It’s almost impossible to browse social media without seeing a sponsored post for fat-burning shakes, appetite-suppressing lollipops, or something in between. After all, many of these “detox” and “weight loss” products are basically laxatives in disguise, and often promote harmful messages about body image. And as you can imagine, the general responses to these products are typically pretty negative.
Currently, the internet is particularly annoyed at a weight loss tea company who did something super uncool.
SkinnyMe Tea recently posted a photo of Christina Grasso, also known as @thepouf on Instagram.
In the photo, Grasso is relaxing in a bubble bath with a glass of wine, which is problematic for several reasons.
First, Grasso didn’t give SkinnyMe Tea permission to use a photo of her face to market their “skinny” tea.
Second, Grasso is an eating disorder survivor.
Grasso, who works as the Digital Content Manager at Flesh Beauty, is also a co-founder of a non-profit organization called The Chain. According to The Chain’s Instagram page, the organization is for “women in fashion and entertainment struggling with eating disorders.” Specifically, The Chain offers mentorship and peer support, which is pretty darn amazing.
After SkinnyMe Tea posted the photo, Instagram users made it known that they were not happy.
“Take this down. This is so disrespectful,” said Instagram user @dithdeluca. “She has explicitly expressed not wanting to be part of messages like these,” said Instagram user @thegabygarcia, “And it’s wildly rude and awful to keep this up.”
The news spread like wildfire, and social media users rallied together to speak out against the photo.
The internet was extremely angry, unsurprisingly.
Many people demanded that SkinnyMe Tea take down the photo.
Others reported the company’s Instagram account.
One Twitter user pointed out that our bodies can “detox” on their own, which is completely true.
Exactly! We already have a good detox system, and it’s called our vital organs! We need to give kidneys, liver, and lungs more love!
— PurpleInCurls💖💜💙 (@curlySB_McLean) March 20, 2019
We have lungs, kidneys, and livers for a reason!
What kills me- our bodies are these incredible machines that cleanse, lubricate and take care of themselves as long as we provide them with nutritious delicious food. They detox on their own! They do not need the help of any tea/gummy/special coffee.
— CmcG (@C_nMcG) March 20, 2019
Give them nutrients! ♥️
Another Twitter user shared a bit of her own personal story.
I was borderline anorexic in elementary school due to medication I took and ever since I've had a unhealthy relationship with food. While I'm not underweight anymore, I'd be absolutely appalled at a company using my pictures like that. They are absolutely despicable.
— 🔞🌻😽CatMom😽🌻🔞 (@epickittymonst1) March 20, 2019
There are so many influencers and celebrities promoting weight loss products like this tea, unfortunately.
And if we’re being realistic, these products will likely never go away.
Wow! Companies like this deserve to get shut down.
— 🌸 (@helloitscorrie) March 20, 2019
In the meantime, we can only hope the body acceptance movement will continue to grow.
The narrative is slowly but surely shifting to honoring and respecting bodies of all shapes and sizes.
You can help this movement by being mindful of how you talk about other people’s bodies.
At the same time, consider how you talk to (and about) yourself as well.
Thankfully, the weight loss tea company eventually took the photo down.
Everyone is also applauding Grasso for handling the situation with grace.
Let’s hope something like this never happens again!
Seriously. Never again.
