Los Angeles: Singer Kelly Clarkson says she`s perfectly happy about her fluctuating weight. So why did Self magazine, in which she made the remarks, retouch its cover photo of the "American Idol" champ to make her look much thinner than she is in real life?"Only to make her look her personal best," says Self editor Lucy Danziger, adding that retouching is standard practice in the glossy magazine business.
Danziger`s admission in a blog this week on Self.com has touched off a furor only a few months after singer Jessica Simpson made celebrity news headlines when she was pictured looking heavy in an unflattering pair of high-waisted jeans.
Clarkson`s case is ironic because the singer talks about her weight in Self`s September issue, which is called the "Total Body Confidence Issue," yet the magazine radically altered her appearance on its cover.
"My happy weight changes. Sometimes I eat more; sometimes I play more. I`ll be different sizes all the time. When people talk about my weight, I`m like, `You seem to have a problem with it; I don`t. I`m fine!`
"I`ve never felt uncomfortable on the red carpet or anything," Clarkson, 27, told Self.
It`s not the first time that Clarkson, a Grammy winner who has sold more than 20 million albums since winning "American Idol" in 2002, has been slimmed down for promotional reasons.
In January, she wrote on her blog "they have definitely photo-shopped the crap out of me" on the cover of her latest album "All I Ever Wanted."
Photoshop, of course, is the computer software program photographers and others use to digitally alter a picture.
Explaining the decision by Self, a beauty and fitness women`s glossy, Danziger wrote that "A (magazine) cover`s job is to sell the magazine...In the sense that Kelly is the picture of confidence, and she truly is, then I think this photo is the truest we have ever put out there on the newsstand."
Readers have reacted with a mixture of fury and resignation. "This issue would have sold like crazy without you editing her photo...What is a shock is that you practically gave her someone else`s body," wrote shannichapman on the Self.com comment page.
But reader cdv2003 wrote it was no surprise that magazines airbrush their photos. "Good luck finding any women`s magazine that adheres to your high ethical standards, Magazines are marketing tools, but I still love reading them!"
Bureau Report
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.