Jessica Simpson talks about body image

Jessica Simpson is not fat. Following the controversy and ridicule that plagued the starlet after an unflattering picture of her performing in high waist jeans was widely circulated last year, Simpson—who looks absolutely gorgeous (and decidedly svelte) as Allure’s new cover girl—turns on the sarcasm and quips, “When I walk through an airport and people go, ‘You’re not fat!’ I’m like, ‘Thanks. Thanks. That’s great. Good to know I’m not fat today. Thank you!’” On a more serious note, she adds, “I would not wish on my worst enemy what I went through,” of the abuse she faced from the media in the aftermath of that photo. Filming her new VH1 reality show, Jessica Simpson’s The Price of Beauty, was enlightening: “When I think of America, it’s very diverse, but we do have the cookie-cutter way we’re supposed to look, and going to all these countries, it’s so completely different. I was fascinated going on that journey to discover that, even just for myself.” Spending time in Asia was particularly eye-opening: “In a lot of Asian cultures, the whiter you are, the more beautiful you are—and what I’m so used to is ‘The tanner you are, the thinner you look, the skinnier you feel.’” The 29 year-old, who declares, “I think I have great legs,” is growing more confident over time, and calls America’s obsession with weight “disgusting.” The Texan says, “My job is to be creative. And I’m not weighing in for anybody.”