Most women especially those who are in the spotlight in this digital age are victims of body-shaming from online trolls. Everyone is bound to go some through physical changes. However, women are the ones who mostly get shamed for undergoing these changes, as they age or go through childbirth. To them this is inevitable, as such they are mainly victims. Remarks on these changes are harmful and leave severe and long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences.
Almost every woman who is in the spotlight, especially those in the entertainment sector, including artists and media personalities here in Malawi, have been and are victims of body-shaming. This usually happens when a woman has undergone a change like stepping into womanhood or rather having a baby. It is worse for women who have been in the spotlight since they were young and have to go through these changes right in front of everyone who is watching them grow from childhood to puberty and then to womanhood. While some understand human growth, some tend to take it in a hard way and have expectations in keeping the specific figure.
Jorja Smith, an English singer/songwriter, has been battling with online trolls and has been body shamed left, right and centre by men who can’t handle that her body has changed from the ideal. What is mostly disturbing about all of this is that, for so long, before she gained weight, Jorja had been a sex symbol for most men and had to deal with being publicly sexualised her whole career. Now that her body has changed, she is still going through another devastating period where her body is a target. A video of her recent performance has been circulating on social media where people are only pointing out her body and not her talent as a singer. The caption of the video on Twitter read, "what happened to Jorja Smith?'' instead of focusing on her new music and how her performance was perhaps. The best way to avoid these trolls is not responding as Jorja herself has not addressed the negative comments of the video yet. Her fans, on the other hand, are expressing their worries about how society expects them to be when it comes to the "male gaze".
Body-shaming can cause Body Dysmorphia, which forces women to have eating disorders and some reach the extent of undergoing dangerous plastic surgery which they might not even be comfortable with. Malawian musician Tuno, adressed this issue during an interview with Podcast Malawi, where she further adviced women not to worry when they are being talked about in a bad way rather wear their confidence on their sleeve. This shows that cultivating self-love and self acceptance, focusing on one's passions and talents are the best ways to overcome body-shaming.
It is sad that internet trolling persists, especially for most female artists here in Malawi and around the world. If you happen to notice a change in a celebrity, friends or other women on social media, react with sympathy, understanding and compassion. Do not put out harsh words as it may affect them for a long time.
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