Sarah Michelle Gellar Apologizes Amid Backlash Over Her "Reminder Not to Overeat" on Instagram
Sarah Michelle Gellar's latest Instagram post has sparked a heated conversation on Instagram about body image, food, and Thanksgiving — and the backlash eventually led to an apology from the actor.
The Buffy: The Vampire Slayer star shared a series of lingerie-clad photo of herself — which are from a 2007 shoot with Maxim, according to Us Weekly — to her Instagram account on Monday with the caption, "I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday #thanksgivingprep." (Ed. note: We have chosen not to embed the aforementioned post in order to avoid potentially triggering readers, but it is still available to view on Gellar's Instagram as of this article's publication.) Fans have subsequently been sounding off in the comments section, with many seeing her message as deeply problematic.
"Projecting the idea that we should restrict ourselves from eating food to be skinny is a dangerous and damaging mindset which clearly plagues the minds of many, including celebrities as it’s pretty apparent here," commented one user, who continued: "It’s a hard truth to acknowledge. Nobody should ever feel guilty for eating food, period." Another echoed their sentiment, writing, “This caption proves once more that diet culture is really everywhere and that so many women have internalized this kind of thinking. It’s really a shame.”
Some Instagram commenters felt Gellar's post was actually fatphobic, including one user who wrote, “A little disappointed in this caption. It’s fatphobic and sad. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.” Another fan, according to Us Weekly, told Gellar that she usually loves her posts, but is "seriously against 'thinspiration.'"
In the wake of the criticism Gellar received, some supporters stepped in to defend her, with some declaring her post to simply indicate her dedication to maintaining her healthy lifestyle during the holidays. "She's about healthy eating get over it. Don't turn things that offend you into something more than it's not. That's all she meant," wrote one user. Another commented, "Yes!!! Holidays are NO reason to throw all the hard work and clean eating out the window."
On Tuesday, Gellar apologized for her original caption in the comments of her post. "It’s come to my attention that some people think I was ‘fat shaming’ with this post," she writes. "That could not be further from my intentions. I love Thanksgiving and unfortunately my eyes are often bigger than my stomach, and I tend to eat so much I make myself sick. This was a joking reminder to myself not to do that."
Her remorseful message goes on to say that she feels "terribly sorry that people were offended" by her "attempt at humor." She closes her comment with these words: "Any one [sic] that knows me, knows I would never intentionally ‘shame’ any one [sic] on any basis. I am a champion of all people."
Thanksgiving can be an especially difficult time for anyone with a complicated relationship with food, and the conversation surrounding Gellar's post serves as proof. But one Instagram user put it best, writing, "One day of eating good food and enjoying tradition with your family and friends won’t change your body. And even if it did...is it bad to be anything but slim?" To answer your comment, dear Instagram stranger: it certainly is not bad, nor does anyone deserve to feel like their body isn't good enough because it isn't slim (or any other adjective, really). Take all the damn lingerie photos you want, folks, and try not to listen to anyone who says otherwise.
If you are currently struggling, there is help available and you are not alone. For treatment options, visit NEDA or contact NEDA’s Live Helpline at (800) 931-2237. If you're currently in a crisis, you can text NEDA to 741741, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
More about body politics:
And here are five women who overcame self-hate and learned to love their bodies:
