With the bombardment of manipulated images of women in the media today, it’s easy to see how girls can become obsessed with attaining ‘the perfect body’. Thankfully, though, beauty is no longer defined by some unrealistic standard, or by what the current fashion models look like in magazines.
Beauty and body size are both being celebrated for individuality and uniqueness. It’s a shame it has taken this long, but better late than never! These 11 celebrities have been leading the way, and we should all feel empowered by their efforts.
1. Chantelle Brown-Young
Okay we might sound biased, but we honestly think that she is the prettiest girl alive. Also known as Winnie Harlow, the young model is no stranger to the fashion world. Since being scouted for ANTM’s 21st Cycle after Tyra Banks stumbled upon her Instagram account, Chantelle has been using her success to promote that individual beauty is all about embracing your uniqueness. Despite being teased at school, the 20 year old model thinks that the experience helped her accept her appearance, and gave her the confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a model.
2. Queen Bey
As everyone knows, Queen Bey is one of the first celebs to start the booty-lovin’ movement, back when the media kept feeding us with stills of perfectly skinny women as for us to idolise. Beyoncé is an astonishingly beautiful woman and yes, she gets Photoshopped, but she doesn’t think we should get hung up on that stuff either. “Confidence makes a woman sexy,” she quoted. Women should not get caught up in someone else’s definition of beauty. We are too obsessed with what a perfect nose is, or perfect hair, but there is nothing more beautiful than loving yourself and being confident.
3. Rebel Wilson
The comedienne took a very interesting step to promote body positivity, in which she sported an angel-winged ensemble at MTV Movie Awards in 2015 with one mission in mind: to encourage girls and women to embrace their shape, and focus more on their minds than their bikini bodies. She quoted, “I think sometimes girls look at Victoria’s Secret models and think that they have to model themselves after that, but I really don’t think that’s the best. Even though they are called ‘models,’ they’re not the best people to model yourself after.” That’s why we love you, Rebel.
4. Adele
Adele doesn’t have time for body critics. “I’ve never had a problem with my look. I love food and hate exercise. I don’t want to be on the cover of Playboy, I want to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.” As it turns out, her uncompromising attitude and belief in her talents has definitely worked out for her. The highly successful singer thinks that no matter what you look like, the key is to first of all be happy with yourself. From there, you’ll know if you want to improve things that you don’t like about yourself. Fix your inner beauty, and you’ll appreciate yourself more.
5. Serena Williams
I mean, look at dem‘ muscles. The professional tennis player constantly reminds us that, when it comes to her body, her opinion matters most. “I love my body, and I would never change anything about it. I’m not asking you to like my body. I’m just asking you to let me be me.” She’s an athlete for God’s sake, there really is no point for you skeptics to criticise her body structure. While we may not hold quite as many Grand Slam titles as Serena Williams, we can follow her lead by being just as loving and unapologetic about our own bodies.
6. Rihanna
Yes, RiRi probably has our definition of the perfect figure, but as a pop sensation who slaves herself for the industry, the starlet couldn’t gain a few pounds without ending up in headlines, along with assumptions that she might be pregnant, #Lel. “You shouldn’t be pressured into trying to be thin by the fashion industry, because they only want models that are like human mannequins. They know that if we see an outfit on a mannequin in a shop window we will love it and want to buy it whatever size we are. That’s why they have size zero models, they want to sell clothes. But you have to remember that it’s not practical or possible for an everyday woman to look like that. Being size zero is a career in itself so we shouldn’t try and be like them. It’s not realistic and it’s not healthy.”
7. Tess Holliday
The leader of the #effyourbeautystandards movement has made it a point to clap back against concern trolls, who are usually total strangers who assume they know more about what’s best for your health than you do, whenever possible. She quoted, “while I’ve done my best to look as put together as possible, that’s not real life & it’s not for most women. I’m not the first plus size woman in the public eye and it’s okay to tell someone to fuck off when they give you unsolicited advice about what’s ‘best’ for you.” Preach, sister!
8. Mindy Kaling
“By the way, I run and work out. It takes a lot of effort to look like a normal chubby woman. And for the record, I’m a size 8 (this week, anyway). Many stylists hate that size because, I think, to them, I lack the self-discipline to be an aesthetic, or the sassy, confidence to be a total fatty hedonist. They’re like ‘Pick a lane.’” Aww, Mindy. We loved her as Kelly on The Office and we love her even more on her self-titled TV series, Mindy. With her hilarious memoir, and with statements like this, it’s hard not to fall head over heels for the real Mindy Kaling. The Indian actress works hard to keep it real, and regularly uses her star status to give the world some straight talk about body image.
9. Chloë Grace Moretz
Girl is as real as Hollywood stars can be. The young A-lister took a long time for her to embrace the features she once considered flaws, but when she did, she realized that “they’re what make me who I am.” Chloe Moretz now uses her presence on social media to show how important it is to love your imperfections: “I try to not post Instagrams where I Facetune my face and I wear a ton of makeup. I want to be as natural as can be. And I want to break it down for young women so they understand that you’re not just ‘born’ like this.” Just the perfect role model we need!
10. Ashley Graham
Graham’s flaunted her cellulite, posted unfiltered and unretouched photos, and stood up against a whole internet’s worth of body-shamers, and we’re only talking about what she’s done this summer. She’s clearly living by her own advice, all in the name of helping all women love their bodies. “Stop judging yourself, embrace the things that society has called ‘ugly.'” She even used her appearance on Sports Illustrated’s cover earlier this year as a platform to remind us that real is beautiful. “It doesn’t matter what size you are. It doesn’t matter if you have cellulite. It doesn’t matter if things jiggle where they’re not supposed to. That’s still beautiful.” PS: Mattel even made a Barbie series of Ashley Graham, so.. there you have it.
11. Kendall Jenner
As annoying as it sounds to those who are trying their best to be thin, super skinny girls have it hard too. It’s even more stressful when all of your siblings have been blessed with booty that never ends. Kendall said, “’I’m trying to gain weight but my body won’t let it happen. What people don’t understand is that calling someone too skinny is the same as calling someone too fat, it’s not a nice feeling.” Kendall has become a role model for girls who have a similar physique. You may be tall and skinny naturally, but guess what, that’s OK too. Embrace it, and work with it however you like. You are still normal. You are still a woman. You are still beautiful.
