Although an Oscar-winning song once showed us how difficult it is out there for a pimp, it’s probably harder to be pop star Lady Gaga right now.

Not only can she not wear a meat suit in peace or travel around award shows in an egg, Gaga can’t even gain a little weight without everyone criticizing her. But Gaga — Stefani Germanotta — is proving that everyone should only consider size another number.

Honestly, celebrity weight gain shouldn’t ever be this big of an issue.

Recently, unflattering photos have spread around the Internet of Gaga looking a lot fuller than usual during an Amsterdam concert appearance. But if you compare the photos to YouTube videos from the tour night in question, she looks noticeably thinner.

Gaga could call “Photoshop!” on the pictures and be fine, but has instead publicly stated that she’s gained about 25 pounds recently. For the past week, she’s also made it her mission to promote positive body attitudes for all of her Little Monsters.

First, Mother Monster released a set of underwear pictures with her fuller figure. Although she’s really baring it all in the photos, they’re not the usual brand of Gaga sexy. Instead she stated that she’s “joining the body revolution” and wants her fans “to be proud in any form you may take as well.”

Then, last Saturday night, Lady Gaga spoke out against the detractors head on at another “Born This Way” concert in Zurich, Switzerland.

She said, “Let’s celebrate. To 30 more years of them calling me a slut. To 30 more years of them calling me a fat, attention-seeking whore,” also referencing a “slut” comment from the president of Staten Island.

Somehow, Gaga has taken remarks that would put most people into self-imposed hermit-dom — or at least a break from sold-out arena concerts — and turned them into positive energy.

She isn’t ashamed of herself for gaining weight. Gaga’s life is usually disturbingly over photographed. If she shunned all paparazzi cameras until she shed the 25 pounds, Mother Monster would be setting the worst kind of example for her adoring fans.

It’s well documented that her Little Monsters gain strength and inspiration through their role model. If she’s humiliated by a few too many pasta dinners, what does that mean for them?

Although Gaga is dealing with the recent scrutiny well, it points to a bigger issue.

Yes, a star that used to be a size 00 became a size 6. That happens to college freshman — and sophomores, juniors and seniors, for that matter — all over this country every year.  Seeing nasty headlines and unappealing rear-end shots of celebrities isn’t helping anyone.

Instead, the photos will probably just make you angry at a Sbarro’s slice in the dinning hall or midnight munchies at Kimmel.

Although it may be hard, we need to stop worrying about every dimple we find and calorie we take in. If Lady Gaga — with her couture gowns and hours of performances — is surviving, so will we.

Ariana Romero is a junior magazine journalism and political science major. Her column appears every week. She can be reached at akromero@syr.edu or followed on Twitter at @ArianaRomero17. 

Published on October 4, 2012 at 1:00 am