Is Gaga’s ‘Body Revolution’ inspiring or self-serving?

Lady Gaga is encouraging her little monsters to “be brave and celebrate with us (their) ‘perceived flaws’” by posting nearly naked photos of themselves on her new blog, “A Body Revolution 2013.”

In response to critics who have drawn attention to her recent alleged weight gain, Mother Monster started the revolution with a few of her own revealing photos.

Gaga posted three photos of herself in underwear, accompanied by the caption “Bulimia and Anorexia since I was 15.” She acknowledges, in a way that many celebrities refuse to do, that eating disorders are not simply cured and promptly forgotten about.

Fans seem to find inspiration in Lady Gaga’s attempt to accept and embrace her body. The pop singer might have found an altruistic and healthy way to capitalize on this negative attention.

Or she might have done the opposite.

In drawing more attention to her weight, Lady Gaga only emphasizes our society’s obsession with it.

Allowing herself to react publicly to critics’ comments makes them matter in the first place. Responding to critics ultimately makes them powerful.

Bold gestures like posting revealing photos do not signify or create confidence, but rather assert a false sense of it, like fishing for compliments.

Lady Gaga’s fragile ego necessitated a forum in which her fans could rebuild it
for her.

But even when taking these things into consideration, we say Lady Gaga should be commended for challenging the vicious and unforgiving scrutiny given to female celebrities’ appearances.

Her openness about her struggle with bulimia and anorexia is essential to her treatment and a good example to other people suffering from the same disorders.

Eating disorders are fiercely stigmatized and often internalized. Many victims do not receive the help they need because they are ashamed of their “weakness.”

These are dangerous disorders that should never be dismissed as personal
weaknesses.

Through her body revolution, Lady Gaga has opened dialogue in her usual unconventional and bold way.

Openly discussing body image can eliminate the shame we inexplicably feel in doing so.

Collectively celebrating “perceived flaws” can help liberate people tormented by them.
Some critics of the body revolution feel it’s an exploitative attempt by Team Gaga to secure a bigger and more profitable fan base through yet another appeal to Gaga’s “outcast” demographic.

That might be true.

But even if it is, the fact remains that a forum has been created in which stories and struggles can be shared.

Whatever the truth of Gaga’s intentions, a new and healthy community now exists for people struggling with eating disorders.

This community can be one that will hopefully help, even in its own small way, to counter the barrage of unhealthy body images any person is presented with on a daily basis.

And for that, Mother Monster, we put our paws up.