Ahead of her 30th birthday,
Taylor Swift penned a
personal essay for Elle magazine where she got candid about body image and aging, shutting down the unrealistic beauty standards for women that she said are impossible to meet. “I’ve learned that society is constantly sending very loud messages to women that exhibiting the physical signs of aging is the worst thing that can happen to us,” the “Shake It Off” singer, 29, wrote.
Swift is
Elle‘s April issue cover star, and she
shared her wisdom in the accompanying article “because it’s 2019 and sharing is caring.” Although her birthday is months away (on December 13), one of Swift’s biggest takeaways for 2019 was to give herself, and her body, a break.
“I learned to stop hating every ounce of fat on my body. I worked hard to retrain my brain that a little extra weight means curves, shinier hair and more energy,” she wrote. Swift goes on to warn about the dangers of pushing the boundaries of dieting, saying there really is “no quick fix.” Instead, she said, she works “on accepting my body every day.”
The pop icon also goes on to slam the ageist and sexist standards society expects women to uphold that “isn’t even remotely required of men.”
“These messages tell women that we aren’t allowed to age. It’s an impossible standard to meet,” Swift wrote. However, in the midst of all the overwhelmingly negative messages, the singer has received about her body and age, she says that actress and activist Jameela Jamil’s body positive messages have cut through the noise.
“I’ve been loving how outspoken Jameela Jamil has been on this subject. Reading her words feels like hearing a voice of reason amongst all these loud messages out there telling women we’re supposed to defy gravity, time, and everything natural in order to achieve this bizarre goal of everlasting youth that isn’t even remotely required of men,” Swift said.
Jamil, who has made a point to use her platform to change the toxic conversations about women’s bodies, was thrilled by the shoutout from Swift. “Thanks for the lovely words,” The Good Place actress tweeted.
“I’m angry with irresponsible celebrities who take the platform they’re given and they use it so greedily. So I’m going to be part of the change, or they will have to kill me, which they probably will,” Jamil told MAKERS in an exclusive interview.
So whether you feel 18 or 283, as Swift said she does, her message about body positivity can resonate with people of all ages.
