Dangerous Curves: Model Emme Talks

Happy Holidays!

Happy? More like stressful. Hang tight. Help is on the way: Stay tuned for a holiday wardrobe mouth-to-mouth from E! Entertainment "Fashion Emergency's" Emme.

Next week, we hear from caterer to the stars Paula Le Duc who shares the recipe for that perfect holiday party. But wait, there's more! We're pairing Le Duc with PlumpJack Winery's terrific Gavin Newsome (San Francisco board of Supervisors member) and Billy Getty (yes, one of those Gettys). These guys will pour us the libations that will make you the toast of the party.

Emme Winning
Last year, mega cosmetics company Revlon made fashion history. In October, they boldly announced the newest member in their line up of celebrity spokeswomen. Joining the diverse talents of Halle Berry, Cindy Crawford, Daisy Fuentes, Melanie Griffith, Salma Hayek, and Rachel Shane was a dynamic and vivacious beauty whose pioneering spirit has lifted her to dizzying heights. She is an unapologetic 5'11", 190 pound, size 14/16 bombshell and she is reinterpreting the fashion industry and the way millions of American women look in the mirror.

Her name is simply "Emme," but there is nothing simple about her. She is the world's leading full figured supermodel, author ("True Beauty"), columnist (Mode Magazine), television host ("Fashion Emergency"), and an outspoken eating disorders expert.

Is there anything this woman can't do? Don't bet on it.

The Miracle Worker
"'Fashion Emergency' is a really fun time to spend a half hour. You get a chance to see how someone has taken their guts and put them aside and said 'Do what you want to me,'" Emme is describing her hit show on cable's E! Entertainment Network.

I caught up with Emme during a rare spare moment. And she is as funny, generous and as honest as you would expect.

She tells me, "I think it's everybody's dream to have a makeover. Some people feel they have no fashion sense or they need a change and there are a lot of things going on in their life and they've put themselves at the bottom of that list."

"Fashion Emergency" is fun, sensible, and has substance you would not readily expect from a "makeover" show. Guests are sometimes treated to a therapist as well as a facial. Recent makeovers have included a breast cancer survivor, a woman whose husband left her, and Emme's own brother-in-law recovering from cancer.

But, the primary goal of the show is to boost self-esteem by finding just the right personal style for each guest. In doing so, Emme says that viewers at home get practical advice on how to find their own style, too. And there's no need to break the bank in the process.

Emme says, "If you feel like you don't fit in or can't afford the clothes, you can go to Salvation Army, Target, and Wal-Mart. We try to show the high end things and give price points but we give you the visual as well so you can say, 'I can find something like that in a lower price range and it looks exactly the same.'"

Sizing Up
In the United States, over 62 million women are size 12 and up. But you won't see a lot of size diversity in the movies, television, or in fashion magazines. So I ask Emme what made this beauty break the mold and redefine the game?

Emme says it wasn't easy and admits the road was painful at times.

She tells me, "I went through all the dieting phases. I went through all that crazy stuff as a teen, not feeling like I fit in.

"It's following a passion, I think. Going through awareness. You break through the permeable membrane, so to speak, of unawareness. And then (you become) aware of who you are, and where your placement is in society and the world. And (you gain the) understanding that life is very, very short," she says.

Today, Emme has been featured on the cover of dozens of magazines. She has been named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" -- twice. Now, no one would deny that Emme is gorgeous, no matter what her size.

And her advice for young woman and men who don't feel like they fit in?

"Get one thing you are good at. For me, it was athletics."

And Emme says that self-esteem begins at home. She tells me, "My mom was also a very encouraging force in my life. If I did even a scribble on a piece of paper she would say, 'Oh, that is the most fabulous scribble.' She was very proud of me. Hopefully a lot of mothers are. I think what our parents say to us makes a difference."

And many would argue that Emme has made a difference, too.

"I try and be the best that I can be. A role model? I'll take that. But, it's not something I try for," she tells me.

But, whether she tries for it or not, Emme has become a role model for millions of young women and men around the country, especially those who battle eating disorders.

