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Celebrity Feuds
Najimy Says Auf Wiedersehen to "Project Runway"

Kathy NajimyKathy Najimy won't be watching "Project Runway" anymore.

The former "Veronica's Closet" star is upset with "dangerous" comments made by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn on last week's episode pertaining to plus-size women.

Najimy, who over the years has lost 160 lbs, sent a passionate e-mail to Bravo exec Andy Cohen, who is a friend of Kathy's, outlining her grievances with the episode, which Cohen has since posted on his blog.

Kathy took particular issue with Gunn calling one of the runway models "zaftig" (pleasantly plump) and Heidi's comment that an outfit made a model look plus-size, which Najimy believes implied that plus-size was "the ultimate of horrors."



In the e-mail Najimy points out how these comments, along with societal pressure to be thin, are particularly harmful to the body images of young girls.

Najimy adds "And I especially hope that Heidi Klum's beautiful daughter never has to grow up in the self-hatred and self-mutilation that occurs when girls and women are suffocated by irresponsible, dangerous comments like the ones Heidi made..."

On his blog, Cohen came to Klum's defense by saying "Heidi cares a lot about little girls watching the show and about the image that we project."

Last night's episode lightly touched on the topic by having the contestants design everyday outfits for "everyday women" and featured the designers' own mothers and sisters as models.

While Kathy may not be watching anymore episodes, by the looks of "Project Runway's" plus-size ratings this year, it looks like everybody else sure is!

Tags: Heidi Klum, HeidiKlum, Kathy Najimy, KathyNajimy, Project Runway, ProjectRunway

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(Page 4 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Seems to me a successful designer would design for all shapes and sizes. A small sad note... Back in the eighties I was "discovered" by a top model agency. When I went for the initial interview they told me I would have to lose about 10 pounds especially in the arse and legs (and did not put it nearly as nicely as Klum). I was a 5'10" and 123 pound woman! The point is that industry is harsh, unrealistic and completely out of touch with real people. Funny that people are shocked by that.

I decided I liked being healthy, that my legs and butt were perfectly fine and that I would just continue on in college and go on to be a normal person leading a normal life. A pretty great decision. Only a foolish masochist would tolerate that crap. Pass the bagels and full fat cream cheese please.

Posted at 6:52PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Shannan

47. To all the people talking about Maralyn Monroe being a 12 or 14 (or whatever), sizes back then were different. I am not sure about the equiv. but sizes are getting larger to accomodate Americans getting larger. So a 10 of the 50's is not the same 10 of today. Ever used a vintage sewing pattern??

One other thing, the people commenting about fat people and how should do this or that to not be fat and that they are disgusting and that they should criticize themselves... maybe the thing that needs some public spotlighting is the ugly and rude attitudes towards others regarding things that are none of their business. Should a woman with a visually displeasing nose get it "fixed" so as not to displease the likes of you? Just like fat people can do something about their weight (and yes, it would be good for their health) , change for the better (health included) in attitude can work those with the ugly and rude demeanor that SO offends the vast majority of us (fat and thin alike).

Posted at 7:07PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Shannan

48. shannan I like you already.....lol.....my little girl is 13 and normal 5"0 105 pounds....she can't fit in a 2 or even a 4.....i can't imagine having a body like a boy sorry..i like my curse....and for the record most men like a woman with some meat on there bones.....

Posted at 7:07PM on Aug 24th 2006 by meme

49. Comparing a nose job to being overweight is like comparing apples to oranges.

While childhood obesity is becoming an alarming major problem in this country, I say its about friggin time that people get criticized for being fat. Because its effecting THEIR CHILDREN, who's lifespans have been reduced IN HALF because they follow their fat parents disgusting eating habits and lifestyles.

If you want to ruin your own life, fine. But obesity is a problem thats NOW KILLING CHILDREN.

We criticize people who have unprotected sex, because it harms them and those around them. Its high time that fat people, and fat parents, be criticized.

And I ABSOLUTELY criticize myself when I let my diet slip..whether a little or alot...because I have a family history of diabetes. People should be so critical, without whining "WAAA! DONT CALL ME FAT!!!" Youre fat. Youre beautiful. But being overweight is unhealthy. Maybe think about it for a little?

Okay, this has little to do with the original article.

Posted at 7:35PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Cat

50. Yes, perhaps the average woman (in America) is a size 12, however this does not mean that a size 12 is healthy! I will agree that Hollywood is obsessed with thinness, and it is drivinig women to eating disorders. As a women in the fashion industry, it is obvious to me that the industry's perception is skewed, but designers find inspiration designing for models, so let them do their thing, and wear what YOU like, and who YOURSELF!

