Everything you need to know about Lady Gaga’s “Body Revolution” and why she’s fighting back at those who called her fat
It was 25 pounds that tipped the scales and lead Lady Gaga to launch a “Body Revolution.” While performing in Amsterdam last week a set of less than flattering photos (that appeared to be extremely photoshopped) emerged from the concert. Within hours sensationalized headlines like ‘The fat Lady Gaga sings’ and ‘Porker Face’ started making the rounds, questioning Lady Gaga’s supposed weight gain. Given the singer’s longstanding—and very public—fight against bullying, it would be hard for Mother Monster to take these mean girl comments from the media lying down.
Which is probably why yesterday Lady Gaga launched The Body Revolution on her site LittleMonsters.com. “My mother and I created the BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION for one reason: to inspire bravery,” she wrote. “This profile is an extension of that dream. Be brave and celebrate with us your ‘perceived flaws,’ as society tells us. May we make our flaws famous, and thus redefine the heinous.”
Lady Gaga started the image sharing spree with photos of herself posed in a yellow bra and thong with captions like “Bulemia and anoxeria since I was 15” and “Today I join the body revolution” as well as “and BREED some M$therf*cking COMPASSION.”
Since then, photos and comments have been rolling in by the thousands, from fans struggling with eating disorders and sharing stories about how they’ve come to accept their bodies.
As for the initial claims that Lady Gaga had gained too much weight? She approached that too with her signature brand of frankness, telling radio host Elvis Duran that the weight gain came from eating Italian food at her father’s new restaurant in New York. Lady Gaga also added that she’s trying to find a balance from becoming too muscular due to her rigorous dance routines on tour and stated that, “I’m dieting right now, because I gained, like, 25 pounds. I really don’t feel bad about it, not even for a second.”
Although Lady Gaga should have never had to come out and explain her weight gain because after all, it’s her body and she can do what she wants (and eat what she wants!), it’s exciting that a celebrity with such a strong fan base can inspire millions to start embracing their bodies. Take that tabloids!
THEY SAID…
Refinery 29: “When Gaga appeared on stage looking a bit different than we are used to, the press took the most unflattering photos and ran with them, pairing them with dangerous, cruel headlines and the “F” word. While we weren’t looking, they said, “Lady Gaga Became A Fatty!”; “Why Is She So Fat? Is It Drugs? Alcohol? Food?”; “She’s So FAT.” These weren’t just sensational headlines. Instead, like the recent l’affair Kate Middleton, they felt different, filled with vitriol and rudeness. In fact, this isn’t selling newspapers: This is bullying.” (Refinery 29)
Fashionista: “We were never okay with the media reporting on Gaga’s weight as if it were news open to public discussion in the first place, but Gaga‘s admission of struggling with eating disorders makes the recent body hate particularly ugly. But instead of succumbing to it–or pointing out that, in fact, she’s not fat at all (as Jezebel points out, the images of her on stage, which kicked this whole thing off, appear to be distorted)–Gaga has made a point to publicly embrace her body, regardless of size and preceived flaws.” (Fashionista)
WE SAID…
Elio Iannacci, features editor: “Skeptics can say what they want about Lady Gaga’s shape or her ulterior motives but the Body Revolution jpgs she’s posted on her fansite are a testament to her power. The shots have prompted her admirers to upload photos of their own, many of which expose their own body issues. Captions on the site such as “Operation… Kill Insecurities” paired with images of Beth Ditto pack such a punch against all the body fascist tabloids attacking her.”
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