Gisele Bundchen and the Age of Controversy

It's virtually impossible to avoid offending anyone in these politically-correct times. Public figures and glossy publications are especially vulnerable to being embroiled in controversy precisely because they're so highly visible. If the Gisele Bundchen controversies are anything to go by, magazine editors will think twice about having publishing an interracial magazine cover.

The magazine cover in question featured Gisele being held by a professional basketball player. This basketball player happened to be black. Self-styled anti-racism advocates were quick to make the comparison that the basketball player was being portrayed as a great ape while Gisele was seen as a captive. They found it offensive that it looked like a white woman was being manhandled by a big black gorilla. In retrospect, this was only one of the Gisele Bundchen controversies in recent times.

Gisele was also the target of anti-fur animal rights advocates at a show at which she was modeling. Their ire was raised because the supermodel had signed a contract to be made the new face of a fur-farming cooperative. Gisele was ambushed on the runway but security guards managed to defuse the situation. She subsequently repeated her walk down the runway without incident. Gisele later clarified that she loves animals and would no longer wear fur of any sort.

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Gisele Bundchen is a Model of Charity

Charitable organizations around the world are dedicated to bettering the lot of their fellow humans by whatever means necessary. Charities often greatly benefit from the media attention when a celebrity is affiliated with their efforts. Gisele Bundchen is one such beauty with a big heart.

One of the most well-known Gisele Bundchen charity activities has been her efforts to raise awareness for African HIV/AIDS victims. These HIV/AIDS victims tend to be ignored by the world in general, and Gisele painted her face black in a campaign to bring attention to their plight. She was also involved in a project to encourage more private companies to contribute assistance for HIV/AIDS victims. Gisele posed with products from companies that supported her cause and part of the profit from products sold was channeled to this charity.

Another of the high profile Gisele Bundchen charity activities saw the supermodel design an exclusive and limited edition line of platinum jewelry to raise funds for pediatric cancer patients. The proceeds from sale of the jewelry were used to fund research at a specialist center for pediatric cancer. She has also acted as a spokesperson and campaign model for to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Closer to home, Gisele has also been vocal about protecting the biological integrity and biodiversity of her native Brazil, as well as to improve the welfare of poor Brazilians. These Gisele Bundchen charity activities are more low profile than those for HIV/AIDS and cancer, but she is no less generous with her time, effort and money. She once donated an entire week's earnings to a Brazilian program aimed at eradicating hunger, while a percentage of the profits from her footwear line are used in efforts to protect water sources in the Amazon.

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Lessons On Aneroxia From Top Supermodel Gisele Bundchen

Are the fashion houses or the media to be blamed for the increasing number of anorexia cases seen nowadays? It has been the case that the fashion houses and the media are slammed for promoting skinny models until the death of a top Brazilian model last year.

Not so, said top Supermodel Gisele Bundchen, in an interview, last Friday. She put the blame on weak family support for anorexia. Gisele Bundchen was ranked the 16th richest women in Forbe's list of 20 richest women in entertainment last week. Despite having a faboulous killer body, she claimed that she was a popcorn, candy and McDonald's sundae lover. In fact, she was discovered when she was 14 years old while having a McDonald's Big Mac with her friends at Sao Paulo on her way to school.

In the interview last week, Gisele said that she never suffered from the problem because she had a strong family base. Gisele herself comes from Brazil and has credited her family from being supportive of her since young despite looking skinny. In school, her peers had often teased her by calling her names like Olive Oyle, a thin character from Popeye. Gisele attributed her genes for giving her the silhouette that is suitable for modeling.

Interestingly, the interview was conducted during Fashion Rio show, which has banned models of under 16 years of age and also required models to prove that they are of good health. The strict guidelines follow the death of a top Brazilian model from complications due to anorexia nervosa.

Nonetheless, the fashion industry has also started to pay heed. In September last year, Spain refused to allow models below a certain weight from the Madrid fashion shows. The Italians also signed a pact not to take in sickly and skinny girls onto the catwalk.

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