EXTREME THINNESS

"And they say the camera adds 10 lbs. Yikes!"
Caitlin McMahon
Orland Park, Ill.

Wow! Just in time for Halloween, skeletons on the cover of PEOPLE. These women ought to know that young girls want to emulate them. They are, like it or not, role models. Please, get them help, and get them together for a nice, healthy—and fattening—dinner.
Laurie Buys
Hesperia, Calif.

As I look at the before and after pictures of these ladies, I can't help but notice in their after pictures, all the actresses that think they look better actually look emaciated and old. I thought Hollywood was all about being young forever? Guess I'm confused.
Michelle Feutz
Bloomington, Ind.

While I think it is important to address eating disorders, my fear is that some people who are suffering from these disorders will be inspired by the article, the photos and the women's weights and become even sicker. [Self-destructive behavior] is one of the saddest and most difficult things about this illness.
Anastasia Green
Bellingham, Mass.

I urge readers not to be so quick to pass judgment on skinny people. What some forget is that there are people who have been naturally thin all their lives. I am 25, 5'6' and 95 lbs. I am happy, healthy, love to eat and have tried to gain weight throughout my life, having been teased about my weight growing up. Those comments are as hurtful now as they were then. There are people who tell me I'm lucky, but not when celebrities like these give thin people a bad name.
Kristen Pelc
Woodbridge, N.J.

I'm an eighth-grader in L.A., and I see sickly-thin women every day. I'm 5'8' and most of my friends are about 5'1', yet sometimes I wish we wore the same size or were the same weight. After reading your article and looking at the photos, I realize that I'm not overweight and don't need to be like my friends. There is a big difference between 5'8' and 5'1', but not in a bad way.
Name Withheld
Los Angeles, Calif.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

I am always amazed at how Olivia Newton-John has handled what life has dealt her: cancer, divorce and now the disappearance of her boyfriend Patrick McDermott. She is beautiful inside and out, the definition of an inspiration. My heart goes out to her and her loved ones.
Shana Estrada
Spokane, Wash.

LINDSAY LOHAN

Lindsay Lohan has the classic beauty of Marilyn Monroe. She is also talented like Marilyn and has performed for millions of starstruck fans. Unfortunately she seems hell-bent on doing something else like Marilyn: burning out. Lindsay, please have some pride and save yourself before it's too late.
Kandis Snaith
Sadsburyville, Penn.

FOND FAREWELL

After seeing the article about Steve Irwin's memorial service, readers say they have been deeply impressed by the Crocodile Hunter's family, especially 8-year-old daughter Bindi (for more on Bindi, see page 72). "Watching Steve's daughter speak, she showed such poise and control," writes Kay Garza of Pasadena, Texas. "She told us that her daddy was her hero. She is mine." Others were quick to defend Irwin after reading a letter in our Oct. 9 issue that claimed Irwin handled animals too aggressively. "Steve loved animals with everything he had," writes Kathleen Cummins of New York City. "He gave his heart, soul and life to conservation."

Correction
In our Oct. 16 issue on page 130 we identified a coat worn by Keira Knightley as a Ferragamo. The coat was designed by Hugo Boss. We regret the error.

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