Earlier this week, on Tuesday, February 19, Karl Lagerfeld passed away at the age of 85 following a short illness. The German designer was best known for his work as the creative director of Chanel, and his death caused a wave of responses from people in the fashion industry.
Tributes poured in from the likes of Anna Wintour, Cara Delevingne, and the current Chanel CEO, Alain Wertheimer - but it was Jessica Simpson's message that caught a lot of people's attention.
The actress and singer took to Instagram earlier this week in order to pay her respects to Lagerfeld, sharing a picture of a meeting between the two of them. "I don’t even recall him knowing my name, but man did I know his. We have lost a true genius in the fashion world. His designs remain with us forever. RIP #KarlLagerfeld," she wrote.
This part of the statement was fine, by all accounts, but it was the added 'PS' at the end that irked some people: "PS. After baby diet goal".
Simpson, who is currently expecting her third child, was making reference to her slim figure in the picture (which was taken all the way back in 2005). Unfortunately, it didn't go down well with fans.
"This has nothing to do with you!!! Someone died and you’re worried about baby weight? You disgust me," said one person. "Wow way to make this about your weight ??♂️started off nicely, finished sounding so selfish & all about YOU!! #fail," added another.
"Awful timing," said a third. "I can't imagine being so self-conscious and vain that one would divert attention to their appearance in the same breath they offer condolences."
Some people took her side, however, and tried to offer her some kind words:
"Hey Jessica," wrote one person. "You are gorgeous the way you are, dont succumb to the pressure to look like you did at 25. None of us can. Enjoy being a wife, mother, and successful business [owner]."
"Omg who cares she wrote about her weight.. Last time I checked its her IG.. Atleast she paid respect to a legend," pointed out another fan.
Simpson has been quite vocal about her struggles with baby weight recently, though - not just on her Lagerfeld tribute post. In the past few weeks, she has posted about her puffy face, swollen ankles, and general discomfort with pregnancy.
And besides, she's not the only one to have given a controversial tribute to Lagerfeld. Jameela Jamil, star of The Good Place, described the late designer as a "ruthless, fat-phobic misogynist" - which not everybody was best pleased about.
"I’m glad somebody said it. Even if it is a little soon," she wrote on Twitter, referencing an article that called Lagerfeld out for being problematic. "A ruthless, fat-phobic misogynist shouldn’t be posted all over the internet as a saint gone-too-soon. Talented for sure, but not the best person."
Unlike Jamil, then, Simpson at least tried to write something supportive. Unfortunately, she just struck the wrong chord with her fans.