reporter told Christina she was voluptuous and she took it as a complement, is that really much different from full figured? Get off your high horse Christina.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why this is so stupid is that you can't get offended at a foreigners choice of words without checking to see what that word means in his country. All my Arab friends use the word "fat" for pretty much any bit overweight. At first it pissed me off bc I hate the word "fat" but then I realized its a language thing. Foreigners get the benefit of the doubt. Sorry I meant "should" get the...
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my figure to CH proportions I was thrilled. I still am. But, I will be honest, I would probably take full figured the same way. Why would curvy women need an inspiring role model? To hear it, my first thought would be the same as hers probably was.
ReplyDeleteI think Christina was idiot for not just explaining to the reporter she didn't like the phrase "full-figured." It could be a language difference like fags in England mean cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was rude at all. It was a misunderstanding when she asks again but CH should of handled this a lot better. Who knows but I think more publicity came from this interview than without the misunderstanding ;)
ReplyDeleteUGH get over yourself, Christina. You ARE full figured. Use that and run with it. Jesus.
ReplyDelete