I love Katy Hill. In addition to being an awesome presenter with a BAFTA, she’s a BritMums regular and a huge oversharer. Just read her blog.
She also led the Twitter campaign this week to boycott OK Magazine in retaliation to their pathetic cover story about the Duchess of Cambridge and their suggested “post-baby weight loss regime”.
In case you missed it, mothers everywhere were incensed by the magazine enforcing the message to new mums that once baby is delivered, they should start losing that baby fat!
Really? In Katy Hill’s words: You just made a human! She tweeted this pic of herself 2 months post baby. You go girl!
You can read more in Katy’s open letter to the Duchess of Cambridge and other first time mums.
The US media has picked this whole story up pretty quickly. Katy’s been all over national TV (including the Today show) and American moms are eating it up. There is however, a distinct lack of UK coverage.
OK! must have been feeling the pressure, because they made a public apology to their readers. You can read it in this Indy article, but I warn you, it’s pretty lame. In my opinion, it misses the point.
“Kate is one of the great beauties of our age and OK! readers love her. Like the rest of the world, we were very moved by her radiance as she and William introduced the Prince of Cambridge to the world. We would not dream of being critical of her appearance. If that was misunderstood on our cover it was not intended.”
It’s not about being critical of her appearance. It’s the message you are sending to mums everywhere: You’ve given birth, now get back to looking nice and lose that baby fat. What are you waiting for? Chop, chop!
Really? Wow. I think I’ll give OK! a miss next time I’m at the hairdressers.
About Susanna Scott
Susanna Scott founded the BritMums social network in 2008 after a career in marketing. She wanted to create a space for parent bloggers to network, and share ideas and opportunities. She is often quoted as a pioneer in the UK Mum Blogging space, and has been named a top female entrepreneur. She has been featured in The Times, The FT, The Independent, The Guardian, The Sun, Technorati, She, Primo Baby and Red magazine, amongst others. She speaks frequently about blogging, social networking and the BritMums community at industry events. Her blog A Modern Mother ranks in the UK’s top 10 Family Tarvel Blogs. Follow her on @amodernmother.
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MumaLeary
Thursday 1st of August 2013
I couldn't agree with Katy Hill more and wrote my own blog on the realities of a post birth body to try to ensure that new mums, and less new mums do not feel under such pressure to look perfect. Absolutely totally rediculous and ill informed. http://mummetamorphosis.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/its-not-right-but-its-ok/
Mummy Whisperer
Wednesday 31st of July 2013
I've always loved Katy, but she so rocks for standing up to OK and for showing that photo. We need more Mums like her on the TV.
claire
Sunday 28th of July 2013
It was lovely to see Kate with her post baby bump, It proved she is human and I though how wonderful she looked and proud that she never tried to hide it.
Nice one Katy on showing your pictures, I remember my first and some one asking me two weeks later, when are you due?, wow that hurt!! I still have a little bump after 19 year, of having 4 children and I do lots of exercise and am proud of my bump.
Susanna you should start a linky were all mum can show our bumps off to all new mums ?
Verily Victoria Vocalises
Sunday 28th of July 2013
I've always found OK Magazine twee and unrealistic - like everyone is living in some kind of fantasy land but this is insensitive and insulting. Why can't the media STOP putting any kind of pressure on Mums whether it be staying at home, going back to work or losing weight amongst many things? And as for their half-hearted apology? That's an insult in itself! No we didn't misunderstand you OK - you made yourself perfectly clear!!
Michelle Garrett
Sunday 28th of July 2013
Three very big cheers for Katy Hill for being brave enough to bring this to everyone's attention.
As a celebrity she must feel a sisterly indignation about the way Kate and her body have been treated (disrespectfully) and Katy must also truly understand the pressure women who are frequently in the media spotlight feel to always look 'perfect' (let's rethink the definition of perfect!)
But she must also know how hard it is to speak out against a magazine that could choose to ignore or promote her at critical times in her career.
Well done Katy Hill, we need more women in the media like you!!