21 Timeless Celeb Quotes on Body Acceptance — See What Your Favorite Leading Ladies Live By

Apr 18, 2019 4:20 pm

By Jennifer Machin

body positivity ashley graham serena williams chrissy teigen

The spotlight isn’t always as glamorous as it seems, especially for these celebs who are constantly slammed for being different — and if anything, that should be celebrated. However, they don’t let anything dull their shine. After all, part of being a woman means remaining strong no matter what others say, and these outspoken ladies are perfect examples of that.

Keep scrolling to see which of your favorite stars have used their platform to deliver powerful messages on body acceptance.

1 of 21

Barbara Palvin

While launching the new Incredible by Victoria’s Secret Collection, Barbara told Life & Style part of feeling confident in your own skin has to do with befriending your bod. “They have to take the time to understand their body and what works,” she said. “Even today, like every day, I have my challenges daily to accept myself and love my body. I know now what works for me and what helps me. Just keep pushing.”

2 of 21

Ashley Graham

Ashley took to Instagram to embrace what was once an insecurity of hers. “Someone once told me my thighs were ‘cellulite city’. But I now realize these thighs tell a story of victory and courage,” she wrote. “I will not let others dictate what they think my body should look like for their own comfort, and neither should you.”

3 of 21

Demi Lovato

Before sharing three un-retouched photos on her Instagram Story, Demi told E! News why it’s important to keep it real. “I started comparing myself to these Instagram models,” she explained. “I just thought to myself ‘someone needs to show my fans, and anybody that’s looking at my account, that what you see isn’t always what’s real.’ And so I decided to embrace my flaws — and I don’t even like to call them flaws, it’s just a part of who I am — and show the world that I’m imperfect, but that’s what makes me beautiful.”

4 of 21

Khloé Kardashian

Khloé is all about ignoring society’s standards and doing what makes her happy. “I’m proud of my body,” she wrote on her now-deleted website. “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.”

5 of 21

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy took to Twitter to speak out about post-pregnancy bodies after sharing a pic of herself one month after giving birth to her son, Miles. “Instagram is crazy,” she began. “I think it’s awesome people have killer bodies and are proud to show them off (I really do!!), but I know how hard it can be to forget what (for lack of a better word) regular ol’ bodies look like when everyone looks bonkers amazing. Also I don’t really call this ‘body confidence’ because I’m not quite there yet. I’m still super insecure. I’m just happy that I can make anyone else out there feel better about themselves!”

6 of 21

Iskra Lawrence

While sharing an unedited Instagram photo, Iskra weighed in on why it’s important to embrace your so called “flaws.” “Feeling real because that ~celluLIT,~ those rolls are cute, that jiggle is sexy, and everybody deserves to feel confident in the skin they’re in. Who we are is what makes us beautiful, not just a beauty ideal.”

7 of 21

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka said she takes control over her body, which she finds empowering. “People always say you should listen to your body. But I don’t listen to my body. My body listens to me,” she told Women’s Health. “Identify the weaknesses, shut them in a box, find your strengths, and run with them.”

8 of 21

Halsey

Halsey took to Twitter to embrace body hair after pop star Charli XCX revealed she hadn’t shaved her legs “in ages.” “Saaaaaaaame. Charli XCX ft Halsey Drake remix ‘Shave For What’ coming spring 2018,” the “Without U” singer responded.

9 of 21

Selena Gomez

Selena shared an Instagram post on a yacht with friends and took it as an opportunity to reflect on what really matters in life. “The beauty myth — an obsession with physical perfection that traps modern woman in an endless cycle of hopelessness, self consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society’s impossible definition of flawless beauty,” she wrote. “I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone. Wind in her sails.”

10 of 21

Serena Williams

Serena got candid about her post-baby body, claiming she’s happy with what she has. “I was playing in Wimbledon, and I totally have a stomach. You know? It’s no secret,” she told Byrdie. “It is what it is. And I’m proud of my tummy. It pokes out a lot more than it used to, but I’m still coming back from having a baby. I just feel like this whole story about having a baby and then coming back two days after and looking better than before is not teaching the right way or the natural way or the believable way. Like maybe that happened to one person, but let me tell you, that didn’t happen to me.”

