Ilona Maher Has Perfect Response to Critic Saying She “Looks Pregnant”

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Ilona Maher deserves an Olympic gold medal for this comeback. 

Okay, so this incredible rugby player from Team USA? Someone had the nerve to comment on a photo of her – a photo where she looked amazing, by the way, in this tight orange dress – and actually suggest she looked pregnant! Can you believe it? She absolutely destroyed the commenter with her response, and honestly, good for her. It’s just infuriating that she even had to deal with something like that. She’s an athlete, a powerhouse, and she deserves all the respect in the world, not ridiculous body shaming!

Ilona recently recounted a TikTok commenter’s rude remark about her appearance. ‘Someone commented on a photo of me, saying I looked pregnant in that dress,’ she explained in a video posted January 11th. ‘He deleted it after I responded, but I want to share my comeback with everyone.’

The 29-year-old emphasized her message by wearing the same vibrant outfit in the video.

Ilona shared a photo of her body and explained, ‘This is just a normal woman’s body.’ She added that some people may not have seen a naked woman before, and that’s okay – women’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s simply a natural fact.’

She pointed out that having a visible stomach was perfectly normal, even for someone as physically fit as her, and reassured listeners, ‘I’ve always been this way, it’s okay.’

After her pointed comment, many people rallied around Ilona, with numerous women sharing that it’s perfectly normal not to have a completely flat stomach.

One person jokingly asked, “Seriously, where do they think we keep everything? In our handbags?” Another commenter chimed in, saying women generally have more internal organs than men and therefore need more room – and aren’t afraid to take it up!

Okay, so this isn’t new, honestly. Ilona always shuts down body-shamers, and it’s amazing! I remember back in 2024, people were trying to say she’d be considered ‘overweight’ according to some BMI thing, and she just wouldn’t have it! It was right before the Paris Olympics, can you believe the nerve of those commenters? She’s a total queen for not letting them get to her, and I was SO proud of her for speaking up!

Ilona replied to a commenter on TikTok, saying they were attempting to insult her, but she admitted it was true she has a BMI of 30—actually, 29.3. She explained she’s been considered overweight her entire life.

She clarified that the measurement simply shows your height and weight and calculates a number from those, but it doesn’t actually reflect your overall health or how athletic you are.

Ilona explained that she discussed body composition with her dietitian, focusing on evidence-based information. They agreed that BMI isn’t a useful measure for athletes because it doesn’t provide a complete picture of health.

She jokingly pointed out the irony of being considered overweight yet still qualifying for the Olympics, contrasting it with someone else’s situation. She said something along the lines of, ‘It’s a bit wild, isn’t it? I’m actually going to the Olympics, even though I’m considered overweight, and you aren’t.’

For more stars who have had winning responses to body-shamers, keep reading. 

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter shared a TikTok video on May 3rd explaining that she’d experienced something upsetting: two strangers had made comments about her body. She described the incident as a significant milestone, highlighting the prevalence of unwanted attention towards women online.

She explained that one person told her she should use Ozempic because of her weight, while another accused her of starving herself – despite her weight remaining the same during that time. She added that even if her weight had changed, it wouldn’t be anyone else’s concern.

Ava emphasized that everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are, regardless of their appearance. She explained that you never know the hidden battles people face, and true beauty goes far beyond how someone looks.

The singer of “I’m Good” responded to negative comments about her body, saying she was frustrated with constant criticism of her appearance. In a tweet on June 23rd, she acknowledged gaining weight and bluntly stated she was tired of the discussion, asking people to move on.

She also explained that people’s weight naturally changes, saying, “It’s a normal part of life, and you never know what someone else is dealing with—like medications or illness.”

Following criticism about her appearance in an Instagram photo, the actress known for The House Bunny responded to those commenting on her weight. She explained that while she usually doesn’t feel the need to address such comments, she wanted to raise awareness about body shaming. She admitted the photo’s angle made her appear thinner than she is and that she was initially upset by the negative feedback, as she had simply been enjoying the playful pictures. Ultimately, she emphasized that people don’t have the right to publicly criticize or judge someone’s body, regardless of their own opinions.

Honestly, it really hurts when people comment on my body, telling me I’m too thin or need to gain weight. It’s just incredibly shaming, and I want to be clear: I won’t tolerate any kind of body shaming, ever. It’s not helpful and it’s something I’m really not okay with.

Over a week later, she posted a bikini photo with a message for her critics, playfully telling them she’d keep smiling no matter what, and sending them a kiss and peach emoji.

 

In February 2021, the actress addressed online rumors about her being pregnant. The speculation started when photos of her on a film set in Australia—wearing a dark blue tank top—circulated online. She publicly called out the New York Post on Instagram, writing, “I’m not pregnant, but it’s still apparently acceptable to comment on a woman’s body in 2021? Do better.”

Christina Hall, known from Flip or Flop, recently addressed online criticism about her body. In a video posted to Instagram on February 7th, she explained that she’s currently at her natural weight, the same as before her pregnancies. She reassured commenters who’ve been saying she looks too thin or needs to eat, stating she simply returned to her usual size after having babies and is perfectly healthy.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen this happen far too often. Recently, there was a lot of chatter online about a singer’s body and weight. What I found really powerful was how she responded – or rather, didn’t respond with words. She shut down the body-shamers simply by existing and owning her space, and that spoke volumes. It was a brilliant, silent statement.

Let me tell you, seeing her perform at Manchester Pride 2025 was a moment! She made a real statement with her outfit – she wore a big, oversized T-shirt, but it had a really striking image on it: a woman wearing a cropped tank and a black pushup bra. It was bold, and definitely got people talking.

