12 Celebrities Who Advocate for Body Positivity

Jimmy Henton
Apr 25, 2023
Oct 05, 2023

It's nothing new for celebrities, especially female celebs, to experience body shaming. It sometimes seems that disparaging comments about looks and weight are more common than ever, largely due to the platform on which the social network launched internet trolls.

As society's expectations of physical attractiveness and body image continue to change over time, celebrities have become more outspoken about their experiences and viewpoints. These people discussed their own struggles with body image as well as their path to self-acceptance and love.

They have inspired many people to embrace and celebrate their bodies and share their own journeys by starting meaningful conversations about body positivity through their actions and words.

Through interviews, photos, and Instagram comments, they have responded to their criticism, and each message serves as an encouraging reminder that everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin. Get ready to feel more confident as you look at some of the most significant body positivity moments.

#1 Anne Hathaway

Anne published a photo on Instagram showcasing her pregnancy body. She stated, “There is no shame in gaining weight during pregnancy (or ever). Bodies change. Bodies grow. Bodies shrink. It’s all love.”

She shared a picture of a pair of jeans with the caption that she had turned into shorts to fit her changing body.

#2 Ashley Graham

Source: © ashleygraham/Instagram, © ashleygraham/Instagram

Ashley Graham talked about her desire to change how women think about themselves. She described in an interview how she had been turned down for jobs because she was both too big and too small. She had no interest in satisfying the desires of others.

She said, “This is my body. I’m happy with it. And nobody—nobody—has control over my body but me.”

#3 Bebe Rexha

Source: © beberexha/Instagram, © beberexha/Instagram

The pop star expressed her feelings in a post and praised her body. She talked about trying to be a skinny pop star like those she saw when she was younger and how that didn't feel natural to her. She said she tries her best and goes with the rhythm of her body.

#4 Demi Lovato

Source: © ddlovato/Instagram, © ddlovato/Instagram

Demi has been in the business since she was a young girl and has been very open about her struggles with mental health and body image. Demi discussed how they used to chase perfection before realizing it doesn't exist in an interview. They will now only concentrate on what is important to them.

#5 Hilary Duff

Source: © hilaryduff/Instagram, © hilaryduff/Instagram

Hilary shared a photo on social media of herself in a bathing suit while on vacation with her son. She mentioned in the caption how magazines love to share "celeb flaws." "Well, I have them!" she stated.

She went on to say that her body is healthy and has given her the greatest gift of her life, her son. She also stated that women should be proud of their accomplishments.

#6 Jonah Hill

Source: Invision/Invision/East News, Invision/Invision/East News

"I was always a bigger guy," Jonah Hill said about his love of fashion. It's difficult to dress a certain way when you're overweight because clothes aren't designed for people who are overweight to have style."

He realized that he is the one who defines his style, regardless of size, and that he does not have to be anything he does not want to be.

#7 Jonathan Van Ness

Source: © jvn/Instagram, © jvn/Instagram

Jonathan's book mentions how they prefer the term "Body Neutrality." Body neutrality is more concerned with what our bodies can do for us than with how they appear. "Let's practice emotional and mental fitness because not being judgmental of our bodies and the bodies around us are the real key to body neutrality and a happier life," they wrote.

#8 Lizzo

Source: © lizzobeeating/Instagram, © lizzobeeating/Instagram

Lizzo has previously discussed the body positivity movement. "I love creating shapes with my body, and I love normalizing the dimples in my butt or the lumps in my thighs or my back fat or my stretch marks," she said of some of the more racy pictures she shares on social media. "I think it's beautiful."

#9 Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling mentioned her workout routine in an interview. Fitness and exercise have always been a part of her life, but she was hesitant to discuss them because she isn't stick-thin. “If you’re going to be talking about someone healthy and fit, you have to be a hard body with, like, a six-pack,” she explained. She stated that this was not how it worked and has learned to accept her body.

#10 Rihanna

In an interview with Vogue, Rihanna discussed how her body fluctuates. She stated that she accepts all bodies and that, despite not being built like Victoria's Secret model, she feels confident and beautiful in her lingerie.

#11 Selena Gomez

Selena has always been open about her difficult times. She has previously discussed how she embraces her body shape, which you can read about here.

She shared in the image above how she initially wanted to cover and hide her scar from her kidney transplant. But she is now self-assured and proud of what she has achieved.

#12 Serena Williams

She expressed her feelings about her body and how proud she was of it in a letter to her mother via Reddit. Especially after receiving disparaging comments about her physical looks. "I was born with this badass body and proud of it," she wrote.

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