In case you missed it, Little Mix debuted their new single “Shout Out To My Ex” from their new album Glory Days on The U.K. X Factor last Sunday night. The girl group were contestants on the show’s 8th season in 2011, and were the first ever all girl group to claim the top prize.
Despite the girl’s amazing performance and catchy new single, most of the attention has been focused on their outfits during the performance. Among the tweets of rave reviews and congratulations, there was a large number of people saying they were wearing “hooker outfits” and that they looked like prostitutes. Fuel was added to the fire when Mel C., aka Sporty Spice, stated that while she loved Little Mix’s performance, she doesn’t allow her 7 year old daughter to watch them because “they are becoming more provocative”.
Some people took it even further, shaming member Jesy Nelson for wearing a bodysuit saying she shouldn’t be wearing it as she was “fat”. I don’t know about you, but for me it is extremely empowering to see a girl who isn’t a size zero standing up on that stage wearing what she feels good in and looking dang good while doing it.
There is no doubt that Little Mix is much more risqué than they were back in 2011 when they were X Factor contestants, but that’s what comes with growing up and becoming a woman. All four women are in their early to mid-twenties and have come into their own over the past five years. Yes they may not dress in graphic tees and cute skirts anymore, but isn’t it their basic right as a human to wear whatever they want to?
It shocks me that it is 2016 and we still have to deal with men AND women body shaming these girls simply because they are showing some skin. To degrade them by calling them prostitutes and hookers for owning their sexuality is something I do not understand.
One of the most ridiculous parts about the whole situation is that Little Mix is far from the only artist to wear bodysuits and crop tops. Besides Adele, nearly every female star you can think of wears extremely similar outfits. Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony and Demi Lovato are just a few examples. Where is the outcry at the outfits they wear on a nightly basis on tour?
If seeing these girls wear these outfits makes you uncomfortable then so be it, but in no way does it warrant being rude and disgraceful. If you don’t want to see it, simply don’t watch. These girls have worked hard to gain the success they have achieved, and don’t deserve to be torn down for wearing outfits that make them feel good about themselves.