10 Celebrities Who Have Been Subjected to Fat Shaming

The entertainment industry has always been about looks.  It appears that the skinniest and best looking people have the easiest time finding success, are offered the most roles, and receive the least amount of criticism.  However, this favor comes at the expensive of other people, especially those who do not fit into the mold Hollywood has created. Each year, celebrities who are considered “plus size” or “over weight” find themselves the target of other people’s judgements.  While many people attempt to associate their comments with help and guidance, others are blatant and flat-out hurtful. Here are 10 celebrities who have been subjected to fat shaming.

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10. Tyra Banks

In the fashion world, harsh criticism has become very common.  However, in recent years, comments regarding weight have been looked down upon.  Unfortunately, for super model Tyra Banks whose weight has fluctuated throughout the years, even her positive personality isn’t enough to keep her safe from rude comments.  In 2007, photos of Banks in a swimsuit began to circulate the internet, with comments insinuating that she was over weight.  In the face of criticism, Banks fought back by defending her weight, and speaking out against fat shaming others.

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9. Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is one of the few full-figured women to find success in Hollywood.  However, despite appearing in several successful films, McCarthy has not been spared from comments regarding her weight. In 2013, film critic Rex Reed referred to McCarthy as a “tractor sized” “hippo” and refused to back down from his statements. After months of silence, McCarthy spoke back stating: “I felt really bad for someone who is swimming in so much hate. I just thought, that’s someone who’s in a really bad spot, and I am in such a happy spot. I laugh my head off every day with my husband and my kids who are mooning me and singing me songs.”

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8. Gabourey Sidibe

Gabouray Sidibe rose to fame in 2009 for her portrayal of the title character in the film Precious.  However, since becoming a mainstream success, Sidibe has often receiving criticism about her weight. Several years ago, Sidibe recalled an encounter she had with her favorite actress, Joan Cusack, in which Cusack suggested that Sidibe consider pursuing a new career because Hollywood is so image conscious. Over the years, several others have felt the need to chime in on Sidibe’s weight, often disguising their remarks as concern for her health.

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7. Governor Chris Christie

While fat shaming has a history of being targeted primarily towards women, men are certainly not exempt.  While in office, Chris Christie, governor of the state of New Jersey, has been the subject of many judgements regarding his weight.  In 2011, a journalist referred to Christie as “extremely obese” and suggested that his weight would hurt his chances at being reelected.

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6.  Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley has struggled with her weight throughout most of her career. Ironically; however, Alley has often been the one to fat shame herself.  While appearing on the Rachel Ray Show, Alley stated: “I say I’m not fat-fat, I’m not circus fat, I’ve just gained 30 pounds. Well first of all, I’m talking about myself, and second of all … I grew up in an era where my dad would take me to the fair and to the circus and they actually had fat ladies in the circus.”  Alley’s comments were quickly deemed as harmful; however, she defends her statements claiming that she can say what ever she wants to about herself.

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5. America Ferrara 

America Ferrara is well-known for her role as Betty Suarez in the popular TV series, Ugly Betty.  Throughout her career, Ferrara has often had to battle against comments regarding her weight.  However, she has been very vocal about her feelings regarding fat shaming, and when she slimmed down for health reasons she stated: “I’m a regular-size person. I’m a size 6 or 8, which is totally normal. Sometimes I worry more about losing weight than gaining weight, because this is how people know and accept me. I do feel like if I wanted to get in better shape, there might be a backlash of, ‘Why isn’t she comfortable with herself anymore?'”

 (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival)

4.  Jennifer Hudson

After years of being criticized about her weight, singer/actress Jennifer Hudson turned heads when she showed off her slim new frame back in 2010.  However, Hudson says that her choice to lose weight was motivated by her own desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.  Since then, Hudson has managed to advocate for weight loss without shaming others about their weight.

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3. Adele

10 time Grammy Award winner Adele is used to being praised for her tremendous abilities as an artist.  However, she is also used to being criticized for her weight.  Over the last few years, her weight gain has not gone unnoticed and many have taken their opinions on her appearance too far.  The late Joan Rivers, who was known for her in-your-face style of comedy, received some backlash after she outwardly spoke negatively about Adele’s weight.

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2. Raven Symone

In 2011, actress Raven Symone revealed that her weight had caused problems in her career. Symone, who had built a reputation for being “thick and fabulous” expressed that the industry had treated her differently because of her weight.  Although she has since lost weight, Symone has made it very clear that she loves herself regardless of her size, and encourages others to do the same.

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1. Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson has been the victim of fat shaming several times throughout her career.  Since rising to fame, Clarkson’s weight has fluctuated several times, and the media has been sure to point it out.  Clarkson has been called everything from a “chunky monkey” to downright fat; however, she has not allowed these comments to ruin herself esteem.  Over the years, Clarkson has remained extremely vocal in speaking out against fat shaming, and has tried to stress the importance of having a positive body image.

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