Actress and television personality Emily Atack has ignited a passionate online discussion about body image after sharing a series of glamorous holiday photos from a getaway in Cape Town, South Africa.
Sun-Kissed Snaps and Speculation
The 36-year-old star, recently engaged and a new mother, posted a collection of images from her trip with close friend and make-up artist Lydia Barnes. The pictures showcase Atack enjoying the South African sun in a variety of stylish outfits, from a chic black dress with a printed scarf to a white mini dress paired with designer sandals and a Saint Laurent handbag.
However, the actress's noticeably slender frame in the photos, following her recent post-pregnancy transformation, led a portion of followers to speculate about her weight. Comments quickly surfaced questioning if she was using weight-loss aids, with references to "skinny jabs" and the medication Mounjaro appearing beneath the posts.
A Swift and Fierce Defence from Fans
The speculation was met with an immediate and robust defence from many other fans and followers. The comment section became a battleground over the perennial public scrutiny of women's bodies. "These comments! Aren't we over talking about women's bodies?" wrote one supporter.
Another echoed the sentiment, stating, "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 also showed her support, commenting "GIRL" alongside a string of fire emojis.
Atack's Previous Comments on Post-Pregnancy Pressure
This incident follows comments Atack made in late November 2024 on Jamie Laing's podcast, where she spoke candidly about the pressure to "bounce back" after giving birth to her son, Barney, in June 2024. She expressed frustration that congratulations on motherhood were often replaced with questions about losing baby weight.
"I've just created a human, I am exhausted!" she said at the time. "The last thing I want to do is go to the gym but the first thing you're expected to do is get back into shape." She revealed she had actually gained weight since giving birth and was choosing to enjoy time with her newborn.
The actress also reflected on her early career, recalling how her role in The Inbetweeners led to a Facebook page dedicated to discussing her body. Despite being a size eight at the time, she was labelled "curvy" compared to other actresses, an experience she found confusing. She has consistently maintained she has a healthy relationship with food and has never engaged in extreme dieting.
A representative for Emily Atack was contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the recent online discussion. The star is currently engaged to scientist Alistair Garner, with whom she shares her son.
