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Nothing sends a powerful message like strong, female public figures pronouncing their love for their body shape. Women in the entertainment and fashion industries have the ability to influence generations of fans and followers (especially via social media), so when they speak about this, many will avidly listen to what they have to say. As so many of these women are constantly criticised for their shape – regardless of whether they are slender or curvaceous – not everyone is inclined to share their body-positive thoughts with the world. But, for an industry that frequently places unrealistic, unattainable body image pressure on women, a refreshing change is beginning to emerge. Many female celebrities are speaking out on the importance of self-acceptance and loving the skin you’re in, thus reiterating that nobody is perfect, and the flaws we all have are okay.
We’ve gathered a few more of the most inspirational body confidence quotes we could find. Read them whenever you need a boost and get out there and work it:
1. Drew Barrymore
“God made a very obvious choice when he made me voluptuous; why would I go against what he decided for me? My limbs work, so I’m not going to complain about the way my body is shaped.”
2. Amy Schumer after shooting the Pirelli 2016 Calendar:
“I’ve never felt more beautiful or more like myself…I love my body.”
3. Rihanna
“You shouldn’t be pressured into trying to be thin by the fashion industry, because they only want models that are like human mannequins…But you have to remember that it’s not practical or possible for an everyday woman to look like that. Being size zero is a career in itself so we shouldn’t try and be like them. It’s not realistic and it’s not healthy.”
4. Tyra Banks
“Girls of all kinds can be beautiful – from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain-skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing and all in between. It’s not easy though because many people still put beauty into a confining, narrow box…Think outside of the box…Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you.”
5. Christina Aguilera
“I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it’s important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that’s so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not diss other women for being proud of theirs!”
6. Kate Hudson?
I’m pretty comfortable with my body. I’m imperfect. The imperfections are there. People are going to see them, but I take the view you only live once.”
7. Lena Dunham
?I think about my body as a tool to do the stuff I need to do, but not the be all and end all of my existence. Which sounds like I spent a week at a meditation retreat, but it’s genuinely how I feel.”
8. Jennifer Lawrence
?I think when it comes to the media, the media needs to take responsibility for the effect that it has on our younger generation, on these girls that are watching these television shows and picking up how to talk and how to be cool. And the word fat! I just think it should be illegal to call somebody fat on TV. I mean, if we’re regulating cigarettes and sex and cuss words because of the effect it has on our younger generation, why aren’t we regulating things like calling people fat??
9. Amy Poehler
?There’s only, like, five perfectly symmetrical people in the world, and they’re all movie stars, and they should be, because their faces are very pleasing to look at, but the rest of us are just a jangle of stuff, and the earlier you learn that you should focus on what you have and not obsess about what you don’t have, the happier you will be.?
10. Kate Winslet
?I believe it is important to go on insisting that normality is not what we are exposed to. Honestly, among my acquaintances there is no woman wearing extra small. No, sorry, there is one: my daughter. The point is that Mia is 11 years old.?
11. Kim Kardashian?
“I might have a little bit of cellulite. I might not be toned everywhere. I might struggle in this area or that. But accepting that just empowers me.”
12. Adele
?Would I show my body off if I was thinner? Probably not, because my body is mine. I think I remind everyone of themselves. I’m not saying everyone is my size, but it’s relatable because I’m not perfect, and I think a lot of people are portrayed as perfect, unreachable and untouchable.?
13. Gigi Hadid?
?I’m an athletic person. But I love my body because I know what it’s been through to be what it is. And honestly I’m not going to change for someone that is depressed about their life.”
14. Christina Hendricks
“I guess my mom raised me right. She was very celebratory of her body. I never heard her once say ‘I feel fat.’ Back when I was modelling, the first time I went to Italy, I was having cappuccinos every day, and I gained 15 pounds. And I felt gorgeous! I would take my clothes off in front of the mirror and be like ‘Oh, I look like a woman.’ And I felt beautiful, and I never tried to lose it, because I loved it.”
15. Jessica Alba?
“I share the same advice that my mom gave me – stay hydrated and sleep well. And that being a beautiful person on the inside is what really matters.”
16. Taylor Swift
“I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realisation that everybody does – even the people that I consider flawless – then you can start to live with the way you are. I’ve read interviews with some of the most beautiful women who have insecurities. And you look at them and you’re like, ‘How do you have? Name one thing wrong with yourself,’ and they could name a handful.”
17. Kirsten Stewart
“I think it’s ridiculous that you need to look a certain way to be conventionally pretty.”
18. Beyonc?
“I wrote “Bootylicious” because, at the time, I’d gained some weight and the pressure that people put you under, the pressure to be thin, is unbelievable. I was just 18 and you shouldn’t be thinking about that.You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun, and the song was just telling everyone to forget what people are saying, you’re bootylicious. That’s all. It’s a celebration of curves and a celebration of women’s bodies.”
19.?Jennifer Love Hewitt
“To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini – put it on and stay strong.”
20. Khlo? Kardashian?
“I’m proud of my body. My body weight will always be something that I’ll struggle with for the rest of my life, but I’m finally in a good place and learning to love me for me, and not somebody else’s standards.”
The July issue of IMAGE magazine is on shelves nationwide now.