After we watched the halftime show last Sunday, most of us went directly to the internet to research Rihanna’s possible pregnancy. As excited we all are for her beautiful new baby on the way, her bump honestly could have been more ground-breaking if she wasn’t pregnant.
Many women went into defense mode for Rhianna when folks started assuming the artist was expecting again. Rihanna gave birth only nine months ago. A woman having baby fat after childbirth is not impossible, but many audience members seemed to think so.
I watched the halftime show at a bar in the inner Richmond. It was packed with Rihanna fans who waited patiently for the second quarter to end. As the artist came on screen many comments were made about her weight almost instantly. People in the bar started to debate back and forth with one another on whether it was possible a celebrity could rock her post-pregnancy weight.
One woman I knew personally stated, “She would have never performed if she just looked like that.” Women, especially celebrities, are pushed by the media and society to hide their weight or stretch marks after childbirth but for what reasons?
Childbirth is one of the most straining and physical things your body can go through. Taking care of a newborn child is time consuming and can often be a new learning experience for many mothers. Why does the media expect women to immediately hit the gym after giving birth when they are taking care of their newborn babies and soaking in those beautiful moments?
Rihanna’s pregnancy reveal was beautiful and extremely exciting news for her and her growing family. However, if Rihanna, a strong and gorgeous woman wasn’t pregnant and had just publicly rocked her post-birth natural body in front of millions of people, that would’ve been just as beautiful.
Rihanna has always had an impact on society. She’s a beautiful, strong, talented, successful businesswoman. Her and any celebrity embracing their post-baby bodies would send a message that women are beautiful before, after, and during their pregnancies. The statement could’ve silenced many who shame and bash the bodies of freshly new mothers.
As a society, we must uplift each other in all circumstances. There’s nothing wrong with working out after giving birth. But there’s also nothing wrong with just resting at home with your newborn and embracing that naturalness.
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at San Francisco chapter.