When will we learn that celeb health speculation isn’t okay?
When Demi Lovato posted a cooking video this week (joining the swathes of celebs getting busy in the kitchen of late) the majority of comments were joyful reflections on her journey, funny comments about her recipe, and at least a few pleading messages beseeching her to drop a new album.
That is, except one: “I’m afraid of seeing her shaking that hard 🥺”
Liked 793 times, the comment led to back-and-forth between fans about Lovato’s medical history, referencing her 2018 stroke and her mental health battles. Cutting through the noise, it’s also the only comment which Lovato personally replied to, lovingly shutting down the speculation with: “I’m okay! I promise 🖤”
While this is just one minor, and contained, example, speculation about celebrities’ bodies and health seems to be everywhere.
From comments and media coverage about Millie Bobby Brown looking ‘old’ to the aggressive conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton’s health last year before she spoke publicly about her cancer diagnosis, public commentary about celebrities’ private health has been ramping up.
But when will we learn? Such discussion only serves to put celebrities further under the microscope, preventing them from maintaining any kind of privacy.
Before the tragic passing of actress Michelle Trachtenberg earlier this year, the Gossip Girl star was routinely subject to screeds of comments about her appearance on social media, from fans voicing ‘concern’ over her health to rumours that she was struggling with alcohol abuse, to accusations she had undergone buccal fat removal.
Her death last month has made it clear that such speculation ultimately does more harm than good. Even if a celebrity is unwell, constantly dissecting their appearance and behaviour only adds to the scrutiny and pressure they face.
This is something which Ariana Grande, who has faced repeated questioning and comments about perceived weight loss, has passionately spoken out about. In December, during the peak of the Wicked press tour, she opened up to the French YouTuber Sally about her experiences with invasive fan questioning about her appearance and health.
“I think, in today’s society, there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have. At all. Commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes, or health, or how they present themselves,” she said.
“There’s a comfortability that people have with commenting on [people’s bodies] that I think is really dangerous. And I think it’s dangerous for all parties involved.”
Would we feel that comfortable telling someone we knew, to their face, that they looked ‘ill’ or ‘underweight’? Would we question if a loved one was battling with a substance or alcohol disorder if they looked tired in an Instagram photo? Likely, the answer is no.
Ultimately, we don’t know what other people are going through. But we do know what constitutes basic respect. It’s time to stop the health speculation and start letting celebs live their own lives, without the constant commentary.
Megan Wallace (they/them) is Cosmopolitan UK’s Former Sex and Relationships Editor covering sexual pleasure, sex toys, LGBTQIA+ identity, dating and romance. They have covered sexuality and relationships for over five years and are the founder of the PULP zine, which publishes essays on culture and sex. In their spare time, they can be found exploring the London kink scene and planning dates on Feeld.
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