Social media often feels like a minefield. No matter what you think your post says, you can never predict how the audience might react.
This is especially true if you’re a public figure with a large amount of followers. You want to promote yourself and your brand, but also maybe do some good.
Emily Ratajkowski is a model and actress with a wide variety of fans.
Some remember her from her recurring role on Nickelodeon’s iCarly , while others became fans after her appearances in music videos and movies such as Gone Girl .
Her name became well known after she appeared topless in the music video for Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’.
The video was controversial for its depiction of women and song lyrics that some believe promoted rape culture.
A vocal feminist, Ratajkowski says that she didn’t believe the video was sexist.
The video’s fame jumpstarted the next stage of her career.
She began doing more roles in movies and walking the runways of some of the world’s biggest designers.
Ratajkowski has also used her growing influence to promote her belief that a woman can be sexy and feminist.
In November 2017, she launched a swimsuit line under the name Inamorata.
Since then, the brand has expanded to include lingerie and clothing.
According to the brand’s About page, the clothing is about “rejecting the tired old myths about body image.”
That focus on body image was on display when Ratajkowski posted a pic of herself and a friend on Instagram.
Shared with the caption “Beach buns,” both women are wearing swimsuits from her line.
The internet being the way it is, people immediately began commenting about the difference in the women’s body shapes.
Many were outright mean, calling the friend fat and gross.
Some even tried to accuse Ratajkowski of promoting unhealthy habits.
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Others worried that by posting the photo, she was intentionally setting her friend up to be fat shamed.
But there were also many people who loved seeing the body diversity.
Like most fashion brands, Inamorata features many thin models in their product photography. Fans of the pic hoped it meant that they’d see more diversity to come.
Ratajkowski didn’t stay quiet either.
She actively responded to some of the worst comments before posting a proper response in her Instagram stories. She also shared the Story image on Twitter.
“Different bodies are beautiful,” the image says, “and I hope y’all learn that soon.”
