I react to Anti-Hero Music video (with my cat, Ash)

I had to wait till I was on my laptop to reply to this :) First of all, totally safe here (and on any of my pages) to discuss all things mental health, ED recovery, society's shitty beauty standards, etc. I personally agree with everything you said. The music video was her narrative and her experience. And Hollywood's standards of "fat" are not rational, and she totally knows that. And yes, she's edited the scene out of the video - I watched the scene after I knew about the backlash, but I can't imagine I would have even thought about it had I seen the video before knowing anything about the fat phobia accusations. Personally (and selfishly) it scares me a bit that people were so angry about this, because even privileged people should be allowed to share their ED recovery and triggers and cope with them. Makes me sad for her. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtful response!

Alexandra Ray

Loved seeing your reaction…. I’ve been looking for a spot online that felt safe to comment on the “discourse”… So….Fat person here🙋🏼‍♀️… I do not agree with much of the commentary about fatphobia. It might be worth noting that I’m also a health communication scientist and professor so I have kinda an academic view on this. First-person narrative is super important in inspiring behavior change and context is super important to messaging. The context of the song is all about self-deprecation. She knows her body dysmorphia is wrong…she’s got the self-awareness which makes it all the more sad for her. The scale showing she is “fat” when physical evidence shows the polar opposite is a great example of how her evil twin/fucked up subconscious has such power over her perceptions at times. Hence, disordered eating, etc. Her being open and vulnerable about all of this is actually a great thing. It likely resonates with a lot of other people with ED and body dysmorphia. To me, a thin person discussing their body dysmorphia is as “phobic” as a fat person doing so….meaning, it isn’t. Taylor’s message in this video is that body dysmorphia is wrong…not that being fat is wrong…and that social/professional pressures (which are actually the fatphobic components at play here) caused her — someone who is not fat by any metric — to feel bad about herself. That is a powerful statement about the fucked up social standards we deal with daily. Misogyny doesn’t just affect fat people…it’s a problem for everyone. I read that Taylor edited the video out of respect for people who felt hurt which is a very kind thing to do. A message is only successful if people understand what you intend them to…so, since it missed many people, maybe it was best she do the edit. I just know i have experienced plenty of fatphobia in my life and I study words for a living and this didn’t even register.

Jen Towers

Oh yeah people were mad mad about it… but your right on, it’s introspective and even the most beautiful people feel that self loathing and eating disorders tell you terrible Fucking things. Also aside - I hope you’re good mentally and this is a safe place to talk recovery 💕💕 proud of you

Alexandra Ray

PettyCrockerXX(Annie)