Heroines of ‘real women’

Recently pictured revealing her post-pregnancy stretchmarks, Julia Roberts has shown to the world that the realities of motherhood do in fact affect celebrities as well. This comes two years after the highest-grossing female movie star flashed her underarm hair on the red carpet at a film premiere. It doesn’t get more real than that!

American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer and actress Beyonce Knowles is widely known in the media for her curvaceous body shape, and is often seen flaunting her fuller, womanly figure with pride. Knowles was recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, the first non-model and non-athlete woman to pose on the cover.

As the face of Lancôme’s Trésor fragrance, Winslet has used her status to be an outspoken advocate of real-sized women, having said in an interview: “I do think it’s important for young women to know that magazine covers are retouched. People don’t really look like that. In my films I might look glamorous, but I’ve been in hair and make-up for two hours.”

British actress Helen Mirren, has earned the respect of women across the globe by embracing her 50s and proving to the world that women really do get better with age.

Susan Sarandon has always refused to succumb to the generic Hollywood image of beauty, and proven that sheer talent and a unique style can be just as winning.

There’s no doubting the down-to-earth quality of American actress and star of popular TV show Alias, Jennifer Garner. The stunning Mrs Affleck proves she’s every inch a real woman, photographed regularly with her young children wearing little make up and swamped down with grocery bags.

Famous Australian celebrity and former international model Deborah Hutton, has said: “Real beauty is a woman who is happy in her skin and who is confident. She has a way about her where she is very comfortable. You look at her and think, ‘she is gorgeous’.”

Grounded Liv Tyler is much more ‘girl-next-door’ than Hollywood diva, and with her voluptuous, homely, and earth-mother image shows that you don’t need to fake anything to be a success.

American actress, model and author Brooke Shields has certainly dealt with reality, having publically battled postpartum depression, an experience that in her case included depression, thoughts of suicide, and an inability to respond to her baby’s needs. She has since become a role model to many women throughout the world.

There is a very ‘real’ quality to the new US First Lady, Michelle Obama, and her soaring popularity across the world is testament to this. As a clearly hands-on mother, wife, presidential aid and campaigner, her hardworking approach to life has won her much support.

As Australia’s sunniest star, Sarah Murdoch has proved time and time again that there’s more to her than stunning looks and a winning smile. Having revealed in interviews that it’s ‘giving back’ that makes her feel real, Sarah continues to show her support for breast cancer and the Murdoch’s Children’s Research Institute. In pictures: Sarah Murdoch.

Oprah may well be one of the most influential, wealthy, driven and successful women in the world, but she’s about as real as they come. The popular talk-show host is generally admired for overcoming adversity to become one of the world’s greatest benefactors. In pictures: Oprah Winfrey.

At 5 feet 12 inches tall, with womanly curves and broad shoulders, gorgeous Aussie model Megan Gale proves that the waif look is out and real women’s bodies are definitely back in.

Marilyn Monroe was every inch the real woman. Her fuller size 14 figure and womanly curves lead her to become arguably the biggest sex icon of our time. In pictures: Marilyn Monroe.