Yesterday we got to see the FIRST, much anticipated pic of Jessica Simpson’s baby girl, Maxwell Drew, as People magazine had the exclusive rights to the photos and unveiled them yesterday with much aplomb. Just one day later we have learned that new mom Jess is the latest spokesperson for Weight Watchers. Jessica announced on Twitter on Wednesday that she is now the new face of the weight loss giant. Weight Watchers also tweeted the news and clarified that more details will be revealed in the new issue of People magazine, where Jessica and Eric are debuting the first snaps of Maxwell. What do you think of Jess being the latest celebrity to support the weight loss brand?
Jess’s tweet on Wednesday said, “So excited to be a part of the @WeightWatchers family!” This came through almost simultaneously with the Weight Watchers feed which said, “We’ve got some BIG news coming out tomorrow that we’re so excited to share with you,” followed by the announcement, “We’re so excited to welcome @JessicaSimpson to the WW family! Read more in @PeopleMag this week”.
She elaborated via Facebook later in the day: “The cool thing about the program is that it focuses on healthy habits for the long-term (and I can still indulge in my guilty pleasures every now and then, too). I have actually gotten a group of friends together who are going to be doing it with me.”
“I think anybody who’s gone through a pregnancy, after they have the baby, it’s like, ‘I need to do something about this,’ ” she tells PEOPLE, in its latest cover story. “For me, I really want to do something that is a lifestyle, because in the past, I’ve been known to yo-yo diet.”
Jessica came under a lot of scrutiny throughout her pregnancy for the weight she put on, leading some people to suspect that she was having twins. I’m acutely aware that this post may spark a range of responses in Pink readers and I’m conscious of not getting into the issue of whether Jess should be losing weight or not, because really, this has nothing to do with any of us. Period. Is the issue here whether Weight Watchers should be using new mom Jess as a spokesperson? Maybe. My concern with Jessica as the new face of the brand is that it is perpetuating the idea that women have to lose weight post-pregnancy to be beautiful. This is a terrible risk. Jessica looks amazing, glowed throughout her pregnancy, and just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby and her body is nothing short of a miracle. But, in the end if Jess wants to get back to her pre-baby bod that is 100% her prerogative, and Weight Watchers is just jumping on the branding bandwagon. Of course, this is great for them from a brand perspective. Think about how well it worked for them using Jennifer Hudson. My issue is that Weight Watches is showing the celebrity’s weight loss as a result of their program, but we all know that stars of Jessica Simpson’s magnitude have personal chefs, personal trainers, makeup artists, and people by their side every step of the way, not to mention copious amounts of air brushing, so any weight loss they display in their ads isn’t really a result of adhering strictly to the Weight Watchers diet and nothing more.
Jess recently said that, “I’m less concerned about how my hair looks or if my gut is showing. My life has completely changed” and I think she has captured it perfectly – it’s not about weight loss itself or body image, but if someone wants to lose weight for health reasons, or to make themselves feel better, outside of the concept of the silly media perpetuated “ideal image” I see nothing wrong with it. Ultimately, Weight Watches teaches people about the importance of healthy diet, exercise and a balanced lifestyle (something Jess said she wants) and this is a positive thing IMHO. Happy for you to disagree though. C’mon, I know you’re all going to have an opinion on this – let the Melissa bashing begin :)
We all love a role model to inspire us and if there are other moms out there that are trying to lose some post baby weight and are inspired by Jessica using Weight Watches then I think she is a perfect ambassador. Brands love to use someone popular and she is it right now!I think it is a perfect fit.
She might as well make some money off it. You know that the majority of press won’t rest until she has lost the weight. She is going to be hounded until she is stick thin…and then will be trashed for having an eating disorder.
Melissa – your writing style is not always my favorite and your grammar sometimes makes me cringe, but bless you for having such a great attitude and sense of humor about all of the criticism you’ve been getting. I don’t think I would be handling it near so well as you seem to be. I finally feel like I’m getting to know the “real” you in the way that I know the “real” Trent – and I like you! Now, just work on those commas, please!
I think it is great for her… Especially if she adds in a bit of exercise, because endorphins are wonderful things, and it’s hard enough dealing with the baby blues, or worse PPD.
There is NOTHING wrong with trying to lose your pregnancy weight, nothing, so long as you accept that your body will not be the same. Things shift, and change, feet splay, etc.
Go Jess!
I <3 her, always have. So I commend her : )
If the rumor about her “mommy tuck” is true, I actually find it pretty offensive that she would become a Weight Watchers spokesperson. The last thing women who have recently delivered need to do is compare their own bodies to a celebrity who could afford a tuck during delivery.
When some celebrities give birth it really pays off. Can get some really good deals with the baby pics and loosing the weight. Enjoy all that money Jessica and show the haters who will have the last laugh after all the jokes and criticisms you received.
Jessica struggled with her weight even before she became pregnant. She just has the body profile that gains weight easily. Not to mention she has confessed a love of junk food and deep fried southern cooking. Being overweight is unhealthy, and I commend Jessica for taking charge of her health in this way. If she doesn’t get on it, then she is at risk for developing and/or continuing unhealthy eating habits. Not good for anyone involved. Losing weight should be about health first. Carrying extra weight around makes it impossible for your body to perform optimally. It stresses the internal organs so they don’t work efficiently, and it messes with the hormonal balance. It disrupts sleep patterns (a new baby alone can do enough damage in that area), so your body never really rests and repairs the way it should and energy is the first casualty. New moms need all the energy they can get. The secondary benefit of losing weight is looking good. Nothing wrong with wanting to look hot, but improved health should be the primary concern.
i think you’re great melissa. i hate that some people give you such a hard time. i am really glad to have you at pitnb :)
As someone on WW… I don’t really care. LOL. I guess we may have someone new singing in commercials now? Haha.
ive read several stories MONTHS ago claiming that a certain pregnant celeb was actually actively trying to gain a ton of weight during her pregnancy due to a weight loss deal that would only be publically declared after the birth to make her seem more “relatable”, but that she was going to have secret surgery to assist in the loss. it all added up to JS and here you have it. totally cynical about the whole deal.