Earlier this week, celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels came under fire for comments fat-shaming singer Lizzo . Today, she reiterated her opinions about Lizzo's body for a third time (after her initial interview, and an Instagram post), saying that body positivity aside, obese people are at a heightened risk for disease and early death.
"There's nothing beautiful about clogged arteries," she told People in her latest statement. "I'm not saying you are not a beautiful person, I'm not saying you're not physically beautiful, but I'm saying being obese is not a beautiful thing, it's actually a sad thing. Dying early, obesity-related health conditions, bankrupting yourself...which is the number-one cause of bankruptcy, are health-related conditions."
Earlier this week, Jillian ignited a firestorm by questioning why fans celebrate Lizzo's body. "Why are we celebrating her body? Jillian said on BuzzFeed News' AM to DM. Why does it matter? Thats what Im saying. Like why arent we celebrating her music? Cause it isnt gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes...I'm just being honest. I love her music, my kid loves her music, but there's never a moment when I'm like, I'm so glad she's overweight.' Why do I even care? Why is it my job to care about her weight?"
Jillian doubled down on her comments in a post to Instagram as well.
In the wake of her statements, Jillian's received countless messages from angry fans, and celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg and Jameela Jamil chimed in to defend Lizzo.
Honestly can the world just get off Lizzos dick already? The woman can outrun, out dance, out sing, out sex, out earn and out do most of the wastes of space who pointlessly take time out of their day to criticize her. You arent fit to lick her designer boots. Just fuck off. Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil)
Im thrilled that shes a big-figured woman. Im thrilled that she is and that she has no compunction about wearing whatever she wants to wear and shes comfortable, Whoopi Goldberg said on The View.
Still, Jillian refuses to back down with today's statements: "I think what has happened is that we have fat-shamed people for so long that now, the pendulum is swinging back," Jillian told People . "Honestly, it's like saying okay, you're an alcoholic, bravo, here's a vodka tonic. You don't judge somebody, you don't exclude them, you include them, you support them, or by the way, mind your own business."