Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland has been in the spotlight recently, but not for the best reason. Hyland came under fire after an Instagram story she posted was perceived as body shaming. Sarah filmed a woman in the car next to her and said, “How did you get in your car, miss?”
This has led to backlash on social media from people who thought Sarah was criticizing the woman’s weight. For instance, one Twitter user called Hyland “an asshole” for filming and mocking the woman.
@Sarah_Hyland really? Filming people in their car and mocking them? You’re an asshole
— Bri Viafora (@BReneeV) October 17, 2017
Others rushed to Sarah’s defense, pointing out the lack of car handle on the door. The actress responded in her Instagram stories, according to Teen Vogue. “If you noticed, the car didn’t have a car handle,” she said. “That’s why I was questioning how she got in the car or not. It didn’t have a handle.”
Sarah also shared the friendly conversation she had with a woman who claims to be the one in the video. Hyland fired back at her critics, “For those who thought I was making fun of a woman’s weight…That thought never even crossed through my mind.. but it did in yours.”
Gotta say it… pic.twitter.com/pLEc2WsRhi
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) October 18, 2017
It seems obvious to me that Sarah was referencing the missing door handle. I find it hard to believe that Hyland of all people would body shame anyone considering her own struggles. Sarah has kidney dysplasia, which has made it incredibly difficult for her to retain weight, and led to criticism that she’s too thin and encouraging an unhealthy body image in girls. I think Sarah’s strong responses to the negativity surrounding her own weight make it pretty clear that she wouldn’t treat anyone else that way.