CMAT attacks ‘fat shaming’ comments on BBC video

Female artists, in particular, face constant comments about their weight and appearance.

Earlier this week, Victoria Beckham said that tabloid coverage of her figure after having her first child in 1999 made her anxious about going out in public.

“I never want to look like I’m complaining, but there were times in the past that I haven’t felt confident enough to sit on a beach and watch my children play,” she told Grazia, external.

“I remember after I had Brooklyn, my first outing was on the front page of the newspaper, with arrows pointing to where I needed to lose weight.”

“Those things can affect how you feel and conduct yourself in public.”

Although newspapers and magazines have (largely) dialled back this sort of body-shaming in recent years, similar comments are still made online every day.

Jorja Smith was moved to address the issue last year, after hundreds of people criticised her appearance in the music video for Little Things (Remix).

“There’s loads of talk about my weight, which is actually crazy,” she told The Guardian, external.

“Because, right, I’m 26. I’m not 18. I’ve never ever been super skinny – I’ve been slimmer, but I’ve also been younger, and a kid.”

She continued: “Things change, don’t they, with your body? … I’m like, damn, I feel a bit insecure about it and now people are commenting on it.”