By Brazen Edwards
Growing up, I was always aware that my body didn’t look like the thin models I saw in Cosmo magazines or on MTV. As a busty and curvier girl, I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb among my petite and athletic peers and was often ridiculed for my early development. It wasn’t until later in life that I realised how harmful the media’s portrayal of the “ideal” body is and how it contributes to negative body image.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate my body for what it is and embrace my curves and all the qualities that make me unique. I surround myself with positive influences and try to live a healthy lifestyle that works for me rather than trying to fit into a narrow definition of what’s considered beautiful or acceptable.
It’s refreshing that in the last few years, we have seen more and more plus-size celebrities in the media. Diversity is empowering. It finally feels like we’re starting to see more well-rounded representation. Still, even these plus-size celebrities are not immune to the pressure to conform to mainstream beauty standards.
Pressure To Lose Weight
When plus-size celebrities like Adele or Rebel Wilson lose weight, it can be difficult to know how to feel. On the one hand, I want to support them in their journey towards health and happiness. But on the other hand, I worry their weight loss reinforces the idea that being thin is the only way to be beautiful and successful.
I think we see such a backlash against plus-size celebrities who lose weight because we want them to be role models for body positivity and acceptance. We want them to show the world you can be happy and successful at any size. But the truth is, everyone’s journey is different, and we can’t expect people to stay the same just because they represent a particular group.
Learn More Acceptance
We can work towards promoting body acceptance and inclusivity in all its forms and let people be. We must celebrate diversity and reject harmful beauty standards perpetuating the idea that there is only one way to look. Plus-size celebrities have the right to make choices about their bodies, just like anyone else, and we should support them in whatever makes them happy and healthy.
But let’s not forget that weight loss isn’t always about conforming to beauty standards. Many plus-size celebrities have shared their weight loss journeys, explaining that it wasn’t about changing their appearance but about improving their health and overall well-being. Losing weight can have significant health benefits, such as reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
Conforming To Beauty Standards
It’s also important to remember that plus-size celebrities are not the only ones who face pressure to conform to beauty standards. People of all sizes, genders, and backgrounds are bombarded with unrealistic beauty ideals, leading to negative body image and eating disorders. By supporting plus-size celebrities in their weight loss journeys, we send a message that health and well-being come in all shapes and sizes and that it’s okay to make choices that benefit our health.
As for myself, I am constantly on a journey towards body acceptance. I’ve learned that my body is unique and deserves to be appreciated for what it is. I will never be a size 0, which is perfectly okay. I’m prioritising my mental health and focusing on living the best lifestyle for me. If I want to eat a cheesecake while celebrating with friends, I will do that and not feel an ounce of guilt. Surrounding myself with positive influences and a supportive community has been crucial in my journey towards self-love. It’s helped me to reject negative influences and instead focus on building a healthy and happy relationship with myself.
Embrace Minding Our Own Business
The pressure that plus-size celebrities face to conform to mainstream beauty standards reflects the harmful and narrow beauty standards ingrained in our society for far too long. As individuals, we can promote body neutrality and inclusivity by embracing our unique qualities and advocating for diverse representation in media and entertainment.
By creating a more compassionate and accepting world, we can move away from harmful beauty standards and towards a more inclusive society where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.
Let’s support plus-size celebrities in their weight loss journeys while remembering everyone’s journey towards health and happiness is unique. We should celebrate people for their accomplishments and support them in their decisions, regardless of their size. Criticising someone for losing or not losing weight perpetuates the harmful idea that there is only one way to look and that we must constantly strive to conform to that ideal.
Plus-size celebrities have the right to make choices about their bodies, just like anyone else, and we should cheer them on in whatever makes them happy and healthy.