Gemma Ward's Weighty Struggles

Jan 12

Mon, 01/12/09 — 03:35:18 PM

>> Just a week after promises of Gemma Ward's imminent return to modeling came, Australian tabloid The Sunday Telegraph ran a front page story yesterday advertising "shocking pics" snapped Friday of the model in a swimsuit at Byron Bay, where Ward is currently vacationing, and maliciously labeling her a "Roll Model."

Gemma first experienced weight-related backlash in October 2007, when she walked the Chanel Spring 2008 runway in a swimsuit, debuting a more voluptuous figure than she carried in the past. Soon after, she took her year-long sabbatical from modelling; According to an unnamed friend, "She knows she did let herself go during the year, but she had fun doing it, just being herself and doing whatever she wanted."

Supposedly, she's currently exercising daily with the help of a personal trainer, presumedly to hit model weight for that comeback. Although she's never talked publicly about wrestling to maintain the "ideal" model weight, Gemma is far from alone in her struggle — Ali Michael told Teen Vogue about her debilitating laxative use last year, and Coco Rocha detailed her battle with diuretic pills at a CFDA panel.
*image: source

8 Comments Email Link to tags:Gemma Ward

posted by FrigidBardot

Mon, 01/12/2009 - 3:50pm

Maybe the bubbah has been consoling herself with food to help her come to terms with the loss of Heath Ledger.....
She'll be bouncing back like a true Aussie possum!

posted by pattytricia

Mon, 01/12/2009 - 6:02pm

She's amazing and young and will back on top as soon as she starts up. Everyone is allowed to relax and let go including supermodels. I love her for being unconventional and relaxing!

posted by BellaSugar

Tue, 01/13/2009 - 11:38am

She doesn't look like a runway model anymore, but she still looks fine.

posted by SallyBowles

Tue, 01/13/2009 - 1:28pm

As far as I know Heath Ledger was not Gemma's boy-friend but a very good friend of hers and her sister. Not that this make any difference of course. Losing a very good friend that way is very painful. And I can imagine Gemma saw life in another perspective due to his unexpected death.
Gemma has always been a bit unconventional for a model. Her family and other activities has been always important to her. She'd often mentioned this.
So she has been herself and relaxed for a while. Good for her.

And, perhaps the skinny Gemma is the 'bad role-model'? Just a thought.....

posted by dwoolley90

Wed, 01/14/2009 - 10:25am

'Roll Model"....jesus why would anyone be that mean? She doesn't even look fat! She doesn't look like she used to, sure, but is it really any of our business in the first place?

posted by janiirox

Fri, 01/16/2009 - 6:04am

she is a roll model she looks a healthy wight then be for just leave her be

posted by paristrance

Fri, 01/16/2009 - 7:27am

What a horrible caption from that source these are hardly 'shocking pics' she just looks like a normal sized beautiful woman. I think it's really sad that she has to battle what is probably her natural figure.

posted by SallyBowles

Fri, 01/16/2009 - 9:52am

@ paristrance:
I think it's even more sad the fashion world has made lots of girls and women battle with their size! Especially in this decade. The 90's supers were lovely looking young women. Even curvy. So can anyone explain me why fashion only is suitable for 'walking clotheshangers?