Jillian Michaels doubles down after fat-shaming backlash over ‘diabetes’ jab at Lizzo

Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels is defending her comments after she told fans to celebrate Lizzo’s music, not her body.

“Why are we celebrating her body?,” Michaels asked on BuzzFeed News’ morning show. “Why does it matter? Why aren’t we celebrating her music? ‘Cause it isn’t gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes.”

Michaels is the former host of NBC’s extreme weight loss show “The Biggest Loser” and was accused on social media of being “fatphobic” for her remarks on Lizzo’s body.

In a response to the backlash, Michaels posted on Instagram.

“As I’ve stated repeatedly, we are all beautiful, worthy, and equally deserving,” she wrote. “ I also feel strongly that we love ourselves enough to acknowledge there are serious health consequences that come with obesity — heart disease, diabetes, cancer to name only a few. I would never wish these for ANYONE and I would hope we prioritize our health because we LOVE ourselves and our bodies.”

Michaels was asked on BuzzFeed News’ show about her previous comments about “glamorizing obesity” in Women’s Health UK.

“We should always be inclusive, but you cannot glorify obesity. It’s dangerous,” she told BuzzFeed. “Now, it’s like, ‘Ah, that woman is 250 pounds, good for her!’ … It shouldn’t be one way or the other. It’s really no one’s business to comment. It’s not something you should judge. It’s not something you should celebrate.”

Lizzo hasn’t responded directly to Michael’s comments but posted a video on Instagram with a caption, which some fans think seem to be about the remarks about her size.

“Today’s mantra is: This is my life,” the singer wrote. “I have done nothing wrong. I forgive myself for thinking I was wrong in the first place. I deserve to be happy.”