M’sian Influencer Who Called Women Who Wear Size M Clothes ‘Fat’ Apologises

By
Kelvin Fernandez
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Sometimes the tongue and hands work a little too fast.

So much so, that we pass judgement based on our own beliefs, and then regret later.

That’s what happened to Malaysian influencer Catherine Lee when she made the following post on Instagram:

Image: Instagram (cathrynli)

*Burn*

Not everybody aims to be slim. Some women just aim to be fit and healthy. Some just aim to be happy.

And let’s not forget the fitness fanatics like the Crossfitters, bodybuilders, physique enthusiasts and other subgroups that have body fat percentages of less than six but may outweigh your average couch potato.

Off course, Catherine’s comments did not sit well with her followers. The backlash was immediate and comments started pouring in.

I can fully relate to her followers.

“One man’s meat is another man’s poison” and your ideals may not be mine.

Back then, Catherine quietly disappeared, and her Instagram of 1 million followers were suddenly removed.

But now, Catherine has since apologized to her fans:

Image: Facebook (Catherine Lee)

She started off by apologizing as she recognized that her post was “highly offensive and insensitive”. She also admitted to making a “sweeping statement”.

The main reason she had even posted it in the first place was because she “thought that by bringing up the size expectations of the industry (she) was motivating (others) to stay fit and trim by hitting the gym”.

Guess it didn’t get the outcome she had hoped for. Hopefully, she will learn from this incident and move forward.

I guess she made a genuine mistake at the spur of the moment. But she’ll also probably need to give her fans time to recover and forgive her.

If you want to read the entire text, here’s it:

I am sorry.

I have offended nearly all my friends, family and supporters with my “M size” post. It was a highly offensive and insensitive post, and I am deeply sorry for the hurt, anger and disappointment I have caused you.

Regarding my post that m = fat, it was never my intention to impose any judgment on anyone with that sweeping statement. The post was intended for my model friends who like me, despite being of a healthy weight in the past, has previously been unable to secure a modelling job due to the size criteria imposed. I thought that by bringing up the size expectations of the industry, I was motivating us to stay fit and trim by hitting the gym. Looking back, I now realise how that was a mistake at many levels. Not only was the tone of my message offensive, I was encouraging friends to conform to an unhealthy beauty standard, which I have imposed also on myself.

With over a million followers, I know I am responsible for the content of the posts I share. There is no nice way to say that I have messed up, and I seek your forgiveness in my mistakes and shortcomings.

Thank you for all the feedback and criticism you have shared with me. In the past week, I have left social media for a period of quiet introspection, and to truly reflect upon myself. With so much energy and passion in me, I would love to continue to inspire fitness, healthy living, and now, body positivity in the right way. Thank you for giving me the chance to fail, to learn, and to be a better me.

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Kelvin Fernandez
Email: [email protected]