Sarah Michelle Gellar, who shot to fame as Buffy in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, found herself at the centre of a controversy over a recent Instagram photo.
The actress shared a throwback photo of herself from an underwear shoot back in the day and told her followers that she'd be using the snap as inspiration to stop over-eating during Thanksgiving.
Sharing the lingerie-clad photo with her 2.2m followers, she wrote: "I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday #thanksgivingprep".
The photo has amassed over 3,000 comments with many of her followers commenting on the negative implications her photo could have.
One user wrote: "Hey @sarahmgellar I freakin love you, but this messaging (esp for young vulnerable girls) is crap. What about someone who can do both? What about considering your messages through a body-shaming/adding to shitty culture filter before posting? Your body is gorgeous, but so are all bodies - chubby, fat, curves need lifting up, not more demonising."
Another person added: "Wow. Really shocked that a woman in a position of influence and a mother would post this s***", and another wrote: “Is that where you place your value? On the size of your thighs? Or your protruding hip bones? Nothing positive comes from this post. Only narcissism and the bulls*** theory that women need to be skinny to be acceptable. You should remove this post. Immediate unfollow from me.”
However, others rushed to defend her, with one follower writing: "Ignore the PC Police. Great message and great post. Since when is a goal an insult!!?? You do you", while another wrote: "What's up everyone trying to Shame her for giving a little helpful advice... It may not be what YOU want to hear but for others being healthy is a lifestyle."
Sarah has now taken to social media to apologise for any offence caused to her fans, "It's come to my attention that some people think I was 'fat shaming' with this post. That could not be further from my intentions. I love Thanksgiving and unfortunately my eyes are often bigger than my stomach, and I tend to eat so much I make myself sick. This was a joking reminder to myself not to do that.
"I'm terribly sorry that people were offended by my attempt at humor. Any one that knows me, knows I would never intentionally 'shame' any one on any basis. I am a champion of all people."
We're glad she's set the record straight and it was clear all along that she didn't mean any harm by her post.
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