Katie Sturino Reveals the 'Toxic' Trend That Has Taken Body Image Work '12 Steps Back' in Media (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Katie Sturino.Photo:CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty

Social media personality Katie Sturino attends the New York premiere of “It Ends With Us” at at AMC Lincoln Square

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty

Katie Sturinobelieves there’s still work that needs to be done when it comes to plus-size representation.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about her partnership withStitch Fix, the body-positive advocate spoke about the state of body image in the media today and the trajectory the conversation around inclusivity and acceptance has taken as of late.

Sturino, whouses her social media platformto promote self-confidence and encourage others to embrace their own bodies, has been advocating for body inclusivity in the fashion industry and acceptance in the media for nearly a decade.

One of the most successful ways Sturino started the conversation online is through her “Super Size the Look” series, where she styles celebrity-inspired outfits to show her followers anyone can dress like a star regardless of size.

Katie Sturino attends the Old Navy and The Cut Host 90’s Throwback Party.Mark Sagliocco/Getty

Katie Sturino attends the Old Navy and The Cut Host 90’s Throwback Party at Webster Hall on September 09, 2024 in New York City.

Mark Sagliocco/Getty

Sturino is also an entrepreneur and founder of Megababe, a body care brand that sells products for every body. Additionally, she’s a published author, who wroteBody Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life, and has her sights set on turning it into a movie, which she says is her “new life goal.”

While reflecting on the work accomplished in the years since she started posting on social media in 2015, Sturino notes there is still plenty more that needs to be done when it comes to body image work.

“We have taken one step forward and 12 steps back when it comes to body image work in the media and on social,” she explains. “The conversation was going in an amazing direction and then it took a hard left turn.”

Blake Lively, Katie Sturino.Gotham/GC Images; JAMIE MAGNIFICO

Blake Lively, Katie Sturino, Instagram

Gotham/GC Images; JAMIE MAGNIFICO

Those who are “abusing that medication who don’t necessarily need it for health purposes” is what Sturino described as “the most toxic” trend at the moment. “Essentially everyone in Hollywood has gone down a size.”

Katie Sturino speaks on stage at The BoF Professional Summit 2024 in NYC.Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Katie Sturino speaks on stage at The BoF Professional Summit at The Times Center on March 22, 2024 in New York City.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

This is frustrating for many to see, especially Sturino. “We were just kind of getting to a place where maybe people were getting a little bit more self-accepting and there was more body diversity on the screen.”

“That feels like it’s gone away,” she adds. “It’s likeHousewives. Where is the plus-sized housewife? There are no plus-sized housewives.”

Sturino adds that “we can’t rely on the big systems.” She explains, “The big systems are going to fail us here over and over until finally the little systems unite and we get that message pushed forward.”

That’s why, she says “people need to be reminded that no matter where you are in your journey, you’re okay.”

source: people.com