Fans help Lizzo clap back at Jillian Michaels’ concern-trolling over her weight
It’s true that personal trainer and former Biggest Loser personality Jillian Michaels has never been praised for her kindness or soft demeanor. But she just went one step too far. In an interview with BuzzFeed News’ “AM 2 DM,” Michaels rudely criticized Lizzo’s weight, days after the “Truth Hurts” singer bowed out of Twitter citing “too many trolls.” Now, Lizzo’s stans are pushing back in their queen’s honor.
Though Michaels noted she loves Lizzo’s music and believes she’s probably a “cool, awesome chick,” she didn’t hesitate to question the reporter, who said she appreciates Lizzo’s normalizing and celebrating of bigger bodies.
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“There’s never a moment where I’m like, ‘I’m so glad she’s overweight!’ Why is it my job to care about her weight?” she continued.
And, yeah. We weren’t about to let Michaels get away with this. It’s wrong to assume Lizzo is unhealthy and at risk for diabetes, as Michaels suggested, just by looking at her body.
.@JillianMichaels on Lizzo: "Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn't gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes." pic.twitter.com/FkKBd8J87b
— AM2DM by BuzzFeed News (@AM2DM) January 8, 2020
The fact that she’s able to sing, dance, play the flute, and put on an entire show without getting winded is proof alone that Lizzo is healthier than many of her naysayers claim. Fans were quick to point this out.
Lizzo spends hours every night singing and playing the flute during intensive dance cardio. Just admit that the only self worth you've found for yourself is in your thinness, Jillian, then go to therapy & do the work to love yourself.
— 🐺Mira (@LostWolfling) January 8, 2020
Just gonna leave this here for you @JillianMichaels pic.twitter.com/E5b0C4YXNz
— Ally 🏒🎬🧜🏽♀️🌈🔮 (@nametags) January 8, 2020
More people die from complications of anorexia than any other mental illness, but sure, let's ask for Lizzo's bloodwork.
— Michal is Mandalorthodox (@inkasrain) January 8, 2020
Furthermore, it’s more than possible for “thin” people, or people who do not outwardly appear unhealthy, to get diseases like diabetes.
Does she not know that skinny people can..have diabetes just like..larger women..I- pic.twitter.com/PsRFmRb6cV
— general neutral (@menexttimehoee) January 8, 2020
Nick Jonas and Halle Berry both have diabetes. Fat does not equal diabetes.
— Gheigh Niggaologist (@NegroClarkKent_) January 8, 2020
When Roxane Gay responds to you with sarcasm, you know you’re in the wrong.
Sure. Ok.
— roxane gay (@rgay) January 8, 2020
Michaels attempted to double down on what she said in the BuzzFeed News interview by posting a followup tweet. It reads:
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— Jillian Michaels (@JillianMichaels) January 9, 2020
But, again, Michaels is missing the point entirely.
Eqating fat with automatically being unhealthy & slim with being healthy is inaccurate & incredibly dangerous.
Fat people deserve to exist without the pressure to change their size or *health.*
Fat people don't need to desire to change their bodies to be deserving of dignity.— Peppa Pig Hate Account (@JRYussuf) January 9, 2020
The problem here is that you commented on her body and worse, on television. If that isn’t fat shaming I don’t know what is. You had no right to comment on someone else’s body, no one does. As a “professional” trainer you should know how damaging this is. Do better ✌️
— Jenn Reimer (@jenn_reimer) January 9, 2020
And when Lizzo comes back to Twitter, we think she deserves better than this.
You could give @lizzo a better apology.
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) January 9, 2020
Larger bodies are not necessarily unhealthy bodies. And thinner bodies aren’t always healthy. Lizzo is trying to shift the narrative around weight, fame, and what kinds of bodies are considered normal, and we’re here to applaud her efforts and do our lady’s work.
