Body positivity has been a topic of discussion on Anne of Carversville since 2007. Fashion’s role in the downsizing of model standards — and its impact on people who see those images — has long been critiqued in our pages.

It’s only in recent years that the fashion industry from designers to media have moved beyond tokenism into real change on the body shapes and sizes celebrated on fashion show runways, branded ad campaigns, online and print fashion editorials and in the all-important world of social media.

Defining Body Positivity

There is a lot of debate on what body positivity stands for, but at its core, it seeks to create an inclusive environment where all kinds of bodies feel accepted regardless of appearance. Lately, influences online have been vital in keeping the movement trending. With social media, celebrity is no longer confined to glossy magazine pages or TV screens; a star's online presence has made them more accessible and their words and actions more impactful.

Celebrities have been very vocal about body image, dieting, and eating disorders, which helped change how we view our bodies and weight — to a degree of success. Case in point, even weight loss programs have shifted away from calorie-counting and restraint. Rather than focusing on going down a dress size, modern weight loss plans focus on holistic health and wellness. The focus is now on cultivating healthy habits, using advanced nutrition and behavioral science insights so that weight loss is sustainable. Focusing on healthy habits and seeing weight loss as a byproduct of these actions allow us to foster a good relationship with our bodies.

Despite these new strides, some still see body positivity as a promotion of obesity or that it excludes thinner bodies. But the call for acceptance has been louder than ever, and celebrities' power ensures that that message is constantly being heard and internalized.

Here are some ways celebrities and influencers accomplish promote body positivity:

Vulnerability

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish revealed that she battled with her body for a long time. Her signature baggy clothes were a means for her to keep her figure out of the public's scrutiny, as she was fearful of what others might say about her biggest insecurity. Eilish also talked about how exhausting the desire to look good can be, especially when faced with unattainable body standards. It can be a challenge to open up about these struggles. Still, when celebrities like Eilish talk about their insecurities, it creates a way for more people, especially young people, to be more honest about their body image.

Billie Eilish Makes Corsetry News, in Pinup Images for British Vogue June 2021 AOC Fashion

Billie’s ambivalence about her body was very impacted by her bust-size and being scrutinized as a sensual person. It was the singer’s appearance in British Vogue’s June 2021 issue, wearing old-Hollywood lingerie that — in AOC’s opinion — reminded millions of women about the connection between social and self-imposed guilt with body positivity.

The title of Eilish’s British Vogue interview said everything: “It’s All About What Makes You Feel Good: Billie Eilish On New Music, Power Dynamics, and Her Internet-Breaking Transformation.”

AOC notes that Billie took severe criticism from people who liked her baggy clothes in her ‘Madonna’ moment. Devoted fans can become our most severe critics when we walk out of one comfort zone and into a different vision of self-expression.

The fact that Billie had gone blonde for the shoot — and loved it — only further rocked her social media world, and the artist pushed back against being told by fans not to get out of her lane with both clothes and hair color choices.

Billie Eilish Stays True to Her Own Self by Alique in ELLE US October 2021 AOC Fashion

ELLE US featured Billie Eilish in its October 2021 issue, where the major talent’s new album was at the top of the charts and she was very articulate about resisting the pushback.

Confidence

Self-love has been a constant refrain these past few years, particularly in music. Beyoncé has been vocal about this mindset through her journey with body image and childbirth, involving herself in campaigns about self-love and how it impacts our connections with each other. K-pop has also been dipping its toes into these ideas as well, with girl groups like ITZY singing fun and peppy songs about loving who they are, no matter what anyone thinks of them.

Lizzo, one of the most prolific faces in body positivity, has made confidence and acceptance central to her songs. However, she didn’t always feel good about herself, and she was insecure about her weight as few people looked like her in the industry growing up.

After changing her attitude towards herself, Lizzo was able to transform herself into the inspiring icon she’s known for today. Her journey with confidence became a catalyst for helping others feel good about themselves through her craft and her emphasis on health and exercise.

When Lizzo added activewear to her YITTY line, naming it ‘Headliner’ after her childhood nickname, mega millions of fans and followers saw dopamine-dressing colors on parade and they went wild with smiles and joy. Body positivity gets a big boost from dopamine hormones in the brain.

When you exercise, you provide a low-dose jolt to the brain’s reward centers—the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated, and maintain hope. UCLA Berkeley is deeply invested in brain research on exercise and health. Over time, regular exercise remodels the reward system, leading to higher circulating levels of dopamine and more available dopamine receptors. In this way, exercise can both relieve depression and expand your capacity for joy.

Can we all agree that the world needs more joy?

Advocacy

Jameela Jamil has experienced her share of negativity surrounding her body. The actress was bullied for her appearance and later developed an eating disorder from the trauma. After these events, she has used her influence to challenge negative comments about weight, the digital erasure of imperfections, toxic diet culture, among many others. She has also not been afraid to call out other celebrities for not using their influence wisely and for promoting unhealthy products or practices to their audiences. She discusses these issues on her social media campaign and now podcast, I Weigh and encourages the embracing of imperfections and celebrating all kinds of bodies.

There's much to be said about body positivity and its impact on society. The movement will continue to change as the times do, but if there's one thing that's certain, as long as celebrities keep talking about it, so will everyone else. ~ Anne