From the Kardashian family to celebrities such as Post Malone, Oprah, and Mindy Kaling, it is clear that America has entered her Skinny Era. While pinpointing the exact onset of this trend proves difficult, it is unmistakable that the rise of the Skinny Era commenced around the year 2022.
For example, a noteworthy moment during the transformative period from the Slim Thick Era to the Skinny Era was the rumored reversal of Kim Kardashian’s BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift). Coupled with her significant weight loss at the time—post-2022 Marilyn Monroe Met Gala extravaganza—Kim K eliminated her iconic curves, a stark contrast to her appearance during her marriage to former husband, Kanye West. I believe it was around this time (mid-2022) when the shift from praising thunder thighs to America’s embrace of the Skinny Era began.
Now, let's pause for a moment and rewind to 2016. In 2016, Anastasia Beverly Hills' DipBrow and Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kits, popularized by Kylie Jenner's distinctive blocky eyebrows and overlined pouty lips, dominated the beauty scene. Thunder thighs were all the rage, and having slender legs was far from desirable. Fetty Wap's "Jimmy Choo" echoed the sentiment with the lyrics, "Slim thick wit' yo cute ass," becoming an anthem in every teenager's car. Reflecting on this era, it becomes evident that America's Slim Thick Era has concluded, paving the way for the dominance of the Skinny Era.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge the most significant catalyst for the induction of the Skinny Era has been spearheaded by the widespread use of diabetic and weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These pharmaceutical advancements have played a pivotal role in shaping the trending beauty standards and ideal body type of the Skinny Era.
Following extensive speculation from various media sources, some celebrities have openly acknowledged the use of weight loss drugs as part of their weight loss journey. Conversely, a larger number of celebrities have firmly denied the use of such drugs despite facing scrutiny due to the questionable alignment of their weight loss timeline with the emergence of weight loss drugs. For example, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, has openly admitted to using Wegovy on Twitter. Oprah Winfrey voiced in an interview with People that she uses a weight loss drug, and Sharon Osbourne has admitted to using Ozempic.
However, celebrities like Khloe Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, and Mindy Kaling have all denied using any type of weight loss drugs. I find their statements to be puzzling and quite frankly frustrating because their dramatic weight loss ties in perfectly with the popularization of weight loss drugs, i.e., Kim K’s miraculous 16-pound weight loss three weeks before the 2022 Met Gala. Moreover, it has been rumored and suggested on several occasions that Mindy Kaling has hosted Ozempic parties at her home in LA.
On another note, celebrities shedding substantial weight overnight are perpetuating unrealistic body ideals, sending detrimental messages to teenagers worldwide. The emergence of the Skinny Era, driven by the prevalence of weight loss injections and their rapid transformative results, has contributed to the shaping of an unhealthy image of what is considered a desirable woman. Moreover, the allure of quick and seemingly effortless weight loss has enabled many celebrities to conform to the Skinny Era image. Beloved celebrities who have famously spoken out against toxic female body standards, such as Oprah Winfrey, have found themselves navigating the pressures of ideal body types, thus contributing to the harmful Barbie image of the Skinny Era.
While I acknowledge the potential benefits of drugs specifically designed for weight loss, particularly for Americans struggling with obesity, on the brink of type 2 diabetes, or maintaining an unhealthy weight, there's a crucial distinction to be made.
For individuals dealing with conditions or medications that induce inflammation and/or weight gain, the advent of drugs promoting weight loss is a clear advancement in the pharmaceutical realm, offering a pathway to healthier lives. However, the use of drugs that are not originally intended for weight loss, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, demands careful monitoring and restriction. The surge in popularity of the Skinny Era has led to a shortage of Ozempic—as of July 2023, posing a significant challenge for type 2 diabetic patients striving to secure their medication. Balancing the benefits of weight loss drugs with responsible usage is essential to ensuring the well-being of individuals and avoiding unintended consequences in the pharmaceutical world as well as teenager’s mental health.