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Love Island's Millie Court on "insensitive" pregnancy comments after weight gain

Photo credit: Millie Court - Instagram
Photo credit: Millie Court - Instagram

Love Island 2021 winner Millie Court has shared an emotional message with fans, asking them to stop asking her if she's pregnant following her post-villa weight gain.

Speaking to The Sun, the reality TV star opened up about losing weight before going on the show last summer, which she previously described as leaving her "unhealthily skinny".

"Knowing millions would be tuning in, I wanted to look and feel my best, so in the months before, I got as fit and healthy as possible," she told the newspaper. "By the time I entered the villa, I was a size 8 – probably a dress size smaller than usual – and felt good."

Highlighting how society's view on the 'ideal' body type is constantly changing (proving that, no matter what your dress size is, unfortunately there will always be critics), Millie continued: "The food in the villa wasn’t my favourite, and you tend to eat less when you’re in the heat, so when I left Love Island I was a size 6 – the smallest I’ve ever been. After the show, I gradually put weight back on and rediscovering my curves made me feel sexy."

But, Millie says that getting back to her usual body shape on the outside world triggered an influx of "nasty" comments from trolls who questioned the cause of her weight gain. "I’ve received nasty comments on social media about my size 10 figure, with some people even asking if I’m pregnant," she revealed. "Can you imagine if I couldn’t have children or I was trying for a baby and not succeeding?"

The ex-Islander went on, "On International Women’s Day in March, I hit back at trolls on Instagram, saying it was insensitive to comment on what I looked like and that I’d been torn apart by the things people had said."

"It’s so important to not get sucked in by beauty standards of perfection. Even though I’m now happy with the way I am, inside and out, those comments hurt. I’m human – nobody likes to feel judged."

Thankfully, Millie says the loving and supportive relationship she has with co-star and boyfriend Liam Reardon goes a long way in terms of rebuilding her self confidence. Importantly though, she notes that her love for herself is what really counts.

"I don’t believe that being in a relationship has a bearing on self-confidence," she says. "Yes, receiving compliments from Liam makes me feel great, but no one should rely on another person’s approval to feel good.

"To be the best version of yourself in life, you need to be truly happy in your own skin."

Well said, Millie!

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contactBeat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.


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