Heidi Klum sparks controversy - Kathy Najimy fires back

[JazmenFlowers]

looks like we weren't the only ones who noticed the judges' comments were a little inducing. here's what Kathy wrote to the producers of the show.
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Dearest Andy eye candy,

Hi Honey. I hope you are well. Congratulations on Project Runway -- I think it is by far the best reality show on TV. Smart, filmed so realistically like a true documentary, well produced, compelling, well done -- in fact I could watch an all-Project-Runway-all-day channel.

Sadly after last night's episode, I probably won't watch it again. Yes, I am one of the throngs who will miss sweet gorgeous talented Alison and her creations ... BUT, that is NOT why i am upset. Tonight I was aghast at the comments made about her model's size.

First, Tim Gunn refers to her as "zaftig" Zaftig? She is a MODEL -- 6 feet tall and probably all of 120 pounds! Zaftig? What does this say to the really average sized women?? And then, Heidi Klum, although she seems like a perfectly fine model and mother -- made some very very irresponsible comments, a couple of offensive remarks about her size. She referred to the outfit as making the model look like a GOD FORBID -- "Plus SIZE model!" -- like that was the ultimate in HORRORS... it was all she could do to contain herself from gagging. OK maybe the outfit wasn't great but Heidi's comments were hurtful and dangerous. Good thing Mr. Kors had the good sense to chime in and call the model "a beautiful girl."

Andy, the reason Heidi's comments were dangerous is that we all know what a powerful tool television has become on influencing the masses. I am sure hundreds of thousands of women and girls watch your program. And probably a very monumental amount of them, as a result of the messages we send women and girls in this country that are made to hate their bodies. They are either unhealthily trying to fit into some NARROW minded idea of what they are "supposed to look like," actually in the midst of dangerous eating disorders, or are, hopefully, some of the very lucky few in process of overcoming the avalanche of hideous pressure to be one unattainable size.

Please sincerely tell Ms. Klum this fact: six out of ten 11-year-old girls are on a diet or have an eating disorder. That's 11-year-old girls. Many of them die from the quest. Many grown women also die from these disorders every year. If you have seen it, it is a profoundly sad self loss. And this is not an organic occurrence. This is not bad gene we are born with. This is a result of the constant gnawing at women and girls that they are NOT right as they are. This is taught. This is drilled. This comes from shame. That they are too fat, or too wrinkled or too round or maybe they are beyond terrorized that they just might look like a... PLUS SIZE MODEL. The truth is that most women in the country are a size 14. A nice beautiful size 14 or 16 -- or more. Which I guess Ms. Klum would categorize as OBESE. She is lucky she has good genes... good for her. I hope she got there without hurting herself in any way like most women do. I hope she has the self-esteem most women in America are lacking. 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 last night on the program.

I understand that this is a reality TV show and people can say what they want, but I was disappointed that Bravo or the producers didn't opt to edit her comments. Please pass this on. I think it is important. I know this has nothing to do with you. I just have your email address and not hers!

Much love to you Andrew...
Yours,
Kathy "plus size brains" Najimy