Curvy Tia: Worry about your own body
PLUS-SIZE Irish model Tia Duffy has told how she has received online criticism following her appearance on the Late Late Show on Friday night. The Dubliner, a leading voice for body diversity and positivity with her Be Body Aware campaign, joined Ryan Tubridy on the first show of the new year, alongside fellow plus-size model Stacey Dineen and body positivity activist Sarah Tyrell.
Tubridy tackled Tia, particularly on the argument that overweight people may be prone to ‘really bad health issues’. But she disagreed saying: ‘If you go to a doctor and you look overweight, you could be healthy. I’ve done the research; my project is an academic project. I’ve spoken to hundreds of people, and doctors tell me all the time, “You can’t just judge somebody by looking at their body.”’
Speaking to the MoS, Tia admitted that blanket statements do nothing to promote body positivity. She said: ‘I think that it’s unfair to say plus-size models promote obesity. We don’t really know someone’s weight by glancing at them. It’s such a blanket statement without any real facts or research. The Be Body Aware campaign is trying to show that all bodies are different and should be loved.
‘It’s actually about minding our own body and not commenting on anyone else’s. Worry about your own body and not making assumptions.’