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Exclusive! Plus-Size Model Crystal Renn Talks to StyleList About Her New Book 'Hungry' and the Fashion Industry's Obsession with Size Zero

by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)
Posted Aug 24th 2009 at 10:00AM  
248 Comments
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Crystal Renn showing off her healthy curves on two covers of her new book. Photos: Ruven Afanador

When Crystal Renn aspired to be a model as a 14-year-old in Mississippi, an agent (not from Ford) told her she had to lose 9 inches off of her hips first.

Renn ended up doing that, and then some, going from 175 lbs and 5' 8" to 95 lbs and an inch and a half taller in two years, eventually moving to New York City and launching a successful modeling career.


Model Crystal Renn -- in 2002, weighing between 95 and 105 lbs -- at the height of her eating disorder. Photos: From the author's personal collection.

After conquering the eating disorder that transformed her body, Renn, now 23, is happy to call herself a size 12 plus-size model, who, with her new curvy figure has walked the runway for Gaultier, graced the pages of Vogue and starred in ads for Dolce & Gabbana.

Renn's new book about her intriguing journey, titled "Hungry," comes out September 8 (pre-order it at Amazon.com).

We landed an exclusive interview with Renn in which the beauty opens up to StyleList about the dark side of modeling, accepting her body and coming out on top.

StyleList: Why did you decide to write this book?
Crystal Renn: I could only reach a certain number of people through magazine interviews and I wanted to take it to the next level and go into greater depths about my story. One of the messages I wanted to get out was that no matter who you are or where you are, you can accomplish your dreams. I'm a girl from Clinton, Mississippi, and here I am in New York. I also wanted to talk about body acceptance and help women feel empowered.


SL: How did your eating disorder develop once you were trying to achieve the model shape?
CR: It started gradually. I switched to whole wheat bread or eating eggs instead of beef. Just making everything lower in fat. Then it came to cutting out desserts completely. I ended up losing 30 lbs in 2 months, but then I plateaued. That's when it got pretty serious. I started exercising everyday between 1 hour and 8 hours. I wouldn't eat above a thousand calories. And the weight started coming off again. And this was all before I was even modeling yet. I was 15.

SL: Once you were in New York booking jobs and maintaining a weight between 105 and 95 lbs, did your agency and the people around you know what was happening?
CR: I think you had to be aware that something was wrong -- the veins coming out of my arms, the lack of energy, the hair falling out, being in a sullen dark place all the time. That's not normal for a 16-year-old girl. But they pushed me harder and even set me up with a very expensive trainer. I think they turned the other way.

SL: Did you notice the same issues happening with the models around you?
CR: The thing about anorexia is it's a really private thing. People who share openly think they are going to be judged. But I did meet other girls that I knew were suffering with it. I had a roommate and we were eating disorder buddies. And at shoots girls would share tips and it was really quite twisted. One girl said, "When I really want dessert I just eat fat-free Jell-o and I just eat tons of it." Or there were tips on drinking Diet Coke or eating just the peel of apples.

SL: What was your own diet like?
CR: I was probably eating 600 or 700 calories a day. I would steam vegetables and eat them with fat-free dressing for breakfast, for lunch it was lettuce with balsamic vinegar, for dinner maybe the same thing. Everything was always fat-free or sugar-free.

SL: What made you stop?

CR: At 17 my body completely rebelled. I couldn't loose more weight and I realized I was going to die for a job. The next day I was completely chastised by my agency for my size and one agent pulled me aside and said, "There's an option for you. You can either go plus-size or do commercial work." And I asked, "What's plus-size modeling? I've never heard of that." And she said, "Well it means you can be whatever size you want and model." But she said it was for old women! But for whatever reason, everything made sense and I knew this was the route I had to take. I went and had a salad with salmon and walnuts and olive oil. I gave into what my body needed. I could be healthy and happy and still model.

SL: Then you switched agencies to Ford's plus-size division and you've had a successful career. Do you think the enduring waif aesthetic in fashion will ever change?
CR: I believe it'll change because fashion is always changing. A hundred years ago, heavier women were more ideal and now it's a size 0. I think it's a cycle and I think that women want to see themselves in the pictures -- they want to see their size, color and height. I think if that happens, it'll make women feel more empowered and they'll love themselves more. In fashion, it starts with the sample sizes and I think designers are becoming more aware. But I think there have been many positive changes. I've done all of the Vogue's and Dolce & Gabbana ads. It's just a matter of time before it's brought back to mainstream.


We previously reported the action one top magazine editor took to fight the too-skinny model epidemic. Click here to read more.
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Filed under: News
Tags: anorexia, anorexia-nervosa, crystal-renn, eating-disorder, hungry, models, plus-size, plus-size-model, size-zero, weight-loss
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READER COMMENTS

(248)Add A Comment

uggs boots, 8-27-2009, 9:43AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
uggs boots

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Reply »

harry, 8-25-2009, 11:27PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
harry

Hey guys, would you like to date a cougar? Or are you a cougar yourself? Okay, no matter you are looking for an NSA, FWB or serious relationship. You'll want to check this out:**== Matchcougar-c O m ==**It's where cougars and younger men can meet(Cougar is the slang for woman who is mature, experienced and want to date a younger man).

Reply »

Kim, 8-26-2009, 1:31PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Kim

I am a size 2-3 and weigh 125 lbs. I am far from being too skinny, I am the right size for my body. I look good, strong, and I am healthy. All you larger sizes who are obese and unhealthy - stop pretending like you have self-esteem while putting others down. Do I feel a need to talk about larger sizes? That would be a no, because I have real self esteem. Maybe if you took a really good look at how you evaluate yourself and others you wouldn't feel a need to pick up that next cookie, then call yourself "curvy." Get a reality check.

»

DB, 8-26-2009, 1:57PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
DB

WOW KIM - you definitely have self esteem. Talk about a reality check - Try reading your nasty comment again.and then tell everyone how good you look and feel. The fact that you felt the need to say any of that....speaks volumes.....about your own self esteem.

»

jessica strom, 8-26-2009, 2:26AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
jessica strom

Frankly when I saw the pictures of her as 'normal sized model' i was appauled! She just looked so average...but my god what a change! She is on the same status as marylin monroe!!! she looks so incredibly beautiful! what an inspiration for women and girls everywhere.

Reply »

mbrul, 8-26-2009, 11:34AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mbrul

yes, she's very hot, and many 'plus size' women are too. so sad that many woman feel they have to be rail thin, which is sick. I work w/a woman who is obsessed, too skinny and would look much better if she'd put on some weight. and I'm not a chubby lover, I just like all kinds of women, including big girls.

»

Alex, 8-26-2009, 6:11AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Alex

Crystal Renn posing nude is here: http://cli.gs/PsNgGM

Reply »

Nikkiey, 8-26-2009, 6:42AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Nikkiey

Why is it that a size 12 is a "plus size?" Most plus size clothing lines don't even start until a size 16... I'm glad to see someone who wasn't airbrushed or fake though!

Reply »

CJ, 8-26-2009, 6:45AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
CJ

size 12 - is that really plus size? I don't think so...

Reply »

Jessica, 8-26-2009, 10:42AM

1 star vote downvote upReport
Jessica

No doubt. I don't see why 12 is considered plus size. It's disturbing that everyone is under the impression that being healthy is wrong. Granted it varies from person to person based on height etc but there is nothing healthy about being size 0, 1, 2, 3 etc....

»

Cristy, 8-26-2009, 11:07AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Cristy

It is awful how they make everyone who is not a size 1 be consderded plus size. Makes me sick! I eat right work out and i am not a size 1 but I am healthy !!!! Why isnt that the focus not the size you wear!!!

»

Lauren, 8-26-2009, 11:33AM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Lauren

Uh yeah, a size 12 is definitely a plus size. If any of you haven't noticed. The "average" woman is largely overweight, and therefore; unhealthy.

»

Rachel, 8-26-2009, 11:44AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Rachel

A size 12 may be considered plus size in the fashion industry, but in my opinion it should not be. I am 6'3" and wear a size 14. Please, someone tell me I am plus size...because I def am not when you consider the average size of women.

»

Kathy, 8-26-2009, 4:01PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Kathy

No, a 12 is not plus sized, and I am surprised if she is a 12. Maybe in designer clothes, which are cut more generously. I was an 11/12 and 125-130 when I was younger but my shoulders were too broad for a smaller size even then. Your body is your body, and we are not all cut out by cookie cutters - nor should we have to be to model clothes. How about some real people of normal healthy weight modeling instead of requiring girls to meet unrealistic, unhealthy standards?
Maybe she didn't have a model's body when she was 14, but to go from 5'8" and 175 lbs. to 5'10" and 95 lbs. in two years was just dangerous. She was developing bones in those years (and still is) and should not have had to develope an eating disorder in order to become a model. But she did, and was promptly given the jobs!

»

Karen L., 8-26-2009, 1:26PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Karen L.

Size 12 is *not* a "plus size". It never will be for many women. Some women have small bones, some have large bones and those with larger, sturdier bones are made to feel horrible by calling a Size 12 a "plus size".

In high school and college, I had 6-pack abs and was a size 16--at 5'3". A tiny-boned woman I know is a size 00, eats normally and really would be overweight if she wore a size 4.

Unfortunately, because of the cultural definition of beauty purveyed by the modelling industry, I saw myself as fat (with 6-pack abs!) and it became a self-fulfilling notion.

Shame on the modelling industry for wanting girls that are just skin and bones, defining unhealthy physiques as a picture of beauty!

»

vgkflc, 8-26-2009, 6:45AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
vgkflc

She looks a lot better with some pounds on that stuff looking like bones is not healthy.

Reply »

lester, 8-26-2009, 6:54AM

1 star vote downvote upReport
lester

she is not pluse sized. she is way too skinny to be pluse sizes.

Reply »

Darlene Coleman, 8-26-2009, 12:02PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Darlene Coleman

She looks 100% better at size twelve and you're right: she surely IS NOT plus sized. She looks average. The fashion industry has lost it's collective mind! The idea that someone would even think to measure someone at a size zero is plain stupid. Where I come from zero literally translates inot "nothing". No one, not even the boniest skeleton, can be a size zero. It is mathmatically impossible. I wonder how much more successful the fashion industry would be if they simply designed pretty clothes for real people, not freaky-looking, six-foot tall, human clothes hangers? Most clothing tagged as a size zero look as though they might fit a 10-year old girl and even she is not a size zero. And once zero is accepted as the norm what next ? Size negative 2?!!! At 5'3" I am happy with my size ten, 150 pound frame. I might be happier at a size eight but it would be about physical comfort more than how I looked. But if I never get to be a size eight, so what!!!

»

Heather, 8-26-2009, 12:41PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Heather

I'm healthy at a size 2. Why does every skinny woman need to be considered sickly? I have a fast metabolism and it's the way I am, just as heavier women are the way they are. If you are healthy it shouldn't matter.

»

thomas gentile, 8-26-2009, 7:40AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
thomas gentile

WOW SHE NOW LOOKS DELICIOUS ~ NO MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID !

Reply »

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