Taylor Swift's Sharp Defense Of Lady Gaga Amid Pregnancy Rumors Has Everyone Saying The Same Thing

We may be living in 2024, but when it comes to commenting on women's body, some people are still living in the dark ages. We witnessed proof of that this week when rumors began to swirl about Lady Gaga possibly being pregnant. Gaga was in Maine over the weekend for her sister Natali Germanotta's wedding and, naturally, the paparazzi were there to invade the private event with their prying eyes and zoom lenses.

To no surprise, Gaga looked gorgeous, but as the photos began to circulate so did the questions surrounding her being pregnant. Although Gaga doesn't owe anyone any explanation, she took to TikTok to clarify that she's indeed not pregnant and referenced Taylor Swift's song, "Down Bad" from "The Tortured Poets Department" album. In the 10-second video, Gaga wrote, "not pregnant – just down bad cryin at the gym." She also took the opportunity to remind her followers to register to vote.

It didn't take long for Swift to come to Gaga's defense, writing under the TikTok video, "Can we all agree that it's invasive & irresponsible to comment on a woman's body. Gaga doesn't owe anyone an explanation & neither does any woman." (Hear, hear!) But as much as what Swift said perfectly summed up the problem, the fact that she even needs to say it in the first place is the real issue.

Basically, except for the very loud and ignorant trolls, the internet rallied around the two performers in a protective and loving way. Fans were pleased to see Swift publicly support another woman's right to privacy, and denounce body shamers.

she ended all the people speculating not just on Gaga but her body too. can't believe how it's 2024 and people still stuck on sharing their shitty opinions on women's bodies literally no one has asked for.

— swiftie struggle tweets (@swifferstruggle) June 5, 2024

At the same time, many pointed out how sad it was that Swift needed to make this statement in the first place. X user @swifferstruggle, for instance, tweeted, "[C]an't believe how it's 2024 and people still stuck on sharing their sh**** opinions on women's bodies literally no one has asked for." Then there were those who posted threads of different scenarios in which Gaga and Swift had each other's back, such as when Gaga called Swift "really brave," after the latter had discussed her own struggles with disordered eating. Many pointed out the significance of Swift making this public statement. The singer previously opened up in her 2020 documentary, "Miss Americana" about how reading online comments about her figure contributed to a negative body-image during her "reputation" era. At one point, she says that looking at "[pictures] of me where I feel like I looked like my tummy was too big, or... someone said that I looked pregnant ... and that'll just trigger me to just starve a little bit — just stop eating."

It's also worth noting Taylor Swift is far from the only celebrity to speak out on this issue. In 2023, fellow pop star Ariana Grande shared a PSA on her Instagram about the dangers of complimenting someone's body, emphasizing how even good comments can send someone into a spiral of body image issues. The pattern of celebrity women having to constantly make these statements points to a sad reality — that as much as body positive discourse has permeated the public eye, women are unfortunately still subject to comments on their appearance they didn't ask for. 

If you need help with an eating disorder, or know someone who does, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741)

The fact that women — both those in the public eye and those who are fortunate enough to live privately — are still being subjected to such commentary about their body isn't just depressing but outrageously offensive. As much as we've come so far in body positivity and body acceptance, there's still that percentage of people who refuse to evolve and realize no one wants to hear their comments about a woman's body — good or bad. As @enchatedtay13_ tweeted, "i feel like this also warrants a conversation about how bold people can be on the internet. to make comments on someone's body or say they're pregnant every time you see them and their stomachs aren't completely flat and have no care as to what damage that can do to a person."

Everyone, no matter their gender or sexuality, is impacted by what they see in the media. According to a 2021 study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, social media in particular has been linked to "body dissatisfaction and [a] drive for thinness," both of which make those who are on social media particularly vulnerable to disordered eating. So when celebrities, those whom we may already be comparing ourselves to on a subconscious level are fat-shamed, (because that's essentially what pregnancy rumors are), it impacts our own self-worth and how we view ourselves.

While there will always be those who feel it necessary to judge women's bodies, what we can do is shut them down and drown them out by coming to the defense of every woman who has that toxic vitriol thrown their way. It won't necessarily change the minds of trolls, because trolls are going to troll, but it will show each other that we're not going to sit back and be silent.