In a world where body shaming has become all too common, it’s refreshing to see celebrities stand up for themselves and fight back against the haters.
Recently, actor Russell Crowe found himself in the crosshairs of radio host Howard Stern, who reportedly took jabs at Crowe’s weight on his show.
The incident began when photos surfaced of Crowe playing rugby in Sydney, Australia.
The 52-year-old actor appeared to have put on some weight, which apparently caught Stern’s attention.
According to a fan who tweeted at Crowe, Stern “goofed on his weight” and claimed that he himself works hard to “stay thin and in shape.”
But Crowe wasn’t about to let Stern’s comments slide. In a witty retort on Twitter, the Oscar winner wrote, “I can bench press young Howard … he cannot say the same …”
Crowe’s comeback quickly went viral, with fans applauding him for standing up to Stern’s body shaming.
Many pointed out that Crowe has famously gained and lost weight for various roles throughout his career, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
In fact, Crowe has been open about his weight fluctuations in the past.
For his role opposite Ryan Gosling in “The Nice Guys,” Crowe reportedly gained 52 pounds, reaching a weight of 268 pounds.
After filming wrapped, he managed to shed the extra weight.
“I wanted to be the physical juxtaposition of Ryan Gosling,” Crowe explained in an interview with Australian radio show Fitzy and Wippa.
But regardless of Crowe’s weight, many fans argue that it’s simply not acceptable to body shame anyone, celebrity or not.
The practice of criticizing someone’s physical appearance has become all too prevalent in today’s society, particularly on social media.
Crowe is certainly not the first celebrity to face body shaming comments.
Chris Pratt, Lena Dunham, and countless others have also been subjected to scrutiny and criticism over their weight and appearance.
In Pratt’s case, fans recently expressed concern over his “skeletal” appearance, prompting the actor to make a statement defending himself.
Similarly, Dunham has faced both negative and positive opinions regarding her perceived weight loss.
The bottom line is that people’s bodies are their own business, and it’s never appropriate to make unsolicited comments or judgments about someone else’s weight or appearance.
As Crowe’s response to Stern demonstrates, celebrities are not afraid to clap back at body shamers and stand up for themselves.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Instead of focusing on someone’s weight or size, we should celebrate their accomplishments, talents, and contributions to society.
In Crowe’s case, his impressive acting career speaks for itself.
From his breakout role in “Gladiator” to his recent turn in “The Mummy” opposite Tom Cruise, Crowe has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with on screen.
As Cruise himself gushed about working with Crowe, “He is incredible in it. He’s such a fine actor and I just had a lot of fun watching him develop that character.
“And we had some great scenes together — a really great fight scene between the two of us, and it was a blast doing.”
