The Power of Celebrity Voices
Celebrities influence culture, including how we think about body image. When they speak up, it shifts the conversation.
What Body Image Really Means
Psychologist Charlotte Markey defines body image as not just how we view our bodies, but also how comfortable we feel in our own skin.
External Messages Shape Us
From social media to advertising, outside influences can either encourage acceptance or fuel insecurity about our bodies.
The Weight of Societal Pressure
Psychotherapist Paula Atkinson notes we’re conditioned from a young age to see certain bodies as good or bad, a form of cultural brainwashing.
Learning From the Past
Atkinson recalls that harmful celebrity-driven diet culture in the ’90s and early 2000s had lasting negative effects, making today’s shift vital.
Serena Williams: ‘I Was Born With This Badass Body and Proud of It’
In 2017, Serena Williams wrote a public letter to her mother, addressing the body shaming she endured throughout her career. She explained how she had been judged for her strength but ultimately embraced her body for what it is.
Laverne Cox: ‘Trans Is Beautiful’
Actor and advocate Laverne Cox has spoken openly about her journey to self-acceptance, highlighting the power of embracing features that once brought her shame and reframing them as beautiful.
Ali Stroker: ‘This Is Just Me’
Broadway star Ali Stroker has described how she views her disability not as a limitation but as part of her identity, a perspective that reshapes how we think about body image and self-worth.
Adele: ‘It’s My Body’
Adele addressed public reaction to her weight loss in a 2021 interview, making it clear that her choices were personal and not a performance for others.
Jamie Lee Curtis: ‘The Times I’ve Been Able to Be Free, I’m on Fire’
Veteran actor Jamie Lee Curtis has long pushed back against Hollywood standards, publicly choosing authenticity over hiding her body and describing how liberating that has been.
Hilary Duff: ‘My Body Is Healthy and Gets Me Where I Need to Go’
In 2017, Hilary Duff shared an unretouched beach photo on Instagram, speaking about motherhood and encouraging women to value their bodies rather than criticize them.
Lana Condor: ‘Stop Thinking That a Certain Body Shape Is Ideal’
Lana Condor has been candid about her struggles with body dysmorphia, using her platform to remind people that there is no single “ideal” body type
Winnie Harlow: ‘Don’t Be Ashamed of What Makes You Different’
Model Winnie Harlow, who has vitiligo, uses her platform to encourage people to see difference as beauty and embrace uniqueness.
Mindy Kaling: ‘I Don’t Really Beat Myself Up About That’
Mindy Kaling has spoken about moving past harsh dieting and focusing instead on balance, nutrition, and enjoying food without guilt.
Ashley Graham: ‘Nobody Has Control Over My Body but Me’
Supermodel Ashley Graham has insisted that she won’t conform to industry expectations and that she alone defines her relationship with her body.
Jonah Hill: ‘I Really Can Define My Own Personal Style’
Jonah Hill has talked about claiming fashion and personal style for himself, despite criticism, as part of embracing self-expression.
Emma Thompson: ‘If You Want the World to Change … You Better Be a Part of the Change’
Thompson challenges false narratives around women’s bodies, urging honesty and participation in reshaping representation.
Jonathan Van Ness: ‘Focus on What Our Bodies Can Do for Us, Not How They Appear’
Jonathan Van Ness promotes “body neutrality” — valuing the body for its abilities rather than its appearance — as a healthier mindset.
Ty Pennington: ‘Yes, I Am Older, but I Think It’s Pretty Cool’
TV personality Ty Pennington has pushed back against online criticism of his aging, celebrating the wisdom and happiness that come with growing older.
