To be honest, the only thing that could ever make us excited about a live-action movie based on the character of Barbie is the casting of Amy Schumer in the title role. Still, not everyone is as jazzed about this possibility as we are—when Deadline broke the news last week that the comedian, author, show creator and all-around badass is in talks to play the controversial character, trolls immediately did what trolls do best and took to the Internet to let Amy know she was “too fat” for the job. Her response shut them down in the most elevated way possible, and it’s an empowering example for every woman—of any age—who is tired of facing scrutiny and shame for her physical appearance. “Is it fat shaming if you know you’re not fat and have zero shame in your game?” the Trainwreck star asked in an Instagram post. “I don’t think so. I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love. Where’s the shame? It’s not there. It’s an illusion. When I look in the mirror I know who I am. I’m a great friend, sister, daughter and girlfriend. I’m a badass comic headlining arenas all over the world and making TV and movies and writing books where I lay it all out there and I’m fearless like you can be.”
When you think about it, it is ridiculous that a bunch of unidentified nobodies could make über-successful Amy feel bad about herself, but we all know how difficult it can be to ignore this kind of negative feedback. That’s why this Instagram moment is news—we need more women to stand up and assert their own virtue if we hope to change our current, unhealthy culture that fixates on unrealistic beauty ideals and values women for their appearance. “Anyone who has ever been bullied or felt bad about yourself, I am out there fighting for you, for us,” she went on to say, this time to her supporters. “And I want you to fight for yourself too! We need to laugh at the haters and sympathize with them. They can scream as loud as they want. We can’t hear them because we are getting shit done.” Amen, Amy. Amen.
