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.
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Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson is one of those celebrities that the paparazzi love to take unflattering photos of (file under: reasons to be seriously so happy that you are not a celebrity). As a result, it would be easy for Simpson to make sure that she only steps out of her house dressed to the nines, but she doesn’t do that. In fact, she even posed on the cover of the major woman’s magazine Marie Claire totally makeup-free and without her photo retouched. How often have you felt that you must put on concealer and foundation, even if you’re just running to CVS? Probably more times than you’d dare to admit. Mariah, a collegiette from the University of Arizona used to wake up at 5:45 to do her makeup. “Finally I just cracked,” says Mariah. “I was sick of waking up with the sun in order to put on makeup because it was, like — who am I doing this for?” Makeup is definitely fun, but take a note from Simpson and realize that you should never rely on it to feel beautiful and confident.
Katy Perry
When Katy Perry and Russell Brand broke up, many people expected her to hide under a rock and shy away from the public, but shy was never really Ms. Perry’s style. Instead, she dyed her hair blue. Unfortunately, many people said it wasn’t flattering, didn’t work for her, made her look like a Smurf, blah blah blah — she didn’t care. Whether you’re going through a rough breakup, a sophomore slump, or just the general weirdness that can sometimes be life, realize that it’s okay to take a risk that makes you feel better about yourself. Yes, blue hair is probably not a smart go-to move, but does hot pink lipstick makes you feel great and happy, even though it totally clashes with your skin tone? Then put on another coat.
Lea Michele
Numerous jokes have been made on Glee about Lea Michele’s nose — and most of them are by Michele herself! Throughout her career, she has been pushed to get a nose job, but has instead chosen to embrace what some deem as a “flaw.” When you have a sense of humor about something that others are trying to bring you down for, it makes it difficult for them to do so. Jacklyn, a senior collegiette at NYU, has been 6’ 1’’ since she was in the 8th grade. “People called me asparagus all through high school because I’m also really lanky,” says Jacklyn. “Now I’m just like, ‘Yup. I’m tall. This is how it’s going to be for the rest of my life.’ When people say things I respond by telling them my heritage is part giant. I have a sense of humor about it now.” A clever comeback is far more memorable than a crooked nose or tall height.
It’s easy to look at the glam lives of celebrities and feel horribly average in comparison, but the truth is that many celebrities have the same insecurities that we collegiettes do — they’ve just learned how to rock them. Whether you’re in a designer gown at a movie premiere or at a frat party on a Saturday night, confidence is always attainable.