I was wondering what people thought about the pictures that Amanda Beard posed for in FHM. I was talking to a friend a couple of years ago and she was telling me that she thought that Amanda had "sold out". At that time I was only aware that she was modeling for speedo and other sports related products.
I went into 7-11 this week and there she was on the cover of FHM and in my mind that definatly crossed the "sold out" line. It doesn't change the fact that she's a great athlete but I don't think I take her seriously anymore. What would you think if Gary Hall Jr. posed in a magazine like that in those poses? Would you be able to take him seriously or look at him the same way?
"She has signed a $1 million contract to advertise Speedo’s Axcelerate line. Throw in endorsement deals with Oroweat Bread, Red Bull and Penta water, and a signature line of fragrance products, and Amanda can earn up to $100 million by 2010." - FHM
I just don't understand with all the money that she's raking in already, why there was a need to pose..... How about Vogue Amanda? That's sexy!
Whatever......
Amanda pics
Former Member
From the FHM article:
“After my last FHM shoot during the 2004 games, people were like, ‘Wow, she’s grown up,’” says the now 24-year-old Amanda. “And it’s not only because I was in a sexy bikini but I also took on my own business ventures and I’m really in control of what is going on around me.”
That control has turned her into the Tiger Woods of swimming. Amanda gets a cool $15,000 per speaking engagement. She has signed a $1 million contract to advertise Speedo’s Axcelerate line. Throw in endorsement deals with Oroweat Bread, Red Bull and Penta water, and a signature line of fragrance products, and Amanda can earn up to $100 million by 2010. Is there anything she can’t do? “I can’t stop laughing every time I hear someone call me the World’s Sexiest Athlete,” she says. “I don’t look in the mirror and go, ‘Wow, I’m sexy.’” Amanda, perhaps you should take a look at these photos before you decide.
Did anyone say that?
The question is, did Amanda sell out. If Amanda is comfortable in doing this, than no, it is not a sell out. I think something like this is an individual thing. Some day your daughter may feel OK with something like this, but then again maybe not. She may do something else you don't agree with, but once she is an adult, it is her decision.
And modeling involves quite a bit of sexuality. My best friend in high school went into modeling for awhile. Her first job....give away blankets in a bank. When she had to dress for that, they did not want her looking like a banker, no, they hired a model that they wanted made up and looking sexy and like a hundred bucks. It took a year, but she got really, really sick of the modeling world and the emphasis on looks only and sexuality.
Originally posted by Seagurl51
More and more campaigns are starting to use "real" women in their ads as opposed to size 2 models. The one that jumps to mind is the Dove ads. Their slogan is campaiging for real beauty. While this change will take time, I do think it's on it's way.
God, I really hope it isn't.
Originally posted by gull80
That's my point, but it's not just modeling, it's prevalent throughout the media. I thought women wanted to be taken more seriously in the boardroom. To my untrained eye, it seems that we're moving in the opposite direction.
But if your 20 something daughter were enamored with the idea of being a model, how are you going to stop her? It would be her choice, not yours. And that is where I stand with Amanda, it is her choice and if she is OK with it, that is her personal decision. Just because she is an Olympian, it does not change that she has the right to model whatever she pleases.
Mr Magoo......in my dreams.....(and probably my husbands as well)
Former Member
Originally posted by Seagurl51
I...I'd have to say that the vast majority of girls know that these pictures are fake. While some do strive to lose weight and look good, the majority of pictures that I've heard people say that about have been in fitness magazines where the women seem more healthy, than stickly thin. As someone going into the advertising field, I have to say that I think the trend of stick thin models is a dying fad...
Very good point! The heroin addicted/anexoric look is fading thank goodness. But wow, Amanda's pictures as fake as they are, you have to admit her body is for real. Regardless of how she chooses to pose and show it, she has attained a body by training hard in a sport we all love (yes, genetics does help).
I would wonder how many women on here would like to have a body like that not just for the look but more importantly, how it has been attained. No drugs, starvation, etc. Hard work and dedication in the pool and dry land has helped mold her.
I have a 6 year old daughter and would love for her to be as successful as Amanda Beard is in whatever field she chooses. Amanda has chosen swimming, been incredibly successful at it, and continnues to build on that success. I can assure you, if she wasn't an Olympic medalist she wouldn't be on the cover of FHM or on MTV (tonight), or on the CBS Morning Show (this week).
She has not "sold out" and I take her very seriuosly. If she is training again for 2008 I can assure you every breaststroker in the world will take her seriously in spite of the FHM Magazine cover. If they think like Xenadiva does, she wins and they lose.
Former Member
Originally posted by gull80
Looks like the consensus is that we'd all be proud to see our daughters pose for pictures like this (if the price is right).
Just don't treat them as sexual objects. Nothing contadictory about that.
This statement is hogwash. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is one of the most ridiculous assumptions I have seen on here in a long time.
Former Member
Originally posted by knelson
God, I really hope it isn't.
HAHAHAHA!! :D
Amen brother!
Former Member
Originally posted by dorothyrde
It took a year, but she got really, really sick of the modeling world and the emphasis on looks only and sexuality.
That's my point, but it's not just modeling, it's prevalent throughout the media. I thought women wanted to be taken more seriously in the boardroom. To my untrained eye, it seems that we're moving in the opposite direction.
Gull, I think our girls know this. I know the career counseling they have in our schools starts in junior high, and as far as I know, posing for Men's magazines is not one of the careers they talk about. These days girls as well as boys are prepped for college and have every expectation of getting good educations and good jobs.
Our daughters are smart people. I know the girls I coach on my daughters softball team all have good sense of self, are smart and ready to take on the world. Same with volunteering in the schools for different things. Yes, they are bombarded with somewhat unsavory media at times, but they seem to know how to sort things out. This is a good generation and I really enjoy them.
Originally posted by gull80
Right, but as my dad once told me, as a parent you worry about everything.
Yes we do.
And honestly my biggest concern with my kids and the teens I know is drinking. I think that is a far bigger problem than something like this.
Matt. just read your article, I guess only in California, at least I hope so. We have former governors(not the ones indicted folks)
and people like that speak with our 8th graders! Would be interesting to know what career day in Vegas might be like though.