Actress and television personality Emily Atack has found herself at the centre of a fresh body-shaming storm during a sun-soaked getaway to South Africa. The 36-year-old star, who recently became a mother, showcased her physique in a cropped floral shirt and denim shorts, prompting a wave of online commentary about her appearance and renewed speculation about the use of weight-loss injections.
Holiday Snaps Ignite Social Media Firestorm
On Tuesday, Emily Atack shared a series of mirror selfies from her Cape Town holiday, beaming as she posed in a green floral shirt tied at the front to reveal her midriff. She paired the top with blue denim shorts, a chunky black belt, and comfortable sliders, accessorising with sunglasses and a black Gucci handbag. The images, intended to capture a fun moment abroad, quickly drew a divisive reaction from her followers.
Her comment section was flooded with remarks, many of which directly questioned whether her slender frame was the result of so-called 'skinny jabs'. Followers posted comments such as 'Skinny jabs are jabbing' and 'Are you on Mounjaro?', referencing popular weight-loss medications. This reaction comes just days after similar claims emerged online following other photos where she displayed a notably slimmer figure.
Fans and Famous Friends Rally in Defence
Amid the scrutiny, a significant number of fans and fellow celebrities rushed to Emily's defence, criticising the public's fixation on her body. One supporter pointedly asked, 'These comments! Aren't we over talking about women's bodies?' Another added, 'The thing is, women can't win. We are either too fat or too skinny... her size or any woman's size is not for public comment.'
Comedian and friend Katherine Ryan showed her solidarity with a simple but powerful comment, writing 'GIRL' alongside a string of fire emojis. Others lamented that a festive carousel of photos she had previously shared was dominated by discussions about her weight rather than the content itself.
A Mother's Perspective on Post-Baby Pressure
This incident is not the first time Emily has faced unsolicited commentary on her physique, particularly since welcoming her first child, son Barney, with scientist fiancé Alistair Garner in June 2024. Speaking on Jamie Laing's podcast in November 2024, she opened up about the intense pressure new mothers face to 'bounce back'.
'You get home and the first thing people say to you is, when are you going to get back in the gym?' she revealed. 'I've just created a human, I am exhausted!' Emily explained that she had chosen not to rush back to the gym and had actually gained weight since giving birth, preferring to focus on enjoying motherhood.
She also reflected on her early career, recalling how her role in The Inbetweeners led to a Facebook page dedicated to discussing her weight. 'I was a size eight, a tiny little body, but to some people it was the first time they'd seen a girl that wasn't really, really skinny,' she said, highlighting the confusing and often cruel nature of public scrutiny.
The star, who announced her engagement to Alistair Garner in summer 2023, has consistently maintained that she has a healthy relationship with food and exercise, stating she has never engaged in extreme dieting. A representative for Emily Atack was contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the latest speculation.
