Episode #148
Ariana Grande, Karen Carpenter and Hollywood’s eating disorder problem
In this episode, we’re looking at Hollywood’s long and troubling history with eating disorders, beginning with the tragic story of Karen Carpenter and tracing the parallels between the scrutiny she faced, and the way we talk about celebrity bodies today. From the relentless speculation surrounding Ariana Grande to stars who have spoken openly about their own experiences with disordered eating, we unpack how fame, beauty standards, the entertainment industry and the public’s fixation on thinness can create a dangerous feedback loop, and ask whether, decades after Carpenter’s death, we’ve actually learned how to talk about bodies any better. A note for listeners: This episode includes discussion of body image, weight and eating disorders. If those conversations are difficult for you, please take care while listening. For eating disorder information, support and resources in Canada, visit the National Eating Disorder Information Centre at nedic.ca . NEDIC also has resources on creating boundaries around social media and body-image content. For further reading: — National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) — Body Brave: Free disordered eating support across Canada — The Carpenters' Superstar — BBC's 1981 Interview — KJ Apa's Wildmen Interview A few recent episodes we think you might like: – Blake Lively vs. Taylor Swift, Justin Baldoni, and the internet – Dissecting Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding – Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams: The sexiest couple Canada has ever seen Once you're done listening, why not subscribe to our Patreon here? You'll find some exclusive goodies! Plus, connect with us on social media here: @_sadafahsan @sahagiansarah Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
