Londoners Magazine

If one more person says that Beth Ditto is a positive role model for young women I’m going to scream. Not a faux scream. A long, anguished wail that represents my disgust at this woman being held up as an example of how women could look - if they just learned to love the skin they’re in. If that is what loving yourself does to you, I think I’ll stick to the self-loathing, thank you very much.

Don’t get me wrong. There is a lot to admire about Beth Ditto. She has risen from the trailer parks of Portland, Oregon to the top of the charts and she has done it in spite of her substantial weight, her sexual orientation and outspoken feminist beliefs.

But just because she beat the odds doesn’t mean she should be handed the title. In a world where big is beautiful isn’t heralding Ditto a role model ever so slightly irresponsible? It’s great she is comfortable with the way she looks but is hoisting her up on a pedestal not as dangerous to overweight women as pro-Ana sites are to skinny ones?

Why are we so quick to condemn the skinny minnie but slow to condemn the fat-femme? When Ditto flashes her gash, as she did at KoKo she’s “empowered”; when Britney does it she’s a slut. While Nicole Ritchie is “sick” and “skeletal”, Michelle McManus is “curvy” and “courageous”. As size zeros disappear from the world’s catwalks, plus size models are rolled down them, one unhealthy body shape casting out the other.

Perhaps we are so accepting of this louder, larger lady because it’s not something we aspire to or for. It’s okay to round on the pin thin lollipop girls because most women can identify with the need to lose weight; but to comment negatively on Beth’s appearance is construed as cruel. No one wants to be fat. She can’t help it.

It’s a reaffirmation that people still believe skinny IS sexy and big is only beautiful if it’s supplemented by a bubbly or brash personality. You can say she’s brilliant, glamorous and - God forbid - sexy, but the truth is she’s sound of mind, but sick of body.

To say otherwise is hypocritical and wrong.