Lane Bryant just released a stunning commercial featuring plus-size models like Ashley Graham and Precious Lee. It’s a powerful declaration on loving your body with affirmations like, “This body is made for being bold, powerful and sexy,” and, “This body is made for proving them wrong.” But it may never make it on air.
The commercial was rejected by ABC and NBC and, even worse, no specifics were given as to why the commercial doesn’t meet network standards, according to TMZ. TMZ also notes that since Victoria’s Secret commercials can be just as provocative in terms of nudity, you can’t help but wonder if size discrimination is at play.
To be fair, networks could also be taking issue with the image of a woman breastfeeding. Though it’s a beautiful and perfectly natural process, some view public breastfeeding as indecent. Perhaps NBC and ABC want to avoid that controversy.
NBC asked Lane Bryant for a “minor edit to comply with broadcast indecency guidelines,” TMZ reports. But the plus-size retailer refuses to censor the ad. A representative told Yahoo, “The first edit was turned down out of hand and while we clearly created the commercial to air, we will not edit it as we believe it’s a beautiful and appropriate expression of women’s bodies. We do plan to air this through our own media and through digital channels where they find it as acceptable.”
Courtesy of Lane Bryant
As for the direction behind the commercial, Lane Bryant hopes to empower women to define beauty on their own terms. “The THIS BODY campaign was meant to be a fun way for us to celebrate and honor women of all shapes and sizes,” the company said in a statement to Cosmopolitan. “What is too much for some does not hold true for others. All women should be celebrated and feel empowered to express themselves as they see fit. We want her to know she can attract as much media attention, look just as striking as any woman, and decide what beautiful means to her. The THIS BODY commercial holds nothing back. It is a true celebration of women of all sizes doing what makes THEM feel beautiful whether it’s breastfeeding their newborn, flaunting their bodies the way they see fit, breaking down barriers all around and simply being who they are or want to be!”
Who could take issue with that?
