Jessica Simpson opens up about constant scrutiny of her weight: 'It still remains the same'
For Jessica Simpson, commenting on people’s weight has gone out of style.
While reflecting on some of her past fashion looks during a recent interview with Access Hollywood’s Kit Hoover, Simpson got candid about the ongoing scrutiny she's faced for her weight changes.
“My kids see me being still scrutinized, and it’s very confusing to them because they’re like, ‘I don’t even understand this. Why don’t they just say you look pretty, mom?” Simpson told Hoover. “I wish I could say for me that it’s gotten better, but it still remains the same.”
Simpson, who lost 100 pounds following the birth of daughter Birdie Mae Johnson in 2019, has previously opened up about the public commenting on her weight. Following scrutiny of her thin figure on social media, the actress and singer shot down speculation she took the diabetes medication Ozempic for weight loss in a July interview with Bustle.
“More than weight that people have focused on, we need to focus on our mentality about even talking about weight,” Simpson told Access Hollywood. “I think it just doesn’t need to be a conversation.”
Simpson isn’t the only celebrity to criticize body scrutiny. Earlier this year, pop singers Ariana Grande and Bebe Rexha each called out online commentary on their weight.
“I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies no matter what,” Grande said in a TikTok video in April. “Even if you are coming from a loving place and a caring place, that person probably is working on it or has a support system that they are working on it with.”
More:Ariana Grande speaks out on weight scrutiny: Why comments on people's bodies should stop
Body scrutiny reinforces ‘painful’ beauty ideals for people of all sizes
Regardless of one’s intentions, experts say offering comments on a person’s weight or physical appearance can do more harm than good.
Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director at the Eating Recovery Center, says commenting on someone's weight reinforces the belief that someone's appearance is the most important thing about them.
"These comments about how your body is acceptable or unacceptable, it reinforces again that you are not worth more than your body... and that you have to present yourself a certain way for the world to find you acceptable," Wassenaar previously told USA TODAY. "It just reinforces that sort of superficial, body-focused idea that we know is so painful and harmful for every single one of us because we are so much more than this vessel that carries us."
Alexis Conason, a clinical psychologist and author of “The Diet-Free Revolution,” previously told USA TODAY that anyone can struggle with negative body image, no matter their size. Because of this, she says it's best to avoid commenting on people's bodies, no matter if they're skinny, fat or anywhere in between.
"Your body is no one else's business, and if someone comments on your body, it's more a reflection of them," Conason said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association's toll-free and confidential helpline is available by phone or text at 1-800-931-2237 or by click-to-chat message at nationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For 24/7 crisis situations, text "NEDA" to 741-741.
More:Bebe Rexha calls out 'upsetting' TikTok search. Body comments need to stop, experts say.
Contributing: Charles Trepany and Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY