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Amy Schumer calls out fat-shaming haters over ‘Barbie’ casting

The comedian is standing up for body positivity once again after controversy over her casting as Barbie in an upcoming movie about the iconic doll.
Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer is not afraid to address any haters head-on, especially when it comes to the issue of fat-shaming and unhealthy body standards.

Earlier this week, the star came under fire from some social media users after it was announced she was in talks to portray Barbie in an upcoming live-action movie about the Mattel toy from Sony.

“Amy Schumer being cast as Barbie is a self deprecating joke of hers right? It’s her making fun of herself? Wait. It’s not a joke? Wow!” wrote one YouTuber on Twitter.

“If Barbie became obese and heinous to men, @amyschumer is perfect,” read another Tweet.

Amy at the Met Gala with designer Alexander Wang. Photo: Getty

Today, Amy took to social media to react to the news that she had nabbed two Grammy nominations for Best Spoken Word Album and Best Comedy Album. But that wasn’t all – the star also took the opportunity to stand up to the body-shamers once again over her casting in the role of Barbie.

Posting a photo of herself on the beach wearing a black swimsuit, the star wrote, “Is it fat shaming if you know you’re not fat and have zero shame in your game?”

“I don’t think so. I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love.

“Where’s the shame? It’s not there. It’s an illusion. When I look in the mirror I know who I am. I’m a great friend, sister, daughter and girlfriend. I’m a badass comic headlining arenas all over the world and making tv and movies and writing books where I lay it all out there and I’m fearless like you can be,” she continued.

“Thanks to everyone for the kind words and support and again my deepest sympathy goes out to the trolls who are in more pain than we will ever understand. I want to thank them for making it so evident that I am a great choice.

“It’s that kind of response that lets you know something’s wrong with our culture and we all need to work together to change it.”

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“Anyone who has ever been bullied or felt bad about yourself I am out there fighting for you, for us. And I want you to fight for yourself too! We need to laugh at the haters and sympathize with them,” she added.

It was announced on Friday that Amy was in negotiations to play Barbie, in a film due to be released in 2018. According to Deadline, the story will be set in Barbieland, a world inhabited by plenty of different versions of Barbie, with Amy playing a character who isn’t “perfect enough, is a bit eccentric and doesn’t quite fit the mold”.

After being kicked out of Barbieland, Amy’s Barbie goes on to have adventures in the real world before returning to save her home after realising that perfection “comes on the inside, not the outside”.

Amy, who had been booked to bring her comedy tour to Australia and New Zealand this year, recently cancelled her highly anticipated gigs due to illness.

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