One Direction singer Liam Payne is fighting back against criticism regarding his weight after the Daily Mail insulted him in a headline.
The 20-year-old British pop star has been vacationing in France with friends. After Payne posted a scandalous photo on Instagram and did a strip tease on a boat, critics and gossip sites on the Internet have been less than complementary about his weight.
The popular British entertainment site Daily Mail ripped on Payne for his lack of a chiseled tummy. “Liam Payne reveals his less than toned physique as he puffs on a cigarette and drinks with friends aboard a luxury yacht,” the headline reads.
Payne is in no way out of shape or at an unhealthy weight. To combat the unfavorable remarks about his body, the former X Factor contestant posted a joking photo on Instagram. The photo features the singer posing with a bemused expression and a large belly created by pillows stuffed under his shirt. “I mean OH MY GOD I'm just so fat these days I think I need help,” he captioned the snap. “Quick someone take the cookie jar.”
Image via Instagram from Liam Payne
Payne later posted a screenshot of his Body Mass Index to prove to fans that he is indeed at a healthy weight. He took jabs at the media for criticizing celebrities about their size in the description. “Now just because I'm sick of seeing this everyday so I just want to clear up what the media do to people these days. Is it wrong to be normal?” he asked. “Or do I have to look like an Olympic swimmer just to get your approval into the cool kids or can I accept that the person I truly love thinks I'm the coolest kid in town anyway?” Payne concluded, “Think I'll vote the second one 😉 enjoy your day people.”
Image via Instagram from Liam Payne
What do you think about the incident? Did Daily Mail take things too far?
Image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com