Jillian Michaels Is Getting Dragged for Making Insensitive, Fatphobic Comments About Lizzo
Jillian Michaels is getting hate online for making fatphobic comments about Lizzo online.
She literally said there's never a moment where she's glad that Lizzo is overweight.
Well, 2020 is off to an...interesting start, isn't it? Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced that they were formally stepping down as senior royals, but sadly, that isn't the only emotionally upsetting thing to go viral on the internet this week.
Jillian Michaels—yes, the host of reality TV show, The Biggest Loser—raised over 2.8 million eyebrows after making some of the most insensitive, fatphobic comments I have ever heard. During an appearance on Buzzfeed News' AM2DM morning show, Jillian and the host began talking about their mutual love for Lizzo. Sounds totally innocent, but things got real weird, really fast.
"I love celebrities like Lizzo or Ashley Graham who are really preaching self-acceptance...I love that they're putting images out there that we normally don't get to see of bodies that we don't get to see being celebrated," the host said of Lizzo's impact, with which I completely agree! But Jillian's response was not nearly as positive.
"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," she said. "I love her music. My kids loves her music. But there's never a moment where I'm like 'And I'm so glad she's overweight!'" Um...wow.
.@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
As a personal trainer, Jillian should know that weight is not a direct indication of how healthy or disease-free someone's body is, so for her to instantly assume Lizzo would get diabetes someday was completely out of pocket. This caused a lotttt of people online to be upset about Jillian's choice of words, and also saw people coming to Lizzo's defense.
The only reason we know who Jillian Michaels is, is because of a reality show where people used incredibly unhealthy practices in order to lose as much weight as possible - not to become the most physically fit or to get the healthiest vitals - in a dangerously short time. +
— Zoe (@Zoe_of_Elyon) 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
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
Her music is about positivity, personal acceptance and celebration. Part of that, especially as a plus-sized person in this culture, is rejecting the fat-phobic hatred exemplified by Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels is not Lizzo's health care provider, so she shouldn't comment.
— Emily Goetz (@MagistraGoetz) January 8, 2020
JM has a lot to lose if people begin demanding we treat all bodies with respect. how come you’re the only one that gets to talk about bodies, J? your outdated, stigmatizing fearmongering is tired.
— KathleenMeehan MS RD (@kathleenmRDN) January 8, 2020
Why do people always jump to “they gonna get diabetes”?!? Thin people have diabetes too. Just saying... pic.twitter.com/0hSQXt3dAO
— Erika with a “K” (@ImperfectMz) January 8, 2020
Nick Jonas and Halle Berry both have diabetes. Fat does not equal diabetes.
— Gheigh Niggaologist (@NegroClarkKent_) January 8, 2020
This-this is the reason why so many people develop bulimia, anorexia, body dysmorphia, etc.
I’d rather continuing following @lizzo, a woman who encourages self love and body positivity of all kinds than a woman like @JillianMichaels, who profits off of fat-shaming 💁🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/ReMOxwWE2M— ʎpuıƆ ♎️🦄 (@hippielilicaxo) January 8, 2020
Not every big person is unhealthy or diabetic! I know big dancers, could run circles around me. They wouldn't be amazing artists, if they listened to dumbasses telling them they're too big. Only diabetics I've known were skinner than me! Sometimes, ppl are just big. Get over it!
— Baroness of Strähnge (@GodivaMorte) January 8, 2020
Following the backlash, Jillian didn't apologize for comments, which was...a choice. But she did take to Instagram to clarify what she said via the ever so handy Notes app. "As I’ve stated repeatedly, we are all beautiful, worthy, and equally deserving," she wrote on Instagram. "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."
A post shared by Jillian Michaels (@jillianmichaels) on Jan 8, 2020 at 4:04pm PST
Lizzo hasn't mad any comments about this, but did recently share with fans that negative media attention has become too much for her. As a result, Lizzo's currently taking a break from Twitter. "Yeah I can’t do this Twitter shit no more...too many trolls," she wrote. I’ll be back when I feel like it."
Yeah I can’t do this Twitter shit no more.. too many trolls... ✌🏾
I’ll be back when I feel like it.— Feelin Good As Hell (@lizzo) January 6, 2020
Stay strong and continue being the shining inspiration that you are, Lizzo!
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