Another celebrity has been shamed for their body in recent news, but this time the circumstances are a little bit different. Usually, people hear about women being criticized for being too big or too small. However, people often forget that sadly, men experience body shame as well. Last week, “Prison Break” star Wentworth Miller fell victim to a body shaming meme that went viral.

The meme included a photograph of a skinny Miller, which was taken while “Prison Break” was being filmed, compared to a photograph of Miller years afterwards where he embodies a more normal body weight. The meme was captioned, “When you break out of prison and find out about McDonald’s monopoly…”

Miller responded to the insensitive story with a post of his own. In a very vulnerable fashion, Miller opened up about his struggles. He wrote, “Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time. This one, however, stands out from the rest.” He continued by explaining that at the time that the photograph was taken, and even before then, he struggled with mental health issues. During this difficult time, Miller turned to food to help him sort through his issues.

Miller’s response is crucial in today’s society, in which body shaming and eating disorders plague many people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Girls and boys are told how they’re supposed to look from a very young age, and many struggle to create their own identity when trying to conform to these unwritten rules. It’s important for people to understand that body shaming is a hurtful act that should never occur, and that it is one that is also not gender exclusive. Men are subject to the same body shaming that women are accustomed to. Males are taught to be tough and repress their emotions; they are expected to believe that being vulnerable is a sign of weakness.

Both men and women face different standards of body shaming, but they all have an underlying theme: conformity. It’s important for people to hear the stories and struggles that both male and female celebrities are facing, and how they’re able to overcome this criticism. Celebrities live in the spotlight and have their lives plastered across the media. It’s important to remember, though, that celebrities are just like anyone else and take body shaming to heart. Miller is fighting against people who view celebrities as easy targets, reminding everyone that it’s important to always love yourself, and ignore the negative voices around you.

Feature Image: bAtutzDR Photo, Courtesy of Flickr URL