Fat-Shaming Backlash at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend
The music world watched as Irish singer-songwriter CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) took a bold step during BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2024 in Luton. When she slipped off her jacket mid-performance to reveal a tighter, flashier outfit, the mood turned sour online. Social media feeds exploded—not with musical praise, but with a flood of nasty remarks aimed at her body, specifically her weight. The comments rolled in so fast and furious that BBC Radio 1 shut down commenting on their official video to stem the tide of body-shaming abuse.
CMAT didn’t shrink or slink away from the negativity. Instead, she took to social media, calling herself 'guilty' of having a 'HUGE ASS'—throwing irony and attitude right back at the trolls. Her response wasn’t shame or apology. It was laughter, sass, and a catchy new anthem. Within days, she'd recorded and released her comeback single, 'Take A Sexy Picture Of Me,' turning what could have been a moment of self-doubt into a viral movement.
A Song, a Challenge, and a Viral Wave
CMAT’s track shot across platforms, but it didn’t stop at the airwaves—TikTok influencer Sam Morris (@justsammorris) got in on the action and launched the 'Woke Macarena' dance challenge to the tune. The playful moves spread like wildfire, pulling in major celebrities such as Liz Gillies, Julia Fox, and Amelia Dimoldenberg, who all posted their own versions of the dance. What started as spiteful internet talk had turned into a pop culture phenomenon, driven not by shame, but by celebration.
Fans rallied. Videos piled up, each one a joyful rebellion against narrow standards of beauty. The Internet watched as dance floors, bedrooms, kitchens, and sidewalks became the stage for a show of solidarity. For many women (and more than a few men), the challenge gave them a chance to poke fun at judging eyes and show off what makes them unique—in front of the same audience that, days earlier, took potshots at CMAT’s body.
CMAT let the world in on her motivation behind the song—she was simply tired of constant, exhausting judgment piled onto women’s bodies. In her own words, she was “annoyed” at being told what is and isn’t acceptable to look like. According to her, the music industry—and society at large—holds women to unattainable standards. While the music itself is catchy, it’s the message that resonated: Enough is enough. Why should commercial attractiveness be a benchmark for talent or confidence?
This clash wasn’t just about one singer. It’s a familiar pattern for female artists—whether they're on stadium stages or social feeds, their looks are judged as much (or more) than their music. CMAT's choice to confront the taunts so publicly, and to do it with humor and music, resonated far beyond her fanbase. It kicked up a serious conversation about why body-shaming is still a go-to—especially when women find themselves in the spotlight.
The viral wave around 'Take A Sexy Picture Of Me' and the 'Woke Macarena' isn't just another fleeting trend. It's a loud and visible pushback against toxic beauty standards. CMAT’s story highlights the ongoing challenge women face when it comes to autonomy over their bodies and public self-expression. In a world quick to judge, sometimes the best comeback is a song, a dance, and thousands cheering you on.
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