11 of 21

Bebe Rexha

When Bebe found out designers refused to dress her for the 2019 Grammys because they considered her “too big,” she fought back. “If a size 6-8 is too big, I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t want to wear your f–king dresses, ’cause that’s crazy,” she said on an Instagram Story. “You’re saying that all the women in the world that are size 8 and up are not beautiful and they cannot wear your dresses. So to all the people who said I’m thick and I can’t wear your dress, f–k you, I don’t want to wear your f–king dresses.”

12 of 21

Drew Barrymore

During an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, Drew revealed she makes the effort to stay fit while she’s shooting a movie, but on her time off, she likes to let loose and indulge. “I heard Denzel Washington does this and I don’t know because I just want to believe it, I don’t want to know it’s not true. But he just enjoys his life and then pulls himself back together when he’s doing movies and looks amazing. So I’m giving it the full ‘Denzel,’ even if that exists or not, and I let myself go.”

13 of 21

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly told Redbook she’s all about feeling good in her own skin. “This [body] is real, and this is what’s happening right now, this is what I’m rocking. I’m just gonna do me and I’m gonna go at my own pace and I’m gonna do my thing, and if I’m skinny one day or bigger one day, that ain’t gonna change how I sound. I still sound pretty dang good. And my talent is why I’m here.”

14 of 21

Sarah Hyland

When a troll commented on Sarah’s slim figure, claiming she looks “unhealthy,” the actress fired back in the best way. “I would like to put in a request for anyone who is concerned about my bread consumption to send it to Wells Adams, because he is the sole person who knows about how much bread I consume on a daily basis. Thanks! Love you, mean it. ‘K, bye,” she wrote on Instagram.

15 of 21

Adele

In an interview with People, Adele embraced how her influence helps other women. “I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women, and I’m very proud of that,” she said.

16 of 21

Lili Reinhart

When fans assumed Lili was pregnant due to a photo of her tummy taken at a certain angle, she quickly shut down rumors and delivered a powerful message on Instagram. “This is just my body. And sometimes I’m bloated. Sometimes an unflattering photo is taken of me,” she wrote. “Sometimes I go through periods of time where I gain weight. My body is something that I will NEVER apologize for. My body will constantly go through change. And so will yours. And that’s fine. So let’s not put so much time and effort into caring about a stranger’s figure. Bye.”

17 of 21

Kristen Bell

After a fan commented on her own insecurities, Kristen made sure to uplift her. “Girl, don’t you dare. You got one time on this planet — don’t waste time being negative. You deserve all the love in the world. And I think your face is beautiful. Don’t you dare tell me I’m wrong,” she replied on Instagram.

18 of 21

Camila Mendes

Camila revealed she feels better about herself after making the decision to quit diets. “I was really obsessed with dieting. I don’t know if it was psychological but [when I quit dieting] I felt like I was gaining weight,” she told People. “Just that fear of ‘oh my god I’m gaining weight now,’ but I’ve really made this promise to myself that I’m gonna stick to this.”

19 of 21

Amy Schumer

When a fan said she didn’t like how the comedian looked in one her photos, Amy begged to differ. “I disagree. I like how I really look. That’s my body. I love my body for being strong and healthy and sexy,” she replied on Instagram. “I look like I’d give a good hug or have a drink with you. The other picture looks nice but it’s not me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well. See, we’re both right.”

20 of 21

Jameela Jamil

For a photo shoot with Arcadia magazine, Jameela made sure her pics remaied un-retouched. “Embrace thine stretch marks. They are nothing to be ashamed of or cover up or edit out. #saynotoairbrushing,” she wrote on Twitter.

21 of 21

Amber Riley

Amber slammed body shamers in the most epic way. “Why does me being fat offend so many people? Is it because I’m confident, and I’m fly and I’m sexy? Do my thighs, offend? Does my stomach, offend? Does my big juicy ass, offend? Why? Why?” she said in an Instagram video. “I let y’all live! I love all colors, shapes and sizes. So, just so you know, when you come on here, and you call me fat, it’s not an insult, dummy.” Preach!

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