Originally I wrote this a few years back and had it as a link off my website. In my effort to consolidate I have removed the page, but the content is something I strongly believe in. I wrote it specifically for opera singers based on my thoughts and experiences, but I think the same applies in lots of areas of life...after all the world is a stage right?!

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Yes, there is size prejudice! Happy?!? Great...now, go get healthy!

The zaftig singer debate has been going on long before I first started singing and is as heated a discussion as comparing voice teachers and techniques. I have been overweight my entire life and it used to be that my opinion on whether singers should have to lose weight to have "it" or their "package" ran the gamut. If I was on a particular diet and feeling successful, than yes, I thought singers should definitely try to lose weight as it only helped in being cast, looking better, etc. When I became fed up with dieting, I would be very adamant on the indignant stance - well the talent precedes the weight, and if I'm talented enough, than it won't matter. As with everything else, people would just have to see beyond the weight to see all the greatness I have to offer.

But the truth is it *does* matter and why would you immediately put yourself at a disadvantage before even opening your mouth if you could slowly and consistently work on making your appearance the best it could be?. It matters because our weight is our scarlet letter that we wear upon our sleeve for the world to see. It matters because our exterior temple is some times indicative of what's going on within. Whether or not it is "wrong" is completely irrelevant - we are still judged whether accordingly or not. If you don't want to be judged by weight, than either choose another profession that you care very little about and have passionate hobbies so you don't feel that sting or make no excuses and do something about it. Something. Anything. People make the mistake in taking an all or nothing approach with weight loss. I'm not saying to be a size zero before going to an audition. I am saying to take small steps to feel and look better. Just those steps alone will give you the poise and confidence to carry yourself better at any weight. Unfortunately a singer is judged from the moment he or she walks through the door (earlier if you are submitting an application and/or picture for an apprentice program)- not from the moment they open their mouths.

Ok, so you make it through the door and your voice is one in a million (and there is a reason why it's one out of a million people...think about that one!). Then, it has to be good enough to erase in their minds all the first impressions, budgeting considerations (do you really think a small regional company has enough money to costume two totally opposite sized casts?), physical and health limitations (she sings a mean "Vissi D'Arte", but can she really make it through the last act?), and public preference considerations (yes, overweight people have sex lives, but entertainment is "escape" not "reality").

Another consideration is weight and health are linked together and major ... we only have one body and we have to take care of it. Yes, there are health conditions, genetics, and other issues etc. that impede many people with weight loss...so been there and done that! However sometimes that is the exception and not the rule and we can still work on improving our lot in life. Our bodies were meant to move...are you a hunter and gatherer or are you a toad on a lilypad waiting for the fly to come to you? I come from a long line of short and chunky overweight women. Am I predisposed to being heavier? Maybe...but I can no longer use it for an excuse to sit around waiting for them to invent a pill. In my opinion people spend much more time whining, "Woe is me, I just can't lose weight" than doing something to improve the way they look and feel about themselves. What gives me the right to say that? Because up until a few years ago I was one of them (and sometimes *still* find myself needing a little pity party). I would bitch and complain how I wasn't getting auditions to young artists programs. I would allow my teacher and coach to talk me into believing that size wasn't important when one has exceptional talent. I gravitated to other singers in my predicament. Meanwhile I would cry and eat and retain my glorious size 28/30. Instead of taking advantage of what a full time job offered me, I would moan that 40+ hours of my life were sucked away weekly and that after work and whatever practicing I was doing, I didn't have time to think about eating or exercise or the money to afford it. I was kidding myself that at 340 pounds I was in good health. Truth is, ignorance is bliss and hindsight really is 20/20. Only now that I am on the fitter side of the totem pole do I realize that in no way could I keep up with someone who was smaller than I was…no way. Opera is movement…movement of voice, music AND bodies. Long gone are the stand and sing days. So put aside limited budgets, costuming limitations, public preferences and prejudices. After all that, there are still physical demands that must be met.

I have always thought myself attractive, but how could I expect that someone would hire me and expect me to perform on stage if I couldn't walk up one flight of stairs without feeling winded? But I did. Then there was the "I don't have time, I'm so busy, I have no money" etc. If you work in NYC and have a decent temp job and pay more than $100 a week for lessons - I assure you all you have enough money and time for taking care of you.

There are NY Sports Clubs on practically every other block in the city. And there are NY Health and Racquet clubs or Equinox on the alternate blocks. $80 to $100 dollars a month is nothing compared to your lessons, coachings, hair cuts, nights partying, socializing etc. I can easily drop $100 on dinner…that is one dinner...and I know I'm not the only one. For those that truly cannot afford that a month, there are videotapes, there is the YMCA/YWCA...there is walking with an MP3 player. The options are endless and trust me, you may think you spend a lot more eating healthy and on grocery shopping, but have you ever counted up every bagel, cup of coffee, snack and meal out that you consume every day? Pre lifestyle change, I easily spent $15 a day not including dinner. Now I probably spend $5 -$7 a day including dinner (unless I'm dining out).

What it really boils down to is priorities and perspective. I'm a size 14 Misses now and for some people that is still pretty chunky…I certainly wouldn't be lined up for an episode of Sex in the City any time soon! However for me it's glorious! I work out 3-4 times a week, trying to stay moving etc. I lift weights and sweat whether it's on a bike, treadmill or in a class. I can now jump up and down, run up several flights of stairs, walk around the city all-day and still have enough energy to sing. I feel that I look better than ever and should I ever have any desire to partake in auditions again, it would be interesting to see the difference in the way I'm treated.

Not because the poor fat girl didn't get any parts, but because this woman has finally decided she is worth taking care of herself! Isn't that what a total package is about? Leave singing aside for a second...life is still about nurturing mind, body and soul...sounds like the package to me.

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, you deserve to give your body the best treatment possible. I completely support loving your body and taking care of yourself whatever size you are. If you are happy at a higher weight, than wear that confidence on your sleeve and be as healthy as possible at whatever you weight you decide is right for you.

JeAnne