Sometimes it can be a body confidence bummer to watch seemingly flawless celebs on E! or see them in the pages of Us and People. Even if you’re feeling awesome about yourself, it can be easy to quickly feel less-than-great as soon as you see some hot celebrity drop yet anotherfive pounds. Luckily, there are tons of stars nowadays who aren’t only fitness and diet role models — they’re confidence role models as well. These women know that, while four straight hours at the gym and a week long of juice fasts might be one way to fit into a designer gown, there is a far healthier way to do that. These women are HC-approved not because of their crazy amazing bodies, but because of the pride they take in embracing their natural figure.
Karolina Kurkova
I know, I know — how could you possibly relate to a Victoria’s Secret Angel? Aren’t those (seriously stunning) women imports from Planet Perfect? When Kurkova was an infant she had a serious operation that left her without a belly button. When she first started out in the modeling industry she was told that she would only get jobs in which her stomach was totally covered a.k.a. not work for one of the biggest lingerie companies in the world. Kurkova struts down the Victoria’s Secret runway with total confidence and has said numerous times that she just considers her lack of a bellybutton as a welcome reminder that she’s lucky to be alive.
Christina Aguilera
Any child of the 90’s has seen Christina Aguilera go through a myriad of changes over the years. From being a teenage Genie in a Bottle to the scandalous Dirrty phase to her role now on The Voice, Aguilera’s body has changed throughout the years, but her confidence has failed to waiver. Aguilera rocks everything from body-con dresses to lower-than-low-cut leopard print tops as a judge on The Voice — it’s definitely not the kind of look you’d call conservative. When you gain weight (whether it’s five pounds, 10 pounds, or 20 pounds) it can be tempting to try and cover it up with an all black ensemble and layers on top of layers. Aguilera gets a lot of hate for her form-fitting outfits, but still remains true to her style. Even if your style isn’t as out there as Aguilera’s, you can still take a note from her and realize that you have the right to rock whatever look you want, no matter your weight. Wear what makes you feel confident.
Jennifer Lawrence
Let’s face it, ladies — nothing makes you feel quite as nervous about your body as when you realize you’re going to be naked, painted blue, and shown on the silver screen all across America. Ugh — always so awkward! Okay, I’m totally kidding. The truth is, Jennifer Lawrence’s first moment of having her body in the spotlight was probably something none of us will ever have to deal with. Starring in X-Men: First Class, Lawrence was asked to lose weight, but refused — a risky move for an up-and-coming star (they easily could have found an actress who was willing to drop down to a dangerous weight in a dangerous way). Whether it’s a (total jerk) guy or your most passive aggressive friend telling you that you should “lose a few pounds,” take a note from Lawrence and realize that you are the only one who can decide if you want to lose weight. The X-Men directors didn’t want a different actress and, if a guy is worth anything, he won’t want a different girl.
