Actor and activist Jameela Jamil has defended English singer and songwriter Sam Smith after several trolls on Twitter and Instagram body-shamed them. Smith is at the center of trolls after they were seen in a corset and nipple pasties, among other luxe looks, in the new video for “I’m Not Here To Make Friends.”
While Smith has yet not made any comment on the controversy, actor and activist Jameela Jamil has defended them.
“People were OK with Sam Smith having curves when they were singing about being sad and lonely,” wrote The Good Place actor. “But happy, confident, and thriving Sam Smith is sending people over the edge.”
Jamil went on to share how “severe body image issues” are so prevalent within LGBTQ+ communities.
“Yet in 2023, people from within that very community even, jump at the chance to shame anyone who challenges the status quo. What threatens you about proof that you can be loved and love yourself without a (slightly pointless) 8-pack? she added.
In 2019, Sam Smith opened up to Jamil about their gender identity and said that they identify as non-binary.
“I have never spoken about this. When I saw the words ‘non-binary’ and ‘gender-queer’ and I read into it and I heard these people speaking, I thought f*ck — that is me. [They] mean to me that you do not identify in a gender, you are just you. You are a mixture of all different things, you are your own special creation. That's how I take it,” they told Jamil.
Smith also spoke at length about body image, telling Jamil that they was often self-conscious about their body as a child. “It was the basis of all my teasing, all my bullying,” they said.
The singer went on to explain that he underwent liposuction surgery at 12 years old after a doctor told him he carried an excess of the hormone estrogen. “I had some horrible situations in school,” they added.
Stay tuned to this space for more updates!
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.