Earlier this month, there was an image of musical artist Billie Eilish that was heavily circulated around social media and received a multitude of reactions. The eighteen-year-old star was photographed wearing a tank top and shorts, an outfit that was outside of her normal baggy style.
Eilish has gone on record to say that her clothing choices are purposeful and designed to deter comments around her body. And the reactions to this specific photo proved her fears to be very founded. It didn’t take long for a buzz to be generated about the many comments on the singer’s body, and the other comments defending her.
This is not a rare incident, and as a social media veteran myself, it feels redundant. But more than that, it begs the question: why do people have such a fascination with female performer’s bodies?
Headlines and posts commenting on weight gain, weight loss, cellulite, pregnancy speculation, and how female artists dress are inescapable. Artists like Adele, Lizzo, and Demi Lovato have faced backlash for being “too fat” while people like Gigi Hadid and Renee Zellweger have been criticized for being “too skinny.”
Billie Eilish has been mocked for wearing baggy clothes that hide her body, while Cardi B has been mocked for dressing too scandalous. Serena Williams (you know, the record-breaking tennis player) has faced backlash for being “too muscular.” None of these comments are actual critiques of the women, but unwanted opinions.
Criticism surrounding this phenomenon has also been common, especially in recent years. But critiquing the obsession does not give an answer to my question. I could write pages upon pages about why comments on the bodies of female celebrities (and women in general) are damaging and ridiculous, cite articles and studies about body image and mental health, and I still wouldn’t get my answer. Why are female artists judged on physical appearance at all and why is their talent not enough?
As I am writing this, I have no clear answer to this question. Our society has put a huge emphasis on female beauty that spans decades. All I know is that female artists cannot escape criticism, and female bodies seem to always be the center of attention.
But a woman’s body does not contribute to her worth. And every single artist that I have listed here, and every single one that is in the mainstream, deserves to be valued for the work they do and what they create. We all have a duty to unlearn this behavior and come to the realization that women are more than their bodies.
