Love Island Australia star Erin Barnett has copped backlash en masse for a weight loss post, telling her followers her 2023 resolution is to shed 5kg.
The 26-year-old, who found fame on the inaugural Aussie season of the show in 2018, confessed on Instagram that she’s the “heaviest she’s ever been” at 57kg.
**TRIGGER WARNING: The following discusses weight loss and may be triggering for some readers.
Alongside a series of bikini pics, Erin said she’s hoping to “get back to a healthier lifestyle” in reaching her “goal weight” of 52kg.
“I’m not saying there is anything wrong with how my body looks — I just want to feel better from the inside,” she admitted, noting that she is 157cm tall.
“I need to eat better, drink more water & exercise. This will also be super beneficial for my mental health.”
The TV star then asked: “Who else made their 2023 goal to lose weight?”
However, Erin quickly received criticism from her followers, who believed she was promoting unhealthy ideals.
What did fans say about Erin Barnett’s weight loss post?
Taking to the comment section of her post, Married at First Sight 2016 participant Clare Verrall said “thinness isn’t about happiness or value”.
“It took me until I was 38 to stop making my [New Year] resolution to lose weight & instead focus on my general mental health, loving my body & treating it like the incredible vessel it is,” she penned.
“I have rolls, cellulite, very pale skin & I’m always covered in random bruises. However, I love my unique body now. Being thin isn’t happiness or your value in the world (even though you are obviously a ‘thin’ woman.) Everyone saying she is ‘still’ beautiful, she is just beautiful. Full stop. That’s it.”
One fan said that while they usually “love” Erin’s content, her weight loss post is “really unhelpful to those vulnerable to eating disorders and body issues”.
“It’s great to have goals that suit you, but keep numbers out of it when it could have a negative impact on someone else,” they suggested.
Others said she needed “to be more careful with so many young followers”.
A third said: “Woah love your stuff but this is a bit damaging 57kg is very light and a completely healthy weight for jour size. I prob weighed that when I was a teen! Can be sparking an ED with this post. I’m triggered and I weigh 57kg which is completely normal BMI. Not appropriate for a young audience.”
Erin Barnett hits back at fans critiquing her ‘damaging’ post
Soon after backlash came flooding in, Erin reshared a Story made by a fan who critiqued her post.
“Imagine being 57 kilos and thinking you need to lose weight and not just be healthier and gain muscle,” the follower wrote.
Replying to the screenshot, Erin claimed she “wasn’t a bad role model” and was “not hurting anyone”.
“Is it really ‘my body my choice’?” she questioned in an Instagram story. “Because whenever we do make a choice to do something for ourselves and post it on OUR PERSONAL page; someone always has a problem with the choice we made.”
“So really, if we want to do something we have to ask permission on here and gain support before we are allowed to? I feel as though I have to seek approval from random people on my Instagram before I do or say literally ANYTHING! Or else someone will be offended.
“Or… all of a sudden I’m a ‘bad role model’.”
Love Island‘s Erin Barnett claims she’s ‘not doing anything wrong’
Erin then said she “forever stand[s] by” the idea that she’s “not doing anything wrong” if she’s “not hurting anyone financially, emotionally, physically or mentally”.
In a subsequent post, the Victorian concluded that she “never said weighing more was bad”.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673. You can also speak with someone confidentially at Headspace by calling 1800 650 890 or chat online here.
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