Taylor Lautner came to the defense of his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez after she faced cruel body-shaming comments following her appearance at the 2025 SAG Awards. The actor, best known for his role in the "Twilight" series, took to his Instagram Stories to address trolls who criticized Gomez's figure during the awards show, where she garnered recognition for her work on "Only Murders in the Building".
Following the SAG Awards held on February 23, 2025, many online critics took to social media to comment on Gomez's appearance, speculating about her weight loss over the past year. Lautner decided to share noteworthy side-by-side comparison photos of Gomez from the 2024 and 2025 ceremonies, highlighting the incessant scrutiny she faced. "It’s a cruel world full of hate out there," Lautner wrote, emphasizing how challenging it is for celebrities to manage public perception.
He continued, "You can never please everyone nor should you have to. It doesn’t make the words sting less; it just refocuses you onto what matters." He went on to stress the importance of self-acceptance, stating, "And it sure isn't the shape, color or appearance of your body. Daily reminder to all of us to not forget how beautiful you are inside and out … and to be a little bit nicer." Many fans applauded Lautner for using his platform to advocate against body shaming.
The 32-year-old Gomez has openly discussed her struggles with her body image stemming from her health issues, particularly lupus, which significantly affects her weight. This autoimmune disorder can lead to fluctuations due to treatment medications. On TikTok, she previously stated, "When I'm taking [the medicine], I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and when I'm off of it, I tend to kind of lose weight,” shedding light on her personal experiences with public criticism.
Highlighting Gomez's experience, Lautner shared another poignant post from body positivity influencer Alex Light, which compared past criticisms of Gomez’s body. Light's post pointed out how Gomez was mocked last year for gaining weight and then criticized for losing weight at the SAG Awards. Light powerfully noted, "This isn’t just about Selena, it’s about the impossible standards placed on all women – public or not.” Lautner’s share of this commentary indicates solidarity with Gomez and the broader issue of body image pressure faced by women.
This interaction brings to light not only Gomez's personal battles but also brings awareness to the unrealistic standards imposed on women, regardless of their public profiles. Lautner, who has candidly discussed his own mental health struggles, conveyed empathy for Gomez, mentioning the negative impact of body shaming can have on one’s self-esteem.
Selena Gomez, known for her breakout role as Alex Russo on Disney Channel’s "Wizards of Waverly Place", has been adamant about advocating for mental health awareness and body positivity. Over the years, she has been vocal about her past difficulties with body shamers and the societal pressures she has faced, especially as someone who has been diagnosed with lupus. Gomez has repeatedly emphasized the importance of love and kindness toward oneself and others, reinforcing Lautner's supportive messages.
While Gomez has publicly stated, "It was like they couldn’t wait to find a thing to bring me down. I was being shamed for gaining weight because of my lupus," she has maintained resilience against these opinions. Despite posting affirmations meant to diminish the stigma around body image, Gomez revealed to the public the internal struggles she faced, often feeling hurt by the remarks.
"I lied, I would go online and I would post a picture of myself and I would say, ‘It doesn’t matter, I’m not accepting what you’re saying.’ All the whilst being in the room posting, crying my eyes out, because nobody deserves to hear those things," she expressed with vulnerability.
This recent episode at the SAG Awards serves as another catalyst for discussions surrounding body-shaming, especially against women. The unfortunate reality remains, as Lautner highlighted, the hate and vicious comments shared online can have real-life repercussions. Like Gomez, many public figures are not spared from these harsh judgments, which often have compounding effects on their mental health.
What transpired at the 2025 SAG Awards is not just about one individual; it encapsulates the larger conversation about societal expectations of beauty and the relentless pressure faced both publicly and privately. Lautner’s solidarity toward Gomez sends the message loud and clear: it’s time to support each other against the often cruel standards set by society.
This stance against body shaming is significant, urging everyone to be mindful of their comments and to practice empathy, as we all navigate our journeys with self-acceptance and love. The call for kindness couldn’t be more prominent, particularly as individuals face the public eye and its scrutiny.