I’m continually fascinated by the arc of the way women are portrayed in our culture. And I love it when they’re empowered to be satisfied with how they are. And that’s why I feel compelled to go on record in support and admiration of Tyra Banks for standing up for real women everywhere.

Obesity is the last socially accepted stereotype. For some reason, we’ll tolerate nasty comments about overweight people, women especially, when using the the n-word or slant-eyed joke or even a comment about girls being bad drivers will likely result in an awkward silence.

This winter, I’ve taken up watching America’s Top Model because it reassures me that the women on TV and in magazines don’t wake up looking like that. It’s hard work by them and a team of makeup artists, designers, producers, handlers, and computers. It comforts me to see that without all that they’re just as beautifully flawed as the rest of us.