Even though it's 2021, and unrealistic body standards should be behind us, women — in particular — have been socially conditioned to believe that much of their value comes from the way they look.
And it's even worse for celebrities who are constantly under the scrutiny of the paparazzi, as well as their Instagram followers.
Luckily, we have some pretty great role models. From Beyoncé to Chrissy Teigen, here are nine times that celebs put body-shaming trolls in their place...
1. Lizzo
Lizzo has always been a force to reckon with when it comes to body positivity. She's never shied away from flaunting her gorgeous curves in everything from daring swimsuits to naked selfies.
In fact, the Truth Hurts singer took to TikTok back in January of 2020 to share a message of body confidence, and to encourage us to embrace our natural selves — and to clap back at any fat-shamers.
Sharing her workout routine, she said: "Hey, so I've been working out consistently for the last five years and it may come as a surprise to some of y'all that I'm not working out to have your ideal body type. I'm working out to have my ideal body type.
"And you know what type that is? None of your f*cking business because I am beautiful, I am strong, I do my job and I stay on my job," she continued. ''So next time you want to come to somebody and judge them whether they drink kale smoothies or eat McDonald's, or work out or not work out, how about you look at your own fucking self and worry about your own goddamn body because health is not just determined on what you look like on the outside.
"Health is also what happens on the inside—and a lot of y'all need to do a fucking cleanse for your insides," the singer concluded, and we wholeheartedly agree.
2. Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen has made it clear that she will not take mean comments from her followers about her body.
After the cookbook author posted a "thirst trap" video of herself in a swimsuit, a rather bold Twitter user decided to comment, "Shaped like Sponge Bob lol [sic]".
Chrissy clapped back: "I know u ain't talking. It's OK I've been a rectangle my whole life and it's gotten me pretty far!"
3. Kourtney Kardashian
Back in May of 2020, Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, Kourtney Kardashian, proved why it's so important not to speculate wif women are pregnant.
When an Instagram user commented on a picture of her reading in a bikini, writing "SHE'S PREGNANT," Kourtney decided to kill the individual with kindness.
"This is me when I have a few extra pounds on, and I actually love it. I have given birth three amazing times and this is the shape of my body," she replied.
Then, in a POOSH YouTube video, which was posted a week later, she elaborated on the incident. "We're all shaped differently," she explained. "I commented back and said, 'This is the shape of my body. I gained a few pounds over this quarantine time and I love my body and I'm proud of my shape and I'm obviously posting it and this is the shape of my body.' I don't think I look pregnant at all."
4. Jennifer Aniston
Friends star, Jennifer Aniston, is also no stranger to the so-called "pregnancy police".
Back in 2016, she actually wrote a powerful essay for The Huffington Post, titled For The Record. "For the record, I am not pregnant," she began. "What I am is fed up. I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of journalism, the First Amendment and celebrity news," Aniston wrote.
"If I am some kind of symbol to some people out there, then clearly I am an example of the lens through which we, as a society, view our mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, female friends and colleagues," she continued. "The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing. The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty."
5. Lili Reinhart
In February of 2020, the Riverdale actress posted a Twitter thread informing her fans that she feels insecure when having to do "bra/underwear scenes" due to the "expectations" people have for "women on tv".
She added that she struggles on a "daily basis" and has"gained weight due to depression in the last two months".
While Lili was praised for being so candid, it wasn't before long that trolls flocked to the post and left hateful comments. The actress proceeded to screenshot these comments and share them to her Instagram Stories.
She later wrote: "How sad is it that I come forward about my insecurities and people have the audacity to tell me that my feelings aren’t valid. People like this, the ones who leave these ignorant comments, are the reason why people don’t speak out and end up struggling alone. Shame on you."
6. Beyoncé
Queen Bey actually wrote a song that clapped back at her body shamers. She co-penned Bootylicious when she was just 18-years-old, following the criticism she received over her changing body shape.
"I wrote that because, at the time, I'd gained some weight and the pressure that people put you under, the pressure to be thin, is unbelievable. I was just 18 and you shouldn't be thinking about that," she said in an interview with Shape Magazine.
"You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun, and the song was just telling everyone to forget what people are saying, you're bootylicious. It's a celebration of curves and a celebration of women's bodies."
7. Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid expertly shut down body shamers in 2015 when she issued a statement on Instagram, which read:
"No, I don't have the same body type as the other models in shows... I represent a body image that wasn't accepted in high-fashion before, and I'm very lucky to be supported by the designers, stylists, and editors that I am: ones that know this is fashion, it's art; it can never stay the same. It's 2015. But if you're not one of those people, don't take your anger out on me."
A year later, she revealed that she suffers from Hashimoto's disease — a thyroid condition that impacts metabolism.
8. Selena Gomez
After undergoing a kidney transplant, Selena Gomez was shamed over her scar when she shared several bikini snaps of herself. Other trolls speculated whether the singer had gained weight or was pregnant.
But instead of snapping at the haters, she decided to respond with kindness.
"The beauty myth, an obsession with physical perfection that traps modern woman in an endless cycle of hopelessness, self-consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfil society's impossible definition of flawless beauty. I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone. Wind in her sails," she responded.
9. Khloé Kardashian
After the birth of her first child, True, in 2018, Khloé Kardashian took to Twitter to slam those pressuring new mums to lose their baby weight quickly.
"Completely over mommy/body shamers! Women who choose 2 take their time after baby, I’m so proud of you! Women who choose to work out after baby, I’m so proud of you! We all must do what’s best for US! [sic]" she asserted. "Please b kind 2urself! A happy mommy makes for a happy baby! Love your process [sic]."