'Grey's Anatomy' Star Criticized Heiress-Happy Media

“Grey's Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo struck out at the celeb-heavy media, according to an August 9 AP article. She had some interesting criticisms of the media and its focus on those ubiquitous celebutantes “who are rich and famous for nothing” and set bad examples for girls (emphasis mine throughout):

"I just think the media should take this country in a different direction," the 37-year-old actress tells the new issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine, on newsstands Aug. 15.

"We're so focused on the wrong things. We're teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing."

In an apparent reference to coverage of Paris Hilton and her ilk, Pompeo says: "What are we doing to this younger generation? It's not very responsible."

So far this year has been a low point for journalism from the wall-to-wall obsession with the late Anna Nicole Smith to the non-stop coverage of Paris Hilton's smirking exploits. While this fluff is covered, more important stories go underreported or even unreported.

While I think very slender Pompeo made an excellent point about frivolous media coverage, she might be missing the mark when chastising the press for focusing on her weight and wondering whether she has an eating disorder:

 Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," also calls the media "irresponsible" for ongoing speculation that she has an eating disorder.

"I just worry about the girls who look up to me — I don't want them to think I starve myself or don't eat, and that to be like me that's what they have to do," explains the actress, who says she is naturally slender.

The very celebs Pompeo highlighted are usually extremely thin, and the media often raise questions about how they got that way. If the media don't point out that these women are too thin or ask if they are using unhealthy methods like anorexia or drugs to get that way, that would send the message that this is a normal look that young girls should emulate.

I don't blame her for being sensitive about her weight and the media's intense spotlight on her weight, but dispelling the belief that anorexia is fashionable might help one or two of those young girls avoid developing bony vertebrae that jut out from their backs like a tiny marbles.

* Photo AP

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