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Celebrities Who Have Overcome Body-Image Issues

Despite the glitz of the rich-and-famous lifestyle, some celebrities weren't always immune to the pesky issues and problems the rest of the world deals with.

Even those with famous parents or children who found their own spotlight during their formative years weren't insulated from dealing with negative body images, developing eating disorders or even being born with a birth defect.

The following are good examples of how celebrity status does not preclude suffering from a low self-image.

Carnie Wilson

Wilson, daughter of famous Beach Boy singer Brian Wilson, suffered severe depression and distress from being overweight. Wilson, who formed the music group Wilson Phillips in 1986 and had her own talk show later, grew up in a household with a father addicted to drugs and alcohol. Brian left his wife and family after 14 years, saying he couldn't raise his children.

Carnie said she suffered severe depression and endured tortuous comments about being fat as a child, a teen and an adult. Wilson has(such as a young boy who asked his father why Carnie was so fat when she got off a plane) to radio host Howard Stern who always made fun of her weight.

In 1999, Wilson made the dramatic decision to so she could lose weight and have children.After losing 150 pounds, Wilson made the decision to show off her new body in the August 2003 issue of .

Wilson, however, has gained weight back after her 1999 surgery, she and continues to publicly talk about the struggles she faces.

Shakira

Shakira is a Columbian singer, songwriter, dancer and record producer who first arrived on the Latin American music scene in the early 1990s. Shakira admits she has had severe negative body issues for years and sought professional help in 2001.

The singer, 33, toldmagazine: "All through my 20s I spent more time worrying about what I didn't have than thinking about what I did have. I wished I was taller, had longer legs, slimmer hips, a smaller bottom, even straighter hair. I'm just like all women - we're born to criticize ourselves."

But therapy helped Shakira pull through.

"It helped me so much with every aspect of my life, from body image to relationships. My therapist told me why I behaved in certain ways and not to feel so pressured," she said.

talks about therapy, body issues and low self-esteem.

Kate Winslet

Winslet is an A-lister Hollywood actress who saysand teen is still a demon she battles. Even after losing the extra weight and keeping it off, Winslet says she still feels like the "fat kid." As a child, Winslet said she was bullied and her classmates called her "Blubber."

Today, however, Winslet serves as an advocate for real-sized women, and she works to assure the public that the images seen on magazine covers aren't always real.

Kristi Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi was the 1992 Olympic champion in women's singles figure skating and Season 6 champion.

Before she could enjoy those successes, however, Yamaguchi had to overcome a birth defect that threatened her future. She was born with club feet -- a deformity in which one or two feet appear rotated inward at the ankle.

Kristi's treatment included manipulations, castings and extensive physical therapy.

Although club feet can be treated with a 90 percent success rate with the(which was used on Kristi), it does not mean the feet ever return to normal; sometimes the afflicted can still experience difficulties.