Amber Riley, the talented actress and singer, has been on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, body positivity, and prioritizing her well-being. Her experiences with weight loss have brought about discussions on body image, fatphobia, and the importance of self-acceptance. This article explores Riley's journey, her inspiring messages, and the reactions she has garnered along the way.
Embracing Body Positivity
Riley has always been an outspoken advocate for body positivity. In a powerful video, she addressed those who seemed offended by her being "fat," questioning why her confidence, sexiness, thighs, stomach, and "big juicy ass" were so offensive to some people. She exclaimed, "Let my big ass live! I let y'all live! I love all colors, shapes and sizes." Riley made it clear that being called fat was not an insult to her. She confidently stated, "My ass is fat. And the fellas love it. And so do I. So eat it."
Dealing with Fatphobic Energy
As Riley shed weight, she noticed a change in the way some men interacted with her. She humorously addressed this in a video where she pretended to be reacting to men who had known her for years suddenly "falling in my DMs because I've lost weight." Riley captioned the clip, "Keep that same fatphobic energy player. Ain’t 💩 changed over here but the scale." Her message was clear: her worth is not determined by her size, and she has no interest in those who only show interest in her now that she has lost weight.
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown echoed Riley's sentiments, saying, "Right?! They straight up act like we’ve taken off an ‘invisibility cloak’ or something. I’ve BEEN her [sic] playa! And you were uninterested. Keep that same energy and kick rocks!" Brown's comments highlight the unfortunate reality that smaller bodies are often more privileged in society.
Riley's experiences shed light on the issue of fatphobia and how people's perceptions and treatment of others can change based on their weight. It also underscores the importance of self-love and not seeking validation from those who are superficial or judgmental.
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Prioritizing Mental Health and Self-Care
Riley's decision to embrace working out was primarily motivated by the mental benefits she experienced. She emphasized the importance of putting herself first, saying, "It’s taken me a couple years to understand that choosing myself is not selfish. It sounds foreign and it sounds inappropriate and it [sounded] wrong to me for a long time."
Her journey is a reminder that taking care of one's mental and physical health should be a priority, regardless of societal pressures or expectations. It's about making choices that are right for oneself and not being afraid to prioritize self-care.
Transformation and Celebration
Fans have celebrated Amber Riley's transformation as she works on getting healthy. Riley posted a video clip acting as if she is engaged in a conversation and then is interrupted by the yells of someone falling and smacking into the ground. She writes in her caption, “Keep that same fatphobic energy player. Ain’t changed over here but the scale."
Riley's journey showcases the importance of focusing on health and well-being rather than solely on weight loss. It also highlights the need to challenge societal beauty standards and promote body positivity for all.
Navigating Privilege and Perception
Riley acknowledged the privilege that comes with having a smaller body, stating, "Unfortunately smaller bodies are more privileged. It’s been weird and uncomfortable experiencing that, and if I’m being honest, kind of nice not having to defend my existence or make space for myself all the time."
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Her honesty sheds light on the disparities in how people are treated based on their size. It also emphasizes the need to be aware of one's own privilege and to advocate for inclusivity and equality for people of all sizes.
Read also: Embracing Health: Amber Riley's Story