Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin, co-hosts of The View, are speaking out against body shaming, particularly in the case of Selena Gomez.
On the February 25 episode of the popular talk show, the two defended Gomez
after an op-ed in Glamour magazine discussed the singer and actress’s recent weight loss.
The article, titled It’s Okay to Feel Hurt When Celebrities Lose Weight – but Let’s Unpack It,
addressed the public’s reaction to Gomez’s “visibly slimmer appearance” at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.
The piece reflected on society’s obsession with celebrity bodies and how reactions to weight loss can often be clouded by judgment, rather than empathy.
Gomez, who has been open about her struggles with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect her weight, has faced increasing scrutiny over her physical appearance. The Only Murders in the Building star’s changing figure has sparked both positive and negative reactions, but Goldberg and Hostin made it clear that public commentary on Gomez’s body needs to be reconsidered.
Sunny Hostin, a lawyer and journalist, began by criticizing the relentless celebrity culture that encourages the public to focus on stars’ appearances. “The sort of cult of celebrity is always interesting to me,” Hostin remarked, pointing out the absurdity of seeking inspiration from people they don’t know personally. She emphasized that individuals like Gomez should not be viewed as mere objects of public scrutiny. “Why look to a complete stranger for inspiration? You don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life.”
Hostin, who often advocates for mental health awareness, also highlighted Gomez’s ongoing battle with lupus, a condition that can cause weight fluctuations due to medication and the disease’s effects on the body. “She may have lost this weight for her health condition,” Hostin noted, urging the audience to consider the personal and medical factors behind such changes.
Whoopi Goldberg joined the conversation, offering her own perspective on the issue. “It’s nobody’s business,” Goldberg said firmly, underlining that celebrities, like all people, have the right to make decisions about their bodies without being judged by the public. Goldberg also pointed out that, despite the fame and fortune many celebrities enjoy, they often face personal struggles that are not always visible to the public. “People don’t realize celebrities have their own personal struggles,” Goldberg explained.
Selena Gomez has long been candid about the impact of online criticism, especially regarding her body. In a 2019 interview on Giving Back Generation, she shared how the harsh comments from social media users had taken a toll on her mental health. “I will do a red carpet, I will do whatever; I don’t need to see it; I participated,” she said at the time, emphasizing that she felt good about herself despite the criticism.
In the Glamour article, Gomez acknowledged that her lupus medication has contributed to fluctuations in her weight, admitting that the changes had a significant emotional impact on her. “It really messed me up for a bit,” she revealed, recalling how hurtful it was when people began attacking her for her changing appearance. “I really noticed when people started attacking me for that. That got to me big time.”
The issue of body shaming is not unique to Gomez. Other celebrities, like Ava Phillippe and Bebe Rexha, have also used their platforms to speak out against the harmful practice. Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, posted a TikTok video in May 2023, where she shared that people have criticized her for being “too fat” and “too thin” at various times. “No one deserves to be picked apart for what they look like,” Phillippe said in her message.
Bebe Rexha, known for hits like Meant to Be, also confronted body-shaming trolls on social media. In a tweet from June 2023, Rexha responded directly to comments about her body, writing, “I know I got fat. I’m just so sick of people talking about it. NEXT!!!!!!” She added that weight fluctuations can happen for many reasons, and individuals should not be judged based on their appearance.
Hostin and Goldberg’s defense of Selena Gomez highlights a broader conversation about body image and the relentless scrutiny celebrities face. As society continues to evolve, it is essential for people to recognize that celebrities are human beings with personal struggles, including physical health issues. The key message from both The View co-hosts is clear: it’s time to stop the cycle of body shaming and allow individuals, regardless of their public status, to live free from judgment.
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