Hi, Justin.
I want to admit right up front that I don’t know much about you, other than what I’ve read in the tabloids. I confess that I’ve never even heard more than a verse or two of your music.
But what I do know is that you have incredible influence on millions of impressionable young girls and boys, and because of that, I believe you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to be a good role model. So if there is any truth to the story that you called one of your fans a “beached whale,” then we need to have a little chat.
An actual beached whale. A beautiful creature, for what it’s worth.
I found this photo on National Geographic.
Let’s say you didn’t like the look of that girl’s body in her bathing suit. The mature and polite thing to do? NOTHING. People’s bodies do not exist for your viewing pleasure. If you see something you don’t find appealing or attractive, look away. There is zero reason for you to comment on another person’s body, unless they’ve asked you to.
But let’s take a look at the bigger picture. Almost every girl grows up believing that she’s not pretty enough. If she’s fat, the anxiety, fear, shame, and hatred she feels for her body can be enormous and overpowering. That’s just a fact of life for most fat girls. Now, add to that hearing that their idol – you – body shamed a fat girl. How do your fat fans feel now? How will their lives change because of your insensitive and thoughtless comment? Chances are, their self-loathing will increase, and they will be even more susceptible to disordered eating and exercise habits, if they haven’t already developed them. And your thin fans? They’ve just learned that it’s totally okay to tease, mock, and body shame fat people, too.
We live in a world where fat people – children included – are reminded on a daily basis that we are ugly, unloveable, and worthless. You have just told your millions of young fans that those messages are correct. Even if you believe them – which I hope you do not – you should know better than to spread them.
The power of your influence is almost unimaginable to me. But I can easily imagine the good that could be done for young people all over the world if you would sincerely apologize for this behavior, and make sure that it never happens again.
Sincerely yours,
Big Fit Deal
