Chrissy Teigen, Rihanna, and More Celebs Who Spoke Out About Body Positivity
Chrissy Teigen, Rihanna, and More Celebs Who Spoke Out About Body Positivity
For celebrities, especially for female celebrities, being body shamed is nothing new. Still, it sometimes seems as though negative commentary about appearance and weight is running more rampant than ever, mainly due to the platform that social media gives provides for internet trolls.
Over the last few years, however, stars have made it clear that they're done being silent about the constant criticism. In 2018, A-listers have stood up to their haters via interviews, photos, and Instagram comments, and each message has been an inspiring reminder that everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin. Take a look at some of the most important body positivity moments of the year, and get ready to feel a boost of self-confidence.
Chrissy Teigen
After giving birth to her second child, Miles, Teigen wasn't shy about sharing how different her body looked post-pregnancy. While on vacation in Bali, Teigen posted a video to her Instagram story of her bare midriff in a bikini with the caption, "mom bod alert!" Shortly afterwards, Teigen tweeted a message to her fans, saying, "Instagram is crazy. I think it's awesome people have killer bodies and are proud to show them off (I really do!!), but I know how hard it can be to forget what (for lack of a better word) regular ol’ bodies look like when everyone looks bonkers amazing. Also I don’t really call this 'body confidence' because I’m not quite there yet. I’m still super insecure. I’m just happy that I can make anyone else out there feel better about themselves!"
Rihanna
In 2017, Rihanna made waves in the beauty industry by releasing an expansive selection of foundation shades in her Fenty Beauty line. This year, she continued to encourage women to feel good in their own skin with her inclusive lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, which offers sizes from XS to 3XL and cup sizes 32A to 40DDD. Perhaps her most inspiring moment this year was the Savage x Fenty show at New York Fashion Week, where she featured models who encompassed all the different sizes her line offers. She even used two pregnant models in the show.
Drew Barrymore
Barrymore was another star who refused to be ashamed about her weight gain. In an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, the star talked about being asked if she was pregnant because of her weight. She explained that when shooting her show Santa Clarita Diet, she sticks to a strict vegan diet, and when she isn't shooting, she "enjoys" her life and lets herself go. She said, "I heard Denzel Washington does this and I don't know because I just want to believe it, I don't want to know it’s not true. But he just enjoys his life and then pulls himself back together when he’s doing movies and looks amazing. So I’m giving it the full 'Denzel,' even if that exists or not, and I let myself go.”
Demi Lovato
Lovato has been known as a champion for body positivity for years now, and 2018 was no exception. This spring, Lovato told E! News, "I was on Instagram and I started comparing myself to these Instagram models, and I just thought to myself, someone needs to show my fans and anybody that's looking at my account that what you see isn't always what's real." To do just that, she posted three un-retouched photos of herself to her Instagram story. In one, she wrote "no thigh gap for me, and yet I still love myself."
Halsey
In April, a Twitter user tried to shame Halsey for her underarm hair, but the singer wasn't having it. After she posted a gorgeous selfie where her armpit hair was visible, a Twitter user reposted the photo with an "LOL" sticker over Halsey's armpit, with the caption, "what the hell is this?!!!" Halsey retweeted it with the reply, "It’s an armpit you’ve put a sticker over. Not sure what else there is here to explain?" A few days later, the singer retweeted a tweet from Charli XCX about not shaving her legs in a while, writing, "Saaaaaaaame. Charli xcx ft halsey Drake remix “Shave For What” coming spring 2018."
Selena Gomez
In March, Gomez stepped out for the first time since her kidney transplant wearing an orange bikini and looking happy while hanging out on a yacht with her friends. Unfortunately, social media users took the photos as an opportunity to slam Gomez for looking curvier. She replied with a sweet video of the day on the yacht on Instagram, as well as an inspirational message: "The beauty myth- an obsession with physical perfection that traps modern woman in an endless cycle of hopelessness, self consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society’s impossible definition of flawless beauty. I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone. Wind in her sails."