After her breakup with Jim Edmonds, the former Bravo star asked fans to stop commenting on her weight. She admitted on Instagram in December 2019, ‘I’m too thin,’ and responded to comments like ‘Eat a burger.’ She added that she deserves understanding and is prioritizing her children while handling everything with as much grace as possible.

The famous singer recently responded to criticism about her weight, telling Entertainment Tonight that she doesn’t see a problem with being thin. She explained that she’s always been slender, and stays in shape through ballet, stretching, and exercise, which she says is good for her overall well-being.

She explained that criticism comes with the territory, and she focuses on what benefits her personally, letting go of anything negative. She relies on her management team to handle any issues that might arise from her choices, and ultimately, she believes it’s impossible to make everyone happy, so she prioritizes her own well-being and feelings.

Back in June 2020, Lizzo responded to people criticizing her body. In a TikTok video, she explained that she’s been consistently working out for five years, but not to achieve anyone else’s beauty standards. She clarified she’s working towards her ideal body, and how she looks is no one’s concern. Lizzo powerfully stated she is beautiful, strong, capable, and focused on her work.

The singer known for her song “Confident” has consistently spoken out against body shaming. In a 2016 interview with Glamour, she explained that when someone calls her fat, even when she’s feeling insecure, she just laughs it off, knowing she’s doing her best. She also pointed out that she doesn’t have a six-pack—and honestly, she doesn’t even want one.

Following the actress’s decision to share a nude photo online, a user criticized her, writing in a now-deleted tweet that it was inappropriate for someone over 50 to post such content, suggesting she should be spending time with her grandchildren instead. The commenter lamented the apparent loss of graceful aging.

Halle quickly responded with a playful comment, asking, “Did you know a shrimp’s heart is in its head?”

Singer Camila Cabello recently addressed criticism she received online in a message posted to Instagram. She explained she’d been avoiding social media to protect her feelings, but accidentally saw headlines about people criticizing her body. Her initial reaction was insecurity about how she looked in those pictures, worrying about things like cellulite and not having a perfectly toned stomach. However, she quickly realized that bad photos and unflattering angles are inevitable – nobody’s body is flawless! She’s especially concerned about young girls growing up in a world saturated with heavily edited photos, which creates an unrealistic standard of beauty. She wants her younger sister, and other girls, to understand that the ‘perfection’ they see online isn’t real, and that constantly seeing airbrushed images distorts what’s considered normal. She emphasized that cellulite and natural curves are beautiful and healthy, and she refuses to participate in unrealistic beauty standards. She encouraged others to reject these standards as well.

In May 2019, the singer shared a video of her performance at the Hangout Music Festival, where she was wearing a black leotard. Someone commented on social media, questioning her body and comparing her appearance to a previous collaboration. The singer responded directly, stating she had gained weight and asking people to accept it.

She criticized the fashion industry, saying several designers wouldn’t dress her for the Grammys because of her size. In a January 2019 Instagram post, she urged people to embrace body positivity, stating, “Let’s empower women to love their bodies, not make girls and women feel bad about their size.” She emphasized that beauty comes in all sizes, declaring, “My size 8 body is still going to the Grammys! #LOVEYOURBODY.”

Oh my gosh, she posted the cutest picture after Steph and the Warriors won against Portland! It was a family celebration, and she was holding little Canon – seriously, my heart melted! But then someone had to ask if she’s pregnant again? Can’t they just let her enjoy the moment?! I’m obsessed with this family, and that question was totally unnecessary.

She said no way, laughing, and explained that her 30-pound son was making it hard to pose for pictures because he kept leaning on her.

I was so relieved when the cookbook author responded to that awful comment! Someone wrote that if her child weighed 30 pounds, they’d have serious health problems, and she immediately shut them down with a perfect, simple ‘Excuse you? No. Just no.’ It was exactly what that commenter deserved, and I was so glad she didn’t engage further.

I was so happy to see that just a week after having her baby, my favorite podcast host shared a message with all of us on Instagram! It was lovely to get an update from her so soon after welcoming her little one.

She shared a post in December 2018 expressing her frustration with negative comments she’d received. She’d originally intended to share a photo of her stomach as part of her journey to regaining her health, but decided against it after realizing how critical people could be. She clarified that she hadn’t had a tummy tuck, a personal chef, or the time to exercise regularly. She explained she’d had a C-section and was still recovering, though she does have a high pain tolerance, and had previously undergone surgeries for her appendix and gallbladder. In the photo she did post, she was wearing a belly wrap and high-waisted pants, and she couldn’t believe she even had to defend herself. She questioned why women feel the need to compare themselves and then criticize each other. She emphasized that everyone’s body is unique, heals differently, and looks different, and asked why people can’t accept those differences. She urged everyone to be kinder to themselves and to celebrate the beauty of all women, lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down. She ended with a message of love and a return to focusing on her baby.

Oh my gosh, I was SO upset when I saw this! Back in April 2018, Candace Cameron Bure posted this adorable picture of her having dinner with her son, Lev, and some awful person commented on it! They were just being mean, saying that even with all her workouts, she ‘still looks like she weighs more than her husband’ and asked if she’d changed her diet. Can you believe the nerve?! It just broke my heart to see someone try to bring her down like that.

The actress quickly responded to the criticism. She wrote, “If a 25-inch waist seems large to you, it’s because you’re viewing it with unrealistic expectations. Take care.”

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2026-01-13 01:49