Actor Jonah Hill claps back at body-shaming media in a reflective social media post
Superbad and Moneyball actor Jonah Hill clapped back at the Daily Mail after it released photos of him shirtless while dressing up after surfing, a pattern which he said the media does to publicly body-shame him.
“I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid-30s even in front of family and friends. Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by press and interviewers,” Hill said in an Instagram post.
The Daily Mail published a story titled “Jonah Hill slips into his black wetsuit for surf day in Malibu… before showing off his tattoos while going shirtless to towel himself off,” which was accompanied by a series of photos and a video where Hill is seen riding the waves and wiping out, and a photo of him, topless, while dressing up after the surf session.
He continued, “So the idea that the media tries to play me by stalking me while surfing and printing photos like this and it can’t phase me anymore is dope. I’m 37 and finally love and accept myself.”
It was not overnight that The Wolf of Wall Street actor became comfortable with himself. Over the years, Hill, who rose to fame as a comedian, endured public body-shaming for many years, which he said left him with low self-esteem while coming to terms with the abrasive cookie-cutter standards of Hollywood.
In the past decade, Hill has altered his body for roles in different movies, which gained praises and criticisms alike.
In 2011, Hill famously slimmed down for his role in Moneyball, where he worked alongside Brad Pitt. While his weight gain for the movie War Dogs in 2016 became fodder for the media, who used Hill’s filmography to mock him, using headlines like “Jonah Hill is now the ‘Whale of Wall Street’” and “Jonah Hill is no longer the Whale of Wall Street” when he lost weight again.
On his Instagram post, Hill sent a thoughtful message of encouragement as he celebrates self-acceptance.
“This isn’t a ‘good for me’ post. And this is definitely not a ‘feel bad for me post.’ It’s for the kids who don’t take their shirt off at the pool. Have fun. You’re wonderful and awesome and perfect. All my love,” he said.
And as a final jab for the Daily Mail, Hill had this to say, “Oh, and Daily Mail, not even you can take that smile from my face.”
Banner image and thumbnail photos from www.instagram.com/jonahhill