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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 5 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. For the Marilyn conversion, I read in my Cosmo that today she would be a size 6.

I just think Jeffery was very disrespectful and his own mother let him get away with it. My mom would have been on my case for being so rude.

Fat or thin, people deserve to be treated with respect and it is possible to be polite to someone you don't like. That is the real world.

Posted at 11:53PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Carmen

62. How important is this in the grand scheme of things.? I do not like Kathy Najimy and find many things she has said offensive.

Posted at 2:40AM on Aug 25th 2006 by ellen

63. The comments made described the model. She was termed zaftig-not fat. The model was noticably bigger than the other models. I know in America we cant say anything that might offend. Lets pretend there is no difference between sizes 0 and 22w. Wake up to reality. I find it interesting that those of us that are size 0 can be barraged with comments from "larger" women , " you need to eat more, I was never that size". However, to return the comments with "you need to eat less" would be offensive. Thank you Tim and Heidi for a reality check

Posted at 5:15AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Cathy

64. The comment was made to describe the model, zaftig, not fat. The model was noticably larger than the others. This is reality. I know in America we cannot say anythong tht might be offensive. I see a difference between description and a personal attack. I am a size 0, and due so by eating healthy and going to the gym, not krispy creme. I find it interesting that "larger" women can make comments to me "you need to eat more" if I returned the comment with "you need to eat less" that would be offensive. Thank you for a reality check Tim and Heidi.

Posted at 7:07AM on Aug 28th 2006 by cathy plittman

65. I just think kathy n needs to go to a gym exercise and step away from the Krispy Kremes, which are down right disgusting anyways. They video they play w/her complaining about the show is just hilarious it shows that shes a fat slob.

MM was a size 12-14 yes but she clearly didnt look it that is for sure. She didnt have rolls hanging out and dressed very classic. Today you get fat women in jeans too tight thinking htey look hip or in dress pants that 'collect' as they walk because their thighs rub together, much like the fat people w/shorts when they walk. Look in the mirror w/o rose colored glasses and you will see what you look like actually.

Most of the trends out there are for the thin and skinny and just because its made and in stores doesnt mean that its ok to wear it.

s

Posted at 6:09AM on Aug 25th 2006 by sherri

66. get over yourself Kathy! If you're a plus size woman you SHOULD be proud of yourself.......HOWEVER, if you weigh in at 105 lbs. of course you don't want to look 180lbs. No matter what size a woman is, they don't want to look any bigger. Tim and Ms. Klumm made completely acceptable comments based on their business and how the particular outfits did an injustice to the model's figure.

Or I guess if you want to be so politically correct ....the could have lied.

Posted at 6:33AM on Aug 25th 2006 by dramaglama

67. Get over it. Since when is it a secret that the fashion industry doesn't cater to plus sized woman? DUH!!!!!!!! They were just being honest.

Posted at 8:06AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Kat

68. Jeffery is a little b**** and I would have slapped him silly if I were Angela's Mom. I agree number #54 his own mother should not have let him getting away with treating her like that. She was like "oh he's a recovering alcoholic" since when is that an excuse to treat people like sh*t?

Posted at 8:09AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Sammy

69. I don't agree with Kathy, the show is normally designer's designing for model size women. So to ignore the fact that the women in this episode were not model size would be silly and obvious. I don't think the comments by Heidi or Tim were offensive, but that snob of a designer Jeffrey was disgraceful being so rude to Angela's mother. Sure she was a tad low in the self-esteem department, but he just walked all over her and made a piece of cr*p for her to wear. Shame on him. That is my opinion on the matter!!

Posted at 10:46AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Jennifer

70. Kudos to Kathy. We live in a society where women and young girls are expected to look a certian way, and when those ideals are not lived up to, there is shame and disgust associated with that person. Being "plus-sized" is not looked at as being "beautiful". Perhaps by some, but not by enough. And Kathy is right, the MAJORITY of woman in this country are sized 14 and up. MAJORITY! The small, very small, percentage of women we see on TV and in magazines who are models and celebrities are the MINORITY as far as size is concerned. And to use that group of women as role models for young girls, who have enough insecurities about their bodies, is sad and unrealistic. When Heidi Klum made the comment about the model looking "plus-sized", you could see the disgust on her face and the dismissal and rejection immediatly. That is the sad truth about Heidi Klum. For her, beauty is only skin deep.

Posted at 8:29AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Jacklyn

71. I'm not the only one who was annoyed at the ZAFTIG comment!? And then after he mentioned this and I saw the model, I was like in what universe is this women hefty! I design and I love fashion, but this attitude is exactly why I wound'nt be able to bear working in the industry! Shame! I wonder if the model knew he called her zaftig?

Posted at 8:41AM on Aug 25th 2006 by lyfenlyn

72. I doubt anyone's health is in danger if they're a size 6 or 8 instead of a 0 or 2--most of those stick-thin people are the unhealthy ones because they're literally starving themselves to death.

Posted at 8:47AM on Aug 25th 2006 by BOB

73. Yes, I to viewed this episode. Heidi's comments were not the nicest, however, this is how the fashion and modeling business go. What top Designer wants to see their clothing modeled by plump woman. That's not appealing nor attractive, and certainly wont help to sell one' s garments.

On the other hand, Heidi may be sleek, stylish and thin, but she certainly lacks in the sensitivity department. Plus for someone who emphasizes so much on appearances, well....has anyone took a good look at her husband. He has a scar that literally takes up his entire face. So even Heidi realizes looks arent everything. Whats on the inside is important to.

Posted at 8:55AM on Aug 25th 2006 by Jillian

74. i think heidi was saying that the outfit made the model look plus-size. like it was unflattering. no one wants to look bigger than they actually are. no matter your size. not that big of a deal.

Posted at 9:02AM on Aug 25th 2006 by sarah

75. #52, S: so, you don't understand why people are so angry with project runway's behavoir? You said you are not that thin, not a 0,2, or 4 and you were not offended? It's called a LOW-SELF ESTEEM! You don't understand that you should be insulted because you probably do not love yourself. You should be angry. What they did was wrong and I feel sorry for you that you do not care enough about yourself to know when something is wrong. Those women were made fun of and I wish they would demand a public apology. You don't have to be over weight to be disgusted by what occured. These are the contestant's mothers! It is so insulting to make fun of someone's mother! I would love to see Heidi's mother so I can tell her what she REALLY looks like. I hope she is perfect because the way Heidi talks, women at that age must be judged acording to industry standard. MOST MODELS ARE AGE 14-21!!!! Not 50-60.

Posted at 10:18AM on Aug 25th 2006 by paris'speepeeinataxi

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