Celebrities who are transforming the discourse on body norms are being honored by Us Weekly.
Lexie Kite, Ph.D., coauthor of More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament, tells Us in the most recent edition of Us that “body image and body positivity have become major buzzwords and part of the cultural conversation.”
Thanks to celebrities who have supported the trend instead of the outdated, unattainable body goals, Hollywood has also contributed to that. The task isn’t done, despite the fact that Zoë Bisbing, LCSW, director of Body-Positive Therapy NYC, acknowledges that there is “definitely better representation of diverse body types now” in contrast to the waif-like standards of the 1990s. “Having a positive body image means knowing that your body is good no matter how it looks, not because you think it looks good.”
These famous people are setting the standard:
LIZZO
‘My Body Is
Nobody’s Business’
Fans of the “Good as Hell” singer have been both enthralled and divided by her health journey. Lizzo, 36, has been showcasing her recent weight loss on social media after years of openly displaying a larger figure. She attributes this to changing up her diet and lifting weights. In August, the co-creator of Yitty by Lizzo swimwear and shapewear enthusiastically posted on Instagram, saying, “2021 me would be soooo proud of 2024 me.” She was criticized for using Ozempic and for abandoning body positive and fat acceptance. (Although she cheekily used the well-known substance as the idea for this year’s Halloween costume, she denies using the weight-loss prescription.) Lizzo is dedicated to improving her body, mind, and soul—and doing it for herself—in spite of the haters. “I think a lot of people just assume that a fat person is doing everything to be thin when they see them that way,” she remarked. “My body is nobody’s business,” she concluded.
The Takeaway Body neutrality and weight loss or increase are not mutually exclusive. “We must trust people to make the right decisions for their own bodies just as we trust ourselves to do the same if we truly think that our bodies are tools for our own experience and use rather than decorations to be appreciated,” Kite tells Us. “One’s health is personal.”
FLORENCE PUGH
You Don’t Wake Up Like This
The 29-year-old star of Don’t Worry Darling isn’t scared to acknowledge that she isn’t perfect, despite her reputation for showing up and showing out on red carpets. She has stated, “There’s no pretending with me.” “I want my fans to know that a) I don’t always look like that and b) I also have stress acne, hairy eyebrows, and greasy hair.” “When I put on makeup and walk into a gorgeous dress, I give credit to the people who made me look that way.” “It has always been my mission in this industry to say ‘f— it and f— that’ whenever anyone expects my body to morph into an opinion of what’s hot or sexually attractive,” she posted on Instagram in response to those who criticize her appearance.
The Takeaway “It is crucial for media consumers to understand the time, effort, money, and suffering that goes into being eligible to be on screen at all, in addition to photo editing and filters being an industry standard,” Kite adds. “We support all influencers and celebrities who are honest about what it takes to be “camera-ready.” Brooke Burke, an actress and fitness expert, concurs. “No one should feel under pressure to look a certain way, but I’m realistic enough to know that we all do it, even those of us who are aware that 99 percent of the images we see have been Photoshopped and that incredible hairstylists and makeup artists have been paid hundreds of dollars to make us look amazing even on our worst days.”
CELESTE BARBER
Promoting Body Positivity Through Parody
Comedian Celeste Barber has been making fun of pictures and videos of celebrities for ten years. The images went viral very fast. Barber, 42, tells Us, “I thought it was hilarious that highly edited, Photoshopped photos that were being shared on social media were being marketed to us as ‘normal).” When I came across these Photoshopped images of influencers sipping green juice while posing on a yacht and captioning them, “just dropping the kids off at school,” I knew I could do something with these. I was aware that it would be humorous, but did I anticipate that people would still find it hilarious ten years later? No. Some of the people she posts about are among her 9.6 million followers, who beg to differ! The majority of those I spoof adore it. “It’s fantastic, they understand the joke,” the creator of Booie Beauty said. Barber is conscious of the harm they can cause, even though her comedy is based on pictures of unreachable bodies. What did she advise? She advises “unfollowing accounts that make you feel bad about yourself.” “I feel better now that I’ve unfollowed a few profiles recently. You must actively choose who you follow, or it will creep in and cause mental instability.
RIHANNA
Bodies Fluctuate
Although Rihanna is well-known for her unrepentant demeanor, she is also a powerful example of self-compassion. The 36-year-old celebrity has called her own figure “fluctuating,” but she “accepts” it. Additionally, her lingerie collection, Savage x Fenty, offers bras in sizes 30A to 46DDD and features models of various body types, demonstrating her commitment to diversity. The Fenty genius is still happy with her current stage of life. She humorously posted an Instagram photo from October 30 of her playing with her two-year-old son RZA and her sixteen-month-old son Riot, saying, “Winter body workout.”
The Takeaway Avoid giving in to irrational demands, particularly if you’re a new mother. Body acceptance advocate and health expert Katie Sturino, who has partnered with Stitch Fix, adds, “Given the size fluctuations women frequently experience postpartum, I suggest they listen to their bodies, not the tag.” “Fifty-five percent of people experience additional stress when navigating a significant size change,” the online styling service claims. The expert also agrees with Rihanna when it comes to choosing an outfit: “I think clothes are for self-expression, not for hiding!”
NICOLA COUGHLAN
‘A Cracking Pair of Boobs!’
Although Nicola Coughlan’s performance as Penelope Featherington has received accolades, the Bridgerton actress has had an impact beyond her acting abilities. The 37-year-old Coughlan chose to take control of the story after years of being body-shamed. “I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought: ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f—ing hot I looked!'” she said in May when she declared her support for a nude scene. The latest Skims campaign star responded to someone who praised her bravery by saying, “I have a cracking pair of boobs.” That is simply me flaunting them; there is nothing courageous about it.
