Gigi Hadid Confronts Body Shaming and Shares Journey with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Confronting Body Shaming at New York Fashion Week

Supermodel Gigi Hadid took Twitter to confront body shamers criticizing her thinner appearance, attributing changes to her treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition diagnosed in 2016. Hadid, who faced accusations of being "too skinny" during New York Fashion Week where she opened and closed Jeremy Scott's show, explained that her body now "handles" her diet differently due to proper medication, which has alleviated symptoms like inflammation and fatigue. She addressed critics directly stating, "For those wondering why my body has changed over the years, I want to share that when I began at 17, I hadn’t been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease yet. Those who said I was ‘too big for the industry’ were actually noticing inflammation and water retention caused by the condition."

She emphasized feeling healthier internally, despite not wanting to be "this skinny," and firmly stated, "I will not further explain the way my body looks, just as anyone... shouldn’t have to". Hadid also expressed frustration with ongoing judgment, noting, "If I don’t have the body type that you think is appropriate, then please don’t follow me," urging fans to focus on empathy rather than appearance.

Hadid, crowned International Model of the Year in 2016 at the Fashion Awards after walking for designers like Marc Jacobs and Versace, previously addressed body shaming in 2015 via Instagram, defending her natural curves against critics who called her "too curvy" for the runway. She reiterated her stance against conforming to beauty standards, saying, "Your mean comments don’t make me want to change my body". Her advocacy for body positivity began early in her career, as she faced pressure to alter her physique but chose to embrace her natural form, a message she continues to share with her audience.

She shared various posts on X, confronting her situation.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an incurable autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain or fluctuations, muscle weakness, depression, and hair loss, which can be managed with lifelong hormone replacement therapy like Thyroxine to restore normal function. It’s critical to note that Hashimoto’s can cause unpredictable weight changes, as the thyroid regulates metabolism, and untreated cases may lead to complications like heart disease or infertility if not monitored. Regular blood tests to adjust medication dosage are essential, as Hadid has shared, to manage symptoms effectively and maintain overall health.

Hadid noted that her medication, started two years prior to her 2016 Reebok panel revelation, helped with extreme fatigue and metabolism issues, allowing her to maintain her demanding career. She explained that Hashimoto’s significantly impacted her energy levels, making rigorous exercise challenging due to muscle weakness and fatigue, but proper treatment has allowed her to regain control over her health and continue her modeling career.

This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and consistent treatment, as untreated hypothyroidism can exacerbate symptoms and affect mental and physical well-being, particularly for those in high-demand professions.

Other celebrities, including Zoe Saldana, Kim Cattrall, Gina Rodriguez, and Victoria Justice, have also publicly discussed their struggles with Hashimoto's, experiencing symptoms like tiredness and weight changes that disrupted their active lifestyles, requiring ongoing treatment. Hadid’s openness serves as an inspiration, encouraging those with chronic conditions to seek proper medical care and advocate for themselves. She has used her platform to educate fans, stating, "I hope that people can learn from my experience and understand that it’s not always what it seems," fostering greater awareness about invisible illnesses. Hadid’s advocacy highlights the need for understanding, as she urges fans not to judge based on appearance, a message echoed since her 2014 magazine cover debut and reinforced by her experiences shared on social media platforms.

Her story underscores the importance of patient education and destigmatizing autoimmune disorders, encouraging open dialogue between patients and healthcare providers to improve quality of life.

(Rh/Eth/MKB)