Growing up, I was extremely skinny and heard the words flat-screen, skeleton and matchstick a lot of times. My relatives and friends thought they were being funny, but it was no joke. Those words had a big impact on me and I grew up having low self-esteem. It’s not just me, women everywhere are called out for looking a certain way, especially actresses. It’s no secret that celebrities are intensely scrutinised for their looks. You’re either too fat, too skinny, too tall or too short—there’s no pleasing the damn society! Athiya Shetty happens to agree with us. The actress recently opened up about being body shamed, and the effect it had on her.
During a recent interview, Athiya revealed, “Yes, I have fallen into the category of body shaming when I was young. People need to realise that body-shaming is not only associated with being overweight but also with being skinny.” She added that she’s always believed that commenting on someone’s weight, appearance or anything that can make them feel less confident is inappropriate. We totes agree!
She further said that she used to be conscious of her body, “I used to be very conscious of my body and I still am, but I am a lot better because I am a lot more confident about myself and who I am as a person today.”
Highlighting the importance of being kind to people, she said, “Our words have such an impact on people and our everyday lives. It’s important to be kind and understand that how we feel reflects in our everyday activities as well as our everyday doings and it can come from a very subconscious place as well.” She also advised that one should be mindful of how they comment and what they say about people.
Let’s get one thing straight—body shaming someone is NEVER okay. So before you send that nasty message or comment on a person’s body, outfit or appearance, take a moment to think about the impact it can have on someone’s mental health. Let’s make social media a better place. As for Athiya, we’re glad she opened up about her inspiring journey and that she’s in a much better place today. More power to you!
Featured Image: Instagram
