Amanda Seyfried got into some hot water on social media this week.
The Mean Girls star was accused of being a mean girl IRL after posting a comment about an Instagram influencer many considered to be “thin-shaming.”
It all started when IG model/blogger Arielle Charnas posted:
“Proud of my body after two kids.”
Along with this pic:
Several commenters didn’t think Arielle, who also runs the clothing brand Something Navy, was sending the right message to moms.
One of those was Amanda’s pal Sophie Flack, who wrote:
“Thank you @ariellecharnas for acknowledging your privilege/multiple caregivers who made your excessive workouts possible oh wait”
To which Arielle responded:
“Is there a problem?”
Sophie, who has two children with her husband, The Good Wife star Josh Charles, went into even more detail in her response.
She fired back:
“I hate to dump on you but since you asked… 1) Totally fine that you’re privileged and thin, good for you (I am too-ish!). Got no problem with either of those things. BUT if you don’t acknowledge how your wealth made your workouts/body possible you’re just perpetuating the patriarchal (totally unrealistic) notion that mothers should “bounce back” after childbirth, an impossibility for anyone who can’t afford ample childcare (which is almost everyone in this country).
She then took it further, saying:
‘2) Honeychild, you are glorifying an unhealthy body image in a society that already fetishizes the adolescent female form. Young girls don’t need any more images of emaciated women, thank you very much.“
Well, that was pretty darn direct.
The comment got Sophie blocked by Arielle — so she shared it on her own page.
Here’s where Amanda got involved because she ALSO reposted the comment, saying:
“My very smart friend wrote this on a semi-influencer’s feed and she blocked both of us. 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 are promoting.”
Charnas, post blocking, wrote to her followers:
“Why am I being bullied for posting myself in a bathing suit? I should be punished because I’m thin and worked hard to be fit after giving birth to two kids? I’m not responsible for making people feel good about themselves.”
She continued:
“I am healthy and proud of who I am and the body I have. If you are going to attack me for me being me on my own page then you will be blocked, I don’t have time for that.”
Arielle didn’t name which “random women” were attacking her — but we definitely saw comments by more than just these two.
She finished:
“So sad that women who are so unhappy just feel the need to continuously put other women down when all they do is preach about female support. It’s BS and I’m sick of it.”
Amanda actually seemed to take the criticism to heart.
She deleted her own repost and instead posted a quote by poet Robert Frost:
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”
She then wrote:
“To all who feel bullied or thin-shamed during our recent social media discussion:
If you know me or are familiar with any of my beliefs or stances you’ll recognize that it isn’t in my character to tear down anyone for “being who they are”. Each of us has the ability and the freedom to say and do as we choose. However, as I’m acutely aware, there’s a price tag for the group of people who find themselves with a platform to stand on. You have to be aware of the message you’re sending and be able to back it up when faced with criticism (not just praise). Hold yourselves accountable instead of using the terms above.”
However, Amanda made clear while this was an apology for calling someone out, this wasn’t a backtrack on her views of the overall ideas involved.
“The only thing I’d take back is exactly how I started this debate. I desperately wish it hadn’t targeted (or blasted) one person (there are MANY who engage in this questionable messaging) and instead started a cleaner, general conversation. 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.
Aside from the messy detour? The bigger, important message seems to filtering through and helping a lot of women feel supported. And that’s the name of the game.”
What a mature way to handle that!
Amanda is listening and totally willing to admit when she went too far. That’s fantastic.
However… there may be a bit of a twist to this story. Or should we say a warp?
See, we couldn’t help but notice as we were staring at Arielle’s pic something didn’t look quite right. Then we figured it out — it’s the dresser on the left…
See it?
How about… now?
Are we seeing things, or does that dresser seem to warp toward Arielle? It even looks curvy!
Is it possible this “fit mom” who’s supposedly proud of her body is using photoshop (or a special mirror) to enhance it for the ‘gram??
If so, that definitely is NOT COOL. People who use photo magic for that extra bit really are giving new moms an impossible standard to compare themselves to.
We can’t say for certain, but if it is true, Amanda isn’t the only one who owes an apology…
[Image via Sheri Determan/WENN/Arielle Charnas/Instagram.]
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