Latest News

Internet bros decide to fat-shame Rihanna

Bad move, guys

“Is Rihanna going to make being fat the hot new trend?” So asked the “gentlemen” over at Barstool Sports, a second-rate site for fans of sport and slagging women, apparently.

After presenting some grainy pap shots of Ri-Ri in boyfriend jeans and a baggy shirt, still looking gorgeous, still looking like Rihanna and still looking like a normal human woman, the ranty male blogger proceeded to point to the terror that Rihanna could unleash, should she make weight gain a thing. We could point out here that the photo really doesn’t show anything, but we’re not going to, because that’s the entire point: HER WEIGHT ISN’T OUR BUSINESS

It’s a view “Spags” the shallow sports blogger doesn’t share. Launching into a tirade that shows just how much the world needs feminism, common sense and better manners, this random dude extrapolated that Rihanna, being the taste maker she is, could encourage all the beautiful women in the world to stack it on, fearing “a world where all the hottest girls look like the humans in Wall-E. And just in time for summer too. A world of ladies shaped like the Hindenburg loaded into one-piece bathing suits may be on the horizon now that Rihanna is traipsing around out there looking like she’s in a sumo suit.”

OH THE HORROR! Can you imagine? A world where women’s bodies don’t fit the mold of some kind of messed-up ideal…  

He kindly pointed out that the photos could be simply unflattering, or perhaps Rihanna had dared to enjoy “good room service a bit too long”. Or maybe she was pregnant – the only acceptable reason to gain some weight, apparently.

Anyway, enough about this misogynist who thinks he gets to dictate how women should look. On the other side of the fence there’s a whole movement celebrating Rihanna getting “thick” – that is, curvy, voluptuous and sexy as hell. And yep, she’s certainly looking good.

Rihanna in New York, May 24, Getty

But why the need to scrutinise any woman’s weight? Commenting on women’s bodies is all kinds of problematic, even when it’s positive.

To be fair, Rihanna probably isn’t paying any attention to anyone else’s opinions, what with her IDGAF attitude and all.

But there are plenty of people who are, and they’re not afraid to call out this insanity. Including us.

Related stories