Flash star Grant Gustin rejects body shamers
Body shamers: Know Grant Gustin will come for you in a “Flash.”
The star of the CW’s show about the lightning-quick superhero took to Instagram Wednesday to set his critics straight after a photo of the actor in a costume leaked online.
What did the haters have to say? “Yea, this test suit makes him look too skinny, (especially) the prototype mask making him look like it’s squeezing his head,” one person shared on Twitter.
In response, Gustin acknowledged the image, writing, “That’s a terrible photo that I was unaware was being taken, much less being posted. Some things need work and they will be worked on. We’ll get there.”
But Gustin said it was the negative comments about his body that upset him.
“As far as the body shaming. That’s what (ticks) me off,” he wrote. “Not even just for my sake. I’ve had 20+ years of kids and adults telling me or my parents I was too thin. I’ve had my own journey of accepting it. But there’s a double standard where it’s OK to talk (expletive) about a dude’s body.”
He added: “I’m naturally thin, and my appetite is greatly affected by stress. Stress is something that ebbs and flows for me throughout a season. Thus, gaining weight is a challenge for me.”
Gustin said he is content with his shape and hopes to inspire kids with similar builds.
“I’m happy with my body and who I am and other kids who are built like me and thinner than me should be able to feel the same way,” he said. “Not only that, but they should be able to feel like THEY could be a superhero on TV or film or whatever it may be someday.”