Has anyone out there seen the headlines, “Plus-size model Ashley Graham body shamed for weight loss?” When I first saw this, I (of course) did a double take, how can women win in the world of body image? It’s incredible. You’re too big, you’re too thin. You’re not big enough, curvy enough, svelte enough, thin enough, tall enough, short enough, muscular enough….I could go on. How can women find a way to be completely happy both inside and out when the world always has something to say? I feel for Ashley Graham.
Here’s what CNN reported:
“In a recent Instagram post, Ashley Graham shared some photos of herself showing on a more lean and toned figure with responses from followers and fans immediately following. Some comments were supportive and kind – telling the model she looked great and strong, while others were not so sensitive.” (via CNN)
“Where are your curves?! ”
“You did lose a lot of weight,” another wrote. “I am no longer a fan of yours. You betrayed a lot of people!”
Not to mention, the following Tweet caused more pointed commentary at Ashley:
Has anyone else noticed that when #plussize models become mainstream they quickly lose the plus that makes them plus size?!
— Fashion Foie Gras (@fashionfoiegras) July 20, 2016
This comment followed:
“I noticed that too,” another user tweeted. ” Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence, I am looking at you.”
It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where body image is such a driver of criticism and mean spirited bullying – she’s a gorgeous and successful woman who should be celebrated for all of her accomplishments, no matter what they are. And, you know what makes her even more beautiful? Here’s how she fired back:
“People come on my page and body shame me because I’m too big, because I’m too small, because I’m not good enough for their standards…But at the end of the day I’m good enough for me,” she wrote in a comment on Instagram. She also took to Snapchat to respond with image of herself on the runway with the text, “I will not let others dictate what they think my body should look like for their own comfort, and neither should you.” (via Cosmopolitan)
Have you ever experienced body shaming? How did you handle it?
