Kim Kardashian Feels Better About Posing Nude This Time Around
Insecurities... we ALL have them. Even women who seem to have "perfect" figures, beautiful skin, and the attention of millions. Yes, celebs are critical of their bodies just like the rest of us, and it can actually be refreshing to hear that they don't think they're perfect, because frankly, no one is. But what's even more liberating to hear is when they've accepted those imperfections, embraced their differences, and simply moved on. Life's too short to obsess over things - like body shape, breast size, and hair type - that we simply cannot change.
So we asked a few ladies with varying body types - Kim Kardashian, Joy Bryant, and Amanda de Cadenet - to strip down, pose for the camera, and tell us how they feel about their unretouched bodies. Here's what Kim said:
Enough with the Butt! "I don't get why everyone is always going on about my butt. I'm Armenian. It's normal," says Kim Kardashian. "My butt is probably not as big as you might think, because I have small legs and a small waist, which makes it appear bigger."
Getting Breasts Too Early: Even so, her curves helped rocket the 29-year-old into a one-woman multimillion-dollar-earning industry. But they used to be nothing but a source of tears. "I was wearing a C cup by the time I was 11. I would go to bed and pray, 'Please, Lord, don't let my boobs grow any bigger,'" remembers Kardashian. "I hated what was happening."
Searching for a Body Image Role Model: Growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by blonde California girls, the five-foot-two-and-a-half-inch brunette found solace in the vintage images of Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch tacked on her wall. "Those became the healthy bodies to look up to. Then came Salma Hayek and Jennifer Lopez. I related to them," she says.
Working with What You've Got: Taking care of herself is part of it. "I'm trying to eat better - which is a struggle. I like carbs," she says, laughing. "I didn't [used to] work out. I do now, even when I'd rather sleep in. I'm a firm believer that you should be your best you."
On That Playboy Shoot: Kardashian still has shy moments. "A good six months have to go by before I'll leave the lights on for a boyfriend," she says. And she didn't love her 2007 Playboy cover. "I'm sorry I did Playboy. I was uncomfortable," she remembers, though at the time she was excited. "Go for it," she recalls her mother saying. "They might never ask you again. Our show isn't on the air yet. No one knows who you are. Do it and you'll have these beautiful pictures to look at when you're my age."
Going Nude Again: This time around, Kardashian is much happier. "It's definitely scary, but it's very liberating," she says. "I think the message is embrace your curves and who you are. I feel proud if young girls look up to me and say, 'I'm curvy, and I'm proud of it now.'"
Making Peace with Imperfections: Now she's learned to be happy with her looks. "I might have a little bit of cellulite. I might not be toned everywhere. I might struggle in this area or that. But accepting that just empowers me," she says.
Are we all too harsh on ourselves and our bodies? Does it help to know even celebs don't think they're perfect? How have you come to love your own body?
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
