It’s the same old story, with a twist.

Singer Kelly Clarkson appears on the September cover of Self Magazine. You know Kelly. She won American Idol and proved herself the real deal with #1 recordings and Grammy Awards.  Unlike many of her contemporaries, she is not stick thin.  In fact, her weight fluctuates frequently.  And she says she’s okay with that.

But apparently, Self Magazine is not.  On the cover, a curiously thin Kelly appears.  Airbrushed, re-touched, Photoshopped.  But Kelly didn’t ask for it.  Self Magazine, the one that promotes nutrition, fitness and health gave Kelly a virtual makeover.

“Did we alter her appearance? Only to make her look her personal best,” said Self editor in chief, Lucy Danziger, in her blog.

We’re not talking about a pimple , red eye or a stray hair here.  We’re talking a good 20 pounds. So in other words, you’re only your personal best when you’re the weight that Self thinks you should.

Maybe the magazine editors thought that Kelly, with her more voluptuous size, didn’t represent the magazine’s philosophy.  If so, WHY have her on the cover?  Why name her one of the ten Most Inspiring Women of 2009? Oh.  Because she’s popular and people will buy the magazine and she’ll make the magazine money.  So they want her, but they want to change her to fit their image.

You know what that’s like?  It’s like going to a party with your date, but when you get there, knowing your date doesn’t fit in.  Maybe he doesn’t have a white collar job, or didn’t go to college.  So you lie about what he does  so that you– not he– can feel better.

Nice to see your true Self. And you’ll understand why, next time I pass the magazine stand, regardless of what you’ve done to the photos, you’ll go untouched by me.

Kelly Clarkson "After"

Kelly Clarkson "After"

Kelly Clarkson "Before"

Kelly Clarkson "Before"