Celebrity Bodies: How Stars Make Peace With Their "Flaws"

Perfectly Imperfect Celebrities

With perfect hair, clothes, and smiles, celebrities seem so gorgeous. But what you see in magazines, movies, and on the red carpet is not reality. It takes hours of prep for stars to look so glamorous and many stars have to work to overcome insecurities. 

"They are perfectly imperfect just like everybody else," says self-esteem pro and Seventeen columnist Jess Weiner. "They're just people." But they learned to accept themselves for who they are -- and you can, too.

Taylor Swift

This talented singer/songwriter was made fun of by the popular girls in junior high for not being pretty enough. 

"I definitely have body issues, but everybody does," she says. "When you come to the realization that everybody does that -- even the people that I consider flawless -- then you can start to live with the way you are." 

Like Taylor, accept yourself for you who are -- "flaws" and all -- and life will be better.

Kim Kardashian

Known for her famous curves, this reality TV star says she's been self-conscious about her thighs and cellulite. 

"Learning to not be insecure took some time," she says. "But I realized I can't change my reality. I can only do what I can to improve my body and work out to stay fit and healthy." 

These days, Kim says she loves her curves and the definition in her arms. "I'm proud of my body."

Making a Star Beautiful

Don't compare yourself to the stars you see in magazines and on TV. It can take hours for a star to get ready for a photo shoot or appearance, says celebrity makeup artist and stylist Michelle Phillips. 

"They have makeup people, hair people, skin people, people who choose their clothes, people who tell them how to pose," she says.

"If we all walked around with a team, we'd all look fabulous, no matter what our shape or style."

Carrie Underwood

To stay fit, American Idol's biggest star works hard to eat healthy and tries to keep things in perspective. 

"I think about what I look like probably more than I should. But I think everybody is her own worst critic," she says. 

Don't criticize yourself, but adopt healthy habits like Carrie. She exercises, eats well, and, in the end, is good with the results.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé's song "Bootylicious" is an anthem for girls with curves, but the singer's shape has fluctuated over the years. 

"I feel best when I'm not really thin and not really heavy, when I'm still curvy," she says. "I believe that everyone is supposed to look different, and whatever is a natural weight for you is usually what looks best." 

Don't get down if your weight changes a little. Like Beyoncé, know what feels good for you.

Lea Michele

The Glee star was the only girl in her high school class without a nose job. 

"I come from a big Italian family, and the pressure is not really anything I've been raised to feel," she says. "I've always been proud of my body, my Jewish nose, and all of that." 

Remember Lea the next time you're not feeling pretty enough or tall enough or skinny enough. 

She says, "It doesn't matter what you look like, beauty is on the inside."

Confidence Is Beautiful

The most beautiful woman in the room can be the one in sweat pants with no makeup who radiates the most confidence, says celebrity makeup artist and stylist Michelle Phillips. 

"It's really about how you feel. Accentuate the positive and do your best to let the negative go."

"No one's going to look at your nose or your thighs. They're going to be looking at your great smile or your cute personality."

Kelly Clarkson

The first American Idol winner says she isn't bothered by tabloid photos and reports about her voluptuous figure. 

"When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it; I don't. I'm fine,'" she says. 

Her attitude is positive and something you can take to heart: Don't worry what other people think. 

She exercises, but does it to feel good -- not to lose weight. "I'm never trying to lose weight -- or gain it. I'm just being!"

Selena Gomez

This Disney star doesn't like her ears and often hides them under her hair. 

"There's a point in everybody's life where they think that they're not perfect and they look in the mirror and see what could be better," she says. 

A friend gave her great advice that you should try, too. "Get up every morning and try to say to yourself, 'I'm beautiful.' It just gets to the point where it's exhausting wanting to be like someone else."

Live Your Own Life

Most girls are smart enough to know what goes into glamorous celebrity shots, but they still want to look like that, says Seventeen columnist Jess Weiner.

"They still hope there's some magic pill that's going to take away their zits and make them thinner and taller and all the things they aspire to be," she says. "But instead of looking at a celebrity's life and idolizing it, look at your own life and live it more fully."

Jordin Sparks

Instead of focusing on the negative, look for something you really love about yourself, suggests this platinum-selling American Idol winner.

"I'm still learning to love my body every day, but I've realized I have to accentuate the positive -- like my curves and my waist," she says. 

"At the end of the day, I know I can knock 'em dead with my killer smile."

Katy Perry

Do you have not-so-flawless skin? So does this pop star. "I have acne scars. I'm self-conscious about that, so sometimes I wear too much makeup to cover them up," she says. 

Over time, Katy learned it's the person inside who counts. Be like Katy and let your inner beauty shine!

More Reading on WebMD Fit Teens

• What’s Your Exercise Personality? Find the right moves that’ll give you motivation.
• Bust Up a Bad Mood!Healthier ways to get out of a bad mood.
• Why Your Parents Should Let You SleepHere are 6 great reasons to stay in bed.
• 5 Reasons to Toss Out Your Skinny JeansTired of diets that don’t work. Maybe stop trying.
• Test Your Snacking Smarts See how much you should really be eating,