Am I the only person who thinks Victoria Beckham looked better in her early Spice Girl days...

Because of course it’s either under-eating or over-eating there is no middle ground.

Ironically I’m slim myself but not of the mindset that uses scientific studies on flies to justify Orthorexia. And don’t patronise me about pain - I’ve had an AI illness for a long time.

The reason people discuss her looks is because that is all she brings to the world. Her whole public persona is based around what she she wears- she was posh spice, known mostly for her designer fashions, now having her own fashion label, modelling, her own make-up brand, you-tubing about her beauty routine etc. etc.

If that is your industry and your chosen career then it's there to be analysed, criticised or praised as people see fit.

Nobody is on here discussing the looks and fashion choices of Mary Beard or Angela Merkel are they because they haven't made their lives about their looks like Victoria!

It won't ever die as people have been interested in celebrity since time im. For example, in thirties and forties, young girls would collect pictures of Princess Elizabeth. In today's world sadly reality stars and so called Influencers are seen as celebrities by many.

The 13th century equivalent of the Daily Mail undoubtedly had a sidebar commenting on Eleanor of Aquitaine 'flaunting her curves' in the latest tapestry...

Also there is a difference between having a restricted diet where all the vitamins and minerals your body needs are covered to one where you just eat very little.

Mirabai & youboozeyoulose

The very fact that you think that not eating yourself into oblivion is an eating disorder or a stupid comment shows how far society has swallowed the Body Positive message.

Eating less to feel a little hungry after a meal extends your life and has the added benefit of anti ageing
And before anyone thinks anti ageing is solely about how someone looks, this is about how your body feels as it ages.

I can tell you, as someone who is the wrong side of 60 that ageing is physically painful. Anything you can do to stave off the pain is worth it.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/ageing-slows-feeling-hungry-perception-b2337507.html

It won't ever die as people have been interested in celebrity since time im. For example, in thirties and forties, young girls would collect pictures of Princess Elizabeth. In today's world sadly reality stars and so called Influencers are seen as celebrities by many.

@Tighginn Whaaaat???

Agree. Despite the body positivity movement - which can be a bit extreme, which I think is offputting for a lot of people - there's still a lot of pressure on successful women to be thin. In fact, there's research suggesting the two are intrinsically linked, and if you're fat, it reduces your earning capacity by 30% (only applies to women - not men, obvs!). And it's not just about being thin now, there's pressure on women to look like they're not ageing at all, which is a whole massive industry now.

We should be able to talk about this without accusations of misogyny being bandied around.

I watched the documentary and I think she looks incredible now. Her hair is lovely and I prefer her make up now; she really suits those softer brown tones, whereas the heavy black eyeliner she used to wear was very harsh and ageing.

As for David's affair, I have no sympathy for his self-pitying tears but I was surprised that he all but admitted it, finally. Obviously he didn't come out and say it but the way he ended that segment of the interview with "but at the end of the day, it's our private life" and a pointed look (to me, at least) heavily implied "yes, I did it but I'm not saying anything else".

I don't actually eat a of lot cake either. You're missing the point It's not about "stuffing" anyone's face with cake or even the actual cake per se. It's about being able to take pleasure in celebrating normal events in a normal way. A small birthday cake can be enjoyed aesthetically and for the pleasure rather than saying, "Oh, veggie cake for me please."

I think she looks gorgeous in both pics 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think it's clear that Victoria Beckham is and always has been extremely anxious about her appearance.

It's well documented that she deliberately doesn't smile because she is self conscious about her mouth and worried about laughter lines.

That's why she has a reputation for being a grumpy cow because of how she looks in photos, when most people who have actually met her say she is absolutely charming.

@horseyhorsey17 no, not for a few years anyway !!

I don't think it's misogynist to say woman looked better before she went on extreme diet and exercise program. I also don't find fillers and botox attractive as it starts to make you look strange. David is also going down the same route and is starting to look odd. Ageing normally would be far more attractive.

This is not about “faults” in appearance. I don’t think her appearance is faulty. This is about pressure on women to be very thin and the individual women who internalise that such as VB.

These forums are full of disordered eating - whether under or over eating. How can we hope to conquer that if we cannot have a conversation about famous women who maintain extreme thinness? And in this case a restrictive diet?

Why do women feel the need to live like this? David Beckham seems to love food and cooking. He’s not worried is he!

1. People who criticise celebs body image aren't stopping at celebs

1. Public declerations of criticism are ready by others who look the same. If one person says a celeb looks fat, others read it. That's just as much 'in the public eye' as a thin or fat person existing and is (more) damaging.

1. Seriously, nobody is trying to look rail thin in nearly 2024. It's not the fashionable body type anymore. Curvy and/or toned is.

What the fuck 🤣

Do you think a woman looked better nearly 30 years ago … WHAT ……

I’m pretty sure every single person who had ever walked this earth and who ever will looked better they did alarmist 30 years ago.

Is this a joke?

Also she looks amazing …

I mean, most people do look better at 24 than they do in their late 40s but I agree she looked better when she was a bit curvier.

They’re not in the public eye though. Many women in the public eye are very thin - whether pop stars, actresses, TV presenters, royalty etc. And actresses and pop stars would tell you of specific pressure to be very thin.

EDs are alive and well, with far less treatment available than people who need it.

We’re not going to solve the problem if people deny it exists.

You do see men doing it to other men. I take it you have no teenage boys at home?!

I also think she was prettier before she had the work done and the weight loss too. She's deffo had a nose job and various fillers etc at various times. Can't argue that she doesn't look great now though.

I saw a documentary once where David Beckham said she literally eats steamed fish and veg for every meal, and that she just doesn't really enjoy food. I cannot imagine being like that! She clearly has iron will power though.

Is this post reflective of your own lack of self esteem and confidence OP?
How sad you stoop so low to attack another women's looks.
You might benefit from some counselling.

I think this ties in with the MIL thread in so much as it proves there are still woman who feel they must past comment on woman's appearance faults.

If we could just keep thoughs on appearance faults to our musings, maybe there would less fat / thin etc shaming in real life.

She was beautiful then, she's beautiful now. It's been decades. She isn't exactly the same as she was in her 20s

You don't see men doing it to other men it's only women dragging other women down time and time again, are women born bitchy ??

Absolutely
I definitely look better now than I did in my twenties