She's too skinny. On another note, I look forward to reading the article Belle!

I agree Detroitbg
she looks anorexic ...hope she does not have an eating disorder
pretty girl....she just needs to EAT!!

Zoe looks fine. She's always been thin. It's nothing new.

I will go pick up a copy, flip to page 102, read your article, and politely put it back. Thanks for saving me 4.00 at the newsstand.

I think people should be wary of calling folks too thin. IWould the same people call someone too fat?

Zoe looks fine. She has always been thin. I bet that according to height and weight standards, she is in the "normal" range. We need to celebrate this and not say mean things about it.

I think people should be wary of calling folks too thin. Would the same people call someone too fat?

Zoe looks fine. She has always been thin. I bet that according to height and weight standards, she is in the "normal" range. We need to celebrate this and not say mean things about it.

In a society that encourages underweight women and blasts overweight ones it is okay to tell a thin girl like this to eat imo
This may just be her bodytype, however oftentimes she looks sickly.....along with Keshia Whitaker

she looks nice on this cover though
they did a good job with not making her look frail

I'll thumb through and read the article in the check outline at the supermarket.

PS- I don't think Zoe is too thin, however I do think they went a little nuts on the re-touching. Umm look at her hand...it looks like a baseball glove.

*Makes cash register sound* And that's my two cents.

There is nothing wrong with Zoe. As a female who is slim and has also heard these comments directed at me, I soooo get tired of people who assume that folks "just need to eat" because they are thin. Leave it alone. Just because she doesn't meet certain people's standards of beauty does not mean that there is something wrong with her.

if you starved down to that size, i'd raise my brows. but the chick appears to be naturally quite thin. she doesn't have the sunken look of the women who starve. if she likes her size, i love it.

See - as soon as I saw the first post about Zoe's slimness I knew that we would end up talking about her weight instead of Belle's article.

My sister is just as thin, if not moreso, than Zoe and trust - as a Southern woman - that's a tough road to tread for her and it isn't by choice, its genetics.

Now, Chance, I understand your sentiments -- but trying being the plus-sized sister of a woman your size and imagine those comments. Just saying - the world has been downing black women for the proportions (big and small) forever... Can we just love eachother and our respective parts?

It's amazing the way people view things and the different perspectives. I looked at the cover and the first thing I saw was that it was Zoe and then the amazing necklace she had on!!! Never would I have looked at this picture of a beautiful black woman and responded about her weight. Really, who cares? People are never satisfied. I guess the folks making weight comments have issues with their weight, but I love fashion which is why I only saw the fitted high waist jean, shiny tank and fab necklace. Oh and her hair is super cute and makeup is flawless!!!

First. Belle, congrats on your piece in Essence. I don't normally read Essence, but I will be picking it up to read your column! You look fabulous, as does Zoe.

Speaking of Ms. Saldana, for those who think Zoe is "too thin", wasn't there just a debate on this blog about overweight black women? Do we, as black people, not have crazy issues with hypertension, diabetes, and other (over)weight related ailments? Why are we always trying to fatten someone up? Zoe is not too thin; she clearly eats and is not emaciated. She clearly watches what she eats and works out, in addition to most likely having a natural predisposition for being thin. Most importantly, it's unlikely she'll have the same health problems when she gets older of those who think she needs to "eat more" and who ascribe to this belief themselves.

It's funny that it's more acceptable to talk about overweight people than underweight ones
just my observations

@Cocochanel -- you are so right about that. At the end of the day - people want SOMEBODY to talk about...period.

Hello Demetria,
I haven't taken a vacation in three years and next month I will be on a plane to some island. I was so glad to see your article in this months Essence Magazine. Do you have any recommendations for a girl who wants to take an island getaway? I want some sand in my toes and a lot of island eye candy...any suggestions would be appreciated.

Many thanks!