Eye of the Beholder
Emme is passionate about eating disorder awareness. She says, "We forget about our intelligence and our creativity as a people when you only base yourself on the physical."

And she stresses that eating disorders are "just not a female issue."

"If women are having a tough time communicating about this, men are going to feel the same way. There are a lot more men coming in getting treatment for anorexia and bulimia. And there's all this shame and guilt about it because men are supposed to be manly men."

Emme's Web site, www.emmesupermodel.com links to eating disorder organizations and treatment centers.

But even for those who don't suffer from an eating disorder, holiday tables can still prove to be mine fields. How do we enjoy ourselves without going overboard?

Emme says it's just a matter of eating smart.

"During the month of December you've got to eat all of your grains, your fruits and your vegetables more than you've ever done in your life. So, before you go to a party, have a little bit of a salad or something that's going to be nutritiously based. Go to the cocktail party and have a little bit of everything -- so you don't go to the party starved, so that you overdo it on high fatty foods."

Rescue 911
Now that we know how to eat smart, what in the heck are we going to wear?

Emme says, "Some very cool things are happening" for women and men's wardrobes.

"This is the time when you can be a little funky and out of control, with a little bit of grace and style of course. For women, she says, "I think that the shimmer -- the fish scale and all the bright colors, lime green, chartreuse, and fuchsia are big. Beaded tops -- shimmery and sheer. And wear a really sexy black bra underneath with a ball gown skirt.

"Don't overdo the makeup. I throw Revlon ColorStay base on and know that if I fly out to L.A. from New York, I'm ready for an appearance that evening," says the cosmetics spokesperson.

In other words, let yourself be a little wild this year.

Emme says, "Just go for it for the holidays because this is a really big celebration time."

Free To Be ...
We've talked for 30 minutes and it's as if no time has passed at all. Emme has a way of making you feel refreshed and full of energy-- like a "Fashion Emergency" makeover for your psyche.

Before we end the conversation, I ask her my final question: "What's the best thing about being Emme?"

Without a moment's hesitation, she says: "I'm free."

I ask her what that means. "I think that I don't have anyone saying you can't say this or you can't say that," she tells me. "I've actually been able to, with wise-judgement, say things that I feel strongly about. And not to do it in an unkind manner, but just be able to speak my mind."

I thank her for doing just that and we say goodbye.

Emme plans to continue her career as one of the world's most beautiful faces. But when it is all said and done, perhaps it's Emme's amazing spirit that is most beautiful of all.

What's The Buzz?

I recently saw "Party of Five's" Scott Wolf at chicken hut Koo Koo Roo on Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles. I told you this place was popular ...

Just Teasing

• I can't stand it anymore. I have to tell you who you get to meet in the last "On The Set" column of the year . . . singer Brian McKnight, whose single "Back At One" is currently ranked No. 2 on the Billboard Charts! You'll be able to enter for a chance to win your very own copy of his hit video and CDs soon. (This week's contest)

• Holiday culinary help from star cater Paula Le Duc and San Francisco's PlumpJack Winery's Gavin Newsome and Billy Getty.

We start 2000 with just as many stars as we leave this year. I visited Emmy-winning comedy writer Bruce Vilanch on the set of "Hollywood Squares." In January, you'll read about his good friends Bette Midler (he's written for her for 30 years) and Billy Crystal (he writes Crystal's annual Oscar schtick). I spoke with Whoopi Goldberg, "Everybody Love Raymond's Brad Garrett, and comedienne Caroline Rhea. If that's not enough for you, we also ran into Cheech Marin, Harry Hamlin, Rosie O'Donnell, and The WB's Jennifer Grant. This will be one column you won't want to miss!

• I recently touched base with the nicest guy in Hollywood and my buddy "Just Shoot Me's" Enrico Colantoni (Elliot). We'll catch up with him in January and talk about his recent break into big budget films.

• Talented Tony-winner B.D. Wong ("M. Butterfly," "Father of the Bride," "Seven Years in Tibet," "Oz") has also agreed to do a column. You'll read more about him in February.

• Past On The Set columns

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