As an Afro-Latina, Dealing With Body Image Was Stressful — Until I Made This Mindset Shift

Growing up, I had weight problems and felt self-conscious about my body image. As someone who loves to take photos, I refrained from doing those things because I believed my looks weren’t good enough to take flicks and share with others.

It wasn’t until my 30s that I started loving myself more and being more in tune with my sexuality. After seeing Selena Gomez‘s recent photos on social media, I was proud of her for unapologetically showing off her natural body and curves to the world.

The pop singer and actress has been at the center of body-shamming commentary for months. Particularly her fluctuating weight gain, but Gomez is clearly embracing her bod and we love to see it! 

When you embrace the good, bad and ugly parts of yourself, it allows others to leave unwarranted opinions about your life.

Pop Crave shared one of Gomez’ videos on X, formerly known as Twitter, receiving mixed reactions from users.

“Looking bigger than ever,” one user said. “Take the cleavage away and reassess,” another added. “It’s the amount of weight gain and filler for me,” a third user said.

Others mentioned how “different” she looked or that something “seemed off” in her appearance. However, they failed to realize the health issues Gomez has faced in recent years.

Being candid about your personal life on social media can be risky

Gomez recently celebrated her 31st birthday on July 22 and is living her best life. But, the Disney alumna has been very transparent with her fans. She was open about her mental health, the autoimmune disease and the medication that causes excessive weight gain. 

I’ve had moments where I wanted to share my issues on social media. However, the internet can be full of bullies fueling other people’s downfalls. I understood Gomez. She wanted to be vulnerable and share her story with her fanbase.

Earlier this year, she publicly defended herself against jarring body-shaming comments she received following her appearance at the Golden Globes. 

Gomez took to TikTok Live and explained, yet again, how her health issues affect her fluctuating weight gain. 

Autoimmune diseases and medications can lead to fluctuating body weight

“My medications are important and I believe they are what helps me,” Gomez explained, according to Buzzfeed. “I’m not a model, never will be.”

“I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through and nobody knows the real story. … I just want people to know that you’re beautiful,” she added. 

“Thanks for supporting me and understanding,” she said. “If not, go away. ‘Cause honestly, I don’t believe in shaming people for [their] body or anything.”

In March, Gomez revealed in the Apple TV+ docuseries Dear how the body-shamming comments affected her. Page Six reported she would pretend the hurtful remarks didn’t bother her and admitted to “crying her eyes out” afterwards. 

“I was posting these things saying it doesn’t bother me because I didn’t want it to bother other people who are experiencing the same thing,” Gomez said, adding, “Getting shamed for what they look like, who they are, who they love, I just think it’s so unfair.”

Pretending something or a situation doesn’t bother you is a coping mechanism I know all too well. Sometimes it works and other times you want to be reclusive from the outside world.

It’s totally normal to go through bodily changes in your 30s

As an Afro-Latina, dealing with health issues and fluctuating weight gain was stressful. I received hurtful comments from people I knew in real-life and on social media. We live in a society where women are shamed for having body fat, stretch marks, wide hips, a bigger butt or full breasts.

Latina and Black women are known to have voluptuous bodies. However, other races and communities may not view them as the standard body type. Women who are naturally curvy or grow into their curves are often sexualized over their appearance.

SELF reported in a 2022 article that women can experience hormonal changes in their 20s and 30s. Alyssa Dweck, MD, FACOG, a New York–based gynecologist, told the publication that it’s normal for women to have “puberty-esque” symptoms as they age. 

“People go through hormonal shifts during various life changes,” like during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and for a host of other reasons,” Dweck said. 

Let’s normalize cuerpos naturales!

Dweck also explained women’s breasts can look and feel differently due to fitness routine, weight and age. There are many factors to consider when noticing bodily changes at varied stages in a woman’s life. 

The only difference between me, other women and Gomez, is that she’s a celebrity who has to maintain a certain image in the spotlight.

Whether you’re flaca, gordita or in-between, we should celebrate women in all stages of life and that includes showing off our curves. Live your life, amigas!