Posted at 7:49PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Melissa

51. Kathy's just upset that Krispy Kreme was closed before the show started

Posted at 8:08PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Joseph

52. I think the point is that it was rude and classless thing for Heidi to do. It has nothing to do with health and telling a close friend she is at risk for diabetes. That's a different story and these women are not the project runway people's friends. Saying that someone is fat is a white trash thing to do. If you are suporting telling people they are fat pigs so they'll lose weight then you are right there with Sh*tney and k-fag. It is trashy behavoir. So, all the people saying making fun of fat people is ok, go chomp some gum and wear a see through top with a mini skirt while pregnant and go into a public bathroom without shoes!! Same thing.

Posted at 8:08PM on Aug 24th 2006 by paris'speepeeinataxi

53. Heidi got rid of Allison because she was jealous of her...keeping that nitwit instead...and now she sneers at plus size ladies...when the clothing was supposed to be for the everyday woman..who is not a size 0...and the tatoo neck was so rude to that mother I wanted to slap him...and imiagine making her cry...what a bastard...I am surprised that Angela did not kill him...I would have.

Posted at 8:23PM on Aug 24th 2006 by jan

54. I am not so sure what everyone is so excited about. As a person who is NOT a size 0, 2, or 4. I am still not offended by the show and I watch it regularly. It is a show about fashion and design. It is hard to dress someone who does not have the "ideal" preportions. Lord knows when I try to dress myself if it hard to look stylish and hip without looking like a cartoon. Stop trying to place blame or read more into comments that weren't meant to be inflamatory. The fashion industry is about that size 2/4 body on a 6 ft tall frame. Not everyone is built like that. Get over it. Lord knows I have.

Posted at 8:56PM on Aug 24th 2006 by S

55. It amazes me how people will come on these spaces and post vulgarity. I believe that it takes no intelligence to speak in this manner. Why blast someone for an opinion? I believe that rudeness should be called out. We need to be held accountable for what we say as well as for what we do. If someone is in the public eye and ear they should be careful with what they transmit forth, The quality of their opinion remains out there for many to remember for a long while. As much as we would like it to be another way....Other learn from our actions and from what we say ....especially children! Therefore, do we have a standard to uphold....Yes we do ...and we had better take that wand and began to yield it higher a generation of kids is watching....What will we say when they say ....."You taught us that ...we heard you say it ....and do it! "
This is food for thought for the ones that have ears to hear and eyes to see.....for the rest .....carry on .........
Quote...Teach them well and they will grow up to lead and follow well .....Being accountable and teachable and faithful are excellent character traits.....put them on.......

Posted at 8:58PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Melanie

56. MODELS MAKE MONEY OFF THEIR LOOKS. THEIR WORLD DOES NOT INCLUDE FAT. REMARKS ARE MADE TO THEM DAILY ABOUT THEIR WEIGHT, LOOKS AND GOD FORBID IF THEY HAVE A ZIT. IT IS NOT THE REAL WORLD. BIG BONED WOMEN ARE AS ALIEN TO THEM AS A TIC-TAC FOR DINNER IS TO THE GENERAL POPULATION. REJECTION DOES NOT COME EASY TO ANYONE BUT UNLESS THEY ARE THE TOP MODEL, THEY CAN BE REJECTED FOR HAVING A BAD HAIR DAY.LOOKS ARE EVERYTHING. SAD BUT TRUE. REMARKS FROM MODELS ARE NOT CRUEL.THEY LIVE IN THE PARRELL UNIVERSE AND THERE IS NO ONE MORE IMPORTENT THEN THEY ARE.............BORING, SELF ABSORBED ALIENS. VERA WANG HAS DEVELOPED PLUS SIZE CLOTHS COMING OUT SOON TO KHOLS. I DON'T THINK HEIDI WILL BE THE TOP MODEL FOR THAT LINE.

Posted at 8:58PM on Aug 24th 2006 by JAJA

57. everybody is overreacting. the outfit allison made was ugly and made her look bloated and fat. i agree with heidi's comments that the dress made her look plus-size.

Posted at 9:08PM on Aug 24th 2006 by marian

58. cool down B****.. you're FAT & UGLY anyway. Don't watch "Project Runway". Who cares about you. No wonder your movies flopped.

Posted at 9:12PM on Aug 24th 2006 by markus

59. GO BACK TO GREECE

Posted at 9:12PM on Aug 24th 2006 by markus

60. Heidi may be cigarette thin, and doesn't she have a black husband? Maybe she feels inferior therefore, she must seek out what she sees in others as a flaw to make herself feel better. As for the anti-social tat boy that is par for the course.

Posted at 10:16PM on Aug 24th 2006 by biscuit

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