25 Actresses Who Championed Body Positivity

For years, people have pointed out that Hollywood often promotes unrealistic beauty standards. But many prominent actresses are now using their influence to change that, encouraging self-acceptance. By sharing their own experiences and rejecting traditional expectations, they’ve inspired countless others to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. These actors are helping to create a more welcoming and body-positive environment in the entertainment industry.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy has long been a champion for body positivity and inclusivity in both fashion and film. She created her own clothing line because she noticed a lack of fashionable choices for women of all sizes. Throughout her work on shows like ‘Mike & Molly’ and in movies such as ‘Bridesmaids,’ she openly spoke out against the industry’s tendency to exclude performers based on their weight. Her own success as a popular actress has helped change what’s considered beautiful in Hollywood and opened doors for more diverse representation.

Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil started the I Weigh movement to help people define their value through what they achieve and who they are as people, not just how they look. After becoming well-known for her role in ‘The Good Place,’ she used her visibility to speak out against unrealistic editing in photos and the marketing of weight loss products. Jamil often criticizes the harmful effects of dieting and the pressures faced by women in the spotlight. Her work has sparked important conversations about mental health and body image in the media.

Lizzo

Lizzo is a leading figure in the movement to celebrate all body types. Through her music, acting—including roles in ‘Hustlers’ and ‘The Mandalorian’—and active social media presence, she promotes the acceptance and visibility of larger bodies. She breaks traditional beauty standards by confidently appearing on red carpets and in magazines, and consistently encourages self-love and body positivity among her fans.

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling often explores themes of body image in her work, including her roles in ‘The Office’ and ‘The Mindy Project’. She champions the idea that women of all sizes deserve to be romantic leads. Kaling frequently talks about her enjoyment of fashion and staying active, but also emphasizes a healthy approach to body image. Through her success as an actress and producer, she’s helping to change how leading women are portrayed in media.

Amy Schumer

I’ve always admired Amy Schumer’s willingness to tackle tough topics with humor. She doesn’t shy away from pointing out how much pressure society puts on women to look a certain way, and she’s been really outspoken about refusing to digitally alter her appearance in photos – she wants to keep it real! What I especially appreciate is how she shares her own experiences, from her body image to her pregnancy, making those everyday female things feel…normal. Her movie, ‘I Feel Pretty,’ really dug into that idea of confidence and how much of it comes from how you see yourself, which I thought was a smart and funny take.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson rose to fame with roles in comedies like ‘Pitch Perfect,’ often playing confident and self-assured characters. She’s openly shared her personal health journey online, making it clear that her value isn’t defined by her weight. Wilson has discussed how her size affected her career and her choice to focus on her health. She continues to champion self-love and body acceptance for everyone.

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe became well-known for her moving role in the movie ‘Precious’ and has been a regular on television shows like ‘Empire’. In her memoir, she shares her path to self-acceptance and her decision to have weight loss surgery to improve her health. Sidibe is also known for confidently responding to criticism about her appearance online. She continues to be an important voice in discussions about representation for Black women and celebrating all body types.

Chrissy Metz

Chrissy Metz became well-known for her role in the TV show ‘This Is Us’, where she played a character struggling with weight and body image. She’s often talked about her own personal challenges and how being open and honest is important for healing. Metz has also written a book and released music that focus on building self-esteem and overcoming difficulties. She’s become a leading advocate for body acceptance and finding peace with yourself in a society often focused on weight.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is famous for her bright and colorful fashion and her work on the popular TV show ‘Girlfriends’. She frequently talks about the beauty of growing older and embracing the changes that happen naturally with age. Ross uses her public voice to champion a complete view of beauty – one that focuses on both mental and physical health. She inspires her fans to celebrate what makes them special and feel confident in their own skin.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh has been widely applauded for how she handled recent criticism about her body after wearing a sheer dress. She’s made it clear she won’t change her appearance to meet Hollywood or public standards. In films like ‘Little Women’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ she prioritizes portraying strong, capable characters, not just their looks. Her confidence and honesty have made her a role model for young women wanting to feel comfortable and in control of their own bodies.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is known for openly talking about her enjoyment of food, but she’s also spoken out against being labeled as “plus size” early in her career. She famously avoided dieting for her role in ‘The Hunger Games,’ wanting to set a healthy example for young people. Throughout films like ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and beyond, she’s consistently presented a realistic body image and continues to promote healthy attitudes towards food and fitness, rejecting extreme diets.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard has spoken about being pressured to lose weight for her role in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ but thankfully the director backed her decision not to. She’s also been candid about how difficult it is to find gowns that fit her at big events like awards shows. Howard frequently emphasizes the value of being strong and capable over simply being thin. By sharing these experiences, she’s shedding light on the unreasonable standards often imposed on actresses in Hollywood.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is well-known for asking that her movie posters and trailers show her as she is, without any digital alterations. During filming of ‘Mare of Easttown,’ she specifically requested that her body wasn’t digitally slimmed down or smoothed over. She’s also been vocal about the pressure on young actresses to stay thin to succeed. Her long and successful career proves that genuine performance matters more than achieving a flawless appearance.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis consistently champions greater diversity in film, particularly for women of all ages and body types. She believes in the power of genuine storytelling and the importance of seeing a wider range of experiences represented on screen. Her work in shows like ‘Fences’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ proves that compelling acting isn’t about looking a certain way. Davis inspires aspiring actors to be true to themselves and embrace their natural selves.

Barbie Ferreira

Barbie Ferreira became well-known for her role in the TV show ‘Euphoria,’ where she played a character dealing with tough issues around body image. Before acting, she worked as a model and was a strong voice for showing unedited photos in fashion. Ferreira frequently uses her public platform to question traditional ideas about gender and encourage people to accept themselves as they are. She continues to be an important role model for young people discussing self-acceptance and how people are portrayed in the media.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein is known for her strong and complex performances in films like ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Booksmart’. She’s also spoken openly about being a plus-size actress, writing about how important it is to be recognized for her talent, not her weight. Feldstein champions a world where people are valued for who they are on the inside – their kindness and skills – rather than how they look. Her success proves that audiences are eager to see stories with a wider range of body types represented.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks has become well-known for promoting body positivity, both through her acting roles in shows like ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and on Broadway in ‘The Color Purple,’ and through her advocacy work. She’s partnered with popular brands to design clothing for women of all sizes, and frequently uses social media to share inspiring messages about self-love and embracing natural beauty. Brooks is committed to creating more opportunities and representation for plus-size Black women in the entertainment industry.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco is a strong voice for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion and on TV. As an actress known for ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ she’s spoken openly about how hard it is to find luxury designers who cater to her size. She uses her platform to celebrate her body and inspire other women of color to embrace their own. Polanco consistently reminds people that self-worth isn’t tied to dress size.

Retta

Retta became well-known for her confident and fashionable character on ‘Parks and Recreation.’ She often talks about self-esteem and shares her experiences as a plus-size actress in her book. In ‘Good Girls,’ she continued to play complex characters where her weight wasn’t the main focus. By taking on these roles, she’s challenging common stereotypes about what kinds of parts are available to larger actors.

Shannon Purser

Shannon Purser gained popularity with her roles in shows like ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’. She often shares her personal experiences with body image and self-acceptance online. Purser is a strong advocate for mental health, especially when it comes to the effects of social media on young people, and consistently encourages her followers to practice self-compassion and focus on what truly matters.

Aidy Bryant

Aidy Bryant became well-known for her time on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and then created and starred in her own series, ‘Shrill’. The show connected with audiences because it followed a woman choosing to live her best life without feeling pressured to change her appearance. Bryant has openly discussed her decision to prioritize her career and well-being over weight loss. She remains a powerful advocate for realistic and positive portrayals of larger women in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham’s show, ‘Girls,’ was known for featuring diverse body types and honest portrayals of relationships. She’s openly discussed her experiences with long-term illness and how it has changed her body over time. Dunham often shares unedited photos online to push back against the perfect images usually presented by celebrities. Through her work, she frequently examines the challenges of body image and the value of being kind to yourself.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer has always prioritized her skills and acting over trying to fit Hollywood’s idea of beauty. Following her Oscar win for ‘The Help,’ she’s continued to choose strong, varied roles in films like ‘Hidden Figures.’ She often talks about the importance of feeling healthy and good about yourself, rather than fixating on a certain size. Spencer inspires many by demonstrating that talent and hard work can lead to a thriving career, no matter your body type.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has openly discussed how her body has changed because of health challenges, including lupus and a kidney transplant. She uses her public voice to speak out against the negative impact of unrealistic beauty standards on social media and to challenge body shaming. Both through her acting in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ and her work on other projects, she encourages people to feel good about themselves just as they are. She frequently reminds her fans that being thin isn’t necessary to be happy or successful.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera became well-known for her role in the popular series ‘Ugly Betty,’ which celebrated inner beauty and intelligence. Throughout her career, she’s been a strong voice for more diverse representation of Latina women and people of all body types in Hollywood. Ferrera has openly discussed her own journey with body image, emphasizing the importance of appreciating what your body can do rather than just how it looks. She continues to champion social justice and empower those who are often overlooked.

Tell us in the comments which of these actresses has inspired you the most on your path to accepting yourself.

2026-01-11 21:48