A paparazzi photo of Billie Eilish made waves on the internet this week, not because she was involved in anything controversial, but because she was seen in a fitted camisole and shorts instead of her typical baggy clothes.
This led to a flood of comments, with one Twitter user, @GamesNosh, attracting significant backlash for tweeting: “In 10 months, Billie Eilish has developed a mid-30s wine mom body.”
The backlash was immediate. Amidst the flood of supportive responses from her fans and celebrity friends, Billie Eilish addressed the controversy by reposting a TikTоk video on her Instagram Story. The clip featured YouTuber Chizi Duru discussing the importance of normalizing real bodies. “Y’all need to start normalizing real bodies, OK?” Chizi said. “Not everyone has an hourglass figure, OK? Having a bit of a gut is normal; bооbs can sag, especially after breastfeeding. Instagram isn’t real.”
Billie Eilish’s Response to Body Shaming
This isn’t the first time that Billie Eilish has had to deal with body-shaming or discuss it openly. The Grammy-winning artist has previously spoken about her choice to wear oversized clothing, stating that it prevents people from judging her body. In an interview with Vogue Australia, she explained that her layered clothing helps to maintain some level of мystery, keeping people from making assumptions about her body.
In May, Eilish released a short film titled “Not My Responsibility,” which addresses body shaming. In the video, she slowly removes her clothes before submerging into a pool of dark water. Her voiceover questions society’s expectations of woмen, asking, “Would you like me to be smaller? Softer? Taller? Would you like me to be quiet?” She continues, “If I wear comfortable clothing, I’m not considered a woman. If I wear fewer layers, I’m called a slᴜt. Even though you’ve never seen my body, you still judge it, and you judge me. Why?”
Despite her public stance against body shaming, Eilish continues to face scrutiny. This persistent attention on her body highlights a broader issue in the fashion industry and beyond, where woмen are subjected to judgment based on appearance.
Body Shaming in the Fashion Industry
In an industry heavily focused on appearance, it’s no surprise that models and public figures face body shaming—whether for being too thin, too curvy, or even too muscular. A quick search online reveals countless stories from models sharing their experiences with body shaming.
Models like Danish model Nina Agdal, Australian model Bridget Malcolm, and plus-size model Ashley Graham have all faced criticism for their body types. Even Kaia Gerber, known for her slim figure, was body-shamed for looking too skinny in her Instagram photos.
Body shaming isn’t limited to Western culture. During Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week in 2018, a local fashion critic, Zaihani Mohd Zain, publicly criticized people who weighed over 60kg, implying that they shouldn’t attend fashion shows because they would make others uncomfortable. The backlash to her comments was swift, prompting an apology, but the damage was done.
The Rise of Body Positivity
As consumers become more conscious of social issues, the fashion industry is slowly embracing body positivity. Brands like Versace, Chanel, and Fendi are featuring a more diverse range of models in their campaigns, indicating a shift towards a more inclusive representation. These changes reflect an industry increasingly aware of its influence and its responsibility to promote acceptance and diversity.
However, as Nora Whelan from Buzzfeed News pointed out, body positivity is about more than just featuring different body types. It’s about dismantling the notion that only certain bodies are worthy of acceptance and acknowledging that all bodies, regardless of size, shape, or physical abilities, have equal value. Loving and accepting one’s own body is the first step toward embracing the idea that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.