Ronda Rousey was featured this week in the New York Times, just the latest in an increasing series of mainstream, out-of-the-MMA-bubble appearances that has showcased her transcendent star power. During the interview, Rousey made some comments regarding combating body image issues in Hollywood; she talked about some of the photo shoots or promos she’s done in which she’s intentionally come in heavier, and explained her thought process in that regard.
“I swear to God, if anyone calls me fat one more time in my life, I’m going to kill them,” she said at one point.
“If I can represent that body type of women that isn’t represented so much in media, then I’d be happy to do that. When women say that going on publications directed at men is somehow demeaning, I don’t think that’s true. I think that’s one really effective way to change the societal standard women are held to.”
While Rousey’s comments on the surface are quite positive, it unfortunately doesn’t mesh with the way she herself has handled comments regarding one Cris “Cyborg” Justino, and the former Strikeforce Champ and current Invicta FC Champ called her out on that hypocrisy on Twitter.
I find it Hypocritical of @rondarousey to complain about people in Hollywood being critical of her body image,… http://t.co/oMlQn7Lo3V
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) October 9, 2015
Penick’s Analysis: It’s an unfortunate piece of Rousey’s story that there are several instances of her saying some pretty awful things or conveying some awful things to her large following. Cyborg’s been the brunt of much of it, and while Rousey has gone on advocate some positive messages, her vitriolic run of comments towards Cyborg and transgender fighter Fallon Fox in the past run the exact opposite of those positive messages. Now, if it’s a situation in which she comes to realize she was in the wrong, and in turn she avoids saying things in a similar vein in the future, great, but Cyborg’s well in the right to call her out a bit here.
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