The Dark Side of Hot Girl Summer
Author: Kathryn Lodwick-Jones
The concept of “Hot Girl Summer,” which originated from rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s 2019 song, is often seen as a celebration of confidence, freedom, and self-expression, particularly in relation to women embracing their bodies and enjoying their lives. However, some argue that the idea of a “Hot Girl Summer” can be more exclusionary than empowering, and often fatphobic.
Promoting Narrow Standards of Beauty
Fatphobia can be perpetuated and enforced when phrases like “Hot Girl Summer” align being “hot” with thinness or a specific body type. Fatphobia can be defined as the fear, discrimination and prejudice against larger or fat bodies.
Being “hot” is often associated with a particular standard of societally imposed physical attractiveness, which typically emphasizes a slim, toned body. The term can unintentionally send the message that only those who fit conventional beauty standards are worthy of being viewed as attractive. This results in people in larger bodies feeling invisible or undeserving of self-love and confidence, implying that only certain bodies are worthy of celebration and attention. When we correlate attractiveness with certain body sizes and shapes, we enforce unrealistic beauty standards and further exclusion.
Impacts to Self-Esteem and Body Image
When we police bodies through the enforcement of harmful body image standards, we exclude people who don’t fit those physical ideals, creating pressure to conform to a certain body type. The “Hot Girl Summer” concept may unintentionally contribute to the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards, thus negatively impacting people’s self-esteem and increasing anxiety about appearance. This not only creates a negative view of oneself but enforces the idea that people must change to be accepted or participate in certain aspects of culture and society. While the phrase is meant to be empowering, for some, it can contribute to harmful beliefs that can be especially damaging to those who are already struggling with their body image or self-esteem.
Focus on Appearance Over Inner Confidence
Maybe you’ve heard a friend say something like “let’s get ready for hot girl summer” when preparing for a run, or a colleague demonstrating a desired change in their diet to get ready for “bikini body season”. While “Hot Girl Summer” is marketed as an empowerment movement, it often focuses more on external appearance than on promoting inner confidence, self-worth, and embracing individuality and intrinsic value. This creates the misconception that confidence and empowerment are only achievable through looking a certain way, further alienating people who don’t meet today’s beauty standards. This often translates to the expectation or often coercion, to lose weight, change one’s diet or exercise patterns, or change the way you dress based on your body size and shape.
Hot Girl Summer, often like some harmful aspects of Wellness culture, may be another version of diet culture and the promotion of the thin-ideal repackaged. The idea that we must strive to achieve a certain body shape, size, weight, or physique also subtly or explicitly enforces beliefs about weight loss to be attractive. Often there is a norm that as the weather gets warmer during the spring and summer months, there is an expectation that only certain people (often smaller bodied) are allowed or encouraged to show off their bodies and conform their wardrobes to be weather appropriate. This enforces the idea that fat people should not show off their bodies at their current state and should strive to be thinner, smaller and therefore more attractive to look at and worthy of wearing certain clothing. It is normal for bodies to naturally change over time; the promotion of changing your body to be deemed as attractive, per society’s standards, is both unsustainable and harmful.
Lack of Inclusivity for Diverse Bodies and Identities
While the concept of “Hot Girl summer” was created to celebrate self-confidence and fun, its interpretation can sometimes inadvertently reinforce exclusionary beauty standards that aren’t inclusive of all bodies, contributing to fatphobia and body shaming. The focus on specific beauty ideals or certain physical looks can inadvertently exclude and harm individuals who don’t meet those standards, leaving those who are not represented by those ideals feeling alienated. This results in a missed opportunity to embrace and celebrate diversity in body types, ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and personal expressions, leaving many out of the conversation about self-love and empowerment.
A more inclusive and universally uplifting version “Hot Girl Summer” could evolve into a more empowering message by focusing on inner confidence, self-expression, and celebrating all forms of beauty, not just one narrow ideal. At the least, embracing and celebrating all body types, regardless of shape, size, or status of potential bodily changes that are a normal part of life and human development. Let’s find a more inclusive way of celebrating bodies regardless of their size, shape, and weight and focusing on authentic self-expression!
Equilibria is a group of licensed mental health professionals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with multiple specialties to serve all aspects of our diverse community’s mental, emotional, and behavioral needs. We provide in person and telehealth services to individuals of all ages, families, and those in relationships. Click here to schedule an appointment today.
