ANYONE WHO IS familiar with Sarah Hyland’s health struggles will be aware that the actress was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia in childhood, and has endured multiple surgeries over the course of her life, including two kidney transplants.
Anyone who isn’t familiar with Sarah Hyland’s health struggles will likely know her simply as an exceptionally slim young actress, famed for playing Hayley Dunphy on Modern Family.
And then there are those who are familiar with both versions of the actress, and who possibly felt a sense of unease over her recent post which made reference to diet culture and extolled the virtues of Spanx - control shapewear which Sarah said she was wearing two pairs of during the Vanity Fair Oscars’ party.
Sharing a photo of herself on the red carpet, Sarah wrote: “#funfact I’m wearing TWO pairs of spanx. Why diet? When you can just hide it!”
Depending on the version of which you are familiar, you will have likely inferred varying degrees of understanding from the post which was uploaded by the 28-year-old actress yesterday.
Perhaps you immediately (and correctly) deduced that the Spanx were actually worn in an effort to conceal scars and physical distortion born of kidney surgery.
Or perhaps you questioned why an actress of such a diminutive frame felt the need to wear two pairs of Spanx, and what the impact such a post might have on her legion of young fans.
Then again, you might have wondered why Sarah, who has always been candid about her various struggles and surgeries, didn’t explain the practical reason behind the Spanx, and instead suggested that they were a nod to the emphasis society puts on size, shape and weight.
And more specifically, wondered why she suggested that she was more than keen to bow to that ideal when the reality was as far removed from the Hollywood aesthetic as you’re likely to get.
As was to be expected, those who are unfamiliar with Sarah’s health struggles immediately attacked the actress.
Why make a dumb caption when you can just be quiet and post your picture? captions like this are extremely harmful.
What are you possible hiding? your are a size 0. (sic)
Okay.. coz you totally need spanx gtfo! You don’t know the actual struggle.
You don’t need Spanx! You have the perfect body!
Given the fact that Sarah’s post made no reference to the health reason behind her decision, it’s no real surprise that so many of her followers felt triggered by her post.
And given the level of backlash she endured as a result, Sarah soon clarified why she was wearing the shapewear when a fan wrote: “If you’re trying to hide the bump from your transplant, forget it. I’ve been trying for years!! Stay healthy.”
Someone gets it!! https://t.co/KokZgoS6QW
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) February 26, 2019
Sarah retweeted the message along with the caption: “Someone gets it.”
But here’s the thing, social media users can be forgiven for ‘not getting it’ when the message appears to blatantly bow to a narrative so many of us now deem problematic.
Without the back story, Sarah’s post seemed particularly troubling to many and potentially triggering to many more.
Indeed, one social media user attempted to draw the actress’s attention to the source of the issue, writing: “She’s always preaching about body positivity and for people not to make comments about how skinny she is due to her health issues, but then implies that she needs to diet.”
Another added:
What an irresponsible post from someone with influence. You are transparent about your problems gaining weight, so imagine how confusing and upsetting this post is to some people. Please consider addressing your mistake, you can do better!
It goes without saying that Sarah is under no obligation to discuss her day wear, evening wear, outerwear, inner wear or shape wear, but should she choose to, it seems social media users would appreciate a little more context as opposed to a caption which many clearly feel fuels a damaging dialogue.
It’s highly unlikely Sarah would have intended her post to cause distress, but it’s probable that had a more fitting caption accompanied the post, it would have acted as a platform for positive and open discussion rather than fuelled a negative narrative, which ultimately shames both ends of the shape and size spectrum.
