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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 INTERVIEW 
10

Plus-Size Model: Anorexia Felt Like 'the Flu Times 10'

Crystal Renn recalls battle back to good health

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(Newser) – In her teens, Crystal Renn punished herself relentlessly in pursuit of her dream of becoming a model. After years of self-inflicted hell, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Renn has found success by being herself—she is now the world's highest-paid plus-size model. Time chats with her:

  • On her introduction to modeling: "One day a scout came up to me and said 'Oh my gosh, you're going to be the next supermodel.' I didn't even know what that meant. He pulled out a picture of Gisele and said, 'This is who you can be.' But he said I had to lose nine inches off my hips."

  • On life as a size 0: "I would go to 10 castings followed by a trip to the gym for three to four hours and sometimes even up to eight hours. I would eat lettuce and vegetables all day long, but I would think about food all of the time. I would wake up sometimes feeling like I had the flu times 10.
  • On losing her eating disorder: "I remember making the decision to eat again. It was pretty amazing. My first meal was what many would regard as very healthy: a salad with salmon, walnuts and olive oil. At the time, I feared that I would gain 100 pounds with one bite."
To see the complete Q-and-A, click the link below.

This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of
This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn.   (AP Photo/Simon & Schuster)
FILE- This Oct. 4, 2005 file photo shows French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier taking the catwalk with model Crystal Renn at the end of the presentation of his Spring/Summer ready to wear 2006 collection, in Paris.
FILE- This Oct. 4, 2005 file photo shows French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier taking the catwalk with model Crystal Renn at the end of the presentation of his Spring/Summer ready to wear 2006 collection,...   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of
This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn.   (AP Photo/Simon & Schuster)
This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of
This book cover released by Simon & Schuster shows the cover of "Hungry" A Young Model's Story of Appetite,Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves", by Crystal Renn.   (AP Photo)
This photo released by PMK  shows model Crystal Renn in her early career.
This photo released by PMK shows model Crystal Renn in her early career.   (AP Photo/ PMK,Justin Macala)
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10 comments
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TheInterested
Oct 26, 09 6:28 PM CDT
Yeah, I think it's a real shame that girls with bodies like 15-year-old boys with breast implants are considered hot or supermodel material. How this image ever got to be considered sexually (emphasis on sex) attractive is beyond me. But then again, I think I'm far from the target demographic. Reply
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+6
ezrider
Oct 26, 09 9:23 PM CDT
different strokes for different folks Reply
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+2
cornelison
Oct 26, 09 11:12 PM CDT
Now she looks normal. Reply
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0
inky
Oct 26, 09 11:16 PM CDT
Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. Brava to all of us who refuse to buy into the stick-boy with boobs look. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
citygirl
Oct 27, 09 10:47 AM CDT
So true!
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