Kelly Johnson is perfectly content with her body, and she wants everyone to know it. The incredibly talented artist is relatable enough that you could easily imagine her as your best friend. However, since she’s gained some weight in the public eye, she frequently faces questions about her appearance. It’s frustrating, especially since women who fit into the size 4 to 8 range don’t usually receive the same scrutiny.
When a person carries a little extra weight, society often feels entitled to comment on their body, which can be exhausting. In a recent interview with Health Magazine, Kelly addressed how fans might react if she lost weight. It’s certainly an unusual question, but she responded with her signature candor, pinpointing the fundamental issue with focusing on a woman’s weight—specifically, the extra pounds.
She pointed out a rarely discussed truth: often, the times when we are the most slender coincide with our deepest unhappiness. “People don’t genuinely care about your health; they are more concerned with looks,” Johnson shared. “When I’m heavier, I’m actually happier. People assume that if I’m gaining weight, something must be wrong. But for me, that weight signifies joy in my life. Conversely, when I’m at my thinnest, it usually means I’m struggling.”
The internet is filled with individuals who love to comment on women’s weight gains, but where are these critics when it comes to the pressure women face to conform to unrealistic standards? Where is the concern when women resort to extreme diets or exhausting workouts just to fit a mold they may never have been meant to fill? Anyone who has spent years battling diets or obsessing over scale numbers knows that being thin does not equate to being happy.
Kelly has spoken out about this before. After the birth of her second child, she was asked how she felt about the ongoing criticism regarding her body despite not losing weight immediately. “It’s crucial to tell young girls that Photoshop isn’t reality; that’s not how we look, and it’s not what we want to convey,” she explained. “This is my body, and I’m embracing it as it is. I’m going to move at my own pace, whether I’m skinny or bigger on any given day. That doesn’t affect my talent; I still sound amazing, and that’s why I’m here.”
Johnson fully embraces her identity and consistently reminds everyone that our weight is likely the least interesting aspect of who we are. We need to shift our focus. “If you live your life trying to meet others’ expectations, you’ll constantly feel anxious,” she advises. “People should focus on their own lives, health, and happiness, whatever that may look like for them.”
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In summary, Kelly Johnson’s insights remind us that weight is not a reflection of happiness or health. We should shift our focus away from body image and embrace what truly matters—our well-being and self-acceptance.