"You terrible and toxic influence on young girls."
Star of NBC’s The Good Place, Jameela Jamil has taken to Twitter to express her anger towards Kim Kardashian’s latest attempt at promoting weight loss.
The popular Kardashian posted an image of herself, via her Instagram, sucking on a lollipop.
The image appeared with the caption: “#ad You guys… @flattummyco just dropped a new product. They’re Appetite Suppressant Lollipops and they’re literally unreal. They’re giving the first 500 15% OFF so if you want some… you need to do it quick! #suckit.”
However, Jameela was not lining up to buy one. Instead, she took screenshots of the Instagram post, then posted a series of tweets denouncing Kim’s post.
The first tweet read:
“You terrible and toxic influence on young girls.
“I admire their mother’s branding capabilities, she is an exploitative but innovative genius, however this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to.”
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/996603187623641090
Her next tweet said:
“MAYBE don’t take appetite suppressors and eat enough to fuel your BRAIN and work hard and be successful. And to play with your kids. And to have fun with your friends.”
She continued: “And to have something to say about your life at the end, other than ‘I had a flat stomach’.”
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/996609661141860352
Promoting Body Positivity Online
Jamil’s followers will know she is a strong advocate for body positivity.
The British Desi campaigns through the Instagram account @i_weigh in order to battle body shaming.
The aim of the account is to “remind us all we are more than our weight” which prioritises other successes over weight loss.
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/996754977958719489
Many supported Jameela for speaking out against Kim’s post. The @NHSMillion (not official but ran by NHS Staff) retweeted Jamil with the caption:
“We’re 100% with Jameela on this one – please RT if you are too. Ignore Kim Kardashian’s nonsense and eat healthily instead.”
We’re 100% with Jameela on this one – please RT if you are too.
Ignore Kim Kardashian’s nonsense and eat healthily instead. https://t.co/LGxaK51ZsF
— NHS Million (@NHSMillion) May 16, 2018
Twitter user REEMA added: “As someone that’s suffered an ED, had issues with my self esteem and weight Kim K and other celebs that promote these lollies are sending the wrong message.
“I’ve taken low call sweets to crun cravings, but trying to lose weight in a healthy way to give up bad habits. [sic]”
The popular Kardashian has since deleted the controversial image from her Twitter page and removed her original caption from Instagram.
The move by both Kim and Jameela indicates how important the topic of healthy eating is among many online.
In fact, the company that Kardashian endorses, the Flat Tummy Co, has come under fire in the past. The company has been banned from advertising products in the UK as they are not approved by EU regulations.
In September 2017, Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei promoted Flat Tummy Tea, another product from the same company which members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan also promote.
The Advertising Standards Agency told the company to delete the image posted on Kasaei’s Instagram.
According to the ASA:
“Flat Tummy Tea said they were not aware of the EU Register of nutrition and health claims (the Register) or that their product name and advertising claims would need to be compliant with the Regulation as reflected in the Code.
“They stated that they did not hold scientific data to support their claims that the tea ingredients could help with water weight loss.”
Interestingly, this is not the first time Jamil has criticised members of the Kardashian-Jenner family for their attempts at promoting weight loss and thinness.
In March 2018, Khloe Kardashian revealed “5 Hacks to Look Thin AF in Photos”. Her points included:
- Hide behind your squad: because you can “literally half yourself” by getting close to your friends.
- Have the photographer shoot from above: because it’s the “only flattering angle.”
- Stick your chin out: “Just say no to double chin vibes.”
- Use your arms and shoulders: “Hands on hips, Bonus points if you angle sideways and use your camera-facing arm. Shoulders back and away from ears. Always.”
- Wear Black and Vertical Stripes: horizontal stripes “add instant bulk.”
In response, Jamil wrote on Twitter: “Girls keep sending me this screen shot and saying it’s making them feel bad. Unfollow ANYONE who stirs low self esteem in you.
“Make Instagram a safe space for yourself rather than a trap of pointless poison.”
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/972487285802283009
Furthermore, she sarcastically added:
“Don’t concentrate on school or work or achievements or your kids or your friendships or love… just make *sure* you look “THIN AF” in your edited Instagram pictures girls. That’s how to win life!”
Sadly, the Kardashian’s appear to be immune to the criticism they receive. On 29th May 2018, Kim posted yet another video with the caption: “How I maximize fat loss.”
Jameela responded:
“How do we minimize this woman’s bullshit? When will she just love herself and stop obsessing about how to “fix” problems that were never there? She was always beautiful. She’s never seen it because she is broken by the SAME society that she now contributes more toxicity to.”
https://twitter.com/jameelajamil/status/1001690933744865280
“This whole family makes me feel sad. All the money and fame in the world can’t make you stop hating your nose, your lips, your arse, your weight, your skin, your age, your SELF. 10 years we have heard of little more than their obsession with looks and how to fix ‘imperfections’,” Jameela added in a second tweet.
Psychological Effects of Social Media
In a society dominated by selfie culture and social media, the pressure to look a certain way can be damaging. This is relevant for not only girls but for boys too.
Social media has been known to lower self-esteem. In a survey of 1,500 people, conducted by Scope, the disability charity, 62% of their participants felt their accomplishments were inadequate when compared to other people’s posts, and 60% said social media made them envious.
Penn State University researchers said that viewing other people’s selfies lowers self-esteem as we instantly begin comparing ourselves to others.
Cornell University researchers in New York said that it was more difficult for their participants to look in the mirror than it was to look at their own profile pictures.
When looking in the mirror they would pick out their flaws and compare themselves to social standards. Whereas, when looking at their profile pictures, their self-esteem boosted as they controlled how they presented themselves to the world.
Furthermore, researchers have found a link between depression and social media. With reasons including cyberbullying and viewing unrealistic images regarding the lives of others.
The Kardashian-Jenner clan are one of the most influential families on social media. Kim, alone, has roughly 111 million Instagram followers.
When they are promoting flat tummies through appetite suppressors or teaching you how to look “THIN AF” in photos, are they damaging the minds of their followers?
Jameela certainly thinks so.
Please consult a doctor or GP before taking appetite suppressants or diet pills.
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