TV shows there’s ‘More to Love’ of modern women

BY LINDA MILLER | Published: September 24, 2009 | Modified: September 24, 2009 at 10:50 am

Turn on the television. Plus-size women are on prime time.

With "Drop Dead Diva,” "Dance Your A-- Off,” "Ruby” and "More to Love,” television is playing up curves and giving viewers a more realistic peek at the majority of American women.

In this publicity image released by the Style Network, reality TV star Ruby Gettinger, of the Style Network's " Ruby," holds her dogs Foxy and Lucy. AP Photo

Nancy LeWinter, a plus-size fashion expert and editorial director for OneStopPlus.com, thinks it’s about time.

Sixty-two percent of American women 18 years and older wear a size 12 or larger, she said. "Wouldn’t they like to see themselves on television once in a while?”

Television shows are finally reflecting the population reality, what women see when they look in the mirror, and it’s being done from an entertainment value rather than a politically correct nod. "Size is sort of the last bastion of a minority that isn’t one,” she said.

These shows have an opportunity to encourage personal empowerment, and each approaches it differently. "Drop Dead Diva” does it with humor rather than "woe is me.” "It’s all about your personal empowerment. It’s not defined by size any more than it’s defined by your hair,” LeWinter said.

On the reality show "Ruby,” star Ruby Gettinger of Savannah, Ga., is trying to be the best she can as she sheds more than 400 pounds from her highest weight of 716. "Her journey has captivated people because she’s just wanting to live her life and look great doing it,” LeWinter said.

Perhaps the first baby steps toward a new way of thinking came in 1999 when actress Camryn Manheim declared, "This is for all the fat girls!" when she took home the Emmy for her supporting role on the television drama "The Practice.”

In 2007 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, winners Chandra Wilson of "Grey’s Anatomy," "Ugly Betty’s” America Ferrera and "Dreamgirl” Jennifer Hudson were among the changing bodies of Hollywood.

Plus-size actresses have gone from playing frumpy characters to ones who are fabulous. Such positive spins aren’t just making the rounds on television.

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