Visibly Body-Shamed, Plus-Size Influencer Gracie Bon Shares Disturbing Disneyland Experience
Gracie Bon, the Panama-born plus-size influencer, faced unwanted attention during her recent trip to Disneyland, turning what should have been a magical day out with family instead to distress and humiliation. The 27-year-old model recounted her experience on social media, sharing how theme park-goers stared at her and filmed her due to her size, sparking discussion around body positivity and societal perceptions of beauty.
Bon, who describes herself as supportive of body positivity, revealed to her 10 million followers how the joyful outing quickly morphed when she noticed people double-taking and pointing at her curvy figure. "Today I came to Disney with my family, ready to have fun, but the second I arrived, the nightmare started," she expressed, stating how parents began to record her actions.
To combat the humiliations, Bon decided to “change the game” by recording her onlookers through glasses equipped with hidden cameras, which she handed to her brother. “If they were going to record me, I was going to record them,” she said defiantly. Upon reviewing the footage, she remarked, "I couldn't believe my eyes. People were shocked to see my body, like hello, this is America. Almost 40% of people here are plus size, so why were they acting like I was some rare creature?” This passionate rebuttal addressed society’s skewed perception of plus-size bodies, challenging the stigma attached to individuals not conforming to stereotypical beauty standards.
Adding to the intensity of the moment, Bon highlighted her need for two seats on rides, stating, "I needed two seats on the Slinky Dog ride, but hey, double the fun!" This point was reflected throughout her video, garnering over 5.4 million views as followers shared her frustration. When questioned about the inappropriate attention, Bon poignantly asked, “What do people expect me to do? Shrink myself so I can go to an amusement park? I can’t just wake up one day and be skinny. It’s 2025, and people need to realize not everybody looks the same, and that's okay.”
Despite her focus on body positivity, the backlash on social media was swift and unrelenting. Many commentators echoed concerns about her appearance, claiming her body was not ‘natural.’ Online trolls voiced disparaging remarks, with comments stating, "You're not naturally 'big,' that's the issue,” and “You thrive off of the attention.” These reactions underscored the divisions among audiences over body image, acceptance, and the overall construction of beauty.
What's more, Bon has faced scrutiny for her looks beyond this incident. Allegations have been raised over cosmetic enhancements, yet she steadfastly asserts, “This is literally what God gave me.” Insisting she has not undergone surgery, Gracie continues to advocate self-acceptance, even amid criticism.
This incident is not Gracie's first with confrontation surrounding her body at amusement parks; similar claims erupted during her trip to Disneyland Paris previous year, where observers laughed and mocked her appearance. Bon chronicled her feelings during those moments of scrutiny, capturing how public perception can heavily affect the mental well-being of those on the receiving end of such remarks.
While the discussion likely mirrors broader social sentiments about body positivity and differing body types, Gracie’s experience shines light on how discrimination could manifest even in spaces meant for joy and enjoyment. "What would you do if you were me?” she posed at the end of her video, inviting her viewers to reflect on how society should adapt to be more inclusive and kind.
Working within the framework of society's expectations—particular surrounding appearances—Bon's assertions are not just self-serving but challenge the culture of body shaming entrenched within many social interactions, both online and offline. With her presence and platform, Gracie aims to continue advocating for acceptance and respect within the narrative surrounding plus-size individuals.
“I had so much fun,” Bon concluded, determined not to let others' negativity overshadow her day. She noted, through this experience, her commitment to redefining perceptions of beauty continues unabated, emphasizing joy, acceptance, and the importance of living authentically, regardless of size.