• January 14, 2008
• Vol. 69
• No. 1

Mailbag

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT

"Jennifer Love Hewitt, fat? If that's fat, then sign me up! I can only dream of having a body like that"
Brandi Matthews
Baltimore, Md.

Jennifer is a strong, honest and beautiful woman who is a great role model. For someone to say she is fat was ridiculous. It's about time we embrace ourselves for who we are and stop the outrageous and unrealistic focus on our weight. That seems to be what Jennifer does, and I think that makes her look like a million bucks.
Stephanie Gieder
Marietta, Ga.

As a professional counselor specializing in eating disorders, I work with girls and women who beat themselves up over their body image and who invest a lot of energy torturing themselves with endless weight battles. There cannot be enough people like Jennifer Love Hewitt who take a public stance against the starvation craziness and encourage women to eat, love, be happy and have a good time.
Christiane Weyermann
via e-mail

I'm sorry, but when you are young, rich and have access to the best personal trainers and dietitians and you end up looking like JLH in those photos, that's just pure laziness! I'm 35, have two kids, and I don't look like that. There is no way that she is a size 2. I'm glad she can be happy with her cellulite, but fat is fat.
Amy Beth Morin
via e-mail

SHERRI SHEPHERD

As the mother of a 2-year-old, I cannot believe that Sherri Shepherd would move to New York to be a member of The View and leave her 2-year-old son Jeffrey in L.A. with her estranged husband. I understand her need to provide for him; however, I am certain that he would prefer to have his mom in his life. Sherri could find employment in L.A., and even if it paid less, the time she could give her son would be well worth it! The harm she could be causing him by not being with him is not worth all the money in the world.
Name Withheld
via-email

LETTER FROM IRAQ

I am an avid reader of PEOPLE and just ordered my first six-month subscription. I ordered it because I am currently serving in Iraq with my Army National Guard unit, the 769th Engineering Battalion out of Baton Rouge, La. I just wanted to say thank you for supporting our soldiers and for sending your magazine all the way to Baghdad. It means so much to me that I can get a little taste of home even though I am so far away.
SPC Laura Latson
via e-mail

BRAD PITT

I am originally from New Orleans and I am so impressed with everything that Brad Pitt is doing to help the city. If only other celebrities would use their fame and fortunes in such a generous way, the world would be a better place.
Heather Cade
Dallas, Texas

Correction
In our Oct. 8 issue, we should have said the hoop earrings worn by Faith Hill are by Rosato. We regret the error.

SAINT OR SALESMAN?
Readers voiced both deep appreciation and outright annoyance at our story on Houston's megapastor Joel Osteen, whose self-described calling is to give hope. Margie Stinson of Katy, Texas, writes, "He is no religious leader, and has no credentials. Osteen simply takes people's money and makes them feel good about it." Lynn Tress of Baltimore, Md., who became a follower of Osteen after being inspired by his televised Sunday service, has a very different take: "I went to a Catholic school for nine years. I found it so hard to 'feel' or 'know' God. Joel taught me how." Whatever critics may say about Osteen's salesmanship, Sydney Alderman of Abilene, Texas, argues that if Osteen instills hope in people, everyone benefits: "Hopeful people are more productive, and the ripple effect improves things not just for individuals, but for families and communities."

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