9 celebs to follow for body positivity inspo
In an image-obsessed world, the anti-diet movement is gaining momentum. And when it comes to body positivity, these celebs and influencers are leading the charge.
Once a simple term to describe our eating habits, “diet” has spawned a massive industry worth an estimated $6.6 billion in Australia alone.
When linked to healthier eating practices and improved nutrition, there’s no denying diets can have their benefits.
But “diet culture” is also connected to a variety of toxic practices, such as weight discrimination, sizeism and fat phobia.
International No Diet Day, the global event held on May 6 each year, was created to counteract the potential dangers of diet culture, while encouraging body positivity and acceptance.
All year round, the anti-diet movement encourages prioritising body acceptance and wellbeing over unhealthy practices to fit a projected ideal.
A number of famous names have helped bring body positivity and anti-diet discussion to the mainstream. These are some of the influencers and celebs to watch:
Jameela Jamil
British actress Jameela Jamil’s popular I Weigh podcast was one of the first major platforms to put the spotlight on anti-diet culture.
“I weigh” is a reference to all the aspects of life that hold “weight” to Jamil, such as her self-worth and relationships with others.
As well as being a trailblazer for promoting body image positivity, I Weigh has become a movement in its own right.
Rihanna
The Barbadian singer and businesswoman has always marched to her own beat.
So when the media starting to dub her “thiccanna” in response to weight gain, Rihanna flipped the narrative by acknowledging she had the “pleasure of a fluctuating body type” – promoting body positivity in the process.
Abbie Chatfield
She first graced our screens on The Bachelor Australia, but podcasting has won Abbie Chatfield a new legion of fans.
Since launching the It’s A Lot podcast last year, Abbie has used her platform and social following to discuss body image and body positivity, eating disorders and the toxic by-products of diet culture, among other difficult subjects.
Bridget Malcolm
Model Bridget Malcolm, 29, is best known as one of the few Australians to grace Victoria’s Secret runways.
In recent years she has helped shed light on the not-so-glamorous side of the modelling industry and has been candid about her own rollercoaster relationship with food and alcohol.
Ashley Graham
Model Ashley Graham has famously shunned the label “plus-size”, arguing women shouldn’t be categorised.
It is just one of many modelling industry issues she discusses hosting podcast series Pretty Big Deal.
The 33-year-old mum has also been praised for posting unfiltered images of herself, cellulite and all, inspiring her followers from around the world to follow suit and embrace the skin they’re in.
Stefania Ferrario
With a combined social media following of more than one million and counting, Stefania Ferrario is considered Australia’s most popular beauty influencer.
But that’s not her only claim to fame, having been signed to Bella Management as “curvy” model.
The 27-year-old has described social media as a double-edged sword in that it can promote self-love, body positivity and diversity – but on the flipside, weight loss and dangerous diets.
Lizzo
Breakout singer Lizzo is not afraid to share the turbulent relationship she’s had with her body and weight.
She doesn’t gloss over the fact that even with huge success and millions of fans, she still experiences rare instances of low body image. But she stresses that it’s OK to have these low points.
She also stresses the benefits of exercising to maintain health, rather than to achieve thinness.
Jessica Vander Leahy
Model, writer, podcast host, content creator and television presenter Jessica Vander Leahy, 32, launched Project WomanKIND to put the spotlight on body diversity and body acceptance.
Her YouTube series stars women of all shapes and sizes who shed light on their personal journeys and their relationship with their bodies.
Robyn Lawley
The US-based Australian model and past cover star of The House of Wellness magazine was of the first curvy models to enter the mainstream, and has long been vocal about body inclusivity and diversity.
More recently, the 31-year-old mother of one has launched a podcast, Every Body with Robyn Lawley, which puts the body positivity movement under the microscope.
More on positive body image:
- How to love your body, just the way it is
- The very real dangers of fat shaming
- 5 practical steps to bolster your body image
- How make-up free celebs are inspiring better body image
Written by Charlotte Brundrett
