16 Times Celebs Were Called Out For Body-Shaming Other Celebs
While more and more celebs these days are working toward the acceptance and celebration of all body types, there are still some — from singers and models to designers to media personalities — who think it's okay for them to body-shame their peers.
A lot of these people have been called out because there's never an excuse for shaming someone — famous or not — for how they look.
Here are 16 times celebs were called out for body-shaming other celebs:
Some entries mention eating disorders.
1.When Ashley Graham became the first plus-size model on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2016, supermodel Cheryl Tiegs told E! News, "I don't like that we're talking about full-figured women because it's glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]. That's what Dr. Oz said, and I'm sticking to it."
Ashley never called her out by name, but she seemed to reference Cheryl's comments on No Filter with Naomi. Ashley said, "There was another model who was so upset that I had gotten the cover. She said I was very large, and that women my size should not be on the cover."
When Naomi Campbell asked her who she was talking about, she said, "Uh, you can go look it up. It was before your generation. ... It starts with a C."
2.In 2020, former The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels criticized Lizzo's weight and made invasive speculations about her health. She told BuzzFeed News's AM to DM, "Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn’t going to be awesome if she gets diabetes."
In response to the onslaught of criticism she received online, Jillian tweeted, "As I've stated repeatedly, we are all beautiful, worthy, and equally deserving. I also feel strongly that we love ourselves enough to acknowledge there are serious health consequences that come with obesity — heart disease, diabetes, cancer to name only a few. I would never wish these for ANYONE, and I would hope we prioritize our health because we LOVE ourselves and our bodies."
In her first Instagram post after Jillian's comments, Lizzo said, "Today’s mantra is: This is my life. I have done nothing wrong. I forgive myself for thinking I was wrong in the first place. I deserve to be happy."
3.In Taylor Swift's 2020 documentary Miss Americana, a section highlighting the negativity the singer faced from the press included a clip of comedian Nikki Glaser saying, "She’s too skinny; it bothers me. All of her model friends — and it’s just like, c’mon." Nikki apologized after the film's release.
On Instagram, she said, "The sound bite was from an interview I did five years ago, and I say [that] in SUCH a shitty tone. ... This quote should be used as an example of 'projection' in PSYCH101 textbooks. ... I really have no need to post this other than to apologize to someone who seriously means SO much to me. I only got a couple death threats from die-hard Swift fans, which as one myself, I totally get. ... I just hope this somehow gets to her so she knows I’m sorry for any pain I caused her and that I’d love to be her friend some day (when I start modeling) and tell her how much her music has influenced my life and comedy."
Taylor commented, "Wow. I appreciate this so much, and one of the major themes about the doc is that we have the ability to change our opinions over time, to grow, to learn about ourselves..."
4.When Zendaya wore locs for the 2015 Academy Awards, Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic said that the hairstyle made her look like she "smells like patchouli oil...maybe weed."
Many people called her out on Twitter, and some users pointed out that the host previously called the dreads Kylie Jenner wore "edgy."
In a Twitter statement both calling her out and educating her on why her comments were so offensive, Zendaya said, "To say that an 18-year-old young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or 'weed' is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive. There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair. My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough."
In response, Giuliana tweeted, "Dear Zendaya, I'm sorry I offended you and others. I was referring to a bohemian chic look. Had NOTHING to do with race and NEVER would!!!"
5.After Zendaya's acceptance speech at the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards, comedian Julie Klausner tweeted, "Zendaya’s ultimate retort to Giuliana Rancic is starving herself down to the size of one of her elbowz [sic]." She also alleged that Zendaya had an eating disorder and called her a "thinspo model for your impressionable tweens."
Zendaya replied, "Do you find this funny? I will write another paragraph to educate you as well #youreallywannabenext?"
In a follow-up tweet, she continued, "Now....everyone go look in the mirror at their beautiful body, and love that shit. #thickgirlswinning #skinnygirlswinning #weallwinning."
6.In an early episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Khloé Kardashian's then-step parent Caitlyn Jenner told her, "I'll get shot for bringing this up, but don't you think you'd lose a few pounds? ... Don't you think you should lose a few pounds?"
Immediately, her younger sister Kylie Jenner, who was a child at the time, told Caitlyn, "I don't think she should lose anything. She's perfect the way she is."
Khloé ultimately walked away from the conversation.
7.On a 2018 episode of Revenge Body, Khloé revealed that she'd experienced more body-shaming from her own family behind the scenes. She said, "You know, for a long time, I was told, 'Khloé, you've got to lose weight because you're really hurting the brand' or this or that."
Speaking to a contestant who'd also been body-shamed by their family, she continued, "I understood that was coming from my management side of my family, but it does hurt, and there's a way to say things. I totally get how you feel."
8.In a 2013 interview, Khloé disclosed that she'd been body-shamed by her family before their fame, too. She told Cosmopolitan, "Words are the most powerful weapon; they can leave scars forever. She didn't mean harm, but when I was around 9, I overheard my mom [Kris Jenner] telling her friend I needed a nose job."
She continued, "I was shocked; I hadn't even thought about it. I've grown into my face, but I've had makeup artists tell me, 'You should get a nose job.' I'm so happy that I never have…"
However, she eventually did get a nose job in 2019. On Twitter, she said, "My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner."
9.In 2012, Karl Lagerfeld, who was the creative director of Chanel and Fendi, faced backlash when he told Metro, "The thing at the moment is Adele. She is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice." He apologized but clarified that he'd actually been talking about Lana Del Rey.
In a follow-up, he told Metro, "I'd like to say to Adele that I am your biggest admirer. Sometimes, when you take a sentence out of the article, it changes the meaning of the thought. What I said was in relation to Lana Del Rey, and the sentence has since been taken out of context from how it was originally published. I actually prefer Adele. She is my favorite singer, and I am a great admirer of her. I lost over 30 kilos over 10 years ago and have kept it off. I know how it feels when the press is mean to you in regards to your appearance."
In response, Adele told People, "I've never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women, and I'm very proud of that."
Lana did not respond.
10.After Adele's Instagram pictures showing that she lost weight went viral in 2020, Sharon Osbourne praised her on The Talk while simultaneously criticizing the body type she'd had before. She said, "It was her time to lose weight, that’s all, in her journey, in her life. ... When really big women say they’re really happy in their body, I don’t believe them."
Sharon was criticized for her comments and for seemingly reinforcing negative stereotypes.
11.In 2018, model Tess Holliday wore a swimsuit on the cover of Cosmopolitan. On Instagram, UK broadcaster Piers Morgan called the cover "just as dangerous & misguided as celebrating size zero models."
On Twitter, Tess said, "To everyone saying I’m a burden to the British healthcare system, I’m American so you don’t have to worry about my fat ass. Worry about what horrible people you are by whining about how me being on the cover of a glossy magazine impacts your small-minded life."
12.While visiting The View in 2021, Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran was discussing size inclusive clothing brand Good American when she told co-host Whoopi Goldberg, "And when you get finished with those [Good American] jeans and decide you don't like them, give them to me. I'm gonna make two pairs!"
The live audience immediately booed Barbara.
She later apologized in a Twitter video. She said, "I made a joke at Whoopi's expense, which I now realize wasn't funny. For anyone who I may have offended unintentionally, I just wanted to say I really am very sorry."
Whoopi replied, "Barbara, we have been friends forever, and I know your humor. I knew you were kidding."
13.In 2014, English media personality Katie Hopkins told Heat that Lily Allen's pregnancies involved "gaining two stone and looking pretty hideous."
On Twitter, Lily said, "Yes, after tragically losing a child so late in my pregnancy, I may have gained a few pounds. I am one of many that find comfort in food. The two pregnancies that followed were terrifying because of what had happened before, and I was pretty much on bed rest for 20 months. I wasn't exercising because I didn't want to take any risks, and funnily enough, the survival of my children felt more important than being thin."
14.After Kelly Clarkson appeared on The Graham Norton Show in 2015, Katie Hopkins went on a Twitter rant about her. She said, "Jesus, what happened to Kelly Clarkson? Did she eat all of her backing singers? Happily I have wide-screen." Then, she continued to post more cruel jabs about her body.
In response, Kelly tweeted, "I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Someone tweeted something about me? Oh, and she's tweeted something nasty about me? That's because she doesn't know me. I'm awesome! It doesn't bother me. It's a free world. Say what you will. I've just never cared what people think. It's more if I'm happy and I'm confident and feeling good, that's always been my thing. And more so now, since having a family — I don't seek out any other acceptance."
15.After Alyssa Milano presented at the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Awards, event host Jay Mohr used his podcast to body-shame her. He said, "It seems like she had a baby and said, 'I don’t really give a shit'...I read it on her gut..."
Tagging him on Twitter, Alyssa said, "So sorry you felt the need to publicly fat-shame me. Be well and God Bless. Please send my love to your beautiful wife."
Jay later apologized on his blog, writing, "I know full well how much words can hurt people, having seen my wife get destroyed by the tabloids, and I am embarrassed that I didn't think before I spoke. Alyssa is an extraordinarily beautiful person — both inside and out. Alyssa is a mother, a wife, an actress, and a class act that should always be celebrated. Sometimes, comedians go too far. I went too far. I cannot change what I said, but I can assure you that my heart is broken that I hurt her. I am very sorry."
On Twitter, Alyssa thanked him and accepted his apology.
16.And finally, on a radio countdown on Sirius XM in 2015, Howard Stern called Sam Smith "an ugly motherfucker" and "fat." He also said that the singer "looks gay to [him]."
On Twitter, Sam said, "Can't believe what I've just read."
In a follow-up tweet, they simply added, "Ignore."
