Amanda Seyfried Calls Out Instagram Influencer Over Postpartum Body Post
Amanda Seyfried wishes influencers would be more honest when it comes to promoting body image
There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your body, period. But if you’re an influencer, promoting your body to the detriment or shame of others, well, that’s a problem. Amanda Seyfried saw a popular influencer using her (paid) platform to share a postpartum bikini photo that Seyfried thought was less than honest, so she called her out for it.
Arielle Charnas, an Instagram influencer under the handle Something Navy, posted a photo of herself in said bikini with the caption “Proud of my body after two kids” earlier this week.
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Charnas received plenty of praise from her 1.2 million followers, but some people found the messaging detrimental to other women — specifically those dealing with postpartum body image issues themselves.
Seyfried was made aware of Charnas’ post after her friend, who she didn’t name, commented on the post by saying Charnas was “perpetuating the patriarchal notion that mothers should “bounce back” after childbirth and that it was also promoting unrealistic body standards. It’s important to remember that many influencers have access to wealth that provides them with trainers and nutritionists that the average new mom doesn’t have.
Seyfried, mom to a two-year-old daughter, decided to create her own post and weigh in on the issue as well.
“If we’re ready to get paid for flaunting our lifestyle (and inspiring some in the meantime) we have to be open to the discussions surrounding what we’re promoting,” Seyfried captioned her post.
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“If you know who you are- take a second to decide if what you’re throwing out there is worth it- in the big picture,” the actress said in a follow-up post, writing “INFLUENCE = POWER. And if you’re taking advantage of that – EMPOWER.”
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Seyfried’s words are reminiscent of actress Jameela Jamil’s stance on celebrities who are paid to shill dangerous detox teas as a weight loss solution, rather than admitting they have the bodies they do because they pay a lot of money to personal trainers and chefs.
If you love your body and want to share it with the world, no matter what shape or size it comes in, that’s fantastic. Do it. Just don’t do it in such a way where you’re convincing vulnerable followers that you don’t work insanely hard to look the way you do — especially if you’re a size that is conventionally accepted and celebrated by society. Though Charnas has every right to love the way she looks after having two babies, part of being a paid influencer with a massive social media following is getting feedback.
Seyfried later apologized for her original comments, saying she was sorry that her post targeted one person when there are many influencers and celebrities who “engage in this questionable messaging.” Which is true, plenty of them do. But it’s also important when celebrities use their own platforms to bring awareness to things like this.
“No one needs to tear anyone apart. And I regret that it’s present right now. To the lady in question: I’m sorry for the truly negative feels you’ve endured because of this.”
