A male model who sported a bathing suit for a swimwear ad has hit back at criticism on social media.
Moana Bikini is a popular Australian bikini brand that was founded in 2011 by body-positive influencer Karina Irby, and it has amassed over half a million followers on Instagram.
The company - which has emphasized that they focus on designing swimwear for "everybody" - has recently come under fire for sharing a recent promotional shoot that features a gay male model named Jake Young.
"Obsessed with this look," they captioned the video, which shows Jake strutting around in a white one-piece swimsuit worth $130.
Check out the post below:It didn't take long for social media users to flood Moana's comment section with their negative takes, as one person slammed: "What the actual… goodluck and goodbye."
Another interjected: "Is that a man? I thought you were about empowering women?.... Ive been a loyal customer for ten years but I’m done."
A third commented: "Will never ever buy here again! This is a disgrace to women!!!" while a fourth added: "This is bad advertising if the target audience is women. A man wearing a piece designed for women....not going to make most women want to buy it."
The model hit back at the hostile remarks, sharing that he has never "claimed to be" a woman and that the promotion is simply "empowering a minority" which he's "forever grateful for".
"There are many different types of women. Women with different anatomy to what you consider 'normal'. I am not a woman nor have I ever claimed to be. This post is simply empowering a minority & I’m forever grateful for that. Your hate is a reflection of your own insecurities, not mine. Thank you @moana_bikini," he concluded.
His eloquent response was heavily praised by supportive users as one person replied: "You look fire in this suit and you are givingggg. Promise there’s love here too and you belong in these suits just as much as anyone else in the comments."
Another said: "I think you slay and what a lovely response you wrote. This all only makes me love and support Moana more," and a third shared: "Your totally gorgeous hottie, just let all their shade protect you from the sun."
Upon seeing the backlash, the brand owner clapped back at all the naysayers, stating that Moana has been empowering "ALL bodies since 2011," adding: "This video really should shock you at all. If you have to announce your 'anger' I strongly urge you to listen too - YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN by Taylor Swift, as I believe it was written for you. See you are special."
Moana Bikini re-affirmed its commitment to be "inclusive" in a statement to Daily Mail that read: "Moana Bikini are - and have always been - one of the most inclusive and empowering brands in existence."
"This is not only in terms of our size and style range for women but - most importantly - in our love and acceptance of all races, ethnicities, body shapes and sizes, genders and sexual orientations. This hasn’t changed and never will change," they continued.
"Many commenters are using the excuse that they believe it is 'insulting to women,' when in reality, it's quite clear they are homophobic and have an issue with someone expressing their sexuality proudly and confidently," they shared, adding, "If people aren't happy with this individual post of a proud, gay man wearing a piece of clothing he feels confident in, they can just keep scrolling or unfollow, can't they?"
Well, said.