Body Positivity: How Celebrities Are Reshaping The Discussion Around Weight AOC Body

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.

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.