YouTube star Zoella has posed topless for a magazine shoot, hitting back at body-shaming critics by saying: “I am a 26-year-old woman”.
Zoella, real name Zoe Sugg, is the cover star of this month’s Blogosphere magazine.
The interview, which focuses ‘on the part of [Zoella’s] character that is often over-looked – the 26-year-old business woman’, will be in the December edition of Blogosphere amongst her 12-page spread.
Previously criticised and body-shamed on social media for posting a selfie of herself wearing a long-sleeved white top and underwear to bed, the shoot touches on the real Zoella – yes, a role model to many teens, but also a grown, adult woman free to do, post or say whatever she wants.
Discussing her critics with the publication, the vlogger revealed she went through a period where ‘everything was so difficult’.
She said:
I felt like I was suffocated. Other creators saying that I wasn’t doing this, or I should be doing this. Or press saying, ‘you have young teen viewers’. I was like yes, but I am also a 26-year-old woman.
@zoella inspires body positivity among her viewers, how is that a bad thing? #WeStandWithZoe ??? pic.twitter.com/DsGPRAEkVm
— Zoella Philippines (@ZoellaPH) March 24, 2016
In addition to the overwhelming support she received on social media, Zoella’s boyfriend, fellow YouTube star Alfie Deyes, supported her by posting a photo as ridiculous and humorous as the criticism.
Wearing Zoe's knickers for this one #WeStandWithZoe pic.twitter.com/Ungjhl8lSL
— Alfie Deyes (@PointlessBlog) March 23, 2016
Zoella also speaks openly about dealing with anxiety and considers herself as ‘definitely a feminist’.
She adds in the interview:
I think it’s amazing that there are so many women bossing it and having the freedom to do do whatever it is that they really want to do.
I’m so glad that I followed on with something that I was enjoying, even though I had no idea that it could amount to anything.
Way to go, Zoella.
