Actress Amy Schumer has launched a counterattack against fat-shaming online trolls who criticised her recent casting as Barbie.
Cynical fans came out in droves to sneer at the casting, insisting the comedienne was not a good fit because she’s overweight and not attractive enough to portray Barbie.
Hours after receiving two Grammy Award nominations for her comedy album The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo, the 35-year-old took to her Instagram account to put the bullies in their place.
“Very very honored to be nominated for 2 Grammys and to be considered to play an important and evolving icon,” she wrote on Tuesday (06Dec16) in a caption attached to a picture of herself flaunting her body on the beach in a one-piece bathing suit.
“Is it fat shaming if you know you’re not fat and have zero shame in your game? I don’t think so,” she declared. “I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love.”
Amy added she is happy with what she sees when she looks in the mirror, noting, “Where’s the shame? It’s not there. It’s an illusion.
When I look in the mirror I know who I am. Im (sic) a great friend, sister, daughter and girlfriend. I’m a bada** comic headlining arenas all over the world and making tv and movies and writing books where I lay it all out there and I’m fearless like you can be.”
Schumer signed off her message with words of empowerment, insisting she came forward to address the trolls in order to boost fans’ self-confidence.
“Thanks to everyone for the kind words and support and again my deepest sympathy goes out to the trolls who are in more pain than we will ever understand,” she noted.
“I want to thank them for making it so evident that I am a great choice (for Barbie). It’s that kind of response that let’s you know something’s wrong with our culture and we all need to work together to change it.”
“Anyone who has ever been bullied or felt bad about yourself I am out there fighting for you, for us,” she concluded. “And I want you to fight for yourself too!
We need to laugh at the haters and sympathise with them. They can scream as loud as they want. We can’t hear them because we are getting s**t done. I am proud to lead by example.”