Country Star Posts Bikini Photo: ‘Do I Look Perfect? No!’
With one bikini photo, country singer Jessie James Decker is showing new moms that post-baby bodies aren’t perfect.
On Wednesday, Decker uploaded a Facebook shot of herself posing on the beach wearing a patterned bikini, writing, “For my mommies: I’ve had 2 babies and no, my body will never be the same. But I got the courage to take photos in a bikini (news coming soon). I was really nervous about it and worried about how I would look after gaining 55 lbs and having my skin stretch out like crazy.”
She added: “I feel good in my skin, but I’m human and have my moments of insecurity, too. Do I look perfect? No! But I did it. I put on a bikini and realized I’ve worked hard to get to this point and I’m proud of myself! #formymommies #youcandoit #feelgoodinyourskin.”
A whopping 10K people reacted to the post and hundreds shared mixed opinions: Most applauded Decker for her confidence and openness, but some were incredulous about her so-called imperfections. Facebook user Ashley Maggard wrote: “Love Jessie but this just irks me so badly when people do this and they are perfect like her. I see no flaws whatsoever. I can see if someone like myself posted this who really does have stretch marks, flaws, etc. But whatever. No offense meant to her.” Another user, Stacey Lynn, commented, “This is ridiculous.”
But user Candice Greathouse came to Decker’s defense: “Everyone, no matter how good they look to others, has body insecurities. She’s no different from every other woman in the world that constantly worries about their appearance and being judged. What might not seem like a flaw to you might be a huge insecurity for her.”
The backlash has never deterred Decker, 28, from being honest about her weight-loss journey, after the births of her daughter Vivianne, 3, and son Eric, 1. In January, Decker, who is married to New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, posted an Instagram photo of herself lounging in a bikini with the hashtag #loosemommyskin.
And six weeks after giving birth to her son, Decker posted an Instagram selfie, makeup-free and wearing sweatpants, her tank top pulled up to reveal her stomach. “My tummy is still swollen and you can see my c-section scar and pooch!” she wrote. “I had another due to my 9lb baby and petite frame. So no rushing and no stressing about losing weight! Wanted to make sure y’all saw what my tummy looks like under the tank top and blazer … I do wear a belly waist train thingy a few hours here n there which helps c-section mamas and swelling to go down.”
A number of celebrities have gotten real about postpartum weight loss, whether it’s through confessional social media posts or IDGAF photo shoots. Six months after giving birth to her daughter, model Chrissy Teigen posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, admitting that while she was reluctant to do so, she was ultimately happy with her decision.
And in November 2016, the always honest Teigen reminded everyone what really goes into celebrity weight loss, telling Today, “We have nutritionists, we have dietitians, we have trainers, we have our own schedules, we have nannies. We have people who make it possible for us to get back into shape. But nobody should feel like that’s normal, or like that’s realistic.”
Heidi Klum famously returned to work on the Victoria Secret runway six weeks after giving birth, telling People, “I figure why not? I embrace that I have more curves right now.”
And in 2010, one month after giving birth to her first child, Kourtney Kardashian claimed that OK! magazine manipulated her postpartum figure on its cover. “They doctored and Photoshopped my body to make it look like I have already lost all the weight, which I have not,” she told Women’s Wear Daily.
For some celebs, motherhood has broadened their perspective about their own bodies. Drew Barrymore told People, “But I would much rather have my kids and look a little worse in a bathing suit!” and “Having a hot body is just not my thing. I care a little, I don’t care a lot.”
And while explaining to Today that it took one year to lose her baby weight, Kristen Bell simply said, “Who cares?”
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