As society’s standards of beauty and body image continue to evolve, more celebrities are opening up about their personal experiences with body image. These public figures have bravely shared their struggles and their journeys toward self-love and acceptance. By speaking out, they’ve ignited important conversations about body positivity, inspiring many to embrace and celebrate their unique selves.
1. Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham is dedicated to changing the way women perceive their bodies. She has openly discussed being rejected for jobs for being both “too big” and “too small.” Challenging societal norms, she asserts, “This is my body. I’m happy in it. And nobody—nobody—has control over my body but me.”
2. Serena Williams
In a heartfelt letter to her mother posted on Reddit, Serena Williams expressed pride in her body despite facing harsh criticism about her physique. She wrote, “I was born with this badass body and proud of it.”
3. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato, who has been in the spotlight since childhood, has been transparent about their battles with mental health and body image. They revealed in an interview that they once chased an impossible standard of perfection but have since shifted their focus to what truly matters.
4. Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway took to Instagram to share her thoughts on her pregnancy body. She wrote, “There is no shame in gaining weight during pregnancy (or ever). Bodies change. Bodies grow. Bodies shrink. It’s all love.” She included a photo of jeans she had turned into shorts to fit her changing body.
5. Rihanna
In an interview with Vogue, Rihanna discussed how her body naturally changes over time. She expressed her acceptance of all body types, acknowledging that she may not fit the typical model image but still feels confident and beautiful in her lingerie.
6. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez has always been open about her struggles. She has spoken about embracing her body shape and recently shared how she initially wanted to hide the scar from her kidney transplant. Now, she proudly embraces her journey and her body.
7. Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha shared her experiences with body image, reflecting on how she tried to fit the thin pop star ideal she grew up with but realized it didn’t feel authentic. Now, she focuses on loving and respecting her body as it is.
8. Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill has talked about his love for fashion and the challenges of dressing stylishly as a bigger guy. He realized that his personal style is his own, no matter his size, and emphasized that he doesn’t need to conform to anyone else’s standards.
9. Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff posted about enjoying a beach vacation with her son and acknowledged how magazines often spotlight “celeb flaws.” She proudly declared, “Well, I have them!” She emphasized that her body is healthy and has given her the greatest gift—her son—and encouraged women to be proud of what they have.
10. Mindy Kaling
In an interview, Mindy Kaling discussed her fitness routine, revealing that while fitness and exercise have always been part of her life, she was hesitant to talk about it because she didn’t fit the typical image of a “fit” person. She highlighted that being healthy and fit doesn’t require a six-pack and has learned to embrace her body.
11. Jonathan Van Ness
In Jonathan Van Ness’s book, they express a preference for the term “Body Neutrality,” which emphasizes appreciating what our bodies can do rather than how they look. They wrote, “Let’s practice emotional and mental fitness because not being judgmental of our bodies and the bodies around us is the real key to body neutrality, and to a happier life.”
12. Lizzo
Lizzo has been a strong advocate for body positivity. Speaking about the revealing photos she shares on social media, she said, “I love creating shapes with my body, and I love normalizing the dimples in my butt, the lumps in my thighs, my back fat, and my stretch marks. I think it’s beautiful.”
In addition to her career, Rihanna has also spoken about the challenges of balancing work with new motherhood. While she feels empowered and grateful to be a mom, she acknowledges that work commitments often take time away from her child. This has made her more selective about her projects, ensuring that each one is truly worth her time. Despite these challenges, motherhood has boosted her confidence, as evidenced by her dynamic Super Bowl halftime performance.