CMAT shares 'deep sadness' over body-shaming after BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend performance

Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has spoken out against the relentless online abuse she has faced regarding her body and weight since performing at BBC’s Radio 1 Big Weekend in Sunderland on May 24. In a raw Instagram post on Thursday, she described the harassment as an inescapable burden that intensifies with her growing fame. “This proves literally so boring for me, a gorgeous genius, to keep having to yap on about how horribly I am treated because of my body,” she wrote. “I would love to stop but because it keeps happening, at an accelerating and worsening pace.”

CMAT shared screengrabs from a Substack essay by a music fan using the pseudonym Front Row Feels, which highlighted the stark contrast between her treatment and that of fellow performers Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean. The essay noted that while Larsson and Dean were spared similar abuse, CMAT faced a barrage of criticism. “What struck me most while scrolling through those toxic comment sections was the glaring disparity in how different women on that same lineup were treated,” Front Row Feels wrote, emphasizing that CMAT was denied “a level of grace and basic humanity” granted to her peers.

Why the Abuse Matters

CMAT’s public response underscores a broader issue of body-shaming in the entertainment industry, where female artists—especially those who deviate from conventional beauty standards—often endure disproportionate scrutiny. Her frustration stems not from defiance but from a lack of control over her body, which she described as something she “would of course like to change in order to fit in and avoid all of this abuse.” Despite her struggles, she clarified she had “extreme difficulty” in altering her appearance, leaving her trapped between personal desire and public hostility.

The singer’s success—highlighted by her sold-out Dublin headline show this weekend as part of her Euro-Country tour—has paradoxically amplified the abuse. “It is increasingly becoming tarnished by the fact that I would be allowed to enjoy it so much more if I was thin,” she wrote. The pressure to conform, she added, extends beyond online spaces, making every professional environment “more hostile.”

Did You Know? CMAT’s 2023 album Take a Sexy Picture of Me directly critiques the relentless scrutiny women face over their bodies, a theme now playing out in real-time as she navigates fame.

What Could Happen Next

CMAT’s statement may prompt further discussions about online harassment in music, particularly for artists who challenge traditional beauty norms. Industry figures and advocacy groups could amplify her case, though no official responses have been documented. The incident may also influence how promoters and media outlets address body-shaming in artist coverage, though any shifts would likely be gradual. For CMAT, the immediate focus remains her ongoing tour, including her Dublin show on Saturday, where she will perform as the headline act.

CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY | Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 @CMATbaby

Expert Insight: CMAT’s experience reflects a troubling pattern where female artists—regardless of talent—face disproportionate backlash for physical attributes outside societal expectations. The contrast with peers like Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean reveals how quickly public perception can shift based on appearance, reinforcing the need for systemic change in how women in entertainment are judged. The lack of institutional accountability for online harassers remains a critical gap, leaving artists to navigate abuse alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

[Question 1]

Why did CMAT feel compelled to speak out now?

She explained that the abuse had reached a point where she could no longer ignore it, describing it as worsening with her fame. Her Instagram post was triggered by photos taken during her Radio 1 Big Weekend performance.

[Question 2]

Did CMAT say she was choosing her body size as a form of rebellion?

No. She explicitly stated, “I am not being defiant. I am not choosing to look like this… I simply have a body,” emphasizing that she would prefer to change her appearance to avoid the abuse but has struggled to do so.

[Question 3]

What album did CMAT reference in her post?

She mentioned Take a Sexy Picture of Me, released last year, which critiques the scrutiny women face over their bodies—a theme now resonating in her current experience.

How do you think industries like music can better protect artists from online harassment without shifting blame onto them?

CMAT shares ‘deep sadness’ over body-shaming after BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend performance | CMAT