Heres the story..

http://www.heatworld.com/Article/754...d+told+to+slim!

What do you think about them? I think they are actually 4 very stunning bigger girls. They are really beautiful. Remind me of that stunner Kinga from Big Brother. I think in this case, they should not be forced to lose weight. I like the idea of a bigger Girl Band and they are all beautiful girls and so can pull it off. They can dance to so thats great. I wonder if they may take us all by shock this saturday?

By the looks of it, they've all already lost a bit.

I think it's ridiculous - they're all good looking girls. It's sad that to break into the business these days most girls have to be stick thin.

Though Simon didn't actually say "lose weight", he said "tone up". There's a bit of a difference.

I agree 100% with Simon. I felt they had to slim down the very first time I saw them on tv

It's a desperately shallow industry where looks are everything so I'm afraid it's no surprise they've been told to slim.

Nothing wrong with curvey girls, better role models for young impressionable teenagers than these gobs on sticks with no baps or curves currently flooding the market.

Can you imagine someone like lloyd webber telling someone like Montserrat Cabelle sorry luv you might have leather lungs but your a tad on the podge side so stop with the pies.

The Girls look fine IMO,once they get in to rehersals ect and get busy with the shows and dancing they will naturally lose any excessive wobbly bits.

I think they look gorgeous and sexy now, this could make them all devlop an eating disorder, it could make them go the other way now, I hate this shallow world we live in

Exactly what I think. They really are gorgeous girls. They seem a perfectly healthy weight. It's when the media stop making a big deal about celebs that have put on weight as if it's wrong, that we as a world, will slowly lose this stupid stick thin fixation. I actually really hope they do well now. They seem like great role models for the millions of young girls that are gonna be watching the show.

Layla has an incredible body, hard and tight - although she was chubby a few years ago and now she's lost a lot of weight. IMO she's a big reason as to why the group got through, this isn't her first attempt at this business, without Layla they probably wouldn't have gone past the first round.

The others are chubby, nothing wrong with losing a few pounds - didn't hurt Layla, she looks amazing! So HOT! Although, she's got a pretty face to begin with, so that great body makes her look more beautiful.

Simon was directing his comment towards the other band members and he didn't say it in a harsh way, rather simply "tone up". People who cry about how it's wrong and chubby people should be accepted and all, Simon's been in the business long enough to know how things work. This is an industry were looks can be just as important as talent.

Some people get all jumpy when someone hints that losing weight would be wise for a chubby person, it's as if they're telling them to get surgery when all that it takes is exercise and healthy eating.

If you are going to be singing songs that are meant to be "sexy" (as most girlgroups do), then you need to present a convincing image for that.

It's hardly a big deal because they won't last long, but one or two of them looked a bit heavy so "toning up" a bit would help. Although it will probably come easier if they are doing any dancing (which is an excellent way to tone up).

They are not even fat!They are just ordinary healthy looking women. That is what ordinary women look like. We eat. Not like these size zero bag of bones you see in magazines.

Why does it always come down to what people look like. Weight should not be an issue. This is the problem with obesity, eating disorders etc - THE PRESS and emphasizing a celebrities meat problems. Its really wrong. What are we teaching our children!! Dont agree with this at all. Those girls are fine the way they are. Leave them alone

Nonsense! That is what people who don't exercise and just eat look like. Girl's who eat AND exercise look like Layla (obviously the one with the toned body).

Being toned doesn't mean being skin and bones, there is this secret midway category that exists between fat and skinny which millions of people fall under and it usually comes about when you actually take care of yourself rather than sit around and snack.

I think C14E explained the best way as to why it makes sense for the singers to look sexy and toned. BTW, nobody said they're "fat" - just they could do with some toning up -- you know....hard, toned curvy parts, rather than droopy, jiggly parts that some try to advertise as being "curvy".

You're a shallow person.

Yeah, they were a bit dumpy.

They could probably do with losing a few pounds.

And why would a show called "The X Factor" be looking for ordinary women? I don't expect them to turn up on the live shows as a "bag of bones", probably just a bit "tighter" and in better shape. Nor do I expect them to show up with their hair a bit of a mess and wearing jeans and a hoodie (e.g - a normal 20 y/o girl).

Simon (although I very much doubt it was him personally) would not be suggesting this because he hates chubby people. But because he knows that nobody will "buy" them singing a sexy song if they don't look the part. (See Britney Spears VMA performance last year for why image can kill the illusion). They'll be getting their teeth whitened, fancy dresses and make-up artists as well. Everything to make sure that they look their best before they go out in front of 11 million people.

Ordinary women tend to make an effort for big occasions, whether it be their wedding, their school prom or appearing on national TV.

Are women supposed to have hard, tight bodies?

No, they're not. I think toned does look nice, it shows that the girl cares about her fitness etc, but I still think it's nice for a woman not to be 'hard' who want's to cuddle up to someone who feels like a rock at the end of everyday? And to posters who say if they're selling a sexy image to look sexy, you can be any shape and be sexy, it's about self confidence and the way you hold yourself. And plus, if they toned up wouldn't they just be larger 'hard and tight' women as opposed to slim women? Sex appeal comes in all shapes and sizes, and it shouldn't matter in this business what you weigh (or apparently feel like) but sadly it does

I think they're all good looking girls and they look fine now IMO, nothing wrong with being curvy!

If you look at the pussycat dolls they are all toned
and fit. If you want to compete you have to look the
part. They are good looking girls, but just look at
how much better Leona Lewis looks from getting fit.

You're a very simple-minded person.

Not meaning to be abrupt, but that's all very nice in Disneyland. But in reality this show aims to find a superstar and must appeal to the widest range possible. It really doesn't matter one iota whether or not some random girl thinks she is good looking, what matters is whether the viewers and potential record buyers think that her image fits her sound.

(Just as it doesn't matter whether or not anyone thinks they are a good singer, that is up to the public to decide.)




"Curvy" is rapidly becoming one of my most hated words! When I think curvy, I think "hourglass", a few years ago the word was being used for Beyonce and J'Lo! Now it is used as a substitute for "pleasantly plump", and women who have no curves whatsoever.

I notice you say that they look "fine now". Did they not look fine before, in your opinion? Did they need to lose weight?

I think they look just fine, personally.
Having said that, let's face it, most singers , regardless, find it easier to just lose weight than it would be to try to oppose the image-crazy media. If they dont/wont cater to that aspect, there will always be someone equally talented waiting to take their place who will.

I do think the 'bag of bones' look is slowly being replaced by a more sensible thin but healthy look, fortunately. For example,Leona Lewis is not twig thin, but it isnt hurting her career in the least.

I think you'll find the term "curvy" was in use for women of a certain size long before Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez were even a twinkle in their parent eyes.

C14E, sorry I meant they looked fine before, I thought they hadnt slimmed yet? I didnt find them plump before and they dont need to lose weight.
Yes Leona looks great, but when she first appeared on XF she could never be called "unfit" or "fat" before!

theres no point, they will be out soon.