For some reason, society places a lot of importance on size, even though the same garment size suits completely different dimensions in different stores. Sure, the body positivity movement has opened the road for curvaceous women, but our work here is far from done until they stop being dubbed “brave” for enjoying themselves.
We focused our attention to the great goddesses who, by simply being themselves, make us feel more confident, and their words of self-love are something every woman needs to hear.
Amy Schumer
Schumer isn’t afraid to make fun of her girth, which has inspired several sketches on her Inside Amy Schumer show. When a commenter on Instagram insulted her appearance, she did not remain silent and aggressively lashed back: “I enjoy how I truly look.” That is my physical appearance. “I appreciate my body for its strength and health.”
Jennifer Lopez
J-shapely Lo’s figure has long been admired by both men and women. Although she is proud of her current appearance, she was formerly self-conscious about her larger-than-average bottom: “I recall thinking I wasn’t skinny enough because I had curves.” But I’ve discovered that being healthy and feeling fantastic isn’t about having a certain body type – it’s a completely individual thing.”
Kelly Clarkson
The legendary singer has had some weight swings throughout the years, but they have had no effect on her beauty. Kelly understood she had to block out the critics who were continuously focusing on her weight loss because she was in the public eye: “I’ve really never bothered what people think. It’s more about whether I’m happy, confident, and feeling well. That has always been my specialty. And, even more so now that I have a family, I don’t seek for other forms of acceptance.”
Beyoncé
Beyoncé became one of the most influential curvy women after coining the term “bootylicious” and legally incorporating it into the vocabulary. She’s always stayed true to herself and boldly shown her abilities to help others love themselves as well. “We don’t value ourselves enough,” she once said. Especially young individuals, who don’t realise how amazing our bodies are.”
Demi Lovato
Lovato battled eating issues for for a decade, but she triumphed in the end. She used to be self-conscious and doesn’t want other girls to do the same: “I was on Instagram and I started comparing myself to these IG beauties.” “Someone needs to show my fans and everyone looking at my account that what you see isn’t necessarily what’s real,” I reasoned. Demi took the initiative, posting her own un-retouched photographs with the message, “No thigh gap for me, and yet I still love myself.”
Lena Dunham
The creator of Girls admits to having a complicated relationship with her body, but she accepts it as part of the process and remembers to love herself at the end of the day: “I’ve never called myself ‘body positive,’ because my relationship with my curves and scars isn’t overtly political— it’s wildly personal.” And it isn’t necessarily a good thing. I find a lot of solace in the body positivity movement, although I consider myself more ‘body accepting.'”
Mindy Kaling
The formly Ms. Kaling proved that you don’t have to be a size 0 to star in your own programme. She’s struggled with doubts her entire life, but she’s now confident and successful: “Being called big, being called unattractive are just weapons that guys can use against women that we can’t use against them.” I’m quite unaffected when people say stuff like that about me because it’s like, “Well, I was born this way, and I can’t really change that.”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah’s wise remarks should be taught in schools: “I think of all the years I’ve wasted hating myself big and wanting myself slim.” Feeling bad about every croissant, then giving up carbs, fasting, dieting, fretting when I wasn’t dieting, then eating anything I wanted till the next diet. I could have spent that energy enjoying what is.”
Lizzo
The successful singer understands what it’s like to aspire to be someone else. It took her accepting her own body to become an indomitable woman who is now enjoying fame and, more importantly, herself: “I remember one day thinking, ‘This is it.'” I’ve spent the last 20 years of my life believing that one day I’ll wake up and be someone else. It’s not like you’re going to wake up bigger, smaller, lighter, or darker; your hair isn’t going to grow down past your legs. You’ll look like this for the rest of your life. And you must be okay with that.”
Serena Williams
“I was frequently told I was too muscular, or I wasn’t pretty enough to be a tennis player,” says the famed tennis player, setting a great example for her daughter. To fully love myself, I learnt to disregard the negativity and focus deep… I love who I am… I love my physique, my skin, my confidence, and I completely accept everything about myself.”
Ashley Graham
Graham was the first plus-size model to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and she’s made the whole fashion world play by her rules ever since. Ashley believes that beauty transcends size and that women should be happy and healthy: “It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are. You can live a healthy life. It’s not just a matter of size. It is about our minds, hearts, and emotions. We get so caught up in the size debate.”
Melissa McCarthy
McCarthy has never let Hollywood determine her appearance. Before she chose to reduce weight, she had already won two Emmy Awards and been nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar. Melissa knows she’s her own woman and has complete control over her appearance: “With women, there’s this ongoing odd societal thing where we’re always expected to be comparing ourselves to one another.” Who looked the best in it? Who has the better butt? Instead, how about if everyone comes out on top? How monotonous would it be if we all looked the same?”
Iskra Lawrence
Lawrence is now a successful plus-size model, but she wasn’t always like this. Iskra had previously struggled to conform to fashion standards. It was a trying moment for her, but she was strong enough to embrace herself, and she eventually found her place in the sun: “I couldn’t figure out why my physique was curvaceous. That’s when I started to obsess over my weight… I despised what I saw when I glanced in the mirror. ‘OK, I’m different, and that’s what’s going to make me work,’ I thought one day. I vowed to myself that I would never diet again. I was able to persuade [the agencies] after I convinced myself that I could do it.”
Rihanna
“I truly have had the joy of a variable body type, where one day I can literally fit into something that is bodycon, and then the following day — the next week — I need something larger; I need a little crop here and a high-waist there to hide that portion, you know?” RiRi once admitted. Nonetheless, it has no effect on her self-assurance, and she ignores it.
Christina Aguilera
Aguilera has also had to learn to deal with her weight fluctuation. Funny enough, she understood that no matter what size she is, someone will always be unhappy, but she understands that only her opinion matters: “I’ve had my highs and lows… Being excessively skinny. Being a bigger person. I’ve been chastised for being on opposite ends of the spectrum. It’s background noise that I instinctively tune out. “I am in love with my body.”
Have you ever had trouble accepting yourself? What helped you stop caring about other people’s opinions and start loving yourself?
Preview photo credit MICHAEL GERMANA / STAR MAX / EAST NEWS, Brian To / WENN.com/agefotostock/East News
