Body positive influencer who recreates Meghan Markle's looks speaks out on criticism: 'There is a war on women’s bodies'

    Katie Sturino is a body positive advocate and founder of MegaBabe Beauty known by her followers for her inspiring and relatable content. But after receiving media attention for one of her best-known movements #SuperSizeTheLook, which depicts Sturino re-creating celebrity looks to fit her figure, the influencer decided to remind her followers of the harsh reality of her role in normalizing size inclusivity.

    One of Sturino’s favorite celebrities to look for inspiration is Meghan Markle, who alongside her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, is widely-known to be one of the best-dressed royals.

    And although Sturino’s looks inspired by the Duchess of Sussex prove that “style has no size,” Sturino faced harsh criticism over the photos once the media praised them.

    Outlets such as The Sun and Fox News picked up Sturino’s photos for a feature on how the influencer has found ways to re-create Markle’s ensemble for any figure. As a result, Sturino said that the comments have been “brutal” and shared some of them in an Instagram slideshow.

    “Every time I think we have made so much progress about our bodies and the way we talk about women, something pops up to remind me our work is not done!!!” she captioned an Instagram. “My #SuperSizeTheLook shots with Meghan Markle got picked up and the comments are brutal...they do not hurt my feelings, but they are scary!”

    Some of the comments Sturino included go as far as to compare the influencer to a cow, and even suggest that “she ate Meghan Markle.” But, Sturino acknowledges that the criticism doesn’t end with her. “They don’t stop at my body, they are equal opportunity women haters who take shots at [Markle] as well! Can’t be thin. Can’t be fat,” she wrote. “Maybe STFU ABOUT WOMENS BODIES!!!!!”

    Friends of Sturino’s, including Hunter McGrady, flooded the comments with messages of support and shared their own experiences with body shaming.

    “Get these comments every. Single. Day,” McGrady wrote. “It’s unbelievable how people will easily hide behind a computer screen.”

    “Ughhhhh, the world can be such an ugly place,” the blogger behind GirlWithCurves added.

    Still, Sturino managed to use the negative experience to encourage more positivity toward others and toward one’s self.

    “There is a war on women’s bodies in the media and beyond and we are making headway but this [s***] reminds me to stay bright and keep going,” she wrote. “Nobody deserves to be spoken to like this, on or offline. We have work to do!!!!”

    She tells Yahoo Lifestyle that concluding with a positive call to action is something that’s important for the space that she’s created online.

    “I work hard to make social media a positive space for me and for anyone who follows me. Whenever I step outside of that bubble I am shocked at the general hate aimed towards women’s bodies — no matter the size,” she explains. “I want all women to know that they are worthy and beautiful.”

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