While most stars in Hollywood are under the pressure to lose weight, a few starlets are literally under contract to gain weight. All in the name of business, of course. 
Renee Zellweger, Matt Damon, Eva Longoria-Parker and now add Hilary Swank to the list of actors who have gained a hefty chunk of weight for an upcoming role. In preparation for French Women Don’t Get Fat, the movie adaptation of the bestselling book by Mireille Guiliano, Swank, who is also producing the movie, will pack on 20 to 30 pounds for her role as the manager of a champagne company. No stranger to transforming herself for a role, Swank radically transformed her thin figure to one of a powerhouse boxer Million Dollar Baby and to a man in Boys Don’t Cry. Now, it’s her turn to reverse roles and swap her personal trainer in for a personal chef who can dish up calorie-laden meals and carb-rich dishes to help her plump up her waistline.
In our weight-obsessed culture, it is more than refreshing to see the bravery of female celebs like Swank, Zellweger and others who aren’t too scared to watch the scales creep up for the sake of their profession. But then again, if I were given a couple million dollars, I would have no problem sitting on the couch and fattening up. Just as long as I knew that I could eventually take the weight off.I wonder how many of these folks who have gained weight for roles actually welcome the first day of their diet when they can go back to their salad-eating and exercise-filled days? I don’t know, but I’m sure that Swank, who is uber disciplined will approach her French role with her trademark zeal, dedication and enthusiasm as she noshes on pain au chocolat and hunks of brie. And I’m sure, that when her role is finished, she will have gained even further insight into how changing your physical shape also alters your non-physical shape as well.
