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Lisa Kudrow opened up about the constant body shaming she and her co-stars experienced on the set of Friends.

Lisa Kudrow opened up about the constant body shaming she and her co-stars experienced on the set of Friends.

Comparing yourself to other women is unhealthy, counterproductive, and also, unfortunately, a way of life for some people.

We shouldn’t feel like someone’s perfections automatically mean that we’re flawed, and yet, it happens to the best of us.

Lisa Kudrow recently opened up about her body image issues when she was on Friends, and how she would compare herself to Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox. It wasn’t just teenage girls in the 90s who wanted to be skinny like the Friends. It turns out, women on Friends also wanted to be skinny like Friends.


Kudrow told Marc Maron on his WTF podcast that she felt uncomfortable because she was taller than her costars on Friends. “You see yourself on TV and it’s that, ‘Oh, my God, I’m just a mountain of a girl,’” Kudrow said. “I’m already bigger than Courteney and Jennifer — bigger, like my bones feel bigger. I just felt like this mountain of a woman next to them.”

Kudrow also opened up about losing weight “on purpose” while she was on Friends, and would thenreceive compliments on her slimmer frame regardless of how she lost her pounds. “Unfortunately for a woman, if you’re underweight, you look good. And that’s all I ever got,” she said. Kudrow also pointed out that being skinny didn’t equate to being healthy. “When I was too thin, I was sick all the time. A cold, sinus infection… I was always sick.” Complimenting someone who is slender yet sick can encourage unhealthy habits.

But now, Kudrow feels more comfortable in her body. “I have a whole battle all the time,” she said. “I end up with, ‘So what? So, alright. You’re older. That’s a good thing. Why is that a bad thing?'” We’re glad to hear the story has a happy ending.

Women have a lot of pressure to be skinny, and it’s often fueled by seeing skinny women on TV. However, it’s important to remember those skinny women on TV also have their own pressures to maintain and unnatural and unhealthy weight. The grass isn’t always greener, and at the end of the day, you should be happy with yourself as you are.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

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A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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