In an interview with Women’s Health UK, fitness guru Jillian Michaels said that the celebrating obesity is dangerous.
“I think we’re politically correct to the point of endangering people. Yes, we want to be inclusive of everyone [and respect that] everyone comes in all different shapes and sizes…” Michaels stated.
“That nobody should ever be body shamed or fat shamed or excluded and that everyone is equally deserving and should feel equally valuable. But obesity in itself is not something that should be glamourised. But we’ve become so politically correct that no one wants to say it.”
She also said that the reason TV shows like ‘The Biggest Loser’ are not advertised is because of political correctness.
“I think the world has shifted to a place where that format and messaging is considered fat shaming. But it isn’t, and it’s not meant to be. Now we’ve gone so far in the opposite direction.”
After the interview, internet users were quick to express their thoughts.
Actress Jameela Jamil wrote on Twitter: “Elitist ignorance from a renowned long time bully of fat people. Don’t just shame and blame. Cheap food, which most can afford is full of hormones and sugars. Many work too many jobs to have time/money to work out. There’s PCOS, Insulin resistance, Medication side effects.. etc.
She added: “2/2 Just existing, or even DARING to post a nice picture of yourself feeling beautiful and sexy isn’t glamorizing ANYTHING. It’s just existing and loving yourself. Not a crime. Not a threat to anyone. Shame and erasure doesn’t work. If it did, we’d be a *very* thin world by now.”
Joybur10 wrote: “Body positivity isn’t about ‘glamorizing’ obesity, Jillian Michaels. It’s about fighting the pressure to ‘glamorize’ EATING DISORDERS.”
Twitter user Jessie Oliver said: “do you know the damage that does to fat folks mental health, @JillianMichaels? are you essentially saying that our only purpose is to be confined into a dehumanizing box that you literally profit off of? would you speak this way about or to any other marginalized group?”
‘Health at every size’ activist Ragen Chastain also criticized Michaels and said: “Jillian Michaels is nothing but a bully who wants a world where she can continue to use fatphobia to profit off her weight loss lie. That’s bad enough, but trying to co-opt the language of fat activists to do it is a new level of despicable, even for her.”
Michaels also received support, with one writing: “JillianMichaels is on point. I love to see my students/clients embracing their journey. You can’t take this journey without living yourself. But be realistic about where you’re at and where you need to get to to be the BEST, HEALTHIEST version of YOU!”
Another tweeted: “I fully support your views on obesity and of course you might not read this, but you were honestly a big inspiration for me! At this point, I’ve lost 70lbs from the original 240lbs I was, and I couldn’t be happier :)”
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