Mel B’s Body-Positivity Post Met With Mixed Reactions

Body positivity is trending among the celeb set, and ex-Spice Girl Mel B is the latest to show her support for the movement.

The 41-year-old America’s Got Talent judge shared a topless photo of herself on her Instagram page. In the image, Mel B is serving glam with smoky eyes, red lips, and a loose, curly updo. Her toned midsection is on full display, as she wraps her arms around herself, covering her breasts. “As a [woman] I embrace my flaws and I’m comfortable in my own skin,” she captioned the image. “Might as well [I’m] gonna be in it for the rest of my life, I’m the kinda girl that has absolutely no desire to fit in, ladies we gotta love the skin we are in.”

Commenters on Mel B’s photo had a bit of trouble finding the flaws she was referring to, saying the star looked gorgeous and pretty darn perfect in the image. “What flaws you have to be kidding me! You are jaw dropping gorgeousss,” one person wrote. “You are flipping gorgeous & I’m as you are, I embrace my body & no one else’s,” yet another commenter offered. “We women are all different … we can be sexy, happy, confident no matter how we look, as long as we look the best for ourselves.”

Some felt empowered by the post to appreciate their own bodies. “My skin looks like a road map! I suffered from anorexia & bulimia, all because my ex husband said I was fat & ugly! Well I showed him (NOT!) I got down to 87#! I’ve had 10 surgeries to try & repair the damage I caused to myself! So, road map or not, at 56, it still serves me well! Keep on loving yourself Miss Mel!”

Still, Mel B’s post did draw criticism from individuals who thought the star’s so-called flaws weren’t on display as the post’s caption suggests. Some even accused her of looking for attention and praise as opposed to genuinely wanting to inspire people who might be struggling with their body image. “It’s so easy to post pics and say this when you’re basically perfect,” one person wrote said. “Oh f*** off, this isn’t about embracing your flaws, its just an opportunity for her to show off,” another wrote. One other person saw the picture and felt even more insecure about her looks. “I would love myself too if I had a body like you. Until then I will keep not liking what I see in the mirror.”

Others thought that Mel B’s post would have been a bit more powerful had she opted to touch on her past struggles with her body. “What would’ve made this post even better … if you would’ve posted this before you lost weight. You look fab but you also worked hard at it to change something I think you were and are very beautiful. Don’t make it about looks tho, its how you feel in that skin. That’s the truth people seek. It’s ok to want change in one’s self. The shape isn’t the beauty, it’s the confidence we carry with that shape that explodes our beauty.”

Mel B dropped 30 pounds this year and has talked about her weight-loss journey on Instagram before. “A few months ago I was nearly 30 pounds heavier, and I put myself on a mission to change, to change and be the best version of myself inside and out,” she shared. “I’m not perfect, but all I can do is try — that’s all we can do — but the hard work is paying off. Finally, I feel amazing, and it’s only getting better.” Mel B looks great and certainly has put a lot of effort into getting to a place where she can feel comfortable with herself. “It takes a lot of dedication, control, discipline, and will power ’cause it isn’t fun being the only girl at the party not drinking, and the only one waking up at the crack of dawn to work out,” she said a few months ago on Instagram.

Some might not be able to see her flaws, but Mel B is comfortable with celebrating her body after all the work she’s done, and in the end, that’s what matters most.

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