Cosmopolitan Magazine Faces Backlash Over Glamorizing Obesity With Plus-Size Models In Cover

In the latest salvo of the ongoing fight on body positivity, Cosmopolitan has been accused of promoting glamorizing obesity, having featured a plus-size model on the cover. In the fashion universe, plus-size is a term used for models that are size eight and above. But in reality, many people never think of a size eight as a plus-size, and indeed most plus-size outfits start from size 16. 

The current issue (February edition) of Cosmopolitan magazine has plus-size models with the tagline that reads: ‘This Is Healthy!’ Presumably, the magazine aims at promoting body positivity, but since it hit the shelves, both the magazine and the models have been faced with criticism. Specifically, Piers Morgan led the outrage by criticizing the magazine for being shamefully irresponsible.

The current issue (February edition) of Cosmopolitan magazine has plus-size models with the tagline that reads: ‘This Is Healthy!’

But since it hit the shelves, both the magazine and the models have been faced with criticism

‘No, it’s not healthy, and given that obesity is a major factor in why many get severe COVID illness, this @Cosmopolitan cover is shamefully irresponsible.’ Piers Morgan wrote. Internet users were equally quick to react to the magazine cover. A few praised the cover for preaching health, while others slammed the tagline and opined it’s somewhat dangerous. 

Piers Morgan criticized the magazine for being shamefully irresponsible

‘You can’t say the Cosmopolitan cover isn’t promoting obesity. It’s fine to live your life at whatever size you choose to, but when you choose inclusiveness over health, by promoting an unhealthy amount of body fat, that irks me.’ A user said.

A few internet users praised the cover for preaching health, while others slammed the tagline and opined it’s dangerous

Another added: ‘Weird time for @Cosmopolitan to do this cover given the relationship between obesity and death/serious illness.’ Piers comments triggered an argument with Love Island’s Malin Anderson. Piers added: ‘never one to back down. What’s disgusting is a big-selling magazine glamourizing obesity at the height of a pandemic involving a virus that targets obese people more than any other weight group.’

Hitting back at Morgan, models featured in the magazine, including Callie Thorpe, insisted Health is whatever you want to call it.’ Jessamyn Stanley, a Yoga Teacher, responded: ‘you know that b**** when you cause all this conversation. Always stay gracious: The best revenge is your paper. Thanks for the love on this @cosmopolitanuk cover, you all! 

Hitting back at Morgan, models including Jessamyn Stanley, a Yoga Teacher, and Callie Thorpe insist Health is whatever you want to call it

‘You know that b**** when you cause all this conversation. Always stay gracious: The best revenge is your paper’

Callie Thorpe also reacted and said: ‘How the only two plus-size people featured have come up against such vitriol just made me realize why I wanted to do this in the first place. The internet doesn’t feel like a safe place for us. It tough seeing horrible things written about me, but honestly, it’s more concerning to me that it’s affecting people that look like me, that they are reading these horrible things and internalizing what these bullies are saying.’

‘How the only two plus-size people featured have come up against such vitriol just made me realize why I wanted to do this in the first place,’ Callie said

‘I have been called fat, obese, ugly on my way to death, etc., etc., for years. I am almost used to it now. But there people here that aren’t used to that. Some people are still on a journey to be kind to themselves, accept themselves, and even like themselves. And it breaks me that because of bullies they will never see the potential of finding peace, joy, and happiness no matter what their body shape.’

‘I have been called fat, obese, ugly on my way to death, etc., etc., for years. I am almost used to it now. But there people here that aren’t used to that’

Some people are still on a journey to be kind to themselves, accept themselves, and even like themselves’

Nonetheless, the magazine cover message isn’t that we should all appear like the plus-size model. Instead, there are numerous ways to be a woman, and we should celebrate our bodies, whatever the shape.