The Allure of Anna Nicole Smith

Maybe it's because I'm easily jaded, but few are the people that fascinate me and fewer still are the ones that pique my interest in such a way that makes me a fan of theirs.

So, it would seem peculiar that I'd be a fan of someone like Anna Nicole Smith; the antithesis of many of my own cherished values, but I am a fan.

Anna Nicole Smith is a walking contradiction. On the one hand you have trash talking Vicki Lynn Smith with many a slurred vocalization, and on the other hand you have the soft spoken, alluring Anna Nicole Smith.

Like many others, I first noticed her in the early 1990's and what a bombshell she was; rare and breathtakingly unique in a fashion era of over hyped skin and bones. She was enchanting during her 'behind the scenes' 1993 interview with E when she waved at the camera and said, "Bye Texas…I mean Hi Texas!" Not only did she look unfairly glamorous, but her ditziness was engaging.

In an age of skeletal super models lacking feminine ample curves that make women so mysteriously striking, we had Anna Nicole Smith; larger than life with her voluptuous figure, Marilyn Monroe likeness, and her out of the ordinary statements about loathing exercise while loving to eat.

Really, aside from her, what other super model or celebrity examples of mystical femininity would dare to announce their love of pleasure in all its forbidden excess?

Mostly we're bombarded with egotistical statements about a celebrity and her hours upon hours of sweat inducing exercise and healthy eating habits or testimonies proclaiming the deprivation diets that give them their 'envious' stick bodies, and then, God love her, there's Anna Nicole; a beauty even when she doesn't need to sweat or starve to achieve it.

While watching her unconventional reality series on E, I marveled at her genuine candor when, even though viciously attacked for being the dreaded f word: fat, she still ate chips, pickles, ribs, pizza, and donuts in front of the camera without giving a care to what anyone else thought; not needing accolades or approval from people in order to walk with confidence, and confidence she owned. We should all be so lucky because, from my years of observation, many of us walk behind a mask. Anna Nicole doesn't, which is one reason she's so captivating, because she's not of the norm and marches to her own tune, no matter what anyone else thinks, and she also doesn't pretend to know all there is to know about life and politics, which so many other self-righteous celebrities do.

Then there was the fact that she would appear so often without her hair done or make-up applied, just being herself and showing the world that even Anna Nicole Smith doesn't always look like Anna Nicole Smith. I found that endearing to women in general who can see that even a supermodel can look unkempt and not so glamorous when lacking the aid of an airbrush or the help of professionals who transform so beautifully.

I also appreciated seeing Anna Nicole in a state of lethargic napping; another reason that made her come across as being so authentic. I can't count the number of times I've been prodded to wake from my welcomed slumber and seeing Anna Nicole in a similar state was one of entertaining relief.

For all her faults, she appeared to be a devoted and doting mother, evident by the way her son grew up; a straight A student, well mannered, always polite, and kind-hearted. And thus, as many can attest, it has been a shock and a heart break to find out that Daniel Smith, 20, died on September 10th 2006 while visiting his mom and newborn baby sister, Dannie Lynn Hope, in the Bahamas where Anna Nicole purchased a house and stayed to deliver her daughter.

Words seem unable to suffice during this sad state of affairs and while condolences go out, I hope that prayers do too.

Additionally, while perusing the news today, I came across a story mentioning that Anna Nicole married, or exchanged non-binding legal vows with her long time friend and lawyer, Howard K. Stern, who is reportedly the father of Dannie Lynn.

For the irreplaceable loss Anna Nicole has endured with the passing of her son, Daniel, I pray that her future with her family; Howard and Dannie Lynn, is as bright as it can be, considering the circumstances.