Social media has given rise to a new type of celebrity: the influencer. While they can sway opinions on everything from skincare to daily routines, some utilize their platforms to confront societal standards, particularly regarding body image.
Tess Holliday is among those influential voices. As a plus-size model and a passionate advocate for body acceptance, she frequently addresses what it means to live authentically in a larger body.
At 34 years old, Holliday is well-acquainted with public scrutiny, yet she remains perplexed by the incessant commentary regarding what others believe she can or cannot achieve solely based on her size.
“I don’t understand why I’m expected to react to being labeled ‘fat’ as if it’s a form of insult,” she expressed to The Sunday Times. For Holliday, the term fat is not inherently derogatory; rather, it is the intent behind its use that matters.
“I’m comfortable being referred to as fat and plus-size,” the model stated. “However, I do not accept being shamed for it, particularly when it is expressed in a derogatory manner.”
Her broader aspiration? That as more individuals connect with her narrative and message, they will begin to look past stereotypes and cease to treat others as targets merely based on their appearance.
Holliday also emphasized the impact of language, especially online. “Words carry weight,” she said. “How we talk about each other, and ourselves, matters.”
Over the years, she’s faced intense backlash for appearing on magazine covers and embracing her body publicly.
Critics have charged her with “glorifying obesity” and endorsing an “unhealthy lifestyle.”
However, Holliday persists in her defense, contending that self-acceptance and health can coexist, and that shaming individuals into altering their behavior has proven ineffective.
In the end, she is not seeking universal approval. Merely fundamental human respect.