'This Is A Thin Woman Who Was A Victim To 2001' – People Are Sharing The Women People Fat-Shamed In The '00s
If you were old enough to read a magazine cover in the ’00s, chances are that you remember a few “of their time” phenomena.
The little lipgloss phone charms that I think should make an expeditious comeback. The automatic braiding machines that I have some questions about as an adult. And yes, the endless fat-shaming.
The ’00s idea of a ‘plus-size’ model was... different to ours at best. Renée Zellweger, playing a 125-pound Bridget Jones, was scrutinised for her 15kg weight gain to play the role. And Britney Spears’ 2007 VMA performance... let’s not even go there.
Of course, fatphobia is far from dead now. But there was a particular vitriol to the ’00s fatphobia that one Twitter user, Caroline Moss, recently posted about.
Here’s the tweet:
if gen-z wants to understand millennials they first need to understand that for the entirety of 2008 we were told that this was the most disgusting a person could EVER look pic.twitter.com/DnYWRsJfdA
— Caroline Moss (@CarolineMoss) July 7, 2023
We thought we’d round up the responses of millennial women who remember the unreasonable body-shaming of the ’00s.
Here are just some of the outrageous cases people pointed out.
the woman with the “biggest butt ever” according to every tabloid! pic.twitter.com/vEjcerb4YY
— SIERRA (@sierra1ynette) July 8, 2023
Rampant throughout my childhood. Remember how they called Kate Winslet “Blubber” in Titanic?? pic.twitter.com/LqCPDIgILF
— Rachel Fox ???????? London + FMTY (@RachelFoxLondon) July 8, 2023
Let’s not forget pic.twitter.com/3maPCdjjsZ
— well (@_W_EmersonMains) July 7, 2023
I accept your Jessica Simpson and raise you a Bridget Jones. This was a thin woman who was victim to 2001. pic.twitter.com/9SzGly8pdt
— Tiffany Katz (@TRKCarpenter) July 7, 2023
Flashback....And I remember thinking they must be right and that made me so horrified bc I was sooo much bigger than her. Also looking back at Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie when Nicole was the "fat" one and I want to scream at the media, all America, and myself it's a bloody lie pic.twitter.com/pJZfKv5kY1
— C Ed, NBCT AYA Mathematics (@ceedison31415) July 7, 2023
Don’t forget this one pic.twitter.com/23w4Ggr9ml
— Anna Brandt (@AnnaDBrandt) July 7, 2023
I watched The Devil Wears Prada for the first time ever as a zoomer recently and when they implied Anne Hathaway was fat for being a size 4, my jaw dropped
— myuzu (@myuuzuuu) July 7, 2023
Another the media body shamed even though this incredible woman had the athleticism to perform the entire Super Bowl halftime show SOLO. pic.twitter.com/LFtKMi8BFf
— BRⱯDƎN (@BradenScheck) July 7, 2023
they were harsh on women, they said xtina's body had been ruined cuz of her pregnancy ???? and she looked like this https://t.co/TAJbesAmokpic.twitter.com/gS3WpzV6p3
— Dirrty Jane (@DirrtyJane_) July 9, 2023
Oof or the episode of That’s So Raven about how she couldn’t be a model because she was too big? (Tbf I think it worked out for her in the end) pic.twitter.com/V7VyF6efRP
— dianna says trans rights (@animalfurnace) July 8, 2023
I’m rewatching old Project Runway episodes and in 2010 a designer was sent home over this dress because of how “huge” she made the model look ???? pic.twitter.com/hjfMDpVAAx
— Rhiannon Ferronetti (@RFerronetti) July 8, 2023
Honestly, we’re just glad to see the back of the early naughties...
Help and support:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
- Beat, Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677 and Youthline: 0808 801 0711 or email help@
beateatingdisorders.org.uk (adults) fyp@ beateatingdisorders.org.uk (youth support) - CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org