Mark Consuelos
Sarah Hyland isn't the only celebrity with a significant other willing to publicly defend her. In March, Consuelos posted a photo of his wife, Kelly Ripa, in a bikini on their vacation. Commenters immediately put Ripa down for wearing a bikini at 47-years-old, and Consuelos replied with an epic rant. He wrote, "I wanted to take a couple of days to weigh in. Probably should’ve earlier arguably. But I wanted to be above it. Well, not I’m not. I posted this pic of the woman I most admire. Yes she’s wearing a bikini at age 47 and will no doubt wear one for many years to come. If that offends you in some way, if it triggers you, or some other psychosis you’re suffering from, I suggest you get over it and get used to it. To all the males that had something negative to say. I suggest you bring it up with me if ever I’m lucky enough to run into you."
Nina Agdal
Even Victoria's Secret models deal with criticism about their bodies, something Agdal pointed out when she publicly called out a magazine for body shaming her. In a long Instagram caption, Agdal explained that a magazine she worked with wouldn't run the cover and story they had shot, partly because they said her look "deviated" from her portfolio and she didn't fit into the sample-sized clothing. She wrote, "After a tough year of taking a step back from the insensitive and unrealistic pressures of this industry and dealing with paralyzing social anxiety, I walked into that shoot as a 25 year old WOMAN feeling more comfortable in my own skin and healthier than ever before. Some days I’m a sample size, some days I’m a size 4, some a 6. I am not built as a runway model and have never been stick thin. Now more than ever, I embrace my curves and work diligently in the gym to stay strong and most of all, sane."
Serena Williams
Williams is no stranger to hurtful body shaming, and she's never been afraid to speak out about it. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar U.K., the tennis star spoke about comments that she was "born a guy" because of her muscular frame. Williams pointed to her biceps and said, "This is me, and this is my weapon and machine." Later in the year, in an interview with Byrdie, Williams talked about her post-baby body, saying, "I was playing in Wimbledon, and I totally have a stomach. You know? It’s no secret. It is what it is. And I’m proud of my tummy. It pokes out a lot more than it used to, but I’m still coming back from having a baby. I just feel like this whole story about having a baby and then coming back two days after and looking better than before is not teaching the right way or the natural way or the believable way. Like maybe that happened to one person, but let me tell you, that didn’t happen to me."
Lili Reinhart
After fans began speculating that Reinhart was pregnant because of a photo that made the rounds online, the star spoke out. In a series of Instagram stories, the star wrote: "It’s unfortunate that one unflattering photo of my stomach circulating the internet causes hundreds of people to think that I’m pregnant. Nope. Not pregnant. This is just my body. And sometimes I’m bloated. Sometimes an unflattering photo is taken of me. Sometimes I go through periods of time where I gain weight. My body is something that I will NEVER apologize for. My body will constantly go through change. And so will yours. And that’s fine. So let’s not put so much time and effort into caring about a stranger’s figure. Bye."
Ashley Graham
Graham is almost as well known for her body positive messages as she is for being a mega-watt star in the plus-size modeling world, so it's no surprise that she had more to say in 2018. After Graham posted a photo of herself in Dior lingerie, one rude commenter wrote, "We thought you work out." Graham snapped back with, "Girls with cellulite and rolls can't work out also?"
Christie Brinkley
Some celebrities seem to totally defy the effects of aging, model and actress Christie Brinkley isn't bothered by her gradually changing appearance. When an Instagram user replied to a photo Brinkley posted, commenting "She looks old now but still pretty!" the 64-year-old former supermodel didn't hold back. She replied, "Hey looking old is a compliment in 'wine speak' so thanks!"
Sarah Hyland
Hyland has been the victim of vicious body shaming for her thin frame all year long, and she hasn't been afraid to stand up for herself. Several times, her boyfriend, Adams, stepped in as well. On one Instagram photo of Hyland in a gold bikini, a user commented, "You look really unhealthy. Being that skinny can't be safe." In response to a separate post over the summer, Hyland posted an Instagram story declaring, "I would like to put in a request for anyone who is concerned about my bread consumption to send it to Wells Adams, because he is the sole person who knows about how much bread I consume on a daily basis. Thanks! Love you, mean it. 'K, bye."
Nastia Liukin
This Olympic medal-winning gymnast has been frequently shamed for being "too skinny," but she had the last laugh after an epic episode of American Ninja Warrior, where she showed off her strength, despite her slender figure. After the episode, Liukin posted on Instagram about how proud she was of herself, saying, "Throughout my career (and even more so now) I’ve been criticized for being 'too skinny' or been told to 'go eat a burger' - trust me I love myself a good burger and fries...so agreeing to do something that required so much physically strength was daunting, especially in front of millions watching on tv. But I took this challenge upon myself and never doubted myself once."
Kristin Bell
Kristin Bell exudes personal confidence, and she makes a point of passing it on to the people around her. She certainly won't stand for her fans putting themselves down - one Instagram user commented on a photo of Bell from the 2018 Emmy Awards, saying, "So beautiful. U are stunning unlike me." Bell replied with an uplifting comment, writing, "Gurl don't u dare. You got one time on this planet - don't waste time being negative. You deserve all the love in the world. And I think your face is beautiful. Don't u dare tell me I'm wrong."
Camila Mendes
In October 2017, Mendes opened up on Instagram when she wrote about suffering from an eating disorder in the past. This year, she spoke to People about her decision to quit dieting and how great it has made her feel: "I was really obsessed with dieting. I don’t know if it was psychological but [when I quit dieting] I felt like I was gaining weight. Just that fear of 'oh my god I'm gaining weight now,' but I’ve really made this promise to myself that I’m gonna stick to this."
Busy Philips
In August, Philips posted an Instagram photo of herself at the gym, writing, "My workout every morning makes me feel awesome." One Instagram bully commented, "Ughhhhh, you're rolls are showing." Philips used grammar to shut them down, replying, "I feel like a man of your age should know the difference between your and you're. Your is possessive, as in, 'Your rolls are showing.' (Get it? The rolls belong to me.)" Nothing like slamming someone's grammar usage to teach them a lesson!
Lena Dunham
Dunham has always been real about her body, no matter what her critics have to say. On the anniversary of her hysterectomy, Dunham posted a nude selfie on Instagram with an inspiring message: I've never celebrated the 9 month anniversary of anything and I realized last night why that number feels so funny - I won't ever do it the way I planned to. My body is mostly healed and every day I find a new bruise on my heart, but today I offer myself gratitude: from the most pained place, I somehow knew to choose myself. The purest glint of who we are and know we can be is always available to us, calm and true at our center. My friend Paul named my uterus Judy, and when she was being uppity we called her out, hence the tattoo on my ribs: #RIPJudy. Today I give thanks for Judy, for her graceful exit and for this body, which is stronger than I’ve ever given it credit for. Happy Giving Birth To Myself Day."
Jameela Jamil
Jamil appeared in the October issue of Arcadia magazine, and she made sure that the editors didn't photoshop her body. According to her tweets, Jamil made the editors promise not to get rid of her stretch marks. The Good Place star wrote, "Embrace thine stretch marks. They are nothing to be ashamed of or cover up or edit out. #saynotoairbrushing."
Amy Schumer
Schumer is definitely one star who has never been afraid to stand up for herself, and 2018 was no exception. One notable moment was her reaction when a fan altered a photo of her in a bikini to make her look thinner. The Instagram user wrote, "So I think Amy looks great already but man does she look better I'm [sic] my OPINION in the second photo." Schumer saw the photo and commented, "I disagree. I like how I really look. That's my body. I love my body for being strong and healthy and sexy. I look like I'd give a good hug or have a drink with you. The other picture looks nice but it's not me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well. See, we're both right." The Instagram user ended up apologizing profusely.
Bebe Rexha
When the "Meant To Be" singer gained some weight, she didn't try to hide it or feel ashamed by it at all. Instead, she embraced the change in her body in an Instagram post and caption. She wrote, "Sorry I had to. Yes it’s real. No it’s not photoshopped. Yes I gained weight. Cause I’m human and I like to eat. And when I eat carbs my a** gets big. And you know WHAT: I love my fat a**!!!!!! Not every singer is gonna be a size zero, skinny and model looking. If that’s what you want from me then you ain’t getting it. Sorry not sorry. I’m tired of people talking about my weight."
Stars are no longer afraid to speak out when they're being body-shamed, and we're here for that.