As tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams prepare for this year's U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 31, a candid interview Serena recently gave to People magazine is drawing plenty of attention. The younger Williams sister discussed her new memoir, 'On the Line,' which touches on fashion, love, body image, and her bout with depression after the murder of her half-sister, Yetunde Price, in 2003. What she went through after losing Price is the heart of 'On The Line':
It was a real dark period in my life. I went through depression. I never even talked about it to my mom. No one knew I was in therapy, but I was. I was so close to her.
Not surprisingly, that dark time led to a 20-pound weight gain. Add the hypercritical glare of the media spotlight, and it's not surprising that like many women, Serena wrestles with insecurities about her looks:
Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and am, like, I want to lose my inner thigh. I've got to do an hour of cardio today, or whatever. I try not to do it, but the insecurity comes back sometimes.
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TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 19: Serena Williams of the U.S. returns a shot to Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakistan during the Rogers Cup at the Rexall Center on August 19, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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My thighs. I think they're too big. But also my arms. I think they're too muscular. They're too thick.
When People counters that one could "consider those your best part," Serena responds:
I'm sensitive about them. I know that toned arms are in now. Look at Michelle Obama. She has great arms, and I think it's wonderful that she shows them off like that! I love her for that. I'm like, Keep wearing strapless dresses! But I don't like mine.
That's too bad. I deem Serena a beautiful new age woman: Her accomplishments (22 Grand Slams including mixed and doubles, thank you), business sense (she and her sister, Venus, just purchased a stake of the Miami Dolphins) and style (I don't care what the critics say) prove her to be a young woman who is all about her business. I'm sure you've heard some of the negative chatter about how some people view her body, but I love that she still understands that we have to define ourselves:
I want women to know that it's okay. You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out. We're always told what's beautiful and what's not, and that's not right.
Serena is a role model just for being honest about her insecurities. She isn't any different from any woman who has an off day and thinks, "I could lose a few,". Loving and valuing yourself throughout those down days is what counts.
Young black girls can rejoice in the accomplishments of a Serena Williams and they can also rejoice in her integrity and strength. Clearly she is working through her issues ... as we all are.
Comments: (216)
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By: dxxy4u on 8/28/2009 9:53PM
Serena doesn't have to lose anything. Her problem, like all female celebrities, are looking in the wrong place for love. What they need is a down home good man, that accepts them as they are. When they get back home they can really be themselves. Eat with their fingers if they want. Because they will have a man that say, "What goes on in the House stays in the house", and mean it. Those celebrity Brothers are so much into themselves, until no woman can come in. Both, should stop making their companion an "Accessory". No more than a hand bag or a hat to them. Anyway, Serena you are just fine, now find a real man that will whisper that into your ears, and really means it.
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By: tabbi on 8/30/2009 8:22AM
As usual, a woman comments with, "all you need is a good down home man."
Just add her to the bazillions of women who depend on mad to make them feel complete. Only God can fill those kind of deep voids inside....
Serena! what a powerful, amazing woman of the ages! Of course she can have a man! How difficult is that??? please, Serena is digging deeper and it's so wonderful to see her stand-up on her own merits! beautiful!
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By: cbendy on 8/30/2009 9:42AM
Whoever you are you are correct in all you say. people should just be who they are especially when they are at home. Yes, there is a game face, but true happiness is feeling free to act as you feel as long as it affects you only and others should accept you for being honest and not what they want you to be. Most people want you to be what they don't feel they can be. The only different is they do not want to put in the workl you did to become who you are. So just be who you are and the rest will take care of itself. Hell, I want to be like Tiger Woods, but I am not going to hit a small ball and go look for it. LOL.
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By: VitaB on 8/30/2009 11:27AM
It's sad that you think a woman needs a man to be happy.
A woman needs to be confident and happy with herself THEN find a man that compliments that.
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By: Lannie on 8/30/2009 12:23PM
Do you folks realize how DOUBLE GREAT Serena could be? Drop 30 lbs. and become a little more dedicated to a better work ethic and she could be greater than Federer, and what a boost for Women's tennis. And her arms compared to Mrs. Obama, I think not, Serena has fat on those arms, no matter what she says. 30 lbs Serena!
The 'man thang' never look and it will happen!
Also good luck to her and Venice, may the best that day win, if they play each other before the finals.
One last thing: It wouldn't hurt them to acknowledge America sometime. It would help their fan base to grow. But, we need to hear that!
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By: blu on 8/31/2009 3:07AM
I don't believe she needs a man to be happy. I also don't believe she needs to lose 30 lbs. She is as God created her. Everyone was not built to be a size 0 or size 3. She is an amazing young woman with amazing accomplishments. She simply needs to learn to put God first and secondly love herself. People who are always telling fit women to lose weight are the reason so many young women have eating disorders.
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By: Mother to all on 9/01/2009 2:54AM
Serena Williams although as many women feel that things are not right about her body, however, now that she is wearing more sophisticated tennis wear, (referring to the black outfit several years ago, which was not good) She is not only looking good but she could also be at that number 1 spot in both game and looks. I am so proud that she has become humble in her responses to the media and I continue want to see her go as far as she can go. LOOKING GOOD YOUNG LADY!!
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By: kali on 9/01/2009 8:40AM
she doesent need a man to tell her anything she doesent need to look for anyone to confirm her looks for her she should look into herself and accept who she is and be at peace with that what everyone else thinks comes in second
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By: Dan on 9/01/2009 11:22PM
You are so right. She is a beautiful woman that I would love to have as mine!!!
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By: SmvPlye on 8/30/2009 1:27AM
I am so happy to see Serena bring realism to the surface about women, and their physical insecurities. It goes to show that no matter what level or what status, we share some of the same issues. That is something that I love endlessly about the Williams sisters, their honesty. It is so refreshing, and yet much needed. I just want to say one, thank you for your honesty, and believe me their are so many women out here that support you in so many ways, it is unreal. Keep yo head up my sista, and hang in their!
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