Queen Latifah on Style Watch

Queen Latifah is turning 40 in March — not that she’s focused on the numbers. “To me as long as you’re young at heart, it really doesn’t matter how old you are,” Latifah tells PEOPLE. “To me, age is really how you feel on the inside.” But with time, she has learned valuable health lessons that she wishes she’d practiced earlier. “I wish I had known more about nutrition and exercise and how really good it could affect you at a younger age. Then I would have kicked it up a lot sooner,” says the Jenny Craig spokesperson, who has kept off the 20-plus pounds she shed using the weight-loss program for almost three years. Nutrition is key: “I don’t really diet. I kind of keep everything in moderation, exercise and eat right. I eat a lot of vegetables and lean meats, and I drink a whole lot of water,” Latifah says, before admitting her weakness: “Mac and cheese…I gotta have it!” Beyond her dedication to staying healthy, the star is also committed to the Haitian relief effort, co-hosting the BET Network’s “SOS Saving Ourselves — Help for Haiti” telethon with Diddy and Pharrell, airing this Friday, February 5 on BET, Centric, MTV and VH1 at 8 P.M. EST. The Procter & Gamble- and Pepsi-sponsored event will benefit charities including Wyclef Jean’s Yéle Haiti. Latifah also hopes to give on a more personal level by building orphanages, and possibly even adopting: “I would love to, but it’s going to take some time because things are in a bit of disarray down there. That is definitely something I would try to do. There are a lot of kids who are in need of a good home now, and I definitely think I can provide that.” -Arnesa A. Howell (http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/02/03/queen-latifah-on-staying-fit-fabulous-and-philanthropic-at-almost-40/).

Gabourey Sidibe cover Ebony Magazine

Gabourey Sidibe is on the front cover of Ebony Magazine. She is looking fierce and fab in a MonifC outfit (http://www.monifc.com/).

Gabourey recently played Claireece "Precious" Jones, in Lee Daniel's movie, Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire http://www.weareallprecious.com/main.html#/epk/film/.

I think Gabourey is on her way to becoming a big star!

Plus Size Problem in the Media

This past weekend, after I watched Project Runway re-air on Lifetime, I started watching the made for TV movie, 'Lying to be Perfect.' starring Poppy Montgomery. It's about Nola Devlin (Poppy Montgomery) is an unassuming, frumpy magazine editor who is overlooked and teased by her coworkers. When the sun sets, though, and she is behind the glow and anonymity of her computer screen, she becomes the famous and “reclusive” advice columnist Belinda Apple. Nola’s friends, tired of being overworked and overweight, band together to create the “Cinderella Pact,” vowing to lose pounds by following the advice of their “fairy godmother,” Apple. When her secret identity is threatened, Nola is forced to take her own alter ego’s advice. But, as the group of friends drops dress sizes, their real issues are exposed, and better-than-expected life changes begin to blossom. This movie is based on the book “The Cinderella Pact” by Sarah Strohmeyer. (http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/lying-to-be-perfect/about).

I enjoyed the movie, however, I feel that everytime someone on TV is 'over-weight' or 'plus sized' their characters always seem sad, down, and depressed.

I can vouch, not all women who are not a svelt size 2 are sitting around feeling down and depressed about themselves. What irked me even more is that she was frumpy, wore little make-up, baggy clothes, & had stringy hair when she was bigger, but was well put together when she lost all the weight.

HELLOOO people! (yes, that is said with a very sarcastic, elongated 'O') Why does it seem all larger characters are portrayed this way on television?!

For once I would like to see a character in a TV show or movie who was of a average size, who was actually well put together, confident & a go-getter beside a skinnier counterpart.

I feel this gives viewers a false sense of what women who don't happen to be a size 2 are doing. I can verify on my end, we are well put together, care for our looks, the way we dress and can be very CONFIDENT! So please network execs, next time create a movie that has a more positive character role for someone who is of a larger size!