Kelsey McEwen—a Canadian meteorologist for CTV's Your Morning—shut down a body-shaming troll who shamed her for having a "camel toe" and a "bubble butt" after she appeared in a red outfit on the air.
The troll suggested it was irresponsible that "none of [McEwen's] cohorts" had told her to reconsider her appearance before delivering the daily weather report, concluding with the hashtag #redisnotyourfriend.
You can see their post below.
\u201cWelcome back @KelseyMcEwen #weathergirl from @YourMorning how come none of your cohorts haven't told you #pantielines #cameltoe #bubblebutt #redisnotyourfriend\u201d— Ian Daviduk (@Ian Daviduk) 1676980521
McEwan saw the troll's post and responded minutes later to let them know she feels "zero shame" about her appearance—and loves wearing red, too.
She replied:
"Listen, I own my body, camel toe [and] bubble butt included. Your words bring me zero shame. Your feelings about my body [and] outfit are a you problem, not a me problem."
"And red? Red is [fire emoji]."
"The only thing that isn’t my friend here, is you."
You can see her response below.
\u201cListen, I own my body, camel toe & bubble butt included. Your words bring me zero shame. Your feelings about my body & outfit are a you problem, not a me problem. \n\nAnd red? Red is \ud83d\udd25 \n\nThe only thing that isn\u2019t my friend here, is you.\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
Shortly after McEwen posted her response, CityNews reporter Irene Preklet praised her:
"Well when I was at the gym this morning I saw you on TV and I thought you looked amazing. You go girl and wear what you want!!!"
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen Well when I was at the gym this morning I saw you on TV and I thought you looked amazing. You go girl and wear what you want!!!\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
Others also joined in to share their appreciation for McEwen's response and to condemn rampant sexism and misogyny online.
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen I truly hate how you and the other female weather anchors get these comments every day Kelsey. Red does look perfect for you and I truly appreciate your work on Your Morning. Keep up the great work you're doing\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen Every day I look to see what you\u2019re wearing and every day I wish there was a little caption somewhere where I could know where to get your outfits!! Today\u2019s was no exception!! \ud83d\udd25\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen Bravo Kelsey! Well said!\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen But Ian and his ONE follower\u2019s opinions matter too! NOT! \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\nYou rock Kelsey and what a fantastic reply! \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen Red looks amazing on you! You carry all the vibrant colours beautifully \ud83d\udc90\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen Yeeesssss! You and your cohosts always brighten my morning. Keep rocking @YourMorning @KelseyMcEwen\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
\u201c@KelseyMcEwen The whole panty line thing? Lets talk about that. So...we must wear underthings lest we be shamed for immodesty. But we cannot have anyone actually *know* we are wearing these garments. Who makes the rules in these silly games?!\u201d— Kelsey McEwen (@Kelsey McEwen) 1676981581
McEwen is no stranger to dealing with body-shamers online.
In 2017, she told an online critic to “check [their] priorities" after they complained about the skin-tight clothing she wore on the air while pregnant.
"Our bodies are no one’s business, pregnant or not," she added later, noting that self-worth "is not defined by our shape, number on the scale or size of clothing."
McEwen has also been open about the insidious impact of social media and photo and video filters, once using her Instagram story to show what she looks like with and without filters.
At the time, she told her viewers "not to compare their 'real' to a 'reel,'" comments which received significant online praise.
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