Leaked photo of 'Flash' star in new suit divides superhero fans
“Criticism is not shaming.”
“It has happened. Our country is nuts… An absence of fat is not too skinny. An absence of unnaturally oversized muscles is not too skinny.”
Yahoo readers are standing behind The Flash star Grant Gustin, who became a body-shaming target after a set photo was leaked this week.
The 28-year-old Gustin took to Instagram on Wednesday after the now deleted image got out. (Note: The images seen here are different shots from the set.) Many viewers weren’t big on the Flash’s new suit — or on Gustin’s not-that-big frame.
The leading man explained that the photo of the unfinished suit was unplanned, but he didn’t stop there. “As far as the body shaming,” Gustin wrote in a post. “That’s what pisses me off. Not even just for my sake.”
Read this if you have good enough eyes.
A post shared by Grant Gustin (@grantgust) on Aug 8, 2018 at 12:09pm PDT
Gustin disclosed a lifetime of insecurity with his size on the post, but he also gave a silver lining. “I’ve had my own journey of accepting it,” he said. “I’m happy with my body and who I am and other kids who are built like me and thinner than me should be able to feel the same way.”
His candid response — and the photo that inspired all the comments — has Yahoo readers on both sides buzzing.
“Keep up the good work and and block out the haters,” one Gustin fan wrote in the comments section of the original Yahoo Celebrity article. “I love Grant’s body,” another reader said, “I think he is incredibly hot!!”
Reminder that Grant Gustin is an amazing Flash, a great actor and a HUMAN BEING. It’s never okay to body shame someone for being “too thin”. He’s done an outstanding job for the last four years and is every bit the superhero that the show requires. He deserves some respect! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6mTMXOH1o1
— Michael Patterson (@michaelp93) August 8, 2018
Some readers took greater issue with the design of the costume: “It looks like his costume just doesn’t fit right.”
Several commenters pointed out that Gustin’s slight frame was just right for his character: “Considering that it is explicitly stated on The Flash that Barry burns through calories at an incredible rate, isn’t it logical that he should be portrayed by a thin actor?”
“He’s playing a runner who has a super metabolism,” another commenter wrote. “Have you seen all the Spider-Man actors,” one added.
Others came to Gustin’s aid with grumblings of their own. “I suppose Bruce Lee was too thin too,” one reader said.
I think it's amazing to have Grant Gustin among all these 'perfectly shaped' superheroes. I don't like overly muscular men. It's not aesthetically pleasing, but kinda terrifying for most women. Your value does not equal the size of your bicep or your toned abs.
— darth darcy ❄⚡ (@lordbxrry) August 9, 2018
Some commenters were worried about Gustin’s health, despite the actor’s message on Instagram: “Make no mistake about it, body positivity or not, 10 pounds under is less healthy than 10 pounds over,” one reader said. Another called for the actor to change his diet: “Does look too thin, more protein needed!”
And others were just annoyed by his response: “If Dwayne Johnson got cast as the Blob, I would be equally critical,” said one reader, referencing an alien movie about a jelly-like creature. “Somebody is HANGRY,” another commenter speculated.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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