Backlash grows over plus-size model Tess Holliday’s appearance in Cosmopolitan UK

SOME say this front page is empowering, healthy and inspiring. But others have slammed it as “dangerous and misguided”.

The latest cover of Cosmopolitan UK featuring plus-size model Tess Holliday has sparked controversy.

THE latest edition of the UK’s Cosmopolitan magazine has just been released — but it’s already sparked a vicious debate.

That’s because the brand-new, October 2018 edition features well-known plus-size model Tess Holliday.

Donning a green swimsuit and blowing a kiss, Holliday’s bold image is accompanied by the words: “A supermodel roars: Tess Holliday wants the haters to kiss her ass”.

And the iconic women’s magazine’s decision to feature Holliday, 33, on the front has been hailed by many as a positive step towards body positivity, diversity and acceptance.

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However, it has also ignited an outpouring of outrage, with many criticising the decision as an attempt to normalise obesity.

Controversial media personality Piers Morgan has even joined the furore, sharing a picture of the magazine on his Instagram account with the caption: “As Britain battles an ever-worsening obesity crisis, this is the new cover of Cosmo. Apparently we’re supposed to view it as a ‘huge step forward for body positivity.’ What a load of old baloney. This cover is just as dangerous & misguided as celebrating size zero models.”

But the American model and author, who famously weighs around 136kg, has defended the “incredible opportunity” of gracing the magazine’s cover, posting on Twitter: “If I saw a body like mine on this magazine when I was a young girl, it would have changed my life”.

She also used the social media platform to hit back at those trolling her weight.

“To everyone saying I’m a burden to the British health care system, I’m American so you don’t have to worry about my fat ass,” she tweeted.

“Worry about what horrible people you are by whining about how me being on the cover of a glossy magazine impacts your small minded life.”

Editor-in-chief Farrah Storr has also defended Cosmopolitan, tweeting: “Some people’s stories and strength of spirit are too important to ignore. Tess Holiday’s story is about so much more than her body. Please read it, pass it on to women you know and realise that the secret to surviving in a tough world is by being even tougher.”

To everyone saying I’m a burden to the British health care system, I’m american so you don’t have to worry about my fat ass. Worry about what horrible people you are by whining about how me being on the cover of a glossy magazine impacts your small minded life.

— Tess Holliday 🥀 (@Tess_Holliday) August 30, 2018

But it seems the public are divided over the controversial cover, with many readers taking to the Cosmopolitan UK Instagram account to claim the edition was “normalising and celebrating obesity”.

Others claim there is no difference between featuring anorexic models — something the fashion industry has long been criticised for — and severely overweight celebrities such as Holliday.

Instagram user batman43 wrote, “It’s quite obvious she’s not healthy and its no different than a woman with anorexia. Promoting either is wrong.” Janeysays added: “Being overweight like this is an epidemic, and I think it’s irresponsible to glorify an unhealthy lifestyle.”

However, the cover has also attracted a huge outpouring of support, with many claiming it was an important way of fighting back at “unrealistic beauty standards”.

Go @Tess_Holliday! It’s so awesome to see women of all shapes and sizes being featured and highlighted on magazine covers. Thank you @cosmopolitan. I use to believe that being a tiny/thin… https://t.co/mHOnyEdcwM

— Sarah Fraser (@heyfrase) August 30, 2018

Everybody is so triggered by @Tess_Holliday making @Cosmopolitan’s cover. Why aren’t people upset over the underweight cover models that we continue to see? Eating disorders are prevalent, and unrealistic beauty standards are to blame.

— Jordan Alaine Corry (@JordanAlaineFit) August 30, 2018

Cosmopolitan are normalising obesity by using Tess as a cover model? Wow! As they usually use underweight models, or airbrush the models to appear emaciated, aren't they monsters for normailising poor body image, low self esteem and unrealistic beauty ideals?

— karen T (@magentawillow) August 30, 2018

Holliday became a professional model in 2011 and has featured in People, Vogue Italia, Marie Claire and a slew of other high-profile publications.

In 2015, after she was signed on to Milk Model Management’s plus-size division, Curves, Holliday became the largest plus-size model to be signed to a mainstream modelling agency and the first Curve model over size 20.

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