Plus-size model Tess Holliday has sparked controversy once again with a heated social media response to critics questioning her authentic appearance compared to her heavily filtered Instagram presence. In a now-deleted TikTok video, Holliday launched into a defensive tirade against followers who suggested she should prioritize her health for the sake of her children.
According to sources, the model has built her career on body positivity messaging. In the video, she appeared visibly agitated as she addressed criticism about her weight gain and health concerns. “If you really loved yourself, you would take another pick,” she mockingly repeated comments from critics, before dismissing their concerns entirely.
What’s particularly striking about Holliday’s outburst is the disconnect between her online persona and her actual appearance. While her Instagram posts consistently feature heavy beauty filters and strategic angles that minimize her size, the unfiltered video showed significant weight gain, including what observers noted as fat deposits around her arms and face that weren’t visible in her curated content.
The irony wasn’t lost on critics who pointed out that someone who promotes self-love and authenticity relies heavily on digital manipulation to present herself online. “Why are you smoothing yourself? Why are you filtering yourself with beauty filter if you’re so proud of and so happy with who you are?” questioned one user.
Holliday’s rage seemed particularly triggered by suggestions that she should consider her children’s wellbeing. When critics mentioned that loving herself would mean staying healthy to watch her kids grow up, she dismissed these concerns despite acknowledging one of her children is nearly 20 and in college.
The model’s defensive response also revealed potential struggles with food addiction and weight management. When sarcastically addressing comments about stopping unhealthy eating habits, she admitted, “I don’t want to stop. I want to eat 50 cheeseburgers a day.”
If Holiday was truly comfortable with herself, critics argue, she wouldn’t need to rely on filters, angry rebuttals, or dismissive attitudes toward legitimate health concerns.