Role Models

In a recent interview with WWD, a fashion news website, Kate Moss made some bad choices of words. She’s already known for her stick figure status and her very public drug use, but now she’s decided to go on to endorse anorexia…at least that's the way it sounds. A particular quote of hers is being widely documented in the media, and being used by anorexia sufferers and get this, Pro-Anorexia websites (should there really be such a thing as pro-anorexia?). Moss was quoted in the interview as saying that one of her mottos is, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” A comment on the BBC News website referred to Moss not realizing how dangerous her statement was. I somehow find that hard to believe, considering all of the hype around stamping out size zero models, and supporting young girls against eating disorders.

Now the media is reporting that Moss’s quote will negatively affect young girls who look to her as a role model. Although I can’t believe she would be quoted as saying something like that, and it is quite troubling to hear that girls are using this quote as their motto as well, why are people still looking up to Kate Moss as a role model? Aside from the body image that she supports and conveys to young girls, for a more important reason, Kate Moss should not be a role model for young girls. People seem to forget that Moss has publicly abused dangerous drugs, and it has been captured in the media several times for all to see. Countless magazine covers have featured Moss abusing drugs in a very public manner. As far as I’m concerned, whatever comes out of Kate Moss’s mouth in an interview should already be dismissed from people’s minds beforehand, considering her irresponsible past and her likelihood to be irresponsible again, just as in this situation.