Selena Gomez just shared a body positive holiday post - here's why fans are divided

"Real stomachs are coming the f*** back"

WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Selena Gomez attends the Premiere of Universal Pictures' "Dolittle" at Regency Village Theatre on January 11, 2020 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/FilmMagic)
(Image credit: FilmMagic)

"Real stomachs are coming the f*** back"

Singer and actress Selena Gomez has made headlines with a candid TikTok post from her holiday in Italy.

Wearing a colourful La'Marriette swimming costume, she shared a video of herself miming along to a pre-recorded audio clip.

In the audio, a woman tells her friend to "suck it in".

But the friend - lip-synched by Gomez - replies that "real stomachs are coming the f*** back”, adding: "I’m not sucking s*** in."

In the video, you can see the 30-year-old touting a soft tummy fold as she relaxes on a sun lounger.

The post has sparked a debate on social media, with many fans congratulating and thanking her for her body positivity. 

One TikTok user wrote underneath the clip: “You make me feel comfortable in my own skin," while another added: “U don’t realise how much this video helps us young women! Thank you!!”

@selenagomezVaca self♬ original sound - unwinewithtashak

That said, others have pointed out that the media coverage of the post only further reiterates how problematic societal body expectations can still be. While body positivity can be powerful for many, some influencers and stars now use it as a marketing tool for non-marginalised body shapes.

Some users shared that by posting a video of her size eight figure - a slimmer than average body size - with an audio clip about "sucking sh*t in", the singer was more harmful than helpful.

Every body is different and will look different in work clothes, workout gear, and a swimsuit - so reinforcing body positivity about a body that likely hasn't faced as much stigma or discrimination as, say, someone who is larger than average could be detrimental.

Not to mention the fact that body positivity and feeling confident in your own body is a deeply personal and individual journey which, theoretically, one celebrity shouldn't be able to change.

That said, we still live in a society that idolises certain stars. Many still outsource their fashion, beauty regime and attitudes from said stars - which is why, while some found this post tone deaf, we can also see why it may encourage others to be kinder to themselves and, in turn, their bodies.

Gomez has millions of followers globally and will no doubt make some individuals feel more confident in their bodies by being honest about her own self-image journey. That said, it's time we stopped calling people "brave" just for wearing a swimming costume on holiday and, well, existing.

What do you reckon?

Ally Head
Senior Health, Sustainability and Relationships Editor

Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health, Sustainability, and Relationships Editor, nine-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read health and wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She's won a BSME for her sustainability work, regularly hosts panels and presents for events like the Sustainability Awards, and is a stickler for a strong stat, too, seeing over nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw. Follow Ally on Instagram for more or get in touch.