What’s the skinny on post-baby celebs?
By Beth Teitell
Boston Herald Columnist
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - Updated: 03:34 AM EST
First Tom Cruise and his peeps got her in the tractor beam, and now the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa is circling. Hearing reports that Katie Holmes was seeking advice from Posh Spice Victoria Beckham on losing her baby weight, Pritikin has touchingly offered Katie and her family a two-week stay at its ‘fancy” Florida facility this summer.
Never mind that what’s “fancy” by civilian standards is “dog kennel” by Tom’s and Katie’s definition, or that the invite is for the summer - in southern Florida - when Pritikin’s rates are lowest. What’s most disturbing is this relatively new blip in our national obsession-radar with celebrities. First there’s the relentless “bump watch,” scrutinizing the increasing girth of the celeb-mom-to-be. Now we scan the spandex for signs of baby-weight loss.
We suck.
How much longer until the pressure to drop the baby pounds begins before giving birth?
As it is, no sooner has the legal action started over publication of the first baby photos, than mama appears in US Weekly or People, hair blown out, $500 sweat suit freshly pressed, Starbucks cup in hand, looking Nicole Richie-thin.
Which brings me to the million-dollar Brangelina photos. With her perfect make-up, toned arms and flowing hair, Angelina appears to have already been to a two-week spa. It makes for a pretty People magazine cover, but ultimately the fast celebrity snapback is bad news for regular moms. Sure you can get in great shape if you’ve got a nanny and a personal trainer on hand - Katie’s working with Buff Brides to prep for her alleged upcoming nuptials to Tom. But celebrities are setting unrealistic expectations for the vast majority of new moms who are forced to choose between using their free one hour a day to grocery shop or nap and shower.
At presstime yesterday Pritikin still hadn’t heard back from Katie’s agent (nor had I), but my guess is that a) she won’t go, and b) she’d get more help from them than her pal Posh, the mother of three, who dispelled rumors of an eating disorder by claiming her doctor said weight loss “is just something that happens when you have children.”
How is the weather on your planet, Posh?
Meanwhile, even as the pressure mounts to shed pounds, speculation runs rampant-ish in some circles that Katie never even had a baby. As People magazine asked in a headline above a photo spread of other celebrity infants, ‘Where’s Suri?” Tom Cruise’s people assured the magazine that the baby’s ‘in great shape. Everything’s fine.”
My guess? She’s waiting to make her debut until she loses the baby weight.
