Fatphobic or Honest?

According to Urban Dictionary, Fatphobia “purports to represent systematic and open oppression of heavier people but is really barely disguised body-shaming.”

In a recent interview with Buzzfeed’s AM to DM radio show on January 8, 2020, Michaels made some unsavory comments about pop-singer Lizzo’s body, and Michaels quickly went from being labeled as a fitness guru to a fatphobic coach. The world went from listening to Michael's years of experience to shaming her all over social media.

Michaels’s rise to fame began on the hit TV show “The Biggest Loser”. Since the show, she has made multiple fitness videos and has even been labeled as a fitness expert and her main focus for her watchers and followers is health. Her entire career is based upon reassuring people a healthy lifestyle is attainable and only a few good choices away. In the interview, Michaels was asked about what she knew best: wellness. At the beginning of the segment, both Michaels and the interviewer seemed to be having a great time. Michaels started off commenting on fad diets, and the failings in it and it was not until halfway through the interview until the conversation became uncomfortable.

While discussing political correctness, Michaels began to discuss the pitfalls of it regarding conversations about health. She said “[political correctness] is a pendulum… just as far as it swings in one direction it swings in another.” As Michaels continued in her argument she said “[those who say] she’s too fat to be a pop star… should never be able to say things like that.”

It seems, at this moment, she is an ally for those discriminated against for their body size, but she also seems to be an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. Michaels ends her argument saying, “[we] cannot glorify obesity… [and] it's really no one’s business to comment on [someone’s body].”

From Michaels’ previous comment about pop stars, the interviewer brought up her own appreciation of Ashley Graham and Lizzo. Both of these women are voices for the plus-size community. They post, speak out and encourage body positivity. The interviewer stated, “I love that they’re putting images out there that we normally don’t get to see of bodies we don’t get to see being celebrated.”

Michaels quickly responds “Why are we celebrating her body?... It isn’t gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes.” Michaels even went as far as to say “I’m just being honest.”

Michaels was quickly under attack on social media for what she had said by Lizzo fans and even other celebrities. Immediately fatphobic and Jillian Michaels were all over the news. According to “The Blast” one social media user stated, “The problem here is that you commented on her body and worse, on television… if that isn't fat-shaming I don't know what is.”

Michaels’ interview was put under a microscope at this point, and picked apart by the media and stars everywhere. “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil, who is known for being an advocate for body positivity, tweeted a response to the scandal saying, “Why is this woman acting like she’s an MRI? Stop concern-trolling fat people and get in the bin.”

This was one of Jamil’s more tame responses to Michaels’ words. Lizzo still had not commented on what Michaels’ had said in the interview, because at the time, she was touring in Australia. “The Stylist” commented on Jamil's response saying “who needs to respond to haters when you have a friend like Jamil in your corner?”

After the mass amount of backlash from social media, Michaels issued a statement saying, “I also feel strongly that we love ourselves enough to acknowledge there are serious health consequences that come with obesity - heart disease, diabetes [and] cancer to name only a few. I would never wish these for anyone and I would hope we prioritize our health because we love ourselves and our bodies."

Michaels apology, though meant well, did not help her situation. Lizzo fans and celebrities continued to analyze the situation. On “The View”, Whoopi Goldberg said, “I'm celebrating her body… I’m thrilled that she’s a big-figured woman.”

Michaels responded quickly to the media, but Lizzo took her time. Lizzo responded to Michaels’ comments by posting a revealing bikini pic on Instagram with the caption “Roll model.” on February 7, 2020. Lizzo has been praised for her response and her fans, the “lizzbians”, continue to support her. Lizzo’s fanbase is made up of teens and young adults. It is important to acknowledge the people coming to defend Lizzo are the next generation. Words like fatphobic, fatphobia, and fat-shaming, to name a few, are words that are being used as a defense frequently on social media. It did not take long for people to come to Lizzo’s defense on social media. Why? According to “Psychology Today”, 56% of women are dissatisfied with their appearance. How can society encourage body acceptance, and still advocate for health? What are the downfalls in absolute body acceptance? When have we gone too far with acceptance, and where is the line when addressing health? In an interview with Oklahoma Baptist Universities Director of the Marriage and Family therapy graduate program and professor of psychology, Dr. Crane, he commented on the scandal and body image.

The first question addressed in the interview was his credentials and experience. Crane stated “The past 20 years has been the realm of my practice… the rise of social media the more critical conscience and awareness to the public to the breadth of diversity…[society] has more conversations.”

In recounting what happened between Michaels and Lizzo, a disorder was brought up: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, also known as BDD. Body dysmorphia is defined as “[to] worry about any part of their body, but the face and hair are common areas of concern”, according to “Medical News Today”. According to Mayo Clinic, BDD can be caused by, “negative evaluations or experiences about your body or self-image.”

It is important to realize that BDD is not completely an eating disorder. Crane explained it saying, “[BDD is] similar but different [than an eating disorder].” BDD is manifested from anxiety, not around a focus on eating. Crane said, “[BDD] doesn’t have to do with body mass index.” Crane said he has not seen a rise in BDD since he has been practicing and he finished out the interview with comments about the Jillian vs Lizzo scandal.

In regards to reacting to the scandal, Crane said “respect each other’s opinions but offer grace and connection… slow down and hear… understand there is humanity at play here.” He believes, in this situation, this action is what both Lizzo and Michaels have to do. The internet, however, is quick to judge. The research presented by Mayo Clinic should influence how people speak to one another.

BDD is a side effect of continual negative comments that are made about a person's body. Michaels’s words may not have been out of hate, but they did hurt. How do we begin having these conversations about health without continually hurting each other? Is that even possible? One of Lizzo’s most popular songs is “Good as [Hell]”. In it, the singer sings about self-worth and its importance. Her take on body image acceptance is said best in her lyrics. She says, “woo child… go on dust your shoulders off, keep it moving/ yes Lord… in there, swimwear, going to the pool… you know you a star, you can touch the sky/ I know that it's hard but you have to try/ if you need advice, let me simplify.” BDD is going to grow unless how we speak to one another changes. In the words of Crane and Lizzo, let us “slow down and hear”, so that we can all “touch the sky.”