“I know I’m not pregnant ... I am comfortable in my skin”

Miss South Africa 2019 Sasha-Lee Olivier was recently body shamed in an article published in a well known publication. The article posted along with a picture of the diva wearing mustard off-the shoulder speculating that Miss South Africa 2019 Sasha-Lee Olivier might be pregnant. "If it’s true that there is a bun in the oven, it would be the first big scandal to hit South Africa’s most popular pageant," read one of the lines in the article.

Sasha who was adjudged the first runner-up at the national pageant in 2019 took over the responsibilities of Miss South Africa after Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019. Body shaming is one of the most serious forms of bullying; the beauty queen was heartbroken and humiliated after the article was released. She later expressed her emotions through a video posted on her social media account saying, “I know I’m not pregnant. I know who I am. I am comfortable in my skin. I’m speaking up not for myself but for every single person I represent on this platform. It’s not even about weight. It’s about every girl that hasn’t felt comfortable or like she does not fit in. You don’t have to fit in. Just be yourself. That’s all and that’s enough.”

She further added, “I’m so disappointed in the fact that we’re supposed to be building each another up but we choose to break each other down. I hope this is a teachable moment for every single one of you. You have a responsibility to use your platform to build and lift each other up. Let’s focus on what’s important." Sasha’s fans and followers were upset with such an act to humiliate the beauty queen who has been religiously fulfilling her responsibilities and is a role model to many women around the world.

Later, the Miss South Africa organization also released a statement in support of the beauty queen and stated, "The article is pure body shaming, implying that if Sasha-Lee is not pregnant then she is fat. Let us put it on the record that Sasha-Lee Olivier is a real person and is deeply hurt by what appeared. As part of the 2019 campaign, Sasha Lee stood as an advocate for fuller figure women and expanded on the organization’s prior representations of beauty. We as an organization stand strong with Sasha Lee with this understanding of beauty and do not take lightly to any form of body shaming and discrimination which is intended to disempower and humiliate her. The Miss South Africa Organization will be taking legal advice and action."