After a year filled with reality TV drama, Bella Varelis continues to make headlines but this time, it’s less about post-show drama and more about dealing with the hateful aftermath she receives from online trolls.
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According to The Wash, The Bachelor Australiarunner-up took to Instagram to reveal the disgusting body-shaming comments she receives from her followers.
One body shamer in particular, whom she exposed in her Instagram Stories, had commented on recent swimwear photos Varelis posted, saying: “What she’s so proud of?” adding that she has “no t**s or hips” and her bottom half is a “strange shape.”
“People like this are the reason young women and men struggle with body image and self-esteem,” Varelis wrote beneath the hurtful message.
“It disgusts me that this person thinks it’s okay to even comment negatively on another human’s physical appearance. Issues with body image can lead to eating disorders, depression and anxiety which is something I used to deal with personally and I do not take this lightly.”
She concluded, “Although I wish it didn’t affect me, I am still human. Check yourself.”
(Credit: @bellavarelis)
Unfortunately, Varelis’ experience with hurtful body shaming isn’t the only example of post-show trolling. Back in September 2020, former Bachelor and Bachelor In Paradise alum, Abbie Chatfield, also spoke out about the disgusting—and sometimes violent–online abuse she receives.
Sharing an Instagram post on September 6, Chatfield showed an array of screenshots that showed the awful comments that she receives about her body. The comments range from calling her “fat” to “pathetic”, even accusing her of “pretending to exercise”.
In response to the hurtful remarks, Chatfield wrote: “It’s been over a year of being in the media to a certain degree and comments like these only get a tiiiiny bit easier. Yes, they’re laughable. Yes, our value doesn’t come from our weight and yes, being ‘fat’ shouldn’t even be a bad word BUT it still sucks.”
She added: “It gets exhausting and I just want it to stop. I want it to stop for me, but also for people who read these comments and think it’s the norm. Speaking about women as objects, analysing their weight and saying you would ‘take them for a ride’ is especially repugnant.”
“Saying all I need to do is stay the ‘correct’ weight is… f**ked? It implies that to have worth I need to stay thin, and that my value exists only when I fit into a standard of beauty that is not realistic.”
Both Chatfield and Varelis’ experiences with online abuse not only shines a light on the unfair reality behind TV fame, but also spotlights the unrealistic and damaging expectations that are held against women and our bodies—and it needs to stop. Threatening, bullying and shaming someone is never okay.
