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At what point do we notice that Karen's body is destroying itself and she starts to look old? Her face looks sooo much older than her years??? I seem to notice this around 1976, and even moreso as time goes on!

Cheryl

I know exactly what you mean Cheryl. I think it was first noticeable in 1977. If you look at Karen in the "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song" video she still looks young, though noticably tired. Then in the "Calling Occupents" video (only shot a few months later) she looks like she's aged ten years. After that she lost that youthful glow. She briefely regained it for her wedding but she still looked much older than her years. I have always wondered how she dealt with this. When people must have tried to guess her age she must have been horrified at their estimations. Nobody wants to be told they look much older than they do. Especially not women. Although Karen would probaby have reacted to this by starving herself more and more thinking that she'd make herself more beautiful.

Paul

Just remember guys that Karen couldn't help this. She was under a lot of stress and felt unloved. This was the only thing she could control. It is not her fault in anyy way, or anybody eleses. It was just one of those things that happened.

To look on the bright side, Karen saved thousands of people by a famous person developing anorexia neverso. sp? She did a lot of good in her life and we should be grateful for her.

Always,

Andrew ( a KarenAnne FAN-atic)

For me it was in 1977-78

I think you looks really tired and terrible while in the video "those good old dreams".
My gosh, I can't believe it's her!

Philip

I realise her wasn't her fault and that Karen's fate was with anorexia. Her struggle and death from the disorder were just meant to happen. Thats the way her life was planned. I believe she was put on this earth to save people and bring enormous comfort and happiness. Thats a lot to have achieved in 32 years.
(I guess you can see I believe in some sort of pre-destination). It makes Karen's death (and death in general) easier to deal with.
Paul

I think she looked her worst around the time they were in Brazil, and afterwards in the lead up to her splitting up with Tom. She looks a woman in her 40s, you would never guess she was only 31.

I dont think there's a single photo from 77 onwards where she doesn't look tired (except possibly the wedding photos as was pointed out).

There is one special from either 77 or 78 where she's singing Yesterday Once More at the piano with Richard, just accompanied by him and the piano. She looks absolutely awful, I got a fright when the camera pans to a close up of her face, she looked like she was dying.

Stephen

Stephen,

I couldn't agree more! I first saw that "Yesterday Once More" video clip here on Leadsister and I almost cried! Man, did she look tired and drawn.

It was in '77 when she was really looking exhausted. It was certainly taking it's toll by then. She didnt look well in '76 but you could tell by '77 that it was wearing her down. Anorexia is certainly an ugly disorder. It's the dehydration that makes a person look much older than they are and the use of the laxatives did that. It's painful to watch the '76 concert.

Pamela

I don't want to drag out this discussion but how did she look better for her wedding? I have always wondered that. Did she gain more weight? Or just more makeup?

I also noticed that in alot of photos Karen didn't wear much makeup. I think this could've made her look older.

I think the best looking photos are the Horizon photo sessions, the 1972 promo photo where K&R are sitting on the floor next to directors chairs, and the Anthology cover photo. Any idea when this was taken?

When she was promoting "Made In America," I could not believe how she looked.

Karen did put weight on for her wedding. Her face filled out more and she looked almost normal again. She must have been contented. Bless her!

yeah she gained it, then starved it off again...until her treatment.

My first indication was the Kind of Hush video in 1976 thats where my cofort level with regards to Karens thin appearance was exceeded but little did I know that it woud get worse. The icing on the cake was the appearance she did on the Merv Griffin(sp) Show in 1981 Karen was scary thin and old looking then. She did gain weight for her wedding but I think once her marriage broke up that was the final straw and she never recovered.

Enigma

That last comment is true, have you SEEN exactly how thin Karens waist is in that purple ensemble ( like the Yellow one she wears in the 'Good Old Dreams' video)?

When I first saw the pictures, I thought the image had been distorted (sort of like widescreen TV effect would be longways??), as I thought 'that can't be real', but checking everyone else sitting beside her on the couch, you soon see that they look 'normal'.

Stephen