The CW teen drama television series based on Archie Comics is criticized for portraying unrealistic body images that could lead to youngsters suffering from body image issues.
- February 9, 2020
AceShowbiz - Lili Reinhart is "intimidated" when she compares her body to that of her "Riverdale" castmates.
The 23-year-old actress, who plays Betty Cooper in the programme, was responding to a fan who tweeted her asking why everyone on the U.S. TV show has "perfectly chiselled bodies," with the viewer continuing, "Don't you think TV shows like this aimed at teenagers are contributing to unrealistic body expectations body image issues?"
Replying, Lili insisted she didn't want anybody to feel body shamed by the CW show, explaining, "Actually, not everyone on this show is perfectly chiseled. And even I feel intimidated by the physique of my surrounding cast mates sometimes when I have to do bra/underwear scenes."
"I've felt very insecure due to the expectation that people have for women on tv, what they should look like. But I have come to terms with my body and that I'm not the kind of person you would see walking on a runway during fashion week. I have bigger boobs, I have cellulite on my thighs/butt, and my stomach sticks out rather than curves in."
Lili continued to tell the fan she feels an "obligation" to "be strong and show confidence in myself, looking as I do."
"And I want other young women to see my body on tv and feel comfort in the fact that I'm not a size 0. And I'm not a perfect hourglass shape," she said. "This industry struggles with accurate representation of female and male bodies. So I commend the women who have helped our industry take a step in the right - and authentic - direction. (Charli Howard being my favourite role model)."
Charli Howard is a British plus-size model and body